EMG X-Series

[metropolis_4]

Why doesn’t anybody seem to go for the X series EMGs? It seems like every time I hear talk about EMGs people are always talking about the old models and nobody ever talks about the new models.

I’ve consistently liked the new X versions much better than the old version for every EMG I’ve tried. They really made some great improvements and fixed some problems people didn’t like in the old ones. But everyone still just gets the old versions.

Is it because of familiarity? Because you prefer the old models?

Just curious

 

[Jarick]

I'm just dipping my toes into EMG so I wanted to stick more with the classics to try them out.

 

[FuzzyAce]

I do have an 85X in one guitar, paired with a S in the neck. I can't compare it to my old 85 because it's not installed right now. But from memory it's all there much like the original and sounds great. The X series is supposed to have improved headroom and range.

 

[metropolis_4]

I'm just dipping my toes into EMG so I wanted to stick more with the classics to try them out.

I wonder if this is how a lot of people think when first trying them out. I think maybe EMG made a mistake with how they introduced these. Maybe they should have just sold these as the “new improved” standard series and then reintroduced the old models as the “classic” line or something

I do have an 85X in one guitar, paired with a S in the neck. I can't compare it to my old 85 because it's not installed right now. But from memory it's all there much like the original and sounds great. The X series is supposed to have improved headroom and range.

Improved headroom, less compressed, more open and natural sounding, but still with that classic EMG thing going on.

 

[Frankencat]

I like the compression of the original series but I will try the X next.

 

[laxu]

I wonder if this is how a lot of people think when first trying them out. I think maybe EMG made a mistake with how they introduced these. Maybe they should have just sold these as the “new improved” standard series and then reintroduced the old models as the “classic” line or something

I honestly was not even aware these things existed. They seem to have been around since like 2009.

 

[dk_ace]

Well personally, if I was buying EMGs, I’m thinking zakk and Metallica.

I think that’s why the classics get all the discussion.

If I wanted a high output pickup other than an 81, I’m probably gonna be between Bareknuckle, Sd, and dimarzio as the first things that come to mind.

I just don’t think people are that aware of EMGs other offerings.

D

 

[FuzzyAce]

Well personally, if I was buying EMGs, I’m thinking zakk and Metallica.

I think that’s why the classics get all the discussion.

If I wanted a high output pickup other than an 81, I’m probably gonna be between Bareknuckle, Sd, and dimarzio as the first things that come to mind.

I just don’t think people are that aware of EMGs other offerings.

D

It kind of shocked me, there's a factory tour vid that was posted recently on youtube, and the head guy said they move roughly 1500-2000 pickups a day out to buyers. They can handle around 3000 a day. That's a lot.

 

[0XI0]

I like the compression of the original series but I will try the X next.

that's exactly it, like circa 2001 they started improving the clean channels in everything and all of a sudden overnight the "DS-1 is a garbage pedal". Fishman Fluence basically pre-baked a top boost into a design to always win an A/B, but that makes as much sense to me as clean boosting the front of the fractal to get more gain lmfao. EMG tone out the guitar jack is a literal preamp signal, the original. how tf u gonna improve a flavor. Chex Mix just "improved" bold and they fucked up my snack

 

[DISTORT6]

It kind of shocked me, there's a factory tour vid that was posted recently on youtube, and the head guy said they move roughly 1500-2000 pickups a day out to buyers. They can handle around 3000 a day. That's a lot.

They are OEM for a lot of companies.
Fishman has been cutting into their clients, though.

 

[FuzzyAce]

Just ordered an EMG TCX set for my black tele. Looking forward to trying them!
I love the S single, and it's a ceramic magnet pickup. Hoping the T versions are every bit as good.

 

[metropolis_4]

Just ordered an EMG TCX set for my black tele. Looking forward to trying them!
I love the S single, and it's a ceramic magnet pickup. Hoping the T versions are every bit as good.

Nice! Let us know what you think. I love the T sets but I’ve never tried the ceramic version

 

[FuzzyAce]

Nice! Let us know what you think. I love the T sets but I’ve never tried the ceramic version

Will do! Hopefully get them later this week, still waiting on a shipping notice though.

 

[Nate Najar]

I've had SA/SA/89 in my strat for years and years with no interest in changing it to anything else lol

 

[MERCURIUS]

I just bought an EMG 85x for my 8 string. I have had an 81 and 85 in my six string for years. I had THOUGHT I liked the compressed sound. And for heavy stuff maybe it is indeed the sound if you want that sound. From what I have observed the 85 doesn't sound more intense under high gain than the 85x in my 8, but I am using the 85x for clean only.

So an 85 has alnico V magnets in it. The same as a strat. Very musical. Same magnets as an SD Jazz which I own and am very familiar with.

I was using the 85 with a heavy EQ curve on it with compressors, reverb and delay like a full range acoustic type of sound, no amps or cabinets. Nice.


The X series preamp impressed me. First thing, the frequency response is even more extended vs the non X, which seems to have more high end extension than a passive. The dynamics and detail are greatly increased. The touch response of fingerstyle is straight up superior. There are many times when I listen back to my non x 85 where I hear some stiffness and glassiness, the X is more in line with what I was trying to do with my hands. Much more expressive, clear, musical, detailed and all the other good adjectives.

If I EQ the pickup to be what sounds "neutral" to me, it's very bell like and musical.

The tonal balance right out of the gate is still a million miles from where I take it, but it is improved.

Fishman seems to be taking over, but I am avoiding them because:
-expensive
-eats batteries
-sound a bit odd or unnatural(I don't know why and I haven't tested in person.) possibly because of my next point.
-weird design that eliminates windings. Too far away from traditional designs for me, an open minded person. I don't see how PCBs replace coil windings and the poor battery life is probably an illustration of why they don't.