Anyone experienced with EMGs here?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Will Onyx
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Will Onyx

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I recently picked up a used Jim Root tele from GC and while the guitar itself is outstanding, I’m not so sure on the EMG 81/60 pickups. The 81 seems to have a midrange ‘honk’ that works good for some sounds but not so great for others. The 60 is a little bright and overall both pickups are pretty compressed. Soloing becomes effortless, but the dynamics aren’t there. By comparison, the Fishman Fluence Classics offer a lot of versatility and can work for just about anything.

I’d like something that sounds fuller and balanced. I’ve adjusted the pickup height, but is there anything else I can do or are they just what they are? Would the x series EMGs be worth it or are they not not that much of a difference? Also, if I do decide on switching to a different EMG pickup, can I just swap them out or does everything need to be replaced as a set?
 
Your EMG's most likely are hooked up to 25K pots ... if go over to passive pickups you'll need new pots .

If you go over to another type of Active ..... you might be OK with the pots you have plus the battery setup you already have .
I would check with what is suggested for whatever you go with .
 
That’s good to know. If I decide to change pickups, I’d prefer to stick with EMGs since that’s what it is in it now. I’d probably return the guitar before dumping a lot of money into it gutting the electronics.
 
I love the 81 but admit it’s not very versatile. Hate the 85, 57, and neutral on the Het Set.
 
Will Onyx said:
That’s good to know. If I decide to change pickups, I’d prefer to stick with EMGs since that’s what it is in it now. I’d probably return the guitar before dumping a lot of money into it gutting the electronics.
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pots are only 7-8 bucks .... but I totally get it ....... I'm pretty sure 25K pots are standard for Active's ..... someone will correct me if I'm wrong .
The plug and play ability of the EMG setup is nice .......... nothing to solder if your popping another set in ... I think the Duncan Active pick ups are compatible also .... like the BlackOuts for example ... pretty sure the plug on the back of the pick up is the same
 
Will Onyx said:
I recently picked up a used Jim Root tele from GC and while the guitar itself is outstanding, I’m not so sure on the EMG 81/60 pickups. The 81 seems to have a midrange ‘honk’ that works good for some sounds but not so great for others. The 60 is a little bright and overall both pickups are pretty compressed. Soloing becomes effortless, but the dynamics aren’t there. By comparison, the Fishman Fluence Classics offer a lot of versatility and can work for just about anything.

I’d like something that sounds fuller and balanced. I’ve adjusted the pickup height, but is there anything else I can do or are they just what they are? Would the x series EMGs be worth it or are they not not that much of a difference? Also, if I do decide on switching to a different EMG pickup, can I just swap them out or does everything need to be replaced as a set?
Click to expand...
try the battery mod...
 
creep66 said:
Do the 18 volt mod before you change pickups. It's cheap and fast/easy to do. Makes a big difference. Beyond that maybe try an emg 85 in the bridge.
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beat me to it...lol. op-I had good luck with an 85/60 combo...not really a fan of the 81 or emg's in general.....
 
griff10672 said:
pots are only 7-8 bucks .... but I totally get it ....... I'm pretty sure 25K pots are standard for Active's ..... someone will correct me if I'm wrong .
The plug and play ability of the EMG setup is nice .......... nothing to solder if your popping another set in ... I think the Duncan Active pick ups are compatible also .... like the BlackOuts for example ... pretty sure the plug on the back of the pick up is the same
Click to expand...
HEY!!! DON'T YOU HAVE OTHER STUFF TO BE DOING BESIDES HELPING PEOPLE???!!!! jk...lol..
 
Will Onyx said:
I recently picked up a used Jim Root tele from GC and while the guitar itself is outstanding, I’m not so sure on the EMG 81/60 pickups. The 81 seems to have a midrange ‘honk’ that works good for some sounds but not so great for others. The 60 is a little bright and overall both pickups are pretty compressed. Soloing becomes effortless, but the dynamics aren’t there. By comparison, the Fishman Fluence Classics offer a lot of versatility and can work for just about anything.

I’d like something that sounds fuller and balanced. I’ve adjusted the pickup height, but is there anything else I can do or are they just what they are? Would the x series EMGs be worth it or are they not not that much of a difference? Also, if I do decide on switching to a different EMG pickup, can I just swap them out or does everything need to be replaced as a set?
Click to expand...
Try an 85 in the Bridge and a 60A in the Neck.
 
YES YES YES. I run mine @18V. Can't believe I forgot that. Opens it up just enough
 
Compression in a pickup is relative..
1, you can't tell on a recording..
2, nobody in the audience can tell or gives a fuck..
3, any dynamics a pup had just got raped when you ran it thru a floor full of shitbox pedals, or your hot shit rack..
4, EMGs have Opamps, but so do all of your pedals and effects... Why is it alright for 1 to have it but not the other??
5. 18volt mod is your friend.

The best thing about EMGs is that they are so quiet. Their low impedance doesn't degrade over long cable runs.. If it sounds good, then run it.
The bad thing is you can't do cool things like 50's wiring, or split a coil. You need to buy a dedicated pup that can do that.
I don't use EMGs anymore.. LOL
 
Detroit1973 said:
There is also a 24V Mod as well.
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I just looked this up. It‘s interesting, but is not as accessible for me right now. I already have the 9v batteries, so I’ll see how the 18v mod goes and see if it makes enough difference for me to try the 24v mod.
 
My2 cents- The 60 from what I remember was a pretty good neck pickup, smooth and not bright. I assume you tried a new 9v battery? I believe they will sound thin if the battery is getting low.
Note: with EMG’s, don’t leave the cable plugged into the guitar, it’s activated and will run down the battery even if you’re not playing it. If you haven’t yet, might want to verify there are 25k pots in there in case someone screwed around with it.

I used to love the 85/60 combo. 85 is not as biting treble as the 81.
 
Will Onyx said:
I just looked this up. It‘s interesting, but is not as accessible for me right now. I already have the 9v batteries, so I’ll see how the 18v mod goes and see if it makes enough difference for me to try the 24v mod.
Click to expand...
EMG themselves have stated there is a difference between 9V and 18V….AND said 18V to 24V yielded no changes. YMMV
 
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