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Rob, you are a scholar and a gentleman! Back then, rob heard I was a Scorps fan (or I found out where he was working and begged a lot!). Anyway, he sent me a backstage pass and a lot of pics of his rig and guitars. I still have them somewhere but not sure where. Hopefully, he or someone has files of them on their computer. I'll help out more if nothing can be found easily. Another HFC Scorpions shout out was when I was at a Scorps show way in the back. I call Steve Haynie and he gets me past security up to the good seats just in time for them to hit the stage! I still owe you beer or something for that! Whenever I see the Scorpions live they remind me of a traveling gypsy band. They just have a different stage presence and energy than most bands. Some bands try so hard to be tough or super sexy but, to me, the Scorpions just try to give it all they have and really rock the crowd. It's like they really just want everyone to have the greatest time rocking out. It could be considered somewhat campy to some but I think that's just who they are.

Well, it wasn't a sealed box within a sealed box, but nearly; it was an amp with styrofoam corners with another layer of cardboard wrapped around that and taped with more packing/bubble wrap etc. around that within the other box. There was also a separate area off to one side that had the footwitch and power cord. I put an extra layer of cardboard in front of the whole speaker grill and then more bubble wrap on top of the amp as well. The bottom also had a thick piece of cardboard that had holes cut exactly where the feet of the amp go to help keep it in place. The exterior box was in good shape and sealed well. It looks like it suffered a high drop on the side of the amp and broke that top/side joint. The amp is still playable. The buyer already sent me a Repair bill from Bruce Zinky to make a non-production cabinet for $380. Hopefully, it won't be a problem.

I've never had to file a claim in over 10 years of ebay/net trading. I have a 100% 283 Ebay rating etc. etc. so I enjoy treating people right. Anyway, a 1 x 12" combo I just shipped to an Ebay winner arrived with a cracked wood cabinet indicating a fairly good impact while shipping. I packed it well in what essentially amounted to a box within a box package. The small size 1x12 combo (not a widebody or anything like that) was in a box that was (from memory) 32"x18"x24". It had styrofoam corners and bubble wrap and cardboard etc. It weighed 65 Lbs all boxed up to ship. He wants to keep the amp but just wants it fixed. He has already received a repair estimate at $350 (he paid $1,725. for the amp). I told him that I would submit the claim online and that he could do whatever he had to on that end (allowing for inspection of the damaged goods etc.). I told him this will probably be a pain for both of us but we can get through it together. Are there any tips you guys might have in dealing with this sort of thing? Signed, Claim Newbie

How does the PE compare to the regular T21 T60 amp? I mean if you ran it in the power amp in (or fx loop return)?

Rios were good in my old Duotone; bbq/gen. TX

If the sound is anything like it was in Atlanta you will be beyond disappointed anyway. I've been a regular concert goer for close to 30 years, by a wide margin this was the worst I have ever heard. Even when there was only one instrument, vocals, bass, guitar or whatever it sounded like a muddy mess. Bad enough to where it was a struggle to enjoy the show. It's a shame because it seemed like they would have sounded pretty good if it had not been for the sound system. I wonder why the sound has been so sporadic at various shows. Some have been great (according to ppl attending) and then I’ve seen video of Eddie throwing a monitor speaker off the stage because he couldn’t hear anything at another show etc. Even though the show we saw (ATL) wasn’t good sound-wise I don’t blame VH. It seems like they’ve been having problems with their sound ppl. I know one of the vice presidents at the Philips Arena and he stressed that it’s VH’s hand-picked sound company and doesn’t have anything to do with their venue. Anyway, it seems like they’d either fire them (but it may be too hard to get a replacement on short notice) or at least you would think they’d have their act together this far into the 2nd leg of the tour! Anyway, I had seen several shows with the other singers but I was very happy to see DLR w/ VH because it had been 30 years of waiting for it! I hope they can stick together and make an awesome album (crossing fingers).

Yeah, she's trying to get away! We'll need more pics if you want conclusive findings!

Why does it say THE Heritage on the headstock and case? I've never heard anyone call them anything but just Heritage. I always thought that was weird. Kind of like THE Home Depot...never heard anyone call it that either.

I'm sorry to hear that. I'm was actually talking to my mom on the phone from across the country as I read your post...what timing. I'm sorry for your loss. I've already said a prayer for you and your family. please E me or PM me if you want to talk about anything.

I like Kiss but I'm not as big of a fanboy as you guys. So...what's the deal with Christine Sixteen - was that a song they didn't usually play?

I just PM'd ya! I'm agreeing with you! I just told my story to point out how I let my guy off the hook due to his ignorance, but your guy just seems jerky to me, especially as indicated by his last response to you. That's why I said in an earlier post that he was wrong to describe it that way. I'd be mad too!

Well, I guess you'd have to see detailed close-up pics to understand that the blue-finish bleed through is slight and only in a few spots - hardly noticable. The fret thing is probably something that looked perfect at first then started happening over time. The finish on the edge of the fretboard is perfectly clear but you can see that some frets are a perfect "T" as looking from the side and others have that cloudiness around the stalk of the T. Maybe I'm getting soft in my old age but I just didn't feel like he was trying to deceive me. I think most guys on this board would notice and mention stuff like this but some beginning guitarist probably just sees an awesome looking guitar...

He makes those "Bruce" guitars, right? Dave, Elderly would call that dead mint. They're the worst overgraders east of the Mississippi. Well, except for Daddy's. HaHa!!! I'm an idiot! I've just been talking to a guy about my Zinky speaker on auction and Bruce Zinky so I think I have them confused!! I'll edit the original post but you guys can still laugh at me with the quoted text above!! 100 times on the chalkboard "Dean Zelinksy, Dean Zelinsky..." Man, if it really says Bruce Z then I've been ripped!!

It's funny. People can look at things so differently. For instance, I just bought a US Dean Hardtail. It's a beautiful guitar. It's serial number is signed #3 by Dean Zelinsky. It was the first publicly available (the first 2 were rock star guitars). The guy said it was in mint shape, hardly played which was true. But, when I got it I was a little disapointed because it had a little bleed through where the blue finish of the quilt maple top meets the natural wood binding and some of the edges of the frets had a milky look to them under the clearcoat which seems to maybe be a reaction to glue used during the fret job? That's one thing I found as I researched about it. Anyway, he was a beginning guitarist with money and had nice guitars. Even though I would have disclosed these areas if I had sold the guitar I didn't hold him accountable about it because I didn't expect him to see these things. I will have to disclose them if I ever sell and will probably take a hit ($) for it but that's how I do business. It's such a nice instrument otherwise that hopefully I won't have to sell it. I mean it really gets some incredible sounds and resonates so nicely even when just played acoustically.

The guy was wrong to describe it that way. I just finished writing some lengthy emails to a prospective buyer of a guitar by taking him through pic by pic and dent by dent so he would know the true condition of it. I'd rather disclose more and make it sound bad than misrepresent it and have a problem later. I guess I would call that one "good".

I PM'd ya

SWEET! Does it happen to be blue? ... and does it have the standard stoptail piece rather than the traditional Dean one? Yes and yes...what are you the CIA?!! Actually, probably DOA (Dean Owners of America) ; ) I got a pic in my post above.

What?! Man, you hit the jackpot...I'll trade ya! ; ) CLMazza, Nice Dean Soltero!! Incredible. I just got a USA Dean as well...the first puclicly available Hardtail, Serial #3...

Trade for a JB? I'll do a little more research and I might be interested. Thanks. You might also like a Rio BBQ.

I would say the reg. Custom. Or, maybe get a Dimarzio Tone Zone.

The CC is made w/ an Alnico II magnet instead of 5. It has more mids and softer bass and treble. I think they work especially well in a bright sounding guitar. For reference, the pickups Slash endorses (and I guess uses?) are also made with Alnico II magnets.

I seem to remember someone saying that the Rio BBQ is basically their take on the CC. The JB would be brighter than those two. I'm thinking that the Tone Zone is noted for big bass and slightly muted highs as compare to the JB's sizzle. Does the BBQ have the same big bass as the Tone Zone?

Yeah, the CC is one of my favs. Very close to a Rio BBQ I believe which is also nice. Anyone know how those 2 compare to a Dimarzio Tone Zone?

Oh, and to add to Polaras plan; bring back the Californian!!!

I believe they are making their best product to date right now. If you look over the past though they really did have their fair share of "pizza" days and Hameritis etc. (like any company, I suppose). The Hamer we know and love will be the Hamer Custom Shop and the regular line would be more for the Guitar Center masses. Gibson runs it in a similar fashion and I'm not saying it's ideal but it may just be a fact of survival in business. Much like having the import line to sustain the US production was/is. Of course, they could just shut the whole thing down instead of compromising. Easy to do if the company is not profitable anyway. They could have been as inflexible as you would want back in the 80's and not make those Floyded (and bolt-on) guitars but they did what they had to do to survive (and thank God because that's my favorite Hamer era!). There probably wouldn't be a Hamer company today if they didn't adjust to market conditions back then. This may be a similar crossroads. Jol could always leave and become even smaller but expect prices to go through the roof then. They may rise anyway but not to the small-shop boutique levels if he goes it alone. Don't take it that I think it's ideal, but realistically looking at the options going forward it may the best available. I do agree with you that it diminished the status of Gibson by doing this; not so much in the publics eye, but in the minds of guitarists who love quality. But, again, from a real world business point of view you have to decide to go down with the ship of principles or adapt to survive and fight another day. I wish them all the best...whatever that is.