Re: any heavy metal guitarists playing LP bursts?
A guitar is a tool ,and a stock Tele is using a hole pucnh when a jackhammer is whats required.Knock yourself out if what you dig is trying to pound out post Zepplin modern metal through a high gain amp with a squealing stock Tele..good luck with that.
A lot has changed since Metallica, who used to use Mesa Marks. The old marks are Heavy, of course, but these days we have Diezels, Framus', Uberschalls, VHT's ,and other really very heavy preamp distortion amps.
I couldn't disagree more with you. We need to define what Metal is. Noone know it just by hearing it. Is Foghat metal? Is Drone "metal"?
In my opinion, there are much better guitars for Metal than a burst with stock low output PAf's. Specifacally guitars made for the job-like you said-its a tool.. You'll know one when you see one..they scream Metal even look modern and for modern Metal, huge frets, flat radius,Tight pickups designed specifically for high gain amps so they punch, don't flub out and remian clear under extreme gain. LOl, plus they are evil looking. TO take your Tele to that show is a laugh. Plus you guys love to show some no name band to support your views. Who are they> Ive never heard of them , and they are nothing in the large scheme of things.BTW, Maiden is your most compelling case, but they are old skool, not modern.Metallica is, well, Metallica, they are special, and what they do cannot apply to anything or anyone else.
lol. I'm swiming upstream here. Myaccount clearly has a better head on his shoulders. Its hard to argue uith someone so intelligent and clear thinking. I've killed off most of my brians cells, and never had all that many to begin with. Look, use a Burst if you must , but please please, at least put a Custom in the bridge, is that asking too much?
I'm flattered.
Did you check out those Wintersun videos? It may change your mind on teles for metal.
BTW, I'd define metal as simply a more extreme and heavier sounding form of music usually consisting of a guitar(s)/bass guitar/drums/vocals setup. Drone will fit that description, listen to Sunn O))) for example. Then for subgenres I'll run through the basics:
Thrash - Pure aggression, in-your-face, bigger/faster/louder heavy metal. Metallica wanted to call Kill 'Em All "Metal Up Your Ass" which is really the best way to put it.
Doom - More of a depressive sound, which doesn't always mean slower, but usually doom metal is slower. Very thick sounding metal that is pessimistic in nature.
Death - Branching out of Thrash and Grindcore, a deep hard hitting musical style usually with vocals meant to sound like a corpse or some type of a beast.
Black - Also influenced by Thrash, often not too far from certain Death Metal. Black Metal is meant to have a colder sound, almost chilling, at very high speeds with an emphasis on mids and treble. Almost always has some form of extreme message, usually an anti-religious message.
Power - Usually more upbeat and melodic, dealing with mythology and fantasy. Also often incorporates different folk instruments or styles. Speed Metal is similar in sound.
These are the most basic subgenres with the most basic descriptions. Every band I mentioned fits at least one of these categories. Metallica are obviously Thrash, along with Testament. Mayhem are pure Black Metal originating from Norway. Alice in Chains are mostly a form of doom metal/heavy metal, Blind Guardian are pure Speed and Power Metal with hints of Thrash in some of their work. Wintersun can be described as Black/Death/Power metal.
And regarding PAFs, Itsabass (it'd be nice if he could chime in too) said one of, if not his favorite metal tones came from some sort of PAF. I don't have a problem with that in the slightest. I think of guitars more of a tool in the sense of a car. Not selecting a car for a race though, but selecting a car to drive to the grocery store, but one that you'll enjoy the ride the most; having the most fun. Some would love to drive a Camaro to the grocery store, and some would love say an El Camino or a Delorean.
Sounds bloody awesome, and I finally got contact with Viv himself to figure out just what pickups are in that axe.. Quiet a long list depending on where we are on the Holy Diver tour timeline 
