[InTheRavensName]

OK...this year has been a gear extravanganza, shitloads has come and gone, I've started a gigging band and I finally know what I want...just need help on getting it

My band sounds somewhere between Iced Earth/Demons and Wizards palm muted thunder+triplets, Helloween melodies and Sonata Arctica, as the lead guitarist I need something that will cut above a VS100 halfstack, a decent size bass amp, vocals and double bass drumming, whilst still fitting the above sound. Right now, I have a GX-700 from Boss, a Digitech 2101 and a Marshall DSL50 halfstack...and I just can't get a sound I'm really happy with. The aim is to be able to use either a basic rack or a head and stompboxes, I'm not brilliant with programming hence the 2101 is a pain for me to even try and use...

My main axe is a Schecter C-7 (I'm moving away from 6 strings) with Duncan JB-7/59-7 pickups...although I'm considering changing these for blazes or EMG81-7/707 set

Cab is a stock Marshall 1960A

I'm looking to sell the 2101, GX700, a Jackson KVX10 and if necessary the DSL50 to get some cash for new stuff, and have a budget on top of about £200...HELP!

[Toshiro]

This is gonna sound cliche, but I would try boosting the DSL's gain channel with something like an Ibanez TS9/TS808, or a Boss SD-1... Course, that won't help you when you go for a lead, but it'll tighten up the rhythm stuff. (I would try this first, if you don't like the actual tone from the DSL you're probably better off selling it.)

Just an idea.

There's gonna be about 50 people in here telling you to get an ENGL Fireball in no time at all. That would be good too. ENGL lists Schaffer as an endorcee now, but Jon is partial to his Larry amps(which the original got stolen, hence the crap tone on the last IE and D&W CDs, IMO. Suckers are like $3-5k though, and he just got a new one). He's supposedly been trying other amps to find something that mixes well with the Larry.

[InTheRavensName]

ah, thanks...I knew he used something weird
I may try that with the DSL...its not a bad little amp, the dream has to be a Triamp for me, Amon Amarth sounded so crushing with theirs...

thanks man, I'll try a TS9 and an SD-1 ASAP

[jlagoon]

It sounds like you need a high gain Mesa amp and a set of Dimarzio pickups. For me, the JB/59 combination doesn't work; they are too raw sounding.

[InTheRavensName]

The DiMarzio DS7 seems to be ideal...maybe a tone zone 7 in the neck?
As for amps, I would love a Mesa. Period. Jani Liimatanien uses a Triaxis/2:90 setup, and DiMarzios... ^-^

[Toshiro]

Stay far away from the Tone Zone 7, very muddy pickup. Blaze Neck, PAF-7, or Air Norton 7 would all be better for the neck slot.

[InTheRavensName]

Blaze sounds good...they're in the UV's right...and the PAF is in the K7?

All this help appreciated guys, I'm sick of spending and selling, I just want to be happy and melt faces