I'd be willing to bet it is too. My brother in law has the cheaper LTD version of this guitar, and it has the best playability, action, etc... that I've ever experienced on an electric. Very smooth playing, and thats on the $500 LTD model.
I don't think so since that didn't happen to Metallica
They are definitely not as good as they were back then, but I never saw them on commercials for Diet Pepsi. I suppose people's definition of selling out is different though.
i must have missed all time that they were any good. it seems they just went from sucking with honesty and sincerity to being a joke. at least they paved the way for a lot of better bands, though.