Guitar choice

[vtecsol]

@Jeff95TA

After doing a lot of researching over the holiday I determined (assuming new vs. used):

• $400 is not a realistic budget to upgrade from my Kramer
• neck-through is probably out
• most intermediate levels use factory pickups vs. Dimarzio, EMG, Seymour Duncan, etc.
• I should probably go fixed bridge to afford the other features that I want
• considering Ibanez S470DXQM (or maybe a few of the RG series), Jackson MG Series DKMG Dinky, ESP M-400
• I now want to upgrade my amp also
• tube amps are out of my budget range

Questions:

• any opinions on the EMG 81 active pickups considering I play mostly metal?
• thinking Marshall solid state 2-channel (upgrade from my micro stack), but any experience with the Line 6 amps? I actually find the Spider Jam tempting, although “gimmicky”.

i like the line 6 i have the spider 3 it almost has way too much stuff. i bought a vox but the preamp broke in 10 minutes, guitar center replaced it i asked to try it in store to make sure it worked and the replacement was bad out of the box so i got this