Schecter Hellraiser vs. LTD Eclipse EC1000 vs. Gibson Explorer with/ EMG

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Sly

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I'm a drummer but I want to begin to learn to play guitar, especially heavy low tuned rythm guitar. I already have some good guitar gear (Mesa 4x12" cab, 5150, OD-820...) that I use for recording.
I'd like to buy a good sounding guitar which I can also use for "pro sounding" recordings.
Bands I dig guitar-wise : In Flames, Parkway Drive, Unearth, Arch Enemy, Soilwork, As I Lay Dying, Killswitch Engage...

So I don't know what to pick up between those models :

Schecter Hellraiser with EMG pickups
I really dig the look and specs of this one. I want the one with EMG pickups. I really dig Mahogany wood. Plus I can go the 7 strings route if I want... which is really cool !!

ESP LTD Eclipse (EC-1000)
A friend of me owns one, it's amazing. EMG 81 in the bridge, mahogany wood. Really easy to play. Great smooth tone. I really enjoyed this one.

Gibson Explorer with EMG 81 pickups
I really like the Gibson tone. Amazing low mids growl and legendary guitars.
Someone I know sells one with EMG pickups.

What do you advise me to do ?
 
only heard good things about the schecters...
the eclipse1000 are good...not as good as the ESP equivalent but still high quality.

I used to have an explorer that was one of the best sounding guitars I've ever owned (still regret having traded it)...and I had 3 other explorers that were just crap (same with LP).
so it's hard to give advice on this one...Gibsons can be extremely kickass guitars, unfortunately are 75% of them (at least here in europe) just crap....that's why I parted with that company....used to love them, now I despise them for the reason of inconsistency.
 
A friend of mine has a 7-string Hellraiser with Emg 707s and a Gibson Explorer with Emg 81-60. They're both great guitars. I like the Explorer a bit more than the Hellraiser (I own an Explorer myself, without emg though..). I found Explorer to be cleaner than the Hellraiser (perhaps because 707 are darker-mudier? I don't know). I'm pretty sure that you'll be happy with both guitars. Unfortunately, I haven't played with the Eclipse, so I can't help you. If the Explorer's price is good, go for it. Otherwise nothing can beat Schecter's value for money. I hope I helped you.. Cheers!
 
I'm a bit upset 'cause I sold my Washburn Idol Series (EMG81/85) to get a Schecter Hellraiser (EMG81/89). Using the same presets of my pod I noticed that the Hellraiser has less gain, more muddy and has tons of low end. Not so clean, and lacks of air.

2 years ago I went to a store to buy a EC-1000 and finally I bought the Washburn. I didn't like the LTD.

Anyway, out of all guitars I owned Jackson is the best, but perhaps is not so suitable for the sound you want.
 
I've got the ec-1000 and its one of my favourite guitars, its got the locking sperzel tuners aswell which is amazing especially if you're tuning low. I find when recorded the lows can be quite muddy but that might be just me - i'm a bigger fan of the SD blackouts. I've had 2 schecters and they seem to be getting more and more popular but I personally would go for the ec-1000
 
I played my EC-400 (24.75" neck) in C-standard for many years; when I got my Ibanez (25.5" neck) set up and started playing that I realized I could never go back! Yes 24.75" is of course usable, but I find it makes intonation a nightmare, and the strings feel too slack for my tastes! (unless you use a thicker gauge, but I hate the feel of overly thick strings). I think a better comparison is Hellraiser vs. LTD H-1001, in which case I'd go for the LTD just because I don't like Schecter bodies and necks (both too fat IMO)
 
Try them all before you decide what you really want. My first guitar was an epiphone les paul and I went through many different guitars. When I picked up the EC-1000 it felt like it was made for me. Whatever guitar you choose, im pretty sure you wont be let down.
 
Schecter for the longer scale over the Explorer and EC1k. I have a HellRaiser C7 and love that guitar to death. Fucking rock solid and have zero complaints. I owned an EC-1000 for years, you can find posts from me blabbing about it from time to time. And I also currently own a Gibson Explorer myself but I'm not happy with the 496/500 pickups so I will most likely put an 81TW in the bridge and an 89 in the neck to replace those. Even though I really never had problems with intonation or anything with my EC1k and my Gibbo (same 24.75" scale) the longer scale helps more things than intonation, especially when tuning down.
 
cant say much for the gibsons but the EC1000 is a nice guitar, but im not a fan of tune o matic style bridges

And what can't i say about the schecter hell raiser is a great guitar for its price, ive loved having mine, first guitar ive owned in 10 years that im happy with straight out of the box!
 
The_Shred said:
The Epi explorer is and so is my LTD explorer
Click to expand...
Well, I can only speak for a Gibson Explorer. The neck actually came right up against me rather than 'falling down' like an SG would if you let go of it.

It's been years since I played one standing up though so I might be wrong.
 
Yeah, shorter scale can be a compromise in certain respects, but I'm willing to deal with it for the tone. It's also a playing preference. My buddies can't handle the thick, baseball bat 50's neck on my Les Paul...I however adore it! You also can't beat the tone.

My Les Paul isn't neck heavy in the slightest. Probably because of the gigantic body! I can't speak for the Explorer since I have never owned one.

Also, as much as anyone slams the worksmanship of some newer Gibson models (I'm not denying this), it is still miles better than any LTD or Schecter. Except maybe the faded series...:) I mean we are comparing Korean vs. American made, it just depends on how much this matters to you as a player. To me it matters a lot.


Lastly, to the dude with the 500T, it is a cool pickup but wayyyy too sterile sounding. Pop some quality passives in there (Bareknuckles, Motor City) and you will be good to go!

-Joe
 
Joe: I have a Faded Explorer, actually, and it is great quality all around :p The only thing I don't dig is the stock Gibbo pickups, that's all. Everything else about it rocks, all my friends love the tone it can get, the fullness I mean. It definitely makes you hear the slightly hollow sound that both my HellRaiser C7 and my EC1k had in comparison - I think the wood quality is to blame there...and probably the almost plastic finishes that LTD/Schecter use. Now, don't get me wrong I loved my EC1k to death regardless of this because it was a great axe, so is my C7...but the quality difference is really apparent, IMO.

I thought about BKP but I'm a little eh about them. I don't want to derail the thread here but I was considering either SD Custom(b) and 59/Jazz(n) or the EMG-81tw/89 set. I kinda wanted to keep trying passives since I have been using EMGs forever, but I'm afraid no passive will make me happy like EMGs do. We'll see though...
 
006 said:
Joe: I have a Faded Explorer, actually, and it is great quality all around :p The only thing I don't dig is the stock Gibbo pickups, that's all. Everything else about it rocks, all my friends love the tone it can get, the fullness I mean. It definitely makes you hear the slightly hollow sound that both my HellRaiser C7 and my EC1k had in comparison - I think the wood quality is to blame there...and probably the almost plastic finishes that LTD/Schecter use. Now, don't get me wrong I loved my EC1k to death regardless of this because it was a great axe, so is my C7...but the quality difference is really apparent, IMO.

I thought about BKP but I'm a little eh about them. I don't want to derail the thread here but I was considering either SD Custom(b) and 59/Jazz(n) or the EMG-81tw/89 set. I kinda wanted to keep trying passives since I have been using EMGs forever, but I'm afraid no passive will make me happy like EMGs do. We'll see though...
Click to expand...

Oh yeah? Maybe I just picked up a bad one then! They seem way lighter than the regular Gibbys.

Have you tried any of the BKP?? I have been meaning to.

Let me suggest: Motor City Afwayu pickups! They are a small time company based in Detroit, but these pickups are AWESOME in my Les Paul! So sweet.

-Joe
 
Yeah, I like EMGs as well, but only for pure metal really. I just feel kind of bad putting EMGs in my Gibson...:) But the EMG debate is for another thread, haha.

-Joe
 
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