Heh,
I sort of posted the link for entertainment, and also as a reminder why I like it here (makes note to cut out food for the next 8 weeks to buy a set of pickups).
From what I have seen (& heard) Mr Wylde is a pretty decent guy, who is very supportive of other guitarists, you may not like his Epi model but then Zakk went to the bother of showing what he could do with a stock Epi in the guitar techniques CDs).
I havn't heard / seen enough to say wether he is a 'great' guitarist or a flash showman and to be honest I don't care as the world needs more of both.
As for Steve Vai (as somebody else mentioned) is both showman and great player, I'd prefer to see him on stage (his albums I havn't enjoyed since passion and warfare).
anyway on that point heres a six degrees of separation moment. This comes from a very good friend whos cousin owns Emerald Guitars.
About five years ago Emerald guitars
http://www.emeraldguitars.com/ built an acoustic for Vai, which apparently he liked (a lot). The following year at the NAMM exhibition, Vai turned up and basically spent most of the day hanging out at the Emerald stand chatting. Anyway from what I'm told his guitar playing in a small curtained area behind the stand, totally outclassed his recorded work (less fancy and a lot more feeling).
Anyway the Ibanez Vai acoustic was released a couple of years later (very similar colour as the emerald model) but Vai must still be in contact as they did the 'Ultra Zone' guitar for him. To me it raises the question what does Vai play in private (both musically and equipment wise).
Very like the Satch amplifier discussion that was running a while ago.
Oops I have drifted off topic again.
Rob...
