pickup advice

Alrite I have a cheap Epiphone g-310, and I've had it for some time and want to replace the pickups. I'm into heavy metal, rock, and some punk/screamo. What I'm looking for is a pickup that will give me those heavy heavy riffs, but then also allow me to go straight into a solo and give me good sustain and treble sounds.

I like the EMG 81 at the bridge, and EMG 60 at the neck, but heres my problem: those are active pickups. I've never played with actives so I need some advice. I'm more into amp distortion than pedals and effects, so would you suggest actives or passives? And if you suggest passive pickups, what brand/model would you suggest for the sound I'm looking for?

Or would you just suggest spending the extra money and buying an all out new guitar?

Originally Posted by: PonyOnenew guitar.

otherwise, my personal preference is for passive pickups. i favor DiMarzios for hard rock, namely the Super Distorion and the Tone Zone.

[font=trebuchet ms]Agree. I have both and they rock.[/font]

I'm a Duncan JB guy myself. To me it's a hot pickup, but on paper it really not. It's a great all around pickup and can pull off a lot of styles.

In agreeance.... A JB/59 set would satisfy you. They both get great clean tones and they both will give you all the bottom end you need. When you flip on the overdrive they will respond very well with loads of sustain. A buddy of mine has them in a Scecter C-1 Classic and they scream.

I have that same set in a Schecter C1 Blackjack but find the 59 a little thin and underpowered when paired with the JB (this is jus tmy personal preferance though, YMMV), but it's still a great pickup. It's defanately not a bad combination though, because it gives you a wide variety of tones.

sorry guys, i bought the emg-81 and 60. I talked to the guys at guitar center and they said itd be fine, I'm just gonna have to upgrade my amp.

Guitar Center? No wonder they talked you into active pickups, they cost more........

actually the guy i talked to highly reccomended the dimarzios