MTM105

I saw Gary play live 1986 or 87 Killeen, TX. It was a small venue promoted on radio. Could not have been more than 150-200 people. He played as if there were 20,000.

I used to post here regularly like an ADHD kid in desperate need of medication. 2017 I sold my Hamer Special '81 of 25 years, in dire need of $$. Today I'm raking in almost 6 figures retirement. 100% VA Disability a nice chunk of change. $ will change perspective on things... I stumbled upon Fargen in a trade. It was the 25W twin channel version. I'm not a big fan of twin channels, one emulating one amp, and the other emulating another. Sooner or later you will gravitate towards one or the other. It sold me and I bought four more. Sold the original and a micro_Plex. Today I have the Mighty Plex MK1 & 2. And a Mini-Plex. These amps emulate Marshall without the ice picks. Phenomenally built. Minus some tolex issues.

I have 1 import, Danelectro. I never really play it. 3 others which I consider to be of practical value. 81 Hamer Special Opaque Red 87 Ibanez 540S 2004ish(?) PRS Swamp Ash Each guitar does its own thing. The Ibanez was made in Bensalem, PA and I believe the craftsmanship cannot be found equal nowadays. It never disappoints me. The later Ibanezes feel cheap, no matter how expensive. The Swamp Ash I just traded a 74 Tele Deluxe for it from a country music artist who is a part of CMT. (I'd name drop but he gets guitars from PRS and has ethical concerns) I'm not crazy about the bridge, but the sound is there and I can understand why/how the guitar is driving everyone crazy. The Hamer I played through years and years of frustrated economic times in college and beyond, and I value it like a firstborn and would never consider selling it after owning it now for 24 years. (G-d I'm old)

Head in Mississippi recorded through Marshall Lead 12. Tranny. Get a head for $99 on Ebay. People unload same amp recorded with 10 inch speaker frequently.

Did Jimi Hendrix care if his guitar was upside down? Or Cobaine played a Jaguar? What was the point of Townshend smashing guitars? It's about Rock n Roll. Not corporate correctness. A Hamer should be played for it's sound and feel. Not because it's pretty.

Def Leppard is Glam Rock. When was the last time anyone on this forum felt compelled to purchase one of their new releases?? Dio is Hard Rock. My guess is the DL has VC on board to put a set of cahones into their line-up.

Is he making money? Does anyone know his arrangement with the business end of things? Most of their royalties come from the albums he didn't play on, with songs he didn't write. The Stones didn't make Ron Wood a 'full member,' money-wise, for 17 years. I guess Viv is just a plain idiot and should walk away from playing in front of 50K live audiences... Damn fool. What kind of life is that? He probably wasn't getting the cut he well deserved with Dio. That is probably why he is so disrespectful to Dio. I'm sure he is very well compensated. He is laughing all the way to the bank and can care less what people think he should or should not do. When the Touring is done, or band breaks up, he'll have plenty of options to consider, one would be his bank account. Viv considers himself to be a success. I do to. 999.99% of guitarists never reach his level. He isn't concerned what pundits think.

I can see after making a name for himself not not liking (Spinal Tap) Heavy Metal lifestyle. His point is that its a fictitious lifestyle and he no longer finds it meaningful. Perhaps Randy Rhoads found it the same way. I would imagine it's all about Alpha male syndrome. But VC seems disrespectful not thanking Dio helping him make a name for himself. But then, Dio probably kept most of the proceeds and treated VC like a dog.

I read Boss DS-1 and Seymour Duncans. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22sTQJ9u6Ik...feature=related

I frequent McKays, a local used bookstore. They throw out a 1/2 ton of stuff everyday in the free book bin and I picked up a promo video collection today, one which has Dio Live Holy Diver. He looks old, maybe a few years younger for his age. But even Mick Jagger is losing his voice......I don't see how he could lead Black Sabbath with real integrity. RONNIE JAMES DIO On VIVIAN CAMPBELL: 'I Hope He F**king Dies' - Oct. 2, 2007 http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/BlabberMo...ewsitemID=81899 Oct. 29, 2003 In a recent interview posted on DEF LEPPARD's official web site, current DEF LEPPARD/former DIO guitarist Vivian Campbell talked about his disdain for hard rock. "The real irony of that is I actually don't like hard rock music," he said. "I know it's a strange thing to say, but I don't really care about my past contributions. Even now I still get these guys coming up to me going 'Duuuuuuuude!', giving me the DIO devil sign and yelling 'Holy Diver!!' and 'Rainbow In The Dark, whoo hoo!!' and it's cool that they remember it, but that music never mattered to me — and still doesn't." Campbell went on to praise and rip Ronnie James Dio, with whom he had an acrimonious split in the mid-'80s, "Oh yeah, night after night, [Ronnie] was absolutely on the money," Vivian said. "An incredibly strong voice and within that niche genre of dungeons and dragons and rainbows and midgets... You know, the sorta old school heavy metal, he's an incredible talent. But he's an awful businessman and way more importantly, one of the vilest people in the industry

I don't consider it a waste. He is on stage with what is probably now the best Rock band playing live. (not historically, but lucratively) He's on stage making great $, living like a rock star. Doesn't seem like he has to make any real desicions. I don't think he sold out. Just a good business decision. He's keeping the music alive, IMO. He can easially retire off of that $. I wish it were me.... Johnny Dio is a Mafia name RJD utilized as a stage name. You reap what you sow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sj7UBgVVew8&NR=1 Sometimes I wonder if I've sold my soul for this....The whole flipping album. Hearing the studio rendition gives me chills. Is that Vivian Campbell? What is his set up? Any secrets? Modded Amp? Dio is touring. If I'm not mistaken, he's 67 years old. Jesus Christ. He'll never be 1/2 the man I am, though. Literally.

Dental Floss? Montana? Dick Cheney involved?

I think he went to Mannys NYC and bought that guitar. He was supposed to come back to Ireland with a more traditional LP or Strat. No one thought that guitar would get them anywhere. I could see myself doing the same thing.

Al DeMelola - Elegant Gypsy Aerosmith - Live Bootleg

my only Hamer. 81 Special Opaque Red. $300 used, 1987. It was my heart and soul playing through college while eating sustanance of Ramon and cheap spaghetti. Hours and hours, esp Labor day weekends with commercial free radio. The only thing that would stop me from playing was the last 2 1/2 inning of Mets home game on Channel 9 TV. this went on for years. I am ashamed I didn't have enough $ to what I considered dating.

Which is the best bridge?? Sustain Block?

Danelectro

Skynyrd was one of my favorites. Had the large poster on my door. I lived/breathed Skynyrd. Saw Rossington Collins Band at NJ. Large arena. About 1986 saw them again, minus Allen Collins in a small venue in Texas. Gary looked very coked up for the show. I stood there looking at him face to face and he had that look of uninvolved discernment with me. I felt kinda sad. My hero was less than human. I can trade for an SG signed by him, but I'm not that interested. Another small venue I saw Nazarath and right before the guitarist kicked in the lead for Now your Messin, he looked right at me and I had an out of body sort of experience.

I don't recall seeing Joe Perry on the list. Probably the greatest American Rock band. Others come close, but Aerosmith has had the same line up for 40 years. Just great, great Rock n roll without the pretentious drama that the Brits brought with them.

BUMP

I read that the early specials have that 59 LP cut in the neck, which has given the guitar such great appeal over the years. save yourself $250,000. Just spend $500-$1000 for it.

Gary has "that" tone. His tone is the tone I seek. I don't have the same equipment. But it sounds close enough. My problem is that I'll get to it. then I start tweaking. and tweaking. and tweaking. never good enough. always tweaking. never playing. just tweaking...............

bump http://fliiby.com/file/57261/79tvxsf61g.html if you don't laugh, something is wrong with you........

this thread is obsene. should be condemened by the board of health. what is up with the different colored pickups, anyway?? Is that for a Gary Moore out of phase Greenie guitar? (which he must have gone broke because he sold it) He never looked happier sporting a Hamer. I saw him 87 and his whole band was playing them. Then, I guess, he got bitter because he didn't have a model produced after him (?).