rockabilly69

Nice classic looking H535!!!! I have those inserts in both of my H150s too they are great.

That would please me. When I bought the H535 with P90s that Kuz sold me, he already took care of the bridge mount with the Faber screw in ABR inserts! He and I are both so OCD, I just knew when the guitar got here, that it would set up as good as it could be, and I was right, it was I waited a long time till I got a semi-hollow Heritage, and I'm glad I did. I seriously doubt a custom core would be any better than this one...

Headstock, slightly deeper body, custom pickups, thinner finish, they can always find something to change

wear a t-shirt

Mark, right there, is why I went solo! I have a band band, and a duet, but I make most of my money as a solo! Good luck with your new drummer, and sorry to hear of your friend's passing.

...good to see things are rolling along. "New Dave" seems like a good fit!

I like 10's on my electrics (except my two banjocasters which use 9's) , 12's on acoustics, 12 or 13's on resos (if it will work without the cone rattling I use 12's). I play so much that anything heavier hurts my hands.

Mark, take this for what it's worth. Most musicians/bands that I go to see are playing too loud on stage, ESPECIALLY rock musicians. Learning to play to the limits of your PA is just as important as getting the songs down. And on top of that, learning how to not kill the audience with excessive volume is just as important. It's the mark of a true amateur when they are turning up their PA, to get over the already TOO LOUD guitar amps. You're on the right track rehearsing with your PA the way you intent to play. Maybe you can stage some practice performances for honest friends who can give you some feedback on the volume levels. I do think it would be a good idea to budget for some powered monitor speakers that you can add to you 600 watt PA. But you have to be very conscious of loud monitoring as the reflected sounds of monitors can wreak havoc on the overal sound! Good luck on the quest.

You've got the band rolling, you know what needs work, in the words of the Beatles, "it's getting better all the time". Keep at it Mark!

If Ed Bickert can do it on one of these I think a H525 should work just fine... http://youtu.be/wQ0FdyxuG4U

Mark, I agree if you've got two guitars a backup amp would be smarter. Yesterday the check engine light came on in my car on the way to the gig. It was just bad gas (too low octane), but I thought, oh no, not another expense:) If it ain't one thing, it's another!!! BTW it's fairly easy to replace post studs, Just google it up and you'll see what I mean!

Mark I have different stuff breaking all the time, and I have important gigs mostly every week! It's just the nature of the business. I like this blog, keep it going!!! And good luck on the gig.