diablo175

I didn't watch the clip, but you're right - that's really irritating. It's for that reason that I don't take a camera with me when I'm on a vacation or at a family function. It gets in the way of the experience and even the memory of the event. I look at photos that I've taken in the past and, while I remember taking the pictures like it was yesterday, I don't remember experiencing the event itself. I dunno. Some things just BEG to be documented. Like this event yesterday: Jumping out of a Boeing B-17 E Flying Fortress. The shot below was made by my helmet cam and in no way interfered with the enjoyment I experienced.

They're playing ABC's Good Morning America this am....

Damn right. Snakeskin is one of several iconic 80's RAWK graphics that came to mind when I was trying to determine how to adorn the Cali. Not to toot my own horn but I'll bet you'll see my design aped a few times after pics surface on Dan's website.

IMO, Destroyer was and is my pivotal KISS studio album. It embodies all of the qualities I looked for most in a group/album/music at that point in my life- it had all the sturm und drang, darkness, polish, attitude and guitar tone I could've hoped for. The dark and mystical side of God of Thunder just hypnotized me and there were few, if ANY anthems that spoke more to my burgeoning rock n roll teen rebel persona than King of the Nighttime World & Detroit Rock City. Lastly, there was something magical and romantic about Great Expectations which undoubtedly spoke to my red-lining libido, as well as my closely guarded romantic side

This/\ While I was pretty bummed when I found out Alive was not completely "live", it still embodies the energy and the attitude that was the KISS phenomenon. That one album had a more profound effect on my musical interests and direction than any other. It just barely surpassed Jimi Hendrix' Are You Experienced in it's impact and that's saying a LOT.

THAT is some FUNNY sh*t!

JEALOUS! Been jonesing an SS1 for a the last month and a fixer-up with crowns would be JUST the ticket! Congrats and have fun!

I'm now a maybe. Trying to nail down travel & hotel arrangements. bubs_42 has kindly reached out to offer up guidance and even assistance. Just wanted to publicly state the very kind gesture is greatly appreciated. Thanks, bubs !

Ouch. My sincerest wishes for a speedy recovery. The good news? You can still play guitar with a bad foot.

Not to the extent that it depicts what my design will look like. My design was taken from a certain type pf python and to my knowledge, no one has ever done this design before. Try this page which has thumbnails links to his work, two of which are some rather solid snakeskins... SNAKESKINS

The next phase has begun. The once purple Cali is now modded, disassembled and off to Dan for some kick ass snakeskin action. Then, the guts go back in, including the new Schaller Floyd w/ FU block, Bare Knuckles Holy Diver bridge, SD Lil' 59 in the neck and I should be annoying the neighbors and the spouse with style!

CL seems ripe with scams. Luckily, you have members on here that have steered you away from this one. I like the one that suggests listing a phone number instead of an email addy.

Came across this review of FU components a few minutes ago: http://www.jcfonline.com/threads/133291-Floyd-Upgrades-review Might have to try the springs and the stainless saddle screws...

Hmm. I toyed with the idea of a FU trem but price was the deciding factor- that, and the Schaller trems have the shortened string lock screws. If I wanted to go any other trem, I'd have to rout the body for the longer string clamp screws. What quantifiable advantages does the FU trem have over a Schaller or the OFR? Awesome pics by the way. Thanks! Well, aside from the excellent quality, it's all about the arm. You can lock it in place or let it swing freely. If you take it off, there is an allen wrench hidden at the tip of the trem arm! The noiseless springs are awesome, too. Interesting. Might have to try one. Though I have to say, I've gotten along fine without having the allen wrench at the bottom of the arm and the collared arm mechanism does not bother me in the least except when it DOESN'T function as designed. Loose swinging arms are a MAJOR pet peeve and arms that require excessive effort to move are just as bad, IMO. Noiseless springs seem like a bit of superfluous hype- like the cherry on the sundae- I don't eat the cherry, I want the sundae. I'll admit I don't play or perform in a setting where something like spring noise (which I've never heard outside of when it's unplugged, the cavity cover is off and I'm depressing the bar a lot) would be a problem. Have played Gotoh's and my reaction was "meh" Performance was no better nor worse than my Schallers or OFR's. IMO, the biggest selling point of an FU is the durability of the body. Longer lasting components sound good to me. With the amount of abuse I bestow on my trems, I typically replace the posts and have the knife edges resharpened long before most players do.

I appreciate all the suggestions but have already decided that maple Cali's just are not the guitar for me. Maple Cali is up on the block BUT.... the Cali LE project is alive and well. I have Unca Greg to thank for the work he did on my other LE. Totally improved the sound & performance of that Cali. So much so that it inspired to take one culled from Lady Scary's herd and revamp that with new pups, a block,trem, toggle switch & pots.

Trem, block, switch and SD Little '59 have arrived. Awaiting Holy diver p'up and then the ax is off to Dan for paint. Cannot wait for this to come back!!!

Hmm. I toyed with the idea of a FU trem but price was the deciding factor- that, and the Schaller trems have the shortened string lock screws. If I wanted to go any other trem, I'd have to rout the body for the longer string clamp screws. What quantifiable advantages does the FU trem have over a Schaller or the OFR? Awesome pics by the way.

Custom paint design... to be revealed when finished

Have ordered a Bare Knuckle Holydiver bridge, an SD Little '59, a Switchcraft toggle, a Schaller black Floyd, a FU Brass Big Block and have scheduled a paint job from Dan Lawrence... nothing left but the waiting.

Lady Scary was kind enough to part with one of her worn Cali LE's and I have the makings for yet another Cali project. Gonna take out the active EMG's and drop in a some crunchy passives- toss up between some Bare Knuckles and something along the lines of the EVH Frankenp'up. Then, a new Schaller FR w/ brass big block, swap a toggle type selector for the 3 way. Lastly, it's off to Dan Lawrence for some eff-ing cool paint. Can't wait!

That's awesome,Thorn! A credit to parenting and guitarists alike!

I remember the media hype around the SD at the time. I certainly remember George 's endorsing them. Loved his playing. Never realized he played solid maple/ebony axes though...

they state that the Screamin' Demon is well suited for rosewood necks...sadly, the Cali is ebony. However, I'd be willing to try one out in my quest for "the sound".

LOL. I wish I could. After 23 + years of playing slinky 9's (and a few other brands) I'm afraid moving up in string gauge is not gonna happen. I can barely play 9's half-assed. 10's would set me back considerably. Nah, current treble setting works fine for 5 other stage guitars, which include two other Blackout equipped axes and one is a mahogany Cali. Truth be told I've experimented extensively with different sound settings on my amp and ME 50, and I find the solid maple Cali is always the brightest. I prefer not to have to change the settings for one lousy p'up. My goal is to have all my guitars and amp rig work without any significant mods to settings etc. I think I can accomplish this with the right p'up. But thanks for the input, Ben.

Tone Zone is a NO go. Am having the Tone Zone in my mahogany Cali LE pulled out because it was too shrill & thin. Nice highs but shite for lows/mids. In a solid maple body w/ ebony board, that'd be unbearable. The Cali is, as stated, solid maple so, the BBQ might stand a chance of having nice mid/highs if it brings some fat warmth and beefy lows to the game. Would LOVE to get an EVH Frankenpup sound outta that Cali but again, I'm concerned about the brightness of the maple/ebony. My own experience with the EVH is that it has VERY nice definition for Floyded solos as well as sounds nice and chewy for rhythms. Kinda lacks any noteworthy low beef as is characteristic of 80's shred tones. Note: that is in an alder body w/ neck thru maple & ebony.