Dimarzio Pickup(s) For Metal

I have an Ibanez RG with a basswood body, an H-S-H configuration and a locking trem. I think I would like to put in some Dimarzio pickups, and I was thinking of the Evolution, the X2N, the Super Distortion or maybe the Super 3. I like a tight, screaming tone. What would you recommend for the bridge? what about for the neck and middle (single-sized humbucker) positions? I was thinking of maybe the Seymour-Duncan Hot Rails for the middle.

Any suggestions, or advice from any of you?

Thanks,
Avenite

Right Arm Movement For Speedpicking

I have been trying to speedpick for a while now, and I usually pick using only my wrist (sometimes minimal arm movement) with the pick angled (I could never get far past 90 bpm with 16th notes), but my new teacher told me to use more arm movement up to the elbow, keeping the wrist more or less stationary in relation to the rest of my arm, and to try the pick flat against the string. I can play faster, but less evenly, with less control, and my elbow gets stiff.

I tried watching videos of shredders, including you and Kristofer, along with Rusty Cooley, Paul Gilbert and Michael Angelo Batio, but I am confused as to how to approach all of this.

I would really appreciate help. Thanks

I Was Think Of Altering My Ibanez... Please Give Me Feedback!

I have a black 20th anniversary RG550 and was thinking of putting in new pickups to replace the stock ones. I never liked the single-coil, so I thought about having a tech open up the whole to fit a third humbucker. It looks like there is ample room between the bridge and neck pickups. I think this would give me more usable tones (for metal and shred) and would be unique. I was thinking about triple EMGs. I am really looking for thoughts about the mod itself, but opinions on pickups are welcome too.

P.S. I trust this tech as he works on all of Joe Satriani's guitars. I'm completely serious.

I Want A New Amp Or A Multi-effects (podxt Live?)

I am looking for a new metal amp but they are all so expensive so I was thinking about getting a decent clean amp with an effects loop and plugging a PodXT Live (or another processor) into the effects loop return jack.

Would this sound good? or is there an amp you recommend?

Thanks.

Oh Day Of Holy Days!

I bought Steve Vai's new CD (sound Theories Volumes 1 & 2) on his website, even though I had to pay $7.95 shipping (!) but it turned out to be worth it because I am one of the lucky one-in-four (2,500 in 10,000) who got a satin pass to get into the Steve Vai meet-and-greet and all sorts of other goodies I suspect!

I am so excited and its totally worth going to a concert on a school night to MEET STEVE VAI! I havn't even listened to the album yet (I most definitely will soon) but it would probably still be worth it without the CD.

!!!