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Author Topic: LTD Ec-256 Pickups  (Read 5006 times)

Valisch

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LTD Ec-256 Pickups
« on: March 14, 2017, 06:59:21 AM »
Hey all,
I recently picked up an LTD EC-256 in the new flame purple color.
I'm looking to replace the stock pups in the near future and looking for suggestion.

Here are the specs: http://www.espguitars.com/products/19106-ec-256fm?category_id=1963292-ec-series
Construction
    Set-Neck
Scale
    24.75"
Body
    Mahogany
Top
    Flamed Maple
Neck
    3Pc Mahogany
Fingerboard
    Rosewood
Bridge
    TOM & Tailpiece
Electronics Layout
    Vol/Vol/Tone(P/P)/Toggle Switch

I play mostly metal with a bit a classic rock every now and then. (Any of the Big 4 Thrash, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, etc.)
I've already got a few EMG equipped guitars and was looking for something a bit different. Would also prefer something that can coil tap well, although that's not a deal breaker.

Thanks for any help.

Amp is a Peavey 6505MH and matching 2x12 cab.
« Last Edit: March 14, 2017, 07:05:31 AM by Valisch »
-{Twisted Sinister Serenade}

MerlinTKD

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Re: LTD Ec-256 Pickups
« Reply #1 on: March 14, 2017, 02:05:24 PM »
Based on reading others' recommendations... Holy Diver? Miracle Man? Cold Sweat?
LTD M-207: Painkiller bridge, Painkiller neck

PK

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  • BKPs: VHII Bridge, Emerald Neck, HD Bridge
Re: LTD Ec-256 Pickups
« Reply #2 on: March 14, 2017, 02:15:19 PM »
Rebel Yell?

Yellowjacket

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Re: LTD Ec-256 Pickups
« Reply #3 on: March 14, 2017, 07:54:51 PM »
A-Bomb if you want more thrash, more hair, more attitude, and more rhythm.

Rebel Yell is great for leads and will do metal but it's not as pissed off. 

Dave Sloven

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Re: LTD Ec-256 Pickups
« Reply #4 on: March 15, 2017, 12:08:20 AM »
Given the styles of music you want to play and the construction of the guitar a Cold Sweat would be hard to beat.
BLACK HAWKS
IMPULSES
COBRA-T
WAR PIGS
STOCKHOLM
COLD SWEATS
MIRACLE MAN
TRUE GRIT

https://slovendoom.bandcamp.com/releases

Troy Baer

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Re: LTD Ec-256 Pickups
« Reply #5 on: April 21, 2017, 08:37:33 PM »
I had a EC-256 for a while, and its stock pickups were pretty "meh".  They also have a bit thinner body than most LP style guitars, so IMHO a bridge pickup with a stronger bass response than usual might be a good call (i.e. perhaps not a Holy Driver or Rebel Yell).  I think I'd go with a Crawler set here.
"Cannot run out of time!  There is infinite time.  You are finite, Zathras is finite, this... is wrong tool.  No, not good, no, never use this." --Zathras

Dave Sloven

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Re: LTD Ec-256 Pickups
« Reply #6 on: April 22, 2017, 12:09:05 AM »
If that's the case given the styles mentioned I would suggest the Miracle Man.
BLACK HAWKS
IMPULSES
COBRA-T
WAR PIGS
STOCKHOLM
COLD SWEATS
MIRACLE MAN
TRUE GRIT

https://slovendoom.bandcamp.com/releases

darkandrew

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Re: LTD Ec-256 Pickups
« Reply #7 on: April 22, 2017, 09:16:16 PM »
I've got three Eclipses (2 ESPs and an LTD Elite) with Nailbombs in one, Crawlers in another and an EMG 57/66 set in the third one. I've also, at different times, had Mules and Rebel Yells in them as well. The Yebel Yells were great for the styles that you have mentioned but I've now moved them into a basswood superstrat which better suites that particular style. In their place I've now put a Nailbomb  (Alnico) set and find that these work very well in a recorded mix (more so than the Yebel Yells that tend to cut through the mix rather than sit in it) but have proved to be very picky with regard to pickup height and string guage  (see my other posts for more details). The Crawlers are great in the Eclipse at getting a full, rounded sound and this guitar gets a lot of use as a bit of a work horse, covering a lot of different styles but really excelling in 80's new wave and alternative styles, however of my BKP equipped guitars this would probably be the least "metal" and as great as they are in that guitar, I probably wouldn't recommend the Crawlers for what you want. The Mules were also very good (is there such thing as a bad BKP pickup?), when driven hard they had a good go at hard rock and could nail Steve Stevens' tone from "White Wedding" with ease but again I wouldn't exactly call them "metal" and these made way for the Rebel Yells (which in turn made way for the Nailbombs). If you have anything more specific that you want to know about the EC / Eclipse or the pickups I've used,  feel free to ask.
« Last Edit: April 22, 2017, 09:45:40 PM by darkandrew »

HEadoftheAges

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Re: LTD Ec-256 Pickups
« Reply #8 on: April 23, 2017, 07:44:08 PM »
I had the Rebel Yell in an ESP E-II Eclipse, and it worked wonders.  It's a great pickup for LP-style guitars.

In point of fact, you can hear it on the right channel the first two songs listed on my EP, available for streaming here:

www.ghostbound.bandcamp.com

Regards,
Alec

Telerocker

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Re: LTD Ec-256 Pickups
« Reply #9 on: April 23, 2017, 08:09:02 PM »
Miracle Man.
Mules, VHII, Crawler, MM's, IT's, BG50's.

darkandrew

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Re: LTD Ec-256 Pickups
« Reply #10 on: April 23, 2017, 09:06:54 PM »
I had the Rebel Yell in an ESP E-II Eclipse, and it worked wonders.  It's a great pickup for LP-style guitars.

In point of fact, you can hear it on the right channel the first two songs listed on my EP, available for streaming here:

www.ghostbound.bandcamp.com

Regards,
Alec
Yes, the Rebel Yells are a lot less bright and lightweight than their reputation suggests and the Rebel Yell (bridge) / VH2 (neck) combination worked very well in my Eclipse. Similarly the Eclipse may be a little thinner than a full-on Les Paul (40mm vs 50mm) but it's very neutral sounding and all the BKP pickups I've tried in my Eclipses sound just like the official sound clips on the website when installed in them.
« Last Edit: April 23, 2017, 10:21:00 PM by darkandrew »