Has anyone tried a Carvin Steve Vai Legacy 2 or 3 amp?

I am tempted to get a higher gain channel switcher on the cheap. The Vai amps are kinda appealing in that version 2 and 3 can channel switch with MIDI program changes so you can control them via an effects unit like the TC g-system I've been eyeing... I know the whole thing is a Bogner hot rodded Marshall affair co-designed by Fargen for Steve and Carvin in 99. I remember trying a verison 1 legacy back then and liking it quite a bit but not enough to spend the enw buy-in price. The version 2 has nice mercury magnetics transformers and has the midi capabilities as well as 3 channels and 2 tonestacks. They seem unpopiular as high gain amps because they don't do scooped metal tones well, but for me this might be ideal... seems like the 2 has the best build quality as well as having all the features of the 3 but the color-change backlight and the rackmouting option (which are kinda cool, but oh well). Anyone have anything to tell me? Is it worth dropping 500 bucks on a used Legacy 2 head I can't try first? I just might enjoy a decent clean, JCM800ish crunch and liquidy blastoff solo tone all in one box with the ability to midi control everything while running parallel to my AC30(s) for best of both worlds, but is this a good option or is the pricing too good to be true? And if I ahte it how's the resale? Help!

I always thought it was ironic that they aren't loved by metal players, since Vai is often lumped into the metal genre. As for the MIDI functionality, while I do some MIDI stuff with my keyboard rig, I have yet to incorporate any MIDI into my guitar rig. I'm not sure why I've been so hesitant because there are some incredible devices out there, from computer interfaces (like floor controllers that can trigger loops and backing tracks) to insane tap tempo master clocks ... but yeah I can't help you here on the MIDI program changes. Are you saying that you can have all your effects programmed for each song (in the TC g-system) and have the amp programmed to be on certain channels for those songs, and have them all switch together with one tap of a MIDI controller? So from song to song, all you'd have to do is hit one little switch? hmm

PS: can't help you on the resale value either but I will say that I believe Steve gets most of his liquid solo tones from his pedal board, which is on the floor, not in a rack. So if you're trying to go after that tone, or if you are basing your decision on his recordings or live dvd tones, I would triple-check his signal path before you drop $500 and discover the lead channel tones aren't that amazing. Also, if they are essentially the same amp, and you're going to have a rack mounted G-system, you might re-think having a rack-mounted amp head. Having all your gear in one rack (if you're doing a rack) is much more convenient then having to schlep TWO giant heavy things (rack + stand-alone amp head).

yes you can program the amp along with your G system, plus have other stuff in the loops of the g-system! tempting, right? Just create a bank of presets for each song and have at it, plus the G system can easily switch to manual mode for on the fly jamming, there will still be switched you can assign to control the amp channels and switches for the remaining 3 effects loops. I was imagining loadboxing my ac4 and using it as a distortion generator right into the effects loop return of the Legacy power amp for cunchy retro-rhythms with the abilty to add effects before the input or after the output.... its all a big investment though. A solid $1200 in gear when I have plenty of perfectly good stuff... but I am, after all, a guitarist.