mh and m questions

[Metahead]

what is the big difference between a m 200 and a mh 250. and why is a mh 250 and a mh 400. I have just about the money for a mh 250 and am wondering if i would want a m 200 instead, or save a little more (like 6 months i dont make much money) for a mh 400

also if people could post pics of the guitars in question, that would me metal

[njrusmc]

Save up for the MH 400. The MH 250 is not bad for the money, but you get EMG HZ's which do not compare to their 81/85 active counterparts as seen in the 400 series. The wood is cheaper as well (agathis vs. mahogany). Save the extra few hundred and get the 400, you wont be disappointed.

One guy is selling an MH-1000 NT on this board somewhere. Its sick, $550 ... I would buy that in a heartbeat if I didnt just buy my 400 series 3 weeks ago.

The real difference between M and MH series is just the body. M series have the Mirage style body, MH uses the Horizon style body with an M style headstock (reversed, though) and a floyd rose (unless its the NT kind).

I posted up my MH 400 NT in the Post Your LTD's thread, from all angles. Check that out. There is an M100-FM on their too. PM me if you have more specific questions.

[Metahead]

DANG i just realized how much more the 400 is than the 250. never mind the 400 is out of the question, that would take me like another year (im not 16 yet so i cant get a job)right now i have a Dean EVO XM and couldn't wait that long. the 81/85 combo might not sound very good on my amp, dont active pickups not sound very good on a solid state? also it doesnt come in trans black, not cool.

nevermind the comparison, just tell me about the guitar. what is the neck like compared to (if anyone has played one) an Dean EVO XM. are the pickups still decent? I would probable swap them for seymore duncans because not to many people like the HZs. what kind of sustain does it have.

i dont know what kind of questions to ask because i havent had much experience with guitars even though i have played for like 2-3 years (thats a long time to have a crapy dean)

[grogthecaveman]

My opinion......

I really strongly encourage you to save up for the mh 400, if not now, then eventually. I ordered a 400 from musicians friend, they sent the 250, and i played it and thought, man this sounds good, but it wasn't what i ordered so i sent it back. 8 months later, when i finally got the 400, it sounded AWESOME. It was the tone i had in my head all the time, and it played so incredibly well. If you get the 400 you'll be set for a long long time. The other guitarist in my band was in a similar situation. He had been playing epiphone explorers his whole life, and he was trying to decide between the ex 250 and the 400 or 500 or whatever, and he tried them both out at GC and the 400 smoked the 250 as far as sound goes. And the craftsmanship on the 400s is outstanding. If you really don't have the money for a 400, i'd say go with the 100 if you need a guitar right away, and put the rest towards a 400. It's that good.

Either way, you're gonna like the LTD when you get it.

[Metahead]

intresting, i hadent thought of getting a 100 and saving for a 400. ill think about it, they dont make 400s in trans black do they?

[njrusmc]

dont active pickups not sound very good on a solid state

Not true. I have a Marshall AVT150 full stack (hell yes) and I get killer tone. I also run the 18V mod, be it for the placebo effect or otherwise. Likewise, do not order from musicians friend or AMF or anything. Goto drum city guitarland. They will inspect your guitar twice, give you a free tshirt, picks, wrenches, strap, and extra strings, plus 10% of a nice hardshell case. Its definitely worth it, I HIGHLY recommend them over those warehouse vendors.

The 250 would not be horrible, I was considering it myself. But I am a little older, I have a great job and I could buy a new MH 400 every week with my paycheck if I wanted (not to brag). So, of course, I just bought the 400 and I am so glad I did. Honestly, I would try to find a deal on a 400 series. Check eBay and DCGL ... I only paid 550$ for mine, brand new.

[xchumfiestax]

The real difference between M and MH series is just the body. M series have the Mirage style body, MH uses the Horizon style body with an M style headstock (reversed, though) and a floyd rose (unless its the NT kind).




Actually, it's the M that has the reversed headstock

[njrusmc]

Right, but the MH reverse of that. I suppose I should have been more clear :)

[Metahead]

im will be 15 1/2 in the summer which is like the lowest that i han work in CA, except virtually no one hires at that age. If can find a job i might even get a 100 over the summer, the question is, can i wait that long. is a 400 worth waiting for? and does it come in trans black?

[N3rdAl3rt]

yes it is worth waiting for, if you get a 200 or 250, your gonna wish you got a 400 instead, but i'd rather have a 1000 if you buying one with trems cuz the LFRs are shit out my mouth

[Metahead]

yes it is worth waiting for, if you get a 200 or 250, your gonna wish you got a 400 instead, but i'd rather have a 1000 if you buying one with trems cuz the LFRs are out **** my mouth

Whats the big diff between the 400 and 1000

[Metahead]

is the 1000 much better than the 400? cause i figure if i am saving all that for a 400 i might go more and get a 1000. and its in black ;D

[njrusmc]

Well, first lets be clear. Do you want the normal MH series or the MHNT series? If you are getting the normal MH series, I say go MH 1000 for the OFR. Else, the MH 400 NT is great because it has EMG's, unlike the NT version which differs only in the slightly better bridge and color/binding options (and SD pickups).

[Metahead]

Well, first lets be clear. Do you want the normal MH series or the MHNT series? If you are getting the normal MH series, I say go MH 1000 for the OFR. Else, the MH 400 NT is great because it has EMG's, unlike the NT version which differs only in the slightly better bridge and color/binding options (and SD pickups).


sory the one with the trem, I havent played much with a Floyd, only heard it in solos and want to master it, so i dont know the diff between the OFL and LFR. Is it worth the extra $200?

[njrusmc]

Absolutely. I had an M100 with the LFR and it went out of tune if you looked at it sideways. Ive never used an OFR but I have only heard good things. I personally do not like FR's in general, but thats just me.

[N3rdAl3rt]

OFRs destroy the LFRs, the point of floyds is to be able to use the trem for a long period of time and still keep the same tuning, the LFRs have shit tuning stability so i don't see the point

[njrusmc]

I used my tremolo arm about 5 times in 5 years. I could never reliably use it .... I never used the trem, I so happy I sold that guitar and got an H207 and MH400NT, both of which are string through body.

EDIT: My personal opinion, don't try to master it just yet, especially on an LFR. I would just go with a non-trem guitar right now, mainly because they are less expensive and stay in tune better (generally speaking). When you save enough money to get an OFR guitar, then I suggest you snag one (MH 1000 or better) and being practicing with it. But my opinion ... just get the MH 400 NT, you wont be disappointed!

[Metahead]

hmmmm. y not grab something with a trem? i have been playing for like 2 1/2 years? i want to learn more stuff. y do u say this?

can u get the 400 or 1000 with seymore duncans?

[Gil]

I would say it's all in the sound you're looking for. pick ups do a ton for your tone. what are you looking to play?

[Metahead]

metal. prog death metal, opeth sound (like i could ever write anything like them). not to heavy of distorting and amazing clean. my friend said that active pickups dont sound good on a solidstate amp. i have a Carvin sx200

EDIT
if i am getting this thing about actives not sounding good on a solidstate, someone explain this.

[Gil]

I would suggest active pick ups. if you're looking for that sound. I have an emg 81/85 set in one of my vipers and play through a solid state amp on occasion and it sounds great.

[Metahead]

what kind of amp?

[njrusmc]

my friend said that active pickups dont sound good on a solidstate amp

Can anyone else agree with me in telling Metahead that his friend is wrong? I get outstanding cleans out of my AVT150 full stack and 85/81 set. I would strongly suggest them over Seymour Duncan, especially for the metal sound. I own an H207 with an SD JB in the bridge ... a sick pickup, but no comparison against the EMG 81.

EDIT: It isnt that I am avoiding a trem because I dont want to learn new stuff, its just that there is so much more to playing guitar than fiddling with a strip of metal. I agree, it is cool and a skill ... but its just one of many that require mastery. I will work on that sometime in the future :)

[Metahead]

i know he might be wrong, but i havent played with actives. right now i have two opinions, his and yours. and i think i am with u because you actually own some. if i can get a job over the summer and get a 1000, if i cant get a job (because in 15) i will keep saving for a 400. i have $350 saved up right now, and make like $40 a month, until summer.

[njrusmc]

Yea, I was dirt poor until I was 20, so I can understand where you are coming from. I made the mistake of buying an MH100 .... a good guitar, but the LFR was just horrible. My next guitar will be an MH-1000 since its almost identical to my MH400NT, same color and everything, except with an OFR. Almost like identical twins.

[Gil]

what kind of amp?

Played it to a cube 30. In my personal opinion solid state amps suck. that's just preferences and some people swear by em. ie: Dimebag Darrell till shortly before his death. in the end your friend has an opinion and when you get your guitar you'll have an opinion. and as njrusmc said I also am not avoiding a tremolo to limit myself. I just would rather have a stop tail piece. I like bending with my left hand :).

[njrusmc]

And I like to know that my guitar is in tune, and I can tune one string without having to always tune the other five or six :)

[Metahead]

so since you understand where i am coming from, do i wait (like forever) for the 400 or wait (like forever forever) for the 1000? this will be dertermined by wether i get a job over the summer.

and gil, i do agree that most solidstate amps do suck, but my carvin has a sweet sound.

[njrusmc]

I think that if you get the 400 you will be disappointed because the guitar will not stay in tune. If you get less than the 400 your guitar will probably not perform up to your standards at all. I would REALLY just save for the 1000.

[Metahead]

looks like ill be playing my dean for a long while, although it will pay off in the end. sometime i will go down to samash and see if the have a 1000 in stock to try out.

to be honest, i have never played an ESP, i was atracted to them bacause of features and price on the 250, like last year (then i spent all my money on a carvin sx200 amp) and have become attached

[njrusmc]

Cant you find oddjobs like mowing lawns or shoveling driveways, delivering flyers for a pizza place or something? I started doing that kind of work when I was 12, but then again, it was in high demand in my city at the time. Although the pay sucks, its better than nothing, and I still remember buying my first guitar, amp, and phone cable to connect them...

[Metahead]

Cant you find oddjobs like mowing lawns or shoveling driveways, delivering flyers for a pizza place or something? I started doing that kind of work when I was 12, but then again, it was in high demand in my city at the time. Although the pay sucks, its better than nothing, and I still remember buying my first guitar, amp, and phone cable to connect them...

ya i do this thing at my church when i watch little kids, that is like $32 a month. and i mow our lawn for $8 a week (when i rember to ;D). so i get some money, but still unless i get a REAL job over the summer, $949 is a long way away

[njrusmc]

I mean, you could get the 250 at half the cost, and maybe after playing it for 2 years, sell it for $200 towards the 1000 series. The 250 isnt a total piece of shit, its a decent guitar but the two biggest faults are the pickups (HZ's are decent for passives, but no comparison against Duncan's or EMG actives) and the LFR. My MH100 was like the 250 except with cheaper pickups, and it played great for 5 years. I just sold it 3 weeks ago. I just got sick of it going out of tune all the time :(

[Metahead]

are you sugjesting the 250 for now? now you had me a rallyed up to get a 1000. if i could wait long enough to get one, i would like never need a new guitar, right? aside from others for other stuff, like something with single coils for fun stuff, but never need a lead guitar with a floyd. is this true?

[njrusmc]

Never is a bad word to use, but I would say you would be set for up to a decade. The LTD Deluxe series is just a step below real ESP's but has the exact same hardware for the most part. The 250 would last you for a few years, more short term. I intend on playing my 400 series to death, until the frets cease the exist, but thats just because I love the damn thing.

So, to renege on what I said before, buy the 250 if you want to try LTD's for the first time. You might not even like them (though I think they are the coolest things since sliced bread). The 1000 is more of a gamble, but its such a sick guitar that I am even considering buying it within 6 months.

[Metahead]

k, that is a good idea, although i think $450 is an expensive trial, you dont think i could get an opinion at the store?

[njrusmc]

Im sure you could get an opinion, but that is what everyone on this site just gave you ... its best just to try it out yourself. If it makes you feel any better, I only paid 100$ more (550$) for my MH 400 NT .... thus, the price of the LFR makes the guitar like 40$ more and it only guarantees that you will fly out of tune. Likewise, the MH 250 NT is just like the MH 250 without the trem and is 290 or 300$ last time I checked.

How much is your current guitar worth, and are you willing to sell it to finance an LTD?

[Metahead]

my dean i worth like $120 new but

http://www.purevolume.com/josiahsologuitarist/photos/2337332

pic says it all

[njrusmc]

Aww man, show a front view of the guitar!

[Metahead]

ill post it a little later, i was showing how the scratches make it not worth anything, its not worth selling. ill keep

[Metahead]

http://www.purevolume.com/josiahsologuitarist/photos/2337603


front of guitar, for njrusmc's viewing pleasures, although it is ugly

[njrusmc]

Not a bad guitar for being a young guy ... I had a squire telecaster that your Dean would put to shame.

[Metahead]

ya i guess i just happened to grab the right starter pack, but still i really need a new one

[njrusmc]

Are you from upstate NY, USA by any chance? I know its a longshot, but if you are, PM me. Stop by my pad sometime and you can jam on my guitars whenever you want (if I am here, that is). Get a feel for the LTD addiction :)

[Metahead]

im from CA. but if i was, i would be over there as soon as i could.

i hope to get the LTD addiction anyway, i have to go to samash and play a whole bunch of guitars. i have liked some ibanezs the shcecter c1 hellraiser floyd rose, and the dean vendetta 4f (that would be cool because i already know deans) and of course esp mh 250 and 400. i kinda decided that a $900 guitar is a kinda stupid step up from a $120, just a little to much. you that dean?

so i talked to my friend (the one who doesnt like active pickups) and he explained what he ment morr. what he ment was that one a soildstate amp active pickups dont sound anybetter that passive, so passive is easyr because you dont have to wory about screwing up the battery if you leave the guitar pluged in. in your opinions, do actives sound better then passives, on solidstates (now that i have fully explained) ?

[Gil]

im from CA. but if i was, i would be over there as soon as i could.

i hope to get the LTD addiction anyway, i have to go to samash and play a whole bunch of guitars. i have liked some ibanezs the shcecter c1 hellraiser floyd rose, and the dean vendetta 4f (that would be cool because i already know deans) and of course esp mh 250 and 400. i kinda decided that a $900 guitar is a kinda stupid step up from a $120, just a little to much. you that dean?

so i talked to my friend (the one who doesnt like active pickups) and he explained what he ment morr. what he ment was that one a soildstate amp active pickups dont sound anybetter that passive, so passive is easyr because you dont have to wory about screwing up the battery if you leave the guitar pluged in. in your opinions, do actives sound better then passives, on solidstates (now that i have fully explained) ?
I wouldn't say that it's stupid to get a 900 dollar if you just have a 120 dollar one. if you're serious about playing guitar and would like to make it a life long passion for you it's a perfect opportunity to get a quality instrument that you can keep for years and years that you can break in and have really grow on you. and if you're unsure about amps go to a store and try them out and find out for yourself.

[njrusmc]

The hellraiser is a pretty sick axe, my only beef with schecter is that their necks are a little thicker than I prefer, plus they are generally heavier instruments. I would agree with Gil as well .... getting a sweet guitar up from a crappy one is always a good idea IF you are truly serious. You dont seem like the toolbag who buys a $1000 guitar just to play Blink 182.

[Metahead]

haha no. i will see what i actually REALLY like