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I might give it another chance, but I really really like my Mustaines in my Dean Hardtail and they look like regular Humbuckers on the outside which will compliment the H150's looks. ( I actually put Mustaines in my Dean before they had a Dave Mustaine signature model.) It is still the best sounding guitar I own.

 

That makes a lot of sense, since Mustaine is a hardcore JB/59 fanatic, IIRC.  I've heard nothing but good things about those pickups.  The Blackouts, I suspect, are more for the folks who don't like the tone coming from their EMGs.  The Livewires are a completely different setup and not interchangeable.

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What are the thoughts on actives in these fine instruments? 

 

Consider the Duncan Blackouts if you want to go that route.  They're like EMGs with all of the tone put back in.  I replaced all of the bridge EMGs in my 7-strings with Blackouts and have been very happy.  Be warned, though, that the Blackouts are slightly hotter than the EMGs.

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Hey pro-fusion,

Hows the Axe-fx going. Ive heard only good things. Does it really spell the end for my beloved tube amps? I hope not.

But at the same time Id like to see an advancement in digital gear like this. Its too useful

 

Cheers

 

I love my Axe-FX, since I only do direct, line-in recording.  It absolutely leaves every other preamp I've tried in the dust, and its effects are studio quality.  In fact, I use its reverb for my final mixdowns.

 

It gets a wide range of usable sounds, with a lot of character and "voice."  I can't claim it would replace a real tube amp, but people I know who've used them live have had nothing but good things to say.  The issue for live use is whether to go with a full-range setup or a guitar power amp and regular cabinet.  I'm sure that pairing the Axe-FX up with a good tube power amp would be devastating.  It is complicated, however, but once you get it set up with a foot controller, you could easily do an entire diverse setlist with just a few taps on the pedalboard.

 

BTW, my 157 arrived, and I'm getting ready to head back to the office after giving it a couple of strums.  Me happy! 

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I am pretty sure I am going to pull the "Black Backs" and stick in a set of 59's or maybe something else. Not sure if this is the right area (some forums are really picky) but would be interested in everyone's favorite pickup in these Guitars.

 

I really like the 59/JB combo but already have that in another Guitar, so maybe a 59 neck and an Alnico II in the bridge.

 

What about a set of Seth Lovers or Antiquities? 

 

Personally, I go in the other direction.  My 157 (arriving today!!!) has a set of 59s, and I'm actually worried that they might not be hot enough.  I suspect that my old '70s Les Pauls had ceramics, and I'd be willing to splurge on a covered Duncan Custom or Distortion if it comes to that.  But I'm certainly willing to give the 59s a chance.  And my Axe-FX preamp has more gain available than anyone could possibly use, so that's not a problem.

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Hi Fusion Dude! I like your style and especially the fact that you record and publish your stuff. I am sure you will enjoy that new Heritage and that in no time you will Fripp away! No tremolo on it though, so it won't cover all of your musical aspirations, but it will be nice to switch guitars and get inspired by the possibilities each of 'em give ya. (there are some older jacksonlike tremolo equipped devils in the Heritage collection like my H162, though)

 

And I'm looking forward to new recordings with the Heritage!

 

Thanks!  I do enough different stuff that I could never get by with just one guitar.  At least, that's what I keep telling my wife...

 

The H162s etc. mostly have Kahlers on them, and I was never really fond of those.  That was back when Kramer had the exclusive license to use the Floyd Rose trem, and lots of other guitar makers besides Heritage got stuck wit putting Kahlers on their guitars.  Heritage didn't seem to have a real good handle on the '80s hair metal guitar back in the day.  Probably better that they decided to focus on classic designs.  I went a little overboard with the trem in some spots on my album, anyway.  I tend to use it for saxophone-like slurs, ala Allan Holdsworth, but I'm trying to focus on legato techniques that don't require a trem.

 

BTW, I found this place through the magic of Google, after discovering that Heritage doesn't have a forum on its own site.  Non-company boards tend to be better anyway.

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Play your new guitar some, then go down to your local guitar shop and try some of the g-word models and notice that they either (a) pale by comparison or ( cost several $k more...

 

I did the g-word part first--that's why I'm here.  What kind of stuff are they smokin' down there in Nashville, anyway?  ;D

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Greeting, everyone.  I will be a new H-157 owner when my guitar arrives tomorrow. 

 

Since I don't have it yet, I obviously can't post pics, but here is the auction in question:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...N:IT&ih=008

 

Background:  basically, I'm a fusion/metal guy who has been playing primarily Jackson guitars for many years now.  But back when I started in the early '80s, I was a big fan of Les Pauls, and the sound of a screaming LPC has always been the 'sound in my head.'  My ideal lead guitar sound is somewhere between "Inner Mounting Flame" era John McLaughlin, late '70s Frank Zappa, Robert Fripp, Al DiMeola, and John Sykes of Whitesnake fame.  You'll notice lots of Les Paul Customs involved there.  ;D

 

I had gone away from 24.75" scale guitars, but getting an ESP Maverick recently reintroduced my love for guitars with that scale length (my carpal tunnels like it better, too), and the natural move was to get back to a Les Paul.  Problem.  My beloved late '70s - early '80s LPCs now sell for absolutely absurd prices even if they're beat to hell.  Folks, they were pumping those things off the assembly line like Chevrolets--why do they sell for $2,500+???  In earlier times, I had a '76 three-pickup LPC in natural finish that was a barnburner--a '77 just like it sold on eBay in the last couple of days for over $2,600, with plenty of wear and tear.  Stupid.  And the new Les Pauls?  The ones I've played never feel right to me, and I certainly don't have the dosh for one of those Historics, nor the desire to spend that much.

 

I've known about Heritage for a long time and was tempted to bring home a used H-150 I played years ago.  But with my Les Paul jones firmly back in place, I did some research--and it really seems like Heritage has got something going on.  So, I've pulled the trigger and eagerly await my new baby.  The thing I like about Heritage is that they are committed to making great guitars, period.  The price factor is nice, but I wouldn't have bought if they were nothing more than a "budget Gibson."  There are plenty of budget imitations available if one is willing to import something from a Japanese dealer.  I want the real deal.

 

Oh, and for the curious, here is my MySpace page with a whole bunch of audio (mostly recorded with my trusty 1990 Jackson Soloist Pro):  http://www.myspace.com/councilofone

 

And yes, I'll be posting pics and a full report soon...