Ed has turned himself into a guitar effects nightmare. In the old days all he used was a phaser, flanger and a echo effect, i don't think he uses any of those three anymore, not like he used to. It sounds like he is using some weird echo swell or something, i think he is also using alot of chorus also, but i think he has been using that since Sammy came in. This is the reason why he sounds so diffrant now. I don't think he would sound good at all playing the way he used to with all those effects giong off, it would be just to busy, not a straight up rock sound, like back than. But i think this goes back to what i said in another thread, he doesn't have to play like he did back then, Sammy, attitude wise and lyrically just doesn't push those creative buttons like Dave did. What ever happened to playing just straight up, very ballsy, blue's rock & roll, with sheering guitar intro's and solo's. I know the guy wants to progress in his playing, but what made the man so differant than someone like vai or satriani is that they are very heavy into all those effects, Ed didn't need those to get his message across back then. I know in my soul that Ed can still burn up the fretboard while using just a hint of those origional effects he used to use. I know those fingers still have the magic, you don't ever forget how to play, maybe get a little rusty but you never lose the magic when your that type of genious.