Does anyone play guitar around here?

I'm currently saving up for a new guitar (it's getting to be a pain in the butt switching between tunings everytime I want to play a different band) and am tied between the ltd. fx-260sm and the 360sm... does anyone around here have any opinions about that? I play heavy metal, just so as you know.
Also, what about pickups? Since I play heavy metal I think active pickups are the best for me, but does anyone else have an argument against that? I'm curious if there's any metal guitarists out there who prefer their passives.
Also appreiciated: what amps and distortions do you use?
I am very curious who's going to respond

This is an awesome forum for anything from Acoustic to crappy epiphones and the oh-so lovely Les Paul's in any and all styles and genres. Hope it helps in answering your question(s).