ESP goes all-in on single-pickup builds for 2025 – is the neck humbucker becoming a thing of the past for metal guitars?

[Nashville Riff Co]

Cost cutting covered by ”demand”

It is like a dick with a one missing ball

https://clip.cafe/you-me-dupree-2006/you-get-first-ten-speed-bike-suddenly-youre-lance-armstrong

 

[Kordoba]

sounds like a wall of roaring mud to me.

You just described my ass.

 

[RaceU4her]

I love em!!

 

[phillybhatesme]

Not sure why you really need a neck pickup when you're shredding with distortion. I think a single neck pickup design is better than anything with a fucking middle pup that's always in the way (I'm looking at you Nightswan).

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I don't get it at all.. a nice juicy neck humbucker is the way. You want to actually play shred, you want a toggle to flip to the neck pickup for fast runs.

 

[Smash]

I tune to standard or every once in a while drop d so i have no idea man

Downtuning is constantly used as a crutch to make weak ass riffs seem heavier - see CuckNorris, et al

If it isn't heavy in normal people tunings, it ain't heavy

Yeah. I am in e standard or Eb standard and drop d all the time. Never tune lower...so

 

[Smash]

Also hate tone knobs. Just make the guitar sound like shit

 

[DanTravis62]

Yeah. I am in e standard or Eb standard and drop d all the time. Never tune lower...so

I get the appeal of low low tunings

It's just become such a crutch for people

 

[Smash]

I get the appeal of low low tunings

It's just become such a crutch for people

Lower tunings hurt my ears..it sounds like digital clipping to me. It is why i stopped playing 7 strings

 

[SonVolt]

While I primarily use the bridge pickup exclusively, guitars look retarded with only a single humbucker.

 

[Smash]

While I primarily use the bridge pickup exclusively, guitars look amazing with only a single humbucker.

I completely agree

 

[jbru91]

Have they released any new models for the ESP line? It looks like it is only Ltd right now unless I missed an update

 

[WizardAmpIphoneClip]

Only playing in E and 1/2 step down

 

[Exo-metal]

While I primarily use the bridge pickup exclusively, guitars look retarded with only a single humbucker.

Maybe on your guitars lol

 

[GreatRedDragon]

Neck pickup is way better for clean tones.

 

[TheGreatGreen]

I hope neck pickups aren't becoming a thing of the past.
Gained-out-as-fuck sizzly sounding neck pickup solos rule.

 

[SonVolt]

ESP lost its way as soon as they renamed ESP Standard "E-II".

 

[Wayniac3]

I grew up on 1 Hum, one vol guitars - using the volume knob for cleans. Went to H/S a few decades ago, and that's my preference.. but there is nothing like plugging into a single hum guitar and cranking the volume, and letting it rip.

 

[Spaceboy]

I hate a neck humbucker.

 

[glpg80]

I understand with downtuning a 6 string that a neck pickup doesn’t make much sense given the notes would just be mud, but neck pickups have a place on 7 strings and guitars not tuned down.