I think I now know what EMGs are for. Again.

metropolis_4 said:
EMG single coils >>>> EMG humbuckers

I love the T, SA, SAX, SAVX sets. I’ve never been a fan of the humbuckers though.

A Strat with 3 SAX pickups, an SPC on the bridge, and an EXG might be the most versatile pickup set there is
Click to expand...

I'm halfway down the EMG rabbit hole. Installed the T set in my Tele, then an 85 in my drop C guitar, and ordered a Luke set for my Ibanez HSS. So far I'm inclined to agree with you.

The single coils are extremely quiet and with EQ seem very versatile. I was messing with EQ last night on the T set and scooping the mids and boosting the treble (probably like the EXG?) really made them sound great. I'm excited to try the SLV's as they are slightly different design (alnico pole pieces instead of bar magnets?).

The 85 though, not so sure. The noise seems as high maybe even a bit higher than standard humbuckers. The output is about on par maybe even a touch lower than passive. Tonality is different, they seem even through the mids and rolled off in the highs and lows. Which seems to be good for high gain low tunings, but I'll be interested how they work in an HSS guitar. Obviously worked for Lukather and others in the 80's but does it compete with a quality passive?

One thing I think is neat with them though, they have different humbucker sized pickups with very different construction and tones. It's not like 20 variations of a PAF with 5-10% more or less wind. It's single coils in a humbucker housing or Firebird pickups or the 89 which has basically a humbucker and single coil in one. That's neat. Also the pots so far feel good and the solderless setup is pretty slick.

I'll probably end up trying a Retroactive set at some point, maybe the Fat 55 or Hot 70 or something. I'm curious how the EMG implementation of a traditional pickup works. Also very curious about the EMG Jazzmaster set as I love playing my JM but every pickup I've tried is either crazy noisy or sounds too shrill.
 
I've used multiple sets of all these: S, SA (DG), SV, 81, 85. Starting back in '95 with an S set. Only have two guitars now with EMGs installed -- an S and 85 combo, and a DG set.
There are other like the T set I'm curious about (may actually get that one), but I'm at the point that I don't want a bunch of guitars that have to rely on batteries. It was a big part of the reason I moved on from them as my default. Well that, and Dimarzio makes great stuff too. :grin
 
FuzzyAce said:
I've used multiple sets of all these: S, SA (DG), SV, 81, 85. Starting back in '95 with an S set. Only have two guitars now with EMGs installed -- an S and 85 combo, and a DG set.
There are other like the T set I'm curious about (may actually get that one), but I'm at the point that I don't want a bunch of guitars that have to rely on batteries. It was a big part of the reason I moved on from them as my default. Well that, and Dimarzio makes great stuff too. :grin
Click to expand...
I wonder how the battery aspect will treat me over time as well. I also now obviously want to chisel out the back of the guitar and do the 18v mod :hmm :rofl
 
JiveTurkey said:
I wonder how the battery aspect will treat me over time as well. I also now obviously want to chisel out the back of the guitar and do the 18v mod :hmm :rofl
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Shaq No GIF
 
If EMGs were head and shoulder above the competition I would say go for it, but they aren't.
 
FuzzyAce said:
If EMGs were head and shoulder above the competition I would say go for it, but they aren't.
Click to expand...

I'm brand loyal not because they're still the best but because the 81 hasn't changed since 1981 and they still make it. electric heavy guitar sound is supposed to be EMG into Mesa or Marshall, I need controls I'M A SCIENTIST
 
JiveTurkey said:
I wonder how the battery aspect will treat me over time as well. I also now obviously want to chisel out the back of the guitar and do the 18v mod :hmm :rofl
Click to expand...
When I tried the 18V mod I bought a battery holder for smaller batteries with higher voltage that was the same size as regular 9V’s. Still have a few extra harnesses, batteries and wiring lying about in a box so could send some pics if interested. To my ears the difference going to 18V was very positive. Made the bridge 81-7 in the guitar sounding better for both cleans and brutality IMO.
 
Progressive_disclosure said:
When I tried the 18V mod I bought a battery holder for smaller batteries with higher voltage that was the same size as regular 9V’s. Still have a few extra harnesses, batteries and wiring lying about in a box so could send some pics if interested. To my ears the difference going to 18V was very positive. Made the bridge 81-7 in the guitar sounding better for both cleans and brutality IMO.
Click to expand...
So smaller batteries providing 18 volts that fit within a single 9v battery sized cavity? If so; cool!
 
JiveTurkey said:
So smaller batteries providing 18 volts that fit within a single 9v battery sized cavity? If so; cool!
Click to expand...
Now I remember! It’s three small 7V batteries, so it’s actually the ”21V Mod”. It’s within the specs for EMGs still though so no harm possible.

Still the batteries lasts a pretty long while and the mod doesn’t require anything more than buying the holder, batteries and 9V battery connector then soldering together some wires!
 
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