I'm pretty sure those guys play EMG-81's. Who doesn't these days...christ...anyhow. I wouldnt know at all...I've been playing stock forever. Let me tell you something tho man...if u can make a decent guitar sound awesome...then you can make a high end guitar sound killer. At this point...worry about your practicing...if you have the best gear ever and still can't even play then it will be a waste. Kirk Hammett played gutiar through a 4 inch speaker when he started and he's awesome now...or was anyhow. Won't get into that tho. I'm just saying...you know...work on your chops. Gear can come later. You want to be a guy who plays guitar...well...not just owns one. With all that said...I'd go for a new guitar, but thats just me.