The only other reason i'd go for an RGT or Jem is the neck-thru/aanj I find them more accessable but i tend to find bolt on heels more confortable and gives of a slight more classic rock tone.

Master Zed, yeah the JS has some really nice tones to it, and I'm really impressed with the high-pass-filter on the volume pot. It works really nicely. The tonal characteristics of the JS's pickups are great.....I find them a little more exotic than the Jem. The neck profile on the JS1000/JS1200 is supreme. It's incredibly comfortable and lends itself to a good left hand shape so there's not too much risk of hurting your hand.

I found the JS neck particularly good for legato stuff and the Jem particularly good for sweep stuff and lots of picking. The curve across the JS's fretboard makes it easier to keep Legato phrases clean as you move onto the higher frets. This, of course, makes sense 'cause Joe is a predominantly Legato player, while Vai does a lot more picking. I'm with chad though, the JS is definitely the one to have.

Of course, for the same money you could also look at an Andy Timmons model which is a different animal all together and is, I think, particularly special. You could also look at Washburn's N4 - Nuno Bettencourt model. The N4 has better access to the higher frets than any Jem or RG....it's pretty much on a par with a Flying V! haha. The N4 is a stunning guitar.....it's simple, but divine. If you want to forget all the bollocks and just ROCK then it's definitely worth having. I really want one.....thing is, I really want an Eric Johnson Strat too, so I don't know which one will come first!

Cubic death man

Further to your invitation, I went to Cube's room and had a listen to some tunes.

I've got to be careful what I say 'cause a certain someone may burst into his curious mix of upper and lower case saying I've got no right to comment as I am a non player!

Anyhow, here we go!

I liked gargoyles the best, which you might not like to hear as it is 7 years old. I like it best because I didn't recognise any specific influences and the shreddy (I think) bits followed the tune spot on.

I didn't listen to the tribute or the cover cause I was more interested in what your music is.

In the other tunes I heard (I think!) influences of Hendrix, Joe, Cream and another band whose name I just can't bring to mind.

I liked all that I heard.

You are undoubtedly a talented musician but I do have a slightly negative comment. I only say this because I feel I must give an honest opinion.

IMHO you sometimes try too hard for speed on the solo bits (is it shredding?) and fall off the tune a little. It's difficult for me to explain as I don't know the technical terms etc.

Before anyone accuses me of being supercritical, I believe it is only that which stops good tunes from being great tunes.

Keep rocking.

cap n' steve thx for checking out the tunes.. gargoyles was a fun tune.. i liked it alot. still do. all i hear every time i listen to it is my bad george lynch fixation.. glad you like it. hendrix ..oh god no.. cream oh god no.. joe .. cool. i hear what your saying.. thx for the critique .. ya gotta remember i am an atonal soul.. no if its out a bit thats cool with me. again thanks for your time . in listening to my music .

:)

Michelle, here is a warm blanket for you, & some hot toddy, the flavour will be up to you, soup,, whiskey,, gin,, coffee,,

Im bored.......

Cubes

I didn't mean the tune or tone was out a bit. At least I don't think so!

I'll try again because I might learn something from your response.

One of the things that really impresses me about Joe's playing is that when he tears it up a bit, it fits perfectly with what the other instruments are playing. To me, there are very few people that do it quite as well.

I'm not comparing you with Joe, just trying to explain what I mean.

So, what I am trying to say is that in places, your solo shreddy bits seem to me to go through the general tune a bit quicker than everything else. Having said that, your playing compares very favourably with many of the 'professionals'.

Keep rocking and good luck.

Hey Joe,

I just found out a friend of mine recently visited you in the studio. One Shaun Verreault. I don't know if he told you how much time we spent recording little instrumental pieces of music just learning and experimenting, and how much you and Steve Vai were influential in us just throwing caution to the wind, and ignoring the traditional recording 'rules', but we did, and you were. Just wanted to say thanks for continuing to just "make music" regardless of what style says, and trends that come and go. As I always say, "Respect tradition, Screw convention".

I also thought you might be interested in this guitar that started out as a white 540, and due to a bad show-off accident, needed a new body that I had a couple of custom touches done to. I had a Fred and Hot-Rails put in as well.

http://img486.imageshack.us/img486/8904/green540small2jj.jpg