Guns N' Roses never really "broke up". Band members just left. But instead, we now have a much more talented Guns N' Roses, sadly the only two original members left are Axl Rose and Dizzy Reed. The line up now is:
Axl Rose (Piano, Singing), Robin Finck (Lead Guitar), Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (Guitar), Richard Fortus (Guitar), Tommy Sintson (Bass), Frank Ferrer (Drums), Dizzy Reed/Chris Pitman (Keyboards)
Chinese Democracy should be coming out around November 2007, I follow all Guns N' Roses news very closely, as I myself have a fansite (GNRForums.com, check the sig).
BTW, right now, GN'R have some more tour dates lined up, if you live in Japan, Australia, or New Zealand, check some GNR fansites because they will be playing show there! As for VR, Velvet Revolver has Slash, Duff, and Matt Sorum. But they have the shitty lead singer, Scott Weiland so they aren't that great. But I'll be seeing them just for Slash and Duff later this year!
Cool stuff about your dad building an amp for John Mayer.