I've become interested in adding to my collection.
Currently i have a schecter diamond series/197x(not sure exact date) Yamaha cj 838sII, a 12 string 197x ventura v-17. I am interested in getting a little more into heavier metal and have researched quite a bit on the LTD esp's. I really like the looks of the LTD FX-400. Just wondering what people think of the 81/60 EMG pickups. Would i benefit from getting a new electric guitar or just upgrading my current Schecter? Or even just get a different guitar. I'm open to about 700$ max to spend so i have some variables to choose from.

if i were in your situation and had 700$ to "blow" i'd probably just completely customize one of the guitars i'm used to. that's actually what i plan on doing. don't let people tell you what you should do, find out yourself man.

i've actually sat down and played a few guitars and i absolutlely love the feel of the explorers. Only thing is i can't adjust the action like i can my Schecter. The schecter has the adjustable action on the bridge, unlike most guitars ive seen. any suggestions of how to adjust the action on other guitars would be nice. and it's not "Blowing" 700$. I'm looking to advance in my guitar and i think 700$ to throw around and expand the guitar horizon is a small price to pay

This post was edited by Yalla on Sep 15 2008 10:31pm

I fully support the purchase of any ESP/LTD 400 series or 1000 series.

The EMG pickups have great tone, but are very noisy. A noise suppressor will be a must, but a Boss NS-2 gets the job done for $80. I previously had an LTD EX-400, which is nearly identical to the FX-400, ignoring the shape of the head stock and the paint scheme.

Differences other than that is:

EX400-
Set-in 3-piece mahogany neck

FX400-
Set neck, 5-piece Mahogany/Maple

The EMG is great for lead riffs, and soloing... and I only personally used the EMG 60 for some sweeping. I personally prefer the bridge pickup, regardless.

If you have the money, I recommend it. I had my guitar stolen from me, but if i had the money, I would buy the same exact one again. I was completely satisfied

I have the boss gt-8, so i can pretty much do whatever i need to when it comes to what i need my guitar to sound like. Reason i need a new guitar is for the feel/pickups so i can manipulate my playing to a further extent. And as for sweeping you mean arpeggios? i am currently learning the arpeggios but the picking method is pretty much a brick wall for me right now lol. How is the action on the fx-400? (The one i'm talking about is the wood grain, ugh so sexi~)

I know which one you meant. I cant fully compare the action cause its a different neck.

I've played other LTD's while in guitar stores and guitars that belong to friends, and I love the action on all of them.

So, all in all... I, as a previous LTD 400 series owner, fully recommend it 100%

EMG81s are the only choice for heavy/death metal imo. Brutal as fuck. And if it comes with a 60, thats great for rhythm

I still prefer the 81 for rhythm as well, lol.

false, false, false!!!

There are many better choices for heavy metal pickups. Seymour Duncan is one of the most popular brands for heavy pickups. Bareknuckle and Swineshead are some lesser known companies that make excellent pickups.

High output isn't all you are going to want out of a pickup. EMG pickups have really bad tone, whereas the pups I mentioned sound beautiful and/or brutal at your bidding.

People who say emg's have great tone are one of the following :

Nu metal kids
Wanna sound like the other 1000000 bands that use them
Don't play on the clean channel. Ever. Or don't know what a good clean tone sounds like

No offense or anything.