Ok. Thanks, Eric. Much clearer now.

Gene, I am sorry that I missed this questions months ago.

I plan to get an SG12 in Classic tuning somewhere around the middle of next year. As much as a 12 String Grand fits what I would like to compose, which is why I originally ordered that model, I have serious doubts about my spastic left hand's ability to work with that fret spacing. The SG12's fret spacing is very similar to the G&L Legacy HB which will be the first recipient of my guitar circuit.

My prototyping work has been delayed by some minor health issues, but I am not too worried about it. Until my patent application has been filed, however, I will do my best to stay away from this forum. My mind instantly switches into "Stick Mode" when I read this forum; I need it to stay in "Guitar Mode" for a few more weeks.

i am surprised that no one has mentioned compression on the bass side: i would suggest a mark bass compressore for this for sure, it makes a huge difference, i am not sure how much difference it will make for every stick model ( since i use a stickup) but the physics of stick playing remains the same , i mean that if your in the middle of the neck tapping your lowest string IT'S GONNA BE REALLY LOUD. just a thought .

As you can see, my mind switched into Stick Mode despite my best efforts to stay in Guitar Mode. I am sure planning next year's budget had a lot to do with that transition.

Before I unleash another List O'Doom, I have to thank Megatapper for his comment regarding compression. I will bear that in mind.

The "Meso" Gig Rig
The Voice Box

• SKB 4U Roto Rack; 12.75 Pounds
• Rack Screws; 0 Pounds
• Isolating Washers; 0 Pounds
• Mesa Boogie Formula Preamp (Already Owned); 8 Pounds
• Tech21 SansAmp RPM Preamp; 5 Pounds
• Rane AP-13 Preamp (Already Owned); 5 Pounds
• Rane MLM 82S 4 Channel Mic/Line Mixer; 6 Pounds

Total, Shipped: $914.55; 34.75 Pounds

The Distribution Box

• SKB 6U Roto Rack; 14.9 Pounds
• Monster Power PRO 2500 PowerCenter; 11.25 Pounds
• Security Cover, 1U (To Protect the Crossover Settings); 0.6 Pounds
• dbx 223xs 3 Way Mono Crossover; 3.7 Pounds
• Crown XLS 1500 2 Channel Power Amp; 8.6 Pounds
• Crown XLS 1500 2 Channel Power Amp; 8.6 Pounds

Total, Shipped: $1,282.88; 47.65 Pounds

Outboard Gear

• Beat-Root Heel and Toe; 5 Pounds (Estimated)
• Mesa Boogie Formula Footswitch; 5 Pounds (Estimated)
• Mesa Boogie Formula Footswitch Cable, 25 Feet; 5 Pounds (Estimated)

Total, Shipping Estimated: $249.00; 15 Pounds (Estimated)

Output

• Greenboy-designed fEARful 12/6/1 Cube, Lightweight Home Build; 28 Pounds (Estimated)

Total, Shipping Estimated: $600.00; 28 Pounds


Grand Total, Estimated: $3,046.43; 125.4 Pounds (Estimated)

This list represents something of a "Middle Way" between sacrificing performance and spending money like a one-man Pentagon. Effects will wait until I have a handle on the instrument(s), as well they should.

The speaker cabinet will be tri-amped via the three way crossover and the four channel power amp. This will be better in every way, save compatibility with other setups.

Thanks to Bob Culbertson for demonstrating the Beat-Root and to all Stickists for their inspiring creativity and patience.

My previous list has seen some revisions. These changes include the exclusion of the Beat Root, among other things. Even daydreaming, I should focus on being able to handle both sides of the Stick well.

Revised "Meso" Gig Rig
Voice Rack

• SKB 2U Roto Rack; 10.75 Pounds
• Mesa Boogie Formula Preamp (Already Owned); 8 Pounds
• Tech21 SansAmp RPM Preamp; 5 Pounds

Total, Shipped: $409.98; 23.5 Pounds

Amp Rack

• SKB 2U Roto Rack; 10.75 Pounds
• Crown XLS 2000 2 Channel Power Amp; 15 Pounds

Total, Shipped: $579.98; 25.75 Pounds

Utility Rack

• SKB 4U Roto Rack; 12.75 Pounds
• Rane MLM 42S 4 Channel Mic/Line Mixer; 8 Pounds
• 2U Rack Drawer; 17 pounds
• Monster Power PRO 2500 PowerCenter; 11.25 Pounds

Total, Shipped: $877.32; 49 Pounds

Rack Accessories

• Rack Screws; 0 Pounds
• Isolating Washers; 0 Pounds

Total, Shipped: $16.56; 0 Pounds

Speaker Cabinet

• GigMaster-built, Greenboy-designed Fearless F112 Lightweight Build; 28 Pounds (Estimated)

Total, Shipping Estimated: $1,255.00; 28 Pounds (Estimated)


Grand Total, Estimated: $3,138.84; 127.73 Pounds (Estimated)

As you can see, this list is both a little more expensive and silghtly heavier. However, it is much more realistic in terms of how much weight each rack contains. For that matter, there is no way I could gig without a rack drawer. Time will tell how much beyond the Tech21 preamp will be realized, though I will need a mixer of some sort in order to take lessons via Skype while using both preamps.

I have a Mesa TriAxis on the way to me. This is the most critical aspect of my gig rig, since it is discontinued and provides:

1. Flexible voicing, via tubes, for the melody side
2. Rack mounting
3. Versatile signal routing
4. Adjustment via MIDI

So, here it is:

The MIDI Monster
Voice Rack

• SKB 4U Roto Rack; 12.75 Pounds
• Tech21 SansAmp RPM Preamp; 5 Pounds
• Lexicon MX400; 5.8 Pounds
• Mesa Boogie TriAxis Preamp (Already Owned); 11 Pounds
• Monster Power PRO 2500 PowerCenter; 11.25 Pounds

Total, Shipped: $958.89; 45.8 Pounds

Amp Rack

• SKB 4U Roto Rack; 12.75 Pounds
• Rane MLM 42S; 8 Pounds
• Raxxess PVP-1; 1 Pound
• Crown XLS 2000 2 Channel Power Amp; 15 Pounds

Total, Shipped: $1,039.98; 36.75 Pounds

Rack Accessories

• Rack Screws; 0 Pounds
• Isolating Washers; 0 Pounds

Total, Shipped: $16.56; 0 Pounds

Speaker Cabinet

• Home built, Greenboy-designed fEARful 12/6/1 Lightweight Build; 28 Pounds (Estimated)

Total, Shipping Estimated: $650.00; 28 Pounds (Estimated)

Outboard Controls

• Rocktron MIDI Mate; 8 Pounds
• Rocktron 30 foot 7-Pin MIDI Adapter; 2 Pounds

Total, Shipped: $238.99; 10 Pounds


Grand Total, Estimated: $2,904.42; 120.55 Pounds (Estimated)

The effects and outboard controls are included here to put the MIDI capabilities of the TriAxis in context.

I have adapted the previous list to include a rack tuner and reflect the realistic limits of my balance and lifting abilities (which I forgot to consider yesterday). Notice that I finally bothered to list cables.

The MIDI Minions
Voice Rack

• SKB 2U Roto Rack; 10.75 Pounds
• Tech21 SansAmp RPM Preamp; 5 Pounds
• Mesa Boogie TriAxis Preamp (Already Owned); 11 Pounds

Total, Shipped: $443.99; 25.55 Pounds

Routing Rack

• SKB 2U Roto Rack; 10.75 Pounds
• Lexicon MX400; 5.8 Pounds
• Rane MLM 42S 4 Channel Mic/Line Mixer; 8 Pounds

Total, Shipped: $813.94; 24.55 Pounds

Utility Rack

• SKB 2U Roto Rack; 10.75 Pounds
• Peterson VS-R StroboRack Tuner; 6.66 Pounds
• Monster Power PRO 2500 PowerCenter; 11.25 Pounds

Total, Shipped: $713.94; 28.66 Pounds

Amp Rack

• SKB 2U Roto Rack; 10.75 Pounds
• Crown XLS 2000 2 Channel Power Amp; 10.75 Pounds

Total, Shipped: $613.99; 21.50 Pounds

Rack Accessories

• Rack Screws; 0 Pounds
• Isolating Washers; 0 Pounds

Total, Shipped: $16.56; 0 Pounds

Speaker Cabinet

• Home built, Greenboy-designed fEARful 12/6/1 Lightweight Build; 28 Pounds (Estimated)

Total: $650.37; 28 Pounds (Estimated)

Outboard Controls

• Rocktron MIDI Mate; 8 Pounds
• Rocktron 30 foot 7-Pin MIDI Adapter Cable; 10 Pounds

Total, Shipped: $238.99; 18 Pounds

Miscellaneous Cables

• Pro Co BP-1 Balanced TRS Patch Cable, 1 Foot; 1 Pound
• Pro Co BP-1 Balanced TRS Patch Cable, 1 Foot; 1 Pound
• Pro Co BP-1 Balanced TRS Patch Cable, 1 Foot; 1 Pound
• Pro Co BP-1 Balanced TRS Patch Cable, 1 Foot; 1 Pound
• Pro Co BP-1 Balanced TRS Patch Cable, 1 Foot; 1 Pound
• Pro Co EXM-5 XLR Patch Cable, 5 Feet, Two Pack; 8 Pounds
• Pro Co S14BN-25 Bridged Speakon Cable, 25 Feet; 10 Pounds

Total, Shipped: $132.93; 23 Pounds



Grand Total: $3,624.71; 169.26 Pounds (Estimated)

Do you play a 10 or a 12 string Grand?

I do not have a Stick yet. As was said earlier in the thread, this thread is me "thinking out loud" so that others may comment and re-imagine their signal chains.

Until recently, the Railboard was the only Stick I could expect to afford. I now have the option of saving for a 12 String Grand, however.

Most excellent!!!!