hey, frank, i'd recommend against ordering the challenger version of the series III unless they've solved the o-ring problem w/the pots. exploding on stage is always a bad scene as we learned from the drummers for spinal tap.

I'm sitting here looking at my copy of Blows Against the Empire  (a wonderful album, by the way if you aren't familiar with it).  The album is attributed to Paul Kantner Jefferson Starship and yes, Jack played on it.  There have been various incarnations through the years.  I saw them in 1995 at the Maritime Hall in S.F. billed as Jefferson Cybership.  As a result of the breakup/lawsuit, Paul got Jefferson and Thomas got Starship.
 
As for the above-referenced Series III, I hear it has the fastest neck ever made!  I suspect, however, there will be quite the wait as it's going to be in rub out for the next 2 years and then if you want inlays ... oy vey!!!!  And of course it comes with an extra long 5-pin cable that costs a lot more!
 
Bill, tgo
 
(Message edited by lbpesq on June 14, 2006)

I heard a cat play a solo on the Challenger model once. man it was out of this world too.