Ok I;ve had some time to play and post a truly unbiased review...

[OrangeChannel]

Dudes! This axe is sweet, sweet, sweet. Stress cracks and all (oh that patina!). The sounds I've coaxed from the guitar are best described as huge. The word jubilant comes to mind, especially with a distortion dialed in at the max. Notes in the chords jump out at you.

The hardware is top notch. However I've already filled in the holes from my strap pins and installed a pair of Schaller pins (upgrade this stock guys, please?).

The bridge is smooth on bends and flutters like a humming bee. Nutwise, theres no hangups or tuning issues, even with uber-vigorous bar use. The schaller locking keys are clutch.

So far I've written 2 songs, one in a standard tuning the other in dropped D on here. I can't believe I've missed one of these for so long. As an aside, this is also the most comfrotable guitar I've played standing up. I can feel the finesse level increasing in my playing again as opposed to my previous conditioning of beating on heavier strings (A welcomed return to my roots at this point.)

thanks again! I'll shut up now.

 

[koogie2k]

I told you that axe is killer....Just brings out the best in ya!
Have fun

 

[Jimi D]

The hardware is top notch. However I've already filled in the holes from my strap pins and installed a pair of Schaller pins (upgrade this stock guys, please?).

Schaller locking pins fit perfectly on the stock EB/MM strap pin screws... Why would you "fill in the holes"?

 

[OrangeChannel]

Screws mine came with were a way smaller diameter than the EB screws, and the heads of the EB screws wouldn't fit in the schaller pin with out machining either the pin or thhe screw head. They were little screws this time. I tend to like to do that anyway for added security. I've had schaller pins turn themselves out in the middle of a performance before. You guys are also gonna think I'm nuts for how I have the schallers setup. On the ends of Dimarzio Cliplocks....hahaha. It is a total pain in doing but it adds like an extra inch and lets the guitar sit a little more comfortably.

 

[Jimi D]

Although the EB/MM screws are a tight fit in the Schaller pins, they have always fit for me - I just stick the screw in the pin and take the electric screwdriver to it; the pin screws right on, it doesn't strip the screw, and the whole thing goes back into the guitar no problem... Of course, my most recent EB/MM is a 2002 model, so maybe they changed the pin screws they're using?

 

[OrangeChannel]

Ha. Massive diameter on the EB shaft, and the head wouldn't fit in the Schaller pin, s'ok tho. The pin is set in there with the filler. I usually do that trick to all my guitars to be on the safe side. It's like using wood glue but when it sets around the screw, that suck ain't never coming out.