I currently own an Ibanez RG470, with INF1 and INF2 pups and use my Pod XT that I've upgrade with the metal pack. It sounds nice but I really want to get that chug-a-chug metal sound so I've decided to look for another guitar. One of my friend says it won't matter since the Pod XT is only a digital emulation and that the difference in tone will be negligable. He says that if I want to "upgrade" my metal sound I should look into an amp, but the problem is that I'm happy with my Pod XT and headphones, I don't want to invest in an amp. So, is it true what my friend is saying? Will it be a waste of money if I upgrade my guitar using my Pod XT?
Thanks!

get emg 81 pups >:D

Try playing through an amp, it's an entirely different thing. For me it's just the volume that does it (I usually play with Pod XT and just headphones), but then again I've never tried a "proper" amp.

Yes EMG pups would be nice, yes and amp would be nice but none of that anwsers my question.

So your friends theory is that it makes no difference what guitar you stick through your rig? Does your friend play guitar?

The easy way to put it to the test would be to take your pod and phones to the guitar shop and try playing a few guitars through your setup - this seems a pretty sensible idea anyway if you want to know how your new guitar is going to sound when you get it home.

What Billy said. What Morten said. What tgchan said.

Well his theory is that the Pod won't benefit enough to justify buying a new guitar to improve my sound. I guess if I buy a new one and stick EMG 81 it'll be

I'll have the opportunity to test my Pod with a Gibson LesPaul this weekend so I'll report back with news.

[swervedriver]

Also depends on what you can get out of your Pod I'd say. You could have the greatest guitar ever and still ruin its sound by running it through some horrid effects. I can't tell whether the XT is your limiting factor since I have no experience with that unit.

Replacing the pickups is probably the cheapest thing you could try (besides loaning another guitar or going to a store to test with your XT).

[djskrimp]

I have a POD XT. It does not bring the thump like a great amp does. Sorry, but it just can't. I also have a guitar with EMGs on them. Still need the amp. As a matter of fact, I'm beginning to think that the amp is more important than the guitar in these matters.

I have a POD XT. It does not bring the thump like a great amp does. Sorry, but it just can't. I also have a guitar with EMGs on them. Still need the amp. As a matter of fact, I'm beginning to think that the amp is more important than the guitar in these matters.

what amp do you have m8?

I have a POD XT. It does not bring the thump like a great amp does. Sorry, but it just can't. I also have a guitar with EMGs on them. Still need the amp. As a matter of fact, I'm beginning to think that the amp is more important than the guitar in these matters.

I concur. I picked myself up a little Epiphone Valve Junior 5w tube head with matched 12" cabinet, then got a Damage Control Solid Metal tube distortion pedal, and I'm really digging the sound I'm getting out of it. I've played almost everything through it, actives, passives, neck-thru, bolt-ons, whatever.. it all makes them sound fairly good Granted my sound changed markedly when I went from EMG 707's to 81-7's in my 7, but the overall warmth and saturation stayed the same.

I'm pretty convinced that a POD will -always- sound "like a pod". It really does have some amazing clean effects, but distortion? Forget about it. Even with the "metal pack". It's just not up to snuff to create "that sound". It's an awesome headphone amp, but for that money, you could have a -real- amp that sounds 10x better.

Go play some amps, bring your guitar as it is. You may be surprised

LOL @ EMG talk.

Try something different for a change, like Blackouts...

LOL @ EMG talk.

Try something different for a change, like Blackouts...

I couldn't agree more. EMGs are good at what they do, but they don't do much. There are so many good pickups out there, just as suited metal and they can do much more too.

LOL @ EMG talk.

Try something different for a change, like Blackouts...

I thought the Blackouts were way too hot, super noisy too. I'm pining for a set of Lundgrens, but $200+ a pup is a bit steep. Although I know exactly what those sound like, and yeah.. that's what I want

LOL @ EMG talk.

Try something different for a change, like Blackouts...

I thought the Blackouts were way too hot, super noisy too. I'm pining for a set of Lundgrens, but $200+ a pup is a bit steep. Although I know exactly what those sound like, and yeah.. that's what I want

Then look into Bareknuckles.

Seriously, I have EMG 808's in my 8 string and I really wish I could afford to put Lundgrens or Bareknuckles in. The EMG's are just too trebly, they dont really have that response of the other 2. Bareknucks are a lot cheaper than Lundy's too.