Hey guys,
I have an ESP ST-1 (LTD Elite version)
It's a great guitar, but I'm still searching for the right pickups.
Guitar specs:
Maple neck
Maple fretboard (24 frets)
Alder body
1/4" thick maple top
HSS pickguard
Stock pickups:
2 Duncan STK-S4 (middle was ok but too hot, neck was wimpy and over powered)
1 Duncan TB-5 Custom Trembucker (way too bright)
Current Pickups:
Duncan Hot Rails - neck (great sustain, ok harmonics, nice output, maybe a little too hot, too dark)
Carvin AP11 - middle (sounds phenomenal! really low output compared to the other pickups)
Duncan TB-11 Custom Custom - bridge (ok, but a little too bright still, low output)
Previous set of pickups:
DiMarzio Fast Track 1 - Neck (sounded perfect but needed more output and sustain)
DiMarzio Injector Neck - Middle (sounded pretty good, not nearly as good as the AP-11 though)
PRS Original Dragon Treble - Bridge (sounded like thunder! Very dark and brooding with incredible sustain and harmonics)
So far, I've really liked the Fast Track 1 in the neck. I just wish it was hotter and had more sustain, but still sounded like a Strat when clean.
From what I read, the Chopper is the hotter FS1, but it also has more bass, which may not be what I want.
I did not like the Injector in the neck. It just seemed to be missing something that the Carvin AP-11 has. The AP is a little hotter, and has much more organic warm tone to it, especially with cleans. The AP, however, does not sound nearly as good with distortion.
What do you guys suggest?
The set that will stay in there is:
Slightly hotter FS1 - Neck
Carvin AP-11 - Middle
PRS Dragon (or Tone Zone) - Bridge
