Yeah I think everyone has to start out copying. I know I tried copying for about 3 years, then for some reason I realized that in my attempt to sound lie someone else I found a really cool tone along the way and just kinda stuck with it.

As I mentioned before, I think finding GOOD tone is crucial and people need to realize that good tone is almost limitless, it doesn't have to be someone elses tone it can be yours, you just gotta find it.

Brandon