Before I got my first dual rec, I used to love my Invaders; I actually put them in 2 guitars, bridge and neck. Once I got my boogie though, I felt like I wasn't getting the tone I should have been. The overall sound was very muddy, and note articulation was terrible. Then I got my ESP H-1001 with EMG 81 and 85 as a graduation present. I immediately fell in love. I told myself I'd always be a passive pickup guy, but those EMG's definitely converted me. I got the guitar in December '07 and just had to replace the battery for the first time last week, so active really isn't that bad.