thread on larry amps and who he says ripped him off!

[braintheory]

I played a Dino 962 and Pure Metal Machine at Larry's place (before ordering both) and can confirm that they sound NOTHING like that YT clip.

Larry's amps deliver the nicest three-dimensional overtones I've ever heard.

How’s the Pure Metal Machine compare to the Dino?

 

[novosibir]

How’s the Pure Metal Machine compare to the Dino?

The PURE METAL MACHINE is a two-channel tube amp with three sounds available on the floor. This amp is based on my legendary DINO amp, which has been introduced as the model 802 back in 1992 and has been revised countless times with the current model 939 being available since 1997. Since 2009, rev. 2.8 is available, where the most famous user being Jon Schaffer of ICED EARTH.

At first glance, the PURE METAL MACHINE may look like a stripped down version of the DINO 939 – but don’t be mistaken, this is not the case at all.
Of course, I've included the DINO's chimey and sweet sparkling CALIFORNIA clean channel as well as the BRITISH crunch channel, which basically is a traditional, slightly hot rodded British sound, being very useful for playing in the vein of AC/DC, Van Halen and other classic rock acts. But when engaging the voicing switches dubbed EARTH & BRUTE the fairly traditional tone will change to a merciless and bone crushing heavy crunch sound, which appropriately rather has being named "CRUSH" sound.

Like with my Dino amp, changing the nature of the BRITISH channel from crunch mode to the brute & staggering Hotrod mode can be achieved by a single step on the foot controller. This tone is also known as The Jon Schaffer Sound and can be heard in some slightly different shapes on all ICED EARTH albums recorded since 1995.

Hotrod mode does not only significantly increase gain but it simultaneously activates the two-band pre-shape filter with its BITE & PUNCH controls. These two knobs are the key to shape the tone with the right amount of tightness in the low end and aggressiveness in the upper mids and highs making it easy to fine tune the amp to your personal taste and needs.

You probably won't need more, but if you like your amp to eat all other metal amps out there for breakfast, you simply have to engage the BODY & EDGE switches in order to add still remarkable more punching low mid and/or currish high mid frequencies to the tone.

But wait, there's still more: I haven’t mentioned the WICKED control yet, which is neither an additional gain control nor any kind of tone control at all but rather what I'd name an ingenious "character control". This knob being active only in the Hotrod mode of the BRITISH channel enables you to achieve a scooped, skinny and super tight rhythm tone, the well-known JS voice (with the control set to 5), a tone in the vein of DINO's SCREAM channel or a sustaining and very mid focussed solo tone and anything in between.

Stepping on the foot controller one more time engages the SOLO VOLUME control, which is basically an extra master volume that is very useful for getting you solos heard by the audience without having to rely on your sound engineer.

The amp comes with 2 FX loops, each w/ SEND & RETURN level controls. While the 1st loop is only active when the CALIFORNIA channel is engaged, the 2nd one is a common FX loop and can be switched on/off via the foot controller with the FS mode switch set to PEDAL.

But as soon as this switch is set to WICKED, this FX loop is permanently on but only when the BRITISH Hotrod channel is active. The idea behind this was to have your dedicated FX for the Clean channel, play the Rhythm channel bone dry and use your favorite FX devices providing ambience for solo breaks when engaging the lead (BRITISH Hotrod) channel.

Last but not least, I've decided to give you the opportunity of effortlessly swapping power amp tubes in an instant. Hence, the amp comes with switchable dual bias, enabling you to decide literally minutes before sound check or in the studio, which power tubes you are going to use. Simply swap the EL34's with KT88's or 6550's, flip the switch to the other pre adjusted bias section and you're done without having to get your amp tech involved.

I've named this amplifier PURE METAL MACHINE, because my goal has been to design and build the utmost and most convincingly sounding metal amp without making any compromises whatsoever. After having completed the first amps I honestly can say that the result even surpasses my personal expectations. Even better, it quickly became evident that you can use this amplifier not only for its intended purpose (i.e. playing metal) but for obtaining almost any type of rock tone popular in the late 70s, the 80s or 90s!

It sounds fairly unrealistic but the PURE METAL MACHINE indeed delivers more diversity in sound as my current flagship DINO 962 with the only exception being the absence of some kind of tone similar to the DINO 939's or DINO 962's SRV/TEXAS mode.

The technology used inside the PURE METAL MACHINE is the same as in the DINO amps, meaning that it is built on sturdy eyelet boards and painstakingly PTP hand wired using the same component brands and the same transformers. And of course this amp is also built on the same category of rugged stainless steel chassis.

The amp is supplied with a set of six TungSol reissue 12AX7A preamp tubes and a matched quad of high quality EL34 power tubes of current production, that are painstakingly selected for flawless performance. Optionally, the amp can be supplied with NOS Tungsram ECC83 preamp tubes and a matched quad of NOS RFT EL34 power tubes. An additional matched quad of 6550's of current production or a matched quad of NOS Svetlana =©= 6550's of 2001 will be included on request (see prices for these options below).

Technical features of the PURE METAL MACHINE TUBE AMP:
 stainless steel chassis w/ 3/32" thickness, laser cut, welded corners, surface brushed
 all mounting components (screws, nuts, washers, etc.) are made of stainless steel
 NOS MIL-specs preamp tube sockets w/shielding flange (made in 1962 for the US military)
 NOS LCR electrolytic can caps from the early 90s, longtime formed before amp is fired up
 brushed front & back panels made of stainless steel w/ laser printing
 Power & Output Transformers UK custom made, laminations of NOS steel from the 80s
 transformers‘ and choke's end bells are shiny nickel plated
 circuit built up on sturdy eyelet fiber boards and completely PTP hand wired
 FX loop w/ SEND LEVEL, FX SEND, FX RETURN, RETURN LEVEL for CALIFORNIA channel
 common FX loop w/ SEND LEVEL, FX SEND, FX RETURN, RETURN LEVEL
 impedance selector rotary switch (4-8-16 ohms) on the back panel
 voltage selector switch (120/230 volts wall voltage) on top of the chassis behind the PT
 additional PT primaries for wall voltages of 100, 220 & 240 volts (inside the chassis)
 4-button foot controller for: CALIFORNIA/BRITISH & BRITISH/WICKED; SOLO VOLUME; FX loop on/off (incl. 21 ft. connector cable w/ 5-pole XLR connectors)

 

[novosibir]

But now I know it's the bite & punch circuit he ripped from you.

Ok here we go and I've been thinking about posting the following at all a few days, but the world needs the truth and lies do have short legs, as we all already know.

No it's not ONLY the Bite & Punch circuit what he ripped off of my intellectual properties.
'Only this' maybe I even could have forgiven him?
But it's much more, way much more what he's ripped off of my circuits.

To be finally concrete in this manner...

... the circuit of his NATAS is a 100% rip off of the DINO 939 I've built for him back in 2007

He's stripped down the DINO to the California & Scream channels, has omitted the British channel, has 'economized' the SRV mode of the California channel and has merely added a Send Level control to the FX loop section - and already he's been done. Nothing - in words: NOTHING - of his NATAS circuit has emanated off his own brain.

The only what he's done different in the circuit is, that he's swapped a few part's values.
But the funny thing is, that I've especially after his demands at that time back in 2007 have choosen some part's values slightly different from those, which I usually use by building my DINO amps. And he has adopted these few unusual part's values in his NATAS

By coincidence I've had a NATAS on my bench a while ago and the customer left me the amp for 2 days, so that I could do my analysis.
All what I've said above I can proof anytime, because I also took enough HiQ photos of the inside of the partially disassembled NATAS
I don't send these photos around as well as I don't forward the schematic of this NATAS, which I've drawn by myself...
... but everybody who is interested and wants to come by to my shop anytime can have a look onto this all.

Sure the NATAS by far doesn't reach the sound performance of a DINO and that's caused by several reasons:

- his circuit is on a PCB while the DINO's circuit is on an eyelet board
- it's a different arrangement of the components on the DINO's board with wider spaces between them
- he's using different component's brands in respect to the DINO
- his lead dress, the routing of the cables is way different to the lead dress inside the DINO
- it's obvious to me, that he can't have much experience with that form of current, which isn't floating inside of components & cables
- he doesn't use NOS preamp & poweramp tubes
- and last but not least, his output transformer is in no way comparable to the DINO's output transformer

I guess (means, that I don't know definitely), that his Bones amp is nothing else than a stripped down DINO, remaining just the British channel
And moreover I guess, that his Evil Pumpkin isn't much other, than a revised NATAS

Once Joe Delaney of Randall named him "The Undisputed Master Of High Gain"
After knowing that all finally I only can name him "The Undisputed Master Of Plagiarism"

Have a nice Sunday, wherever you are!

 

[Racerxrated]

But now I know it's the bite & punch circuit he ripped from you.

Ok here we go and I've been thinking about posting the following at all a few days, but the world needs the truth and lies do have short legs, as we all already know.

No it's not ONLY the Bite & Punch circuit what he ripped off of my intellectual properties.
'Only this' maybe I even could have forgiven him?
But it's much more, way much more what he's ripped off of my circuits.

To be finally concrete in this manner...

... the circuit of his NATAS is a 100% rip off of the DINO 939 I've built for him back in 2007

He's stripped down the DINO to the California & Scream channels, has omitted the British channel, has 'economized' the SRV mode of the California channel and has merely added a Send Level control to the FX loop section - and already he's been done. Nothing - in words: NOTHING - of his NATAS circuit has emanated off his own brain.

The only what he's done different in the circuit is, that he's swapped a few part's values.
But the funny thing is, that I've especially after his demands at that time back in 2007 have choosen some part's values slightly different from those, which I usually use by building my DINO amps. And he has adopted these few unusual part's values in his NATAS

By coincidence I've had a NATAS on my bench a while ago and the customer left me the amp for 2 days, so that I could do my analysis.
All what I've said above I can proof anytime, because I also took enough HiQ photos of the inside of the partially disassembled NATAS
I don't send these photos around as well as I don't forward the schematic of this NATAS, which I've drawn by myself...
... but everybody who is interested and wants to come by to my shop anytime can have a look onto this all.

Sure the NATAS by far doesn't reach the sound performance of a DINO and that's caused by several reasons:

- his circuit is on a PCB while the DINO's circuit is on an eyelet board
- it's a different arrangement of the components on the DINO's board with wider spaces between them
- he's using different component's brands in respect to the DINO
- his lead dress, the routing of the cables is way different to the lead dress inside the DINO
- it's obvious to me, that he can't have much experience with that form of current, which isn't floating inside of components & cables
- he doesn't use NOS preamp & poweramp tubes
- and last but not least, his output transformer is in no way comparable to the DINO's output transformer

I guess (means, that I don't know definitely), that his Bones amp is nothing else than a stripped down DINO, remaining just the British channel
And moreover I guess, that his Evil Pumpkin isn't much other, than a revised NATAS

Once Joe Delaney of Randall named him "The Undisputed Master Of High Gain"
After knowing that all finally I only can name him "The Undisputed Master Of Plagiarism"

Have a nice Sunday, wherever you are!

Wow. Ouch.

Mike is a super nice guy who helped me out, when a used Fortin modded amp's PT went out..he called my tech and helped him navigate the mod. That's my only experience with him. Unfortunately super nice people have plagiarized many things throughout time.
I can only imagine Mr Fortin thought, that you(Larry) being a small builder with a very limited amount of amps produced, because you are a one man show that this wouldn't have been found out. It's one thing to 'borrow' parts of a circuit, maybe, but quite another to rip off the WHOLE AMP. Thats just wrong on so many levels. Sorry Fortin guys. Mike and Randall owe Larry some royalties IMO. No wonder guys like Cameron black out or even goop their circuits. Dumble too.


Larry, have a great Sunday and maybe some consolation knowing that YOUR circuits have made thousands of tone fans super happy. Even though the Fortin version is tonally inferior to the REAL Larry version.

 

[Wizard of Ozz]

But now I know it's the bite & punch circuit he ripped from you.

Ok here we go and I've been thinking about posting the following at all a few days, but the world needs the truth and lies do have short legs, as we all already know.

No it's not ONLY the Bite & Punch circuit what he ripped off of my intellectual properties.
'Only this' maybe I even could have forgiven him?
But it's much more, way much more what he's ripped off of my circuits.

To be finally concrete in this manner...

... the circuit of his NATAS is a 100% rip off of the DINO 939 I've built for him back in 2007

He's stripped down the DINO to the California & Scream channels, has omitted the British channel, has 'economized' the SRV mode of the California channel and has merely added a Send Level control to the FX loop section - and already he's been done. Nothing - in words: NOTHING - of his NATAS circuit has emanated off his own brain.

The only what he's done different in the circuit is, that he's swapped a few part's values.
But the funny thing is, that I've especially after his demands at that time back in 2007 have choosen some part's values slightly different from those, which I usually use by building my DINO amps. And he has adopted these few unusual part's values in his NATAS

By coincidence I've had a NATAS on my bench a while ago and the customer left me the amp for 2 days, so that I could do my analysis.
All what I've said above I can proof anytime, because I also took enough HiQ photos of the inside of the partially disassembled NATAS
I don't send these photos around as well as I don't forward the schematic of this NATAS, which I've drawn by myself...
... but everybody who is interested and wants to come by to my shop anytime can have a look onto this all.

Sure the NATAS by far doesn't reach the sound performance of a DINO and that's caused by several reasons:

- his circuit is on a PCB while the DINO's circuit is on an eyelet board
- it's a different arrangement of the components on the DINO's board with wider spaces between them
- he's using different component's brands in respect to the DINO
- his lead dress, the routing of the cables is way different to the lead dress inside the DINO
- it's obvious to me, that he can't have much experience with that form of current, which isn't floating inside of components & cables
- he doesn't use NOS preamp & poweramp tubes
- and last but not least, his output transformer is in no way comparable to the DINO's output transformer

I guess (means, that I don't know definitely), that his Bones amp is nothing else than a stripped down DINO, remaining just the British channel
And moreover I guess, that his Evil Pumpkin isn't much other, than a revised NATAS

Once Joe Delaney of Randall named him "The Undisputed Master Of High Gain"
After knowing that all finally I only can name him "The Undisputed Master Of Plagiarism"

Have a nice Sunday, wherever you are!

Wow. That's sad and quoted for truth. I can't say I'm surprised either.

I have played the NATAS and owned a Satan... and I did not like either. Too sterile, dry, uncolored, not enough gain or bass... with an odd boosted/focused mid voicing... like playing thru a tube bass amp tweaked for guitar.

Maybe Fartin is searching the globe right now to find the next amp design to pilfer and pass off as a wet stank Fartin original. A lifted German design... marketed by some guy in Canada... built in UK, China, or wherever the parts and labor are the cheapest. That's globalization for you.

 

[novosibir]

Maybe Fartin is searching the globe right now to find the next amp design to pilfer and pass off as a wet stank Fartin original.

Hahahahaaaaahahaaah - for this funny wording I'd like to grant you some kind of a personal Larry decoration

 

[stratjacket]

Damn, that is hardcore and would be an extremely shitty way to do someone. The world is too small to get away with something like that, it is bound to surface. I don't understand the logic. Anyway, sounds like it's beyond making amends, but wish you all the best out of this.

 

[scottosan]

Fortin pronounced "Faux tin" = Imitation metal

Faux
adjective
made in imitation; artificial.
"a string of faux pearls"

Tin

silvery-white

 

[godgrinder]

There are some recent very unflattering clips of a Dino 939 on YT, could have been the player but...not impressive for 6K.

I don't think that Aris dude ever produced any good sounding clips. Check out his channel for demos of more common amps and you'd see...

 

[godgrinder]

I guess (means, that I don't know definitely), that his Bones amp is nothing else than a stripped down DINO, remaining just the British channel

That one might be a Wizard? The (lack of) saturation is somewhat similar and he had a lot of Wizards back in the days...
viewtopic.php?p=663194#p663194

 

[novosibir]

That one might be a Wizard? The (lack of) saturation is somewhat similar and he had a lot of Wizards back in the days...
viewtopic.php?p=663194#p663194

But the Bones does have the Girth & Grind controls, what no Wizard has had and these are the renamed Bite & Punch controls from my DINO amps.

 

[engage757]

Well, this is why none of us get on forums anymore. Such nonsense. This was already addressed, and in this thread as well, but no matter, let's just blast a great guy. Too bad Steve_k (R.I.P.) isn't alive anymore to bring more reality into this nonsense. Here it is again, and I guess I won't get on this forum for another 6 months at minimum. People need to stop blowing this nonsense out of proportion. This idea has been published for years.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=56786&p=667137&hilit=book#p667137

In case people can't be arsed to click once:

"Thanks for the kind words Larry
I have a lot of respect for you as a builder and I think you're one of the top amp manufacturers out there.

Just a simple application of technology and nothing for me to take credit for.
To be specific, the Hulk mod Girth and Grind are connect like Page 6 of the link below, Garnet Gnome G15T, but with different values. The controls located between V1 and V2.
http://www.el34world.com/charts/Schematics/Garnet.pdf

These types of "tone controls" are dicussed in the following as reference:
Merlin Blencowe’s “Designing Tube Preamps For Guitar and Bass” under the chapter of “Tone controls and Tone stacks” starting on page 229. TUT series books also goes over some cool simple shelving controls as well as RDH 4th edition, chapter 15 Tone Compensations and Tone Controls sub title continuously – variable controls – general. Also Gar’s great little book also discusses some great variable single treble and bass filters. http://www.garnetamps.com/book.htm

Cheers,
Mike"

 

[novosibir]

People need to stop blowing this nonsense out of proportion. This idea has been published for years.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=56786&p=667137&hilit=book#p667137

At that time back in 2009 I still didn't have the proof of his rip off and his plagiarism.
Seven years after the thread you've mentioned the first NATAS camo onto my bench.
Haven't had the opportunity, to analyze a NATAS earlier.
But as I've already said, the NATAS is a 100% rip off of my DINO
Simply drop by at my shop, then you can convince yourself.

To be specific, the Hulk mod Girth and Grind are connect like Page 6 of the link below, Garnet Gnome G15T, but with different values. The controls located between V1 and V2.
http://www.el34world.com/charts/Schematics/Garnet.pdf

The Garnet thing doesn't do anything net even approximated of what the Bite & Punch controls aka the Fortin plagiarized version named Girth & Grind controls are doing.
Every Sunday-evening-tech can see this easily with just one look at the Garnet schematic - the Garnet thing has been nothing else than a pityful excuse.

These types of "tone controls" are dicussed in the following as reference:
Merlin Blencowe’s “Designing Tube Preamps For Guitar and Bass” under the chapter of “Tone controls and Tone stacks” starting on page 229. TUT series books also goes over some cool simple shelving controls as well as RDH 4th edition, chapter 15 Tone Compensations and Tone Controls sub title continuously – variable controls – general. Also Gar’s great little book also discusses some great variable single treble and bass filters. http://www.garnetamps.com/book.htm

Among all these there's nothing even not slightly alike a Bite & Punch control circuit or a Fortin plagiarized version named Girth & Grind control circuit.

 

[engage757]

Ok Larry. Whatever you say. Everyone is wrong but you.

By the way, I have Steve's widow's information if you need it to do the right thing, instead of attacking people on forums over nonsense to try to get a little attention.

A 100% rip off and copy, that doesn't sound remotely the same, according to you. Going to have to make up your mind eventually man.

 

[novosibir]

... instead of attacking people on forums over nonsense to try to get a little attention.

As I've already said - the world needs the truth and lies do have short legs.
Sure I can imagine, that this is very uncomfortable for you now, but...
... when a thief has ripped the circuit of another amp builder, then the community should know and be informed about this.
That's what I'm doing here and forward my greetings to the undisputed Master of Plagiarism please!

 

[engage757]

... instead of attacking people on forums over nonsense to try to get a little attention.

As I've already said - the world needs the truth and lies do have short legs.
Sure I can imagine, that this is very uncomfortable for you now, but...
... when a thief has ripped the circuit of another amp builder, then the community should know and be informed about this.
That's what I'm doing here and forward my greetings to the undisputed Master of Plagiarism please!

Nice of you to ignore the rest of that statement Larry. A "100% copy and ripoff", that according to you sounds "nothing alike". Which is it Larry? Choose. Actually, we all know better Larry, give it up. Go build some amps. Every single circuit in guitar amps are based off of something else at some point, including your's.

Now, shall I tell Steve's widow to contact you or would you prefer to do it directly?

 

[novosibir]

Nice of you to ignore the rest of that statement Larry. A "100% copy and ripoff", that according to you sounds "nothing alike". Which is it Larry? Choose. Actually, we all know better Larry, give it up.

As I've already said I have the proof.
Do you want me to hang it in here?
About 40 HiQ photos, the NATAS schem aso.

Now, shall I tell Steve's widow to contact you or would you prefer to do it directly?

Yes please, I'd be happy to finally get this straight. Didn't know yet about Steve's passing.

 

[engage757]

Sure, email her at his email address (she has access to it now) and give him the money back you've had for the amp you never delivered. I will let her know you will be emailing her to pay back the money owed for years.

Then go build some amps for your customers, utilize the time you spend spewing nonsense to deliver a product, and do your brand proud. Remember this, the music industry is like a swimming pool, all the noise comes from the shallow end. Instead of waging some futile war you know is nonsense on forums for some attention, go build more amps and cement your legacy amongst some of the greatest amp builders on the planet.

I wish you success and all the best sir. Have a great night.

 

[Racerxrated]

Well, this is why none of us get on forums anymore. Such nonsense. This was already addressed, and in this thread as well, but no matter, let's just blast a great guy. Too bad Steve_k (R.I.P.) isn't alive anymore to bring more reality into this nonsense. Here it is again, and I guess I won't get on this forum for another 6 months at minimum. People need to stop blowing this nonsense out of proportion. This idea has been published for years.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=56786&p=667137&hilit=book#p667137

In case people can't be arsed to click once:

"Thanks for the kind words Larry
I have a lot of respect for you as a builder and I think you're one of the top amp manufacturers out there.

Just a simple application of technology and nothing for me to take credit for.
To be specific, the Hulk mod Girth and Grind are connect like Page 6 of the link below, Garnet Gnome G15T, but with different values. The controls located between V1 and V2.
http://www.el34world.com/charts/Schematics/Garnet.pdf

These types of "tone controls" are dicussed in the following as reference:
Merlin Blencowe’s “Designing Tube Preamps For Guitar and Bass” under the chapter of “Tone controls and Tone stacks” starting on page 229. TUT series books also goes over some cool simple shelving controls as well as RDH 4th edition, chapter 15 Tone Compensations and Tone Controls sub title continuously – variable controls – general. Also Gar’s great little book also discusses some great variable single treble and bass filters. http://www.garnetamps.com/book.htm

Cheers,
Mike"

The real REASON you and some other shills avoid forums is a very simple and obvious one....you won't be able to DELETE or BAN anyone here for disagreeing with your 'Putin' like tactics when it comes to any type of criticism sent your or Fortin Amps way. You know..like anyone questioning Fortin products quality, where they are built, price, etc. ANYTHING that is even slightly negative, you have no control over.
Simple and obvious. You just have to sit there, read it and TAKE IT. No control for you.
Unlike the Fortin FB page...just delete to your little hearts content...I mean, how DARE anyone ask a legitimate question on where the amp/pedal is made...how DARE they?? Oh snap I'll delete the post and BAN THEM.
Problem solved, right shill? Right.
So you can just go back and disappear into your self serving bullshit FB page where you control everything.
Fortin Army my ass.

 

[engage757]

Right, because literally everyone who works in m.i. is a shill for like 10 people online now. I forgot about that. I've been a member of forums for years. The ACTUAL reason I and many other guys in m.i. don't visit them much anymore (I've had this conversation over drinks with MANY colleagues) is because there is a metric shit ton of misinformation, and to be honest, arguing with nameless, faceless people that enjoy talking shit and trying to bring negativity into other people's lives that they do not know and never will actually meet is truly not worth the time you have to invest. I've literally had people on forums tell me I was dead wrong about band's guitar rigs I was standing next to looking at.

Sorry you had a bad experience, but I actually rarely do anything with engaging social media anymore at this point, we have a guy for that, who was also a longtime forum guy and doesn't frequent any more, because he was tired of people inventing drama. I am 99% artist relations for both companies at this point, I deal with artists.

Have a nice night, and please try not to get upset about things you see on the internet. Life is much nicer without bringing that nonsense into it. Guitar is a hobby for 95% of players, and hobbies are supposed to be fun. The time we spend online dealing with and/or creating drama and nonsense, is time we could be enjoying playing and making music. It's a great time to be a guitarist, incredible amounts of awesome gear, and I don't know about you, but my wife doesn't care to hear anymore about gear. We should be trying to enjoy online hangs with our fellow gear nerds, not attacking each other and being desperate for drama. It's a small community with metal/rock guitarists, and I guarantee, if we were all sitting in a bar having a drink together, it would be an absolute blast to nerd out with so many people with such similar interests. I've met some of the best people and friends I have ever had in real life from forums. The majority are fantastic people!
Guitar is supposed to be fun, or what is the point?

Peace guys, have fun, and have a great night!