NGD Well, new to me anyway.

[Robert Hendrix]

I've been doing some horsetrading, getting rid of some of this stuff I have laying around that I don't use/play. Anyway, Imade this trade today, I'm not really sure if I got a good deal or not, I don't know much about ESPs, but I liked the guitar, and the two solid state amps I traded for it (Line 6 SpierII half stack and a Vox AD50VT 2x12) have been sitting around for over a year collecting dust and in my way. So really, I think if I play this guitar at all, I probably got a good deal..

[markD]

nice! it is a good deal if you are happy!

[tomanyjacksons]

Same as markD said. It's a good deal if you're happy. I like the color on that one. I can imagine it sound awesome.

[MetalHeadMat]

Very cool! If you want to bypass the "It's a good deal if you're happy," then yes you did get a good deal!

[Robert Hendrix]

LOL, thanks guys, but I wasn't fishing for a "good deal" verification, honest!
It does sound good. I was a little suprized because I haven't really messed around with active pups, I always heard the had no body in thier tone. I may change my mind in a week or so, but these sound great! I'm going to do some research and see what I can find out about this thing. Kinda curious what I have now..

[xenophobe]

Grats! Even though I'm die-hard Jackson custom snob, I've been finding some love for ESP recently too.

The work the Japanese are capable of is just outstanding, especially when there isn't anything holding them back (like every model Charvel and Jackson they ever produced).

ESP are just as nice as any Jackson... I'm glad my irrational hatred of ESP died long ago.

[Robert Hendrix]

Grats! Even though I'm die-hard Jackson custom snob, I've been finding some love for ESP recently too.

The work the Japanese are capable of is just outstanding, especially when there isn't anything holding them back (like every model Charvel and Jackson they ever produced).

ESP are just as nice as any Jackson... I'm glad my irrational hatred of ESP died long ago.

I agree. This is a quality axe for sure. The only things I ever see from ESP around here are the LTDs and, while most of them are adequate guitars, they've never been anything that has turned my head.

[xenophobe]

I agree. This is a quality axe for sure. The only things I ever see from ESP around here are the LTDs and, while most of them are adequate guitars, they've never been anything that has turned my head.

How do you like their improved neck heel?

[Robert Hendrix]

How do you like their improved neck heel?

I like it alot, very comfortable..
Ok, now that I've gotten a chance to play it some at band practice, here are some thoughts. First off, I think the truss rod may need a little tweek because I was noticing some fret muting in the upper scale. No biggie there. The EMGs... well, I see what people mean now. I still like the tone, just not as much bottom end as I like to have. It defititely cuts through the mix for leads though.

[xenophobe]

Try an 85 in the bridge. You may like it a lot more.

[Robert Hendrix]

Try an 85 in the bridge. You may like it a lot more.

I'll check that out, thanks.. I'm not even sure what's in it now.. I'll restring it later this week and pull the pups and see if there's anything on the back.

[tomanyjacksons]

If I missed reading it, I'm sorry but.... You might try 18v'ing it. Easy, cheap and changes the sound for the better IMO.

[warlok]

It looks like both have silver logo.. That would be both EMG 81's..

[xenophobe]

If I missed reading it, I'm sorry but.... You might try 18v'ing it. Easy, cheap and changes the sound for the better IMO.

18v only gives you more headroom. 81 is tonally flat. It's the best pickup on the earth if you have a lot of signal processing in your chain. I think the 85 is better direct.

[tomanyjacksons]

I agree with xenophobe, the 85 is the better sounding pup of the two. But the 18v mod rocks. Just sayin.