Mine is a custom 8 string made by Michael Dolan, solid mahogany body with ebony fret board, pick guard etc. Pickups are EMGs. My amp is a hot rod deluxe "white lightning" (white case, knobs and light, upgraded speaker). No pedals yet but I want to try an Emma "Discombobulator", it seems like it might be cool. I've read on one of the fender forums that the HDR sometimes doesn't hold up as well as some other models but I've had no trouble with it and it sounds pretty sweet.