pups

are there any versatile ones.. something that can play various music genres.. from blues to metal? or they all depends on EQ'ing skills? Also what are the pros and cons of dimarzio pups and EMG's (active ones)?

Ah, where to begin! If you want a metal or fairly heavy sound, go for active. They are not that versatile in terms of being able to get sounds across the spectrum but they definitely add a certain 'drive' to the sound and make it really dense. (In my experience), I have always found that many of the lines available from dimarzio are really good at most soft to heavier sounds, but don't quite reach the power and 'force' that you can get with active ones. It really is a matter of personal taste. Anyone reading is welcome to dispute.

thats pretty much what i've heard from most people. i was wonderin, i've seen a lot from forums that EMG pups are so "sterile." what does that mean?

I'm not sure, but I think that means that they have a tendency to sound quite processed and synthetic (which they do). Put it this way, with actives you aren't gonna get that driving AC/DC 'wall of marshalls at full blast' type sound, they really will go much thicker than that. Think Zakk Wylde's more recent stuff, Slipknot, Children of Bodom, that's the kind of sound you'll get from actives.