Under $500 Set-up for Great-Sounding Rig

[LypsLynch55]

Ok, heres the next question:

What are the basic bare bones essentials that you need to get a great EVH type tone and start recording MP3's to post?

Im talking Pod/V-amp, headphones, recording programs, etc.

If you werent playing live and had about $500 to spend and were set on your guitar (I have an early 80's US-made Kramer Strat ash-body/maple neck w/SD-humbuckers in bridge/neck w/F-Rose Trem), what you buy?

Question 2: My damn locking nut doesnt hold so well, and when I get a little crazy w/the bar (like playing along w/VHI, ii, F-W, etc for more than one song), i go outta tune - any recommendations? I heard alot, from boiling the strings to graphite on the nut - should i replace the locking nuts (one is stripped) and just crank the bastards down as hard as I can?
This would help tremendously.

thanks
P

[Rythameen]

A lot of people like the V-Amp for EVH sounds, and get some great tones, personally I like the PodXT, head down to a store and try em both, you can't go wrong with either.