I ended up with this guitar as part of a trade. It's the older neck thru version with inlays and bound neck. It needed some minor work. I had to plug the Floyd bushing holes and re-drill them because they were completely fucked up. Fortunately, the rest of the guitar is like mint.
Now I'm getting ready to put it back together, I'm not sure what pickup to put in it. I have a Dimarzio X2N, a Super 2, a Duncan SH-5 Custom, some kind of Fluence thing (I kinda want to avoid actives). I think I have an Invader around here somewhere too. Most of my other pickups are PAF types I think. I'm also not against trying something different. I see a Black Winter for sale on Marketplace.
Assuming I'm gonna use this for metal, what would you use?
LTD M200FM - Pickups?
Re: LTD M200FM - Pickups?
I like the BW and Invader. The custom is an all time favorite of mine.
Any of these options seem like they’ll do just fine.
Any of these options seem like they’ll do just fine.
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Re: LTD M200FM - Pickups?
If you already have the Sh-5 Custom, go with it. Great sounding pickup. Then put a PAF in the neck.
Re: LTD M200FM - Pickups?
The newer bolt-on version of that guitar features a mahogany body, while the older neck-through version has a maple neck and center, with agathis wings. I owned an agathis LTD for a while, and I had significant trouble finding pickups that complemented the wood, as it produced a very dark sound. Your experience may differ with the maple center. I would recommend at least trying the SH-5 and the Invader pickups; they should help you determine which style works best for your guitar.
Re: LTD M200FM - Pickups?
Black Winter is pretty nice.
Re: LTD M200FM - Pickups?
Just checked and this deal is still happening idk how but a Black Winter for $64 shipped. Discount code on this site is Duncan20 and it stacks with the already on sale items. I've got the full set sitting on my table for over a month, need to installZeegler wrote: ↑Tue Apr 15, 2025 3:52 pm I ended up with this guitar as part of a trade. It's the older neck thru version with inlays and bound neck. It needed some minor work. I had to plug the Floyd bushing holes and re-drill them because they were completely fucked up. Fortunately, the rest of the guitar is like mint.
Now I'm getting ready to put it back together, I'm not sure what pickup to put in it. I have a Dimarzio X2N, a Super 2, a Duncan SH-5 Custom, some kind of Fluence thing (I kinda want to avoid actives). I think I have an Invader around here somewhere too. Most of my other pickups are PAF types I think. I'm also not against trying something different. I see a Black Winter for sale on Marketplace.
Assuming I'm gonna use this for metal, what would you use?

Franklinguitarworks.com
Discount code Duncan20
Re: LTD M200FM - Pickups?
That would be great, but I'm in Canada. With shipping, duties, tariffs, and exchange, it would no longer be a good deal.Maddnotez wrote: ↑Thu Apr 17, 2025 1:47 pmJust checked and this deal is still happening idk how but a Black Winter for $64 shipped. Discount code on this site is Duncan20 and it stacks with the already on sale items. I've got the full set sitting on my table for over a month, need to installZeegler wrote: ↑Tue Apr 15, 2025 3:52 pm I ended up with this guitar as part of a trade. It's the older neck thru version with inlays and bound neck. It needed some minor work. I had to plug the Floyd bushing holes and re-drill them because they were completely fucked up. Fortunately, the rest of the guitar is like mint.
Now I'm getting ready to put it back together, I'm not sure what pickup to put in it. I have a Dimarzio X2N, a Super 2, a Duncan SH-5 Custom, some kind of Fluence thing (I kinda want to avoid actives). I think I have an Invader around here somewhere too. Most of my other pickups are PAF types I think. I'm also not against trying something different. I see a Black Winter for sale on Marketplace.
Assuming I'm gonna use this for metal, what would you use?![]()
Franklinguitarworks.com
Discount code Duncan20

No one has suggested the X2N yet, which is kinda what I was leaning towards, but maybe not a good option IDK? I've never tried an X2N before. The one I have came in one of my SGs, but I took it out before I really played it. I also just remembered that I have a brand new black Super Distortion. Also, I thought I had a Super 2, but it's a Super 3.
Well, first things first, I'll put the guitar back together first and just try out all of the pickups and see which I like the best.
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Re: LTD M200FM - Pickups?
X2N sounds like a brick. Lots of output and low end. I guess I can't say it's "bad" because it does exactly what it claims to do, but it's a tone I have zero use for.
Super 3 is a great pickup for superstrats, similar to the Super Distortion but with rolled highs and added low end. The idea is of the Super 3 to make a superstrat sound like Les Paul with the Super Distortion. And it does that well, IMHO.
Can't go wrong with the Super Distortion either, it's a classic for a reason. But I usually prefer the Super Distortion in Gibsons and the Super in superstrats. But it would work either way.
Super 3 is a great pickup for superstrats, similar to the Super Distortion but with rolled highs and added low end. The idea is of the Super 3 to make a superstrat sound like Les Paul with the Super Distortion. And it does that well, IMHO.
Can't go wrong with the Super Distortion either, it's a classic for a reason. But I usually prefer the Super Distortion in Gibsons and the Super in superstrats. But it would work either way.
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Re: LTD M200FM - Pickups?
I really like SD’s “prog” lineups. I enjoyed the Nazgûl years ago if you’re down with ceramic
Lately I’ve been running a Pegasus in my LP and scourge in my 594. Both are great but I think the Pegasus is in a sweet spot
Lately I’ve been running a Pegasus in my LP and scourge in my 594. Both are great but I think the Pegasus is in a sweet spot
Guitars: PRS/Gibson
Amps: Mesa Mark V | '76 Fender Deluxe Reverb | EVH 5153 6L6 50w| Mesa Mark IV | Badlander 50
Band: https://linktr.ee/jawaofficialband
Amps: Mesa Mark V | '76 Fender Deluxe Reverb | EVH 5153 6L6 50w| Mesa Mark IV | Badlander 50
Band: https://linktr.ee/jawaofficialband
Re: LTD M200FM - Pickups?
Well, I got it all put back together, and started off with the X2N because I've never tried one. I see exactly what you mean. It's very thick, with lot's of bottom, but very bland sounding. I've only played it through the Roadster yet, so I still have to put it through its paces through other amps, but I think it's gonna come out, and I'll be trying the Super 3 next.Guitarbilly wrote: ↑Fri Apr 18, 2025 3:17 pm X2N sounds like a brick. Lots of output and low end. I guess I can't say it's "bad" because it does exactly what it claims to do, but it's a tone I have zero use for.
Super 3 is a great pickup for superstrats, similar to the Super Distortion but with rolled highs and added low end. The idea is of the Super 3 to make a superstrat sound like Les Paul with the Super Distortion. And it does that well, IMHO.
Can't go wrong with the Super Distortion either, it's a classic for a reason. But I usually prefer the Super Distortion in Gibsons and the Super in superstrats. But it would work either way.