Can anyone share thier approach on playing songs in alternate tuning? Just about everything I want to learn lately is tuned down 1/2 step, whole step, step and a half, drop d, tuned down in drop d blah blah blah.

 I'm sure the answer is constantly re-tune my guitar. I can't afford 8 axes. Anyway, I think that totally sucks and would like some feedback suggestions.

Is it safe on my guitar to constantly re-tune?

 Thanks,

 Rick

   Hey. Any suggestions on how I should split my practice time between lead and rhythm? I would like to be a well rounded player.

 Quickly about where I’m at..

 I have good basic skills. Know most of the Major/Minor chords and can switch between them fluently, but lack rhythm i.e. strumming patterns and timing.

Likewise, I have pretty good dexterity and speed at the basic scales I know and can bend, vibrato ect. adequately , but have trouble really putting anything together musically. This gets very frustrating. Any tips as to what I should concentrate my practice time on for both lead and rhythm?

 Also, anything I can do as far as “training my ear”? I have trouble identifying a given “key” when listening to music.

 Thanks in advance for any help,

 Rick

Here's my situation; I have two guitars - and LTD Viper 400 (ESP) w/ EMG's (81&85) and have just purchased an Epi Les Paul Standard. I like the EPI, but would probably like to change the pickups. I play mostly Heavy Metal / Hard Rock, but also blues and would like to have some decent cleans when I need them.
 

I don't want two indentical guiatars, but would like to bring EPI up to first class status. A pickup that is good for heavier music, but also versatile enough to play blues and scuttle. There are too many choices out there for me to even know where to start.

Any feedback and suggetions would be greatly appreciated.
By the way, my amp is an AD50VT Vox Valvetronics (I guess that's important in refference to my question).
Thanks for any help,
Rick