clappers_ted

Hey! I currently have a cheap(price wise) ESP LTD EC 50. I thought of upgrading to an EC 1000, but i live in india. the the USA the EC 1000 $750, in india its ~70000 Rupees which is ~$1400 so its way over my budget. on the other hand, pickups and other accessories are about the same price. I have decided to buy new pickup, but not sure which ones. I have a budget on $400, i need new pickups, a padded strap, guitar stand, and new strings...

I play songs from Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Green Day, Led Zeppelin, Guns and Roses etc.



1.Pickup Choices, Seymour Duncan APH-2's or EMG HetSet...
Im open to other emg and seymour duncan pickups...


2.Is it OK to have really light strings? (8-38's). or are heavier strings(9-42's etc) better


3.Active or Passive Pickups? every video on youtube gives a different result! Can you state the Pros and Cons of each type of pickup.


4.Can you name any other accessories in my $400 budget?


5.LAST QUESTION! Do i do all these upgrades or do i just buy an EC 200QM which is $500 in india?


I would appreciate it if you could answer all these questions in order

Thanks you all very much in Advance!

Robbgnarly

1) Seymour Duncan hot rod HB set (sh-4/sh-2n) perfect fro getting all the sounds you want.

2) I would use at least 9-42 gauge strings.

3) I prefer passive, but it is a personal choice.

5) Look for a used EC-2XX or the EC-4XX

__________________
2002 PRS CE22
197? Sanox Sound Creator LP clone (GFS Fat Pat)
2009 Epiphone G-400 (SH-4)
Marshall JCM2000 DSL100
Krank 1980 Jr 20watt
Krank Rev 4x12 (eminence V12)
GFS Greenie/Digitech Bad Monkey
Morley Bad Horsie 2
MXR Smart Gate

clappers_ted

Why 9-42 strings and why passive? but would a ec 200qm really be better than a modded ec 50 with pickups that cost as much as the guitar itself...

clappers_ted

Where do i put the 9-volt batteries on my EC-50 for easy access?

Robbgnarly

9-42 are pretty noodley strings even in standard E. I use them (9-42) on only my PRS because that is what the factory set it up with. I normally use 10-46 or 10-52 on all my other guitars.

I prefer the dynamics of passive pickups (they respond better to pick attacks IMO)

Have a 9 volt battery box installed on the back of the guitar or put the battery in the control cavity.

__________________
2002 PRS CE22
197? Sanox Sound Creator LP clone (GFS Fat Pat)
2009 Epiphone G-400 (SH-4)
Marshall JCM2000 DSL100
Krank 1980 Jr 20watt
Krank Rev 4x12 (eminence V12)
GFS Greenie/Digitech Bad Monkey
Morley Bad Horsie 2
MXR Smart Gate

clappers_ted

I read up that when the guitar is plugged in(if u have active pickups) the battery will be wasted. Also i think passive has more versatility!

Passive pickup choices,(all seymour duncans) - APH2, Vintage Blues '59, Hot Rodded. What are the differences between these pickups...

What is the problem with extra light strings? 8-38's. I have small hands and i struggle to do full step bends in Eb on my EC 50(not sure what gauge). so will lighter strings make a difference in tone?

Stings:
http://www.ernieball.com/products/e...lt-extra-slinky
http://www.ernieball.com/products/e...lt-super-slinky
http://www.ernieball.com/products/e...t-hybrid-slinky
http://www.ernieball.com/products/e...-regular-slinky
http://www.ernieball.com/products/e...y-bottom-slinky

Which one would be best for me?