EMG Pickups For Charvel Model 5FX

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Charvel1975

Charvel1975

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Hello đź‘‹ Currently have the old EMG-81 and an SA or S single coil in the slant neck position and thinking of trying some different EMG's before I make the decision to go to all passive pickups, new wiring, pots, output jack.

Any Charvel model series owners what EMG's have you tried? Right now my Charvel sounds all thin and no body or girth to the sound. Playing in a covers band that plays 70's/80's/90's hard rock/classic rock and hair metal tuned to standard E tuning and guitar is currently strung up with nickel would .009 to .042 set with the .042 replaced with a .040
 
I'll take an 85 over an 81 all day. 81's have a haze of presence that dominates.
 
You might gain a little more body to your sound if you use a bit heavier strings. I don’t know how you play a .040 low E, you must tickle those strings for the root notes not to go wildly sharp on attack.
 
I'll second the X models. I've have them in my Active Guitar for a long time.
 
midnightlaundry said:
I'll take an 85 over an 81 all day. 81's have a haze of presence that dominates.
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Yea the 81 seems like it has this digital sound and doesn't sound right, compared to my other guitars with passive pickups if that makes sense 🤔
 
18 volt mod is a must with the 81 imo. Opens it up just the right amount. Tighter and less compressed.
 
Bardagh said:
You might gain a little more body to your sound if you use a bit heavier strings. I don’t know how you play a .040 low E, you must tickle those strings for the root notes not to go wildly sharp on attack.
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Before I had the 85 swapped out and the 81 that was in the guitar when I first got it put back in, it was strung up with D'Addario EXL125 XL Nickel Wound .009-.046 Super Light Top/Regular Bottom strings and there was some decent low end but it seemed like it lacked presence and not able to cut through the mix.
 
Charvel1975 said:
What's the differences between the X series and regular EMG's?
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Yes. they are more open.
Not something you exactly hear on a recording because everything is compressed, but you feel it when you play it.
Your Amp responds better to your dynamics. Play soft, it comes out soft. Play harder, the Amp gets louder.
 
Thats a tough one...Only looking for actives? Do you like Lynch's attack or looking something more mellow and fat...?
 
blackie13 said:
Thats a tough one...Only looking for actives? Do you like Lynch's attack or looking something more mellow and fat...?
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Yea seems so from what I've been researching on the Charvel Model 5fx and the model series in general. I wanted to try some different EMG's, maybe just buy used, to see if I can improve the sound and make the guitar more versatile for the covers we're playing before going all passive pickups.

I'm looking for an EMG bridge humbucker and neck single coil that can cover hard rock / classic rock / glam / heavy metal tones and be defined and clear, yet having plenty of beef. I also want good split coil tones.

I'm not the greatest lead guitar player but me & the other guitarist both do rhythm/leads and trade off leads. As far as lead guitar styles, I like Jake E. Lee/Warren DeMartini style and classic rock/hard rock leads so I do like those types of lead guitar attacks but also like a mellow and fat sound when the song calls for it.
 
Charvel1975 said:
Hello đź‘‹ Currently have the old EMG-81 and an SA or S single coil in the slant neck position and thinking of trying some different EMG's before I make the decision to go to all passive pickups, new wiring, pots, output jack.

Any Charvel model series owners what EMG's have you tried? Right now my Charvel sounds all thin and no body or girth to the sound. Playing in a covers band that plays 70's/80's/90's hard rock/classic rock and hair metal tuned to standard E tuning and guitar is currently strung up with nickel would .009 to .042 set with the .042 replaced with a .040
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Sorry for bumping an old post but I just remembered on my Charvel when I took it to a guitar tech years ago, they installed an Orange Drop Tone Capacitor in there too? I've never heard of that being done to guitars with EMG pickups? Do you think that might also be what's causing the Charvel to sound bad?
 
Charvel1975 said:
It is neckthrough construction with a maple neck and poplar body.
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I had one for a long time. I'm normally an 81 at 9v lover, but in those specific Charvel models with those specs I much preferred the 85, and nowadays I'd probably try the 57 first.
 
dave74 said:
I had one for a long time. I'm normally an 81 at 9v lover, but in those specific Charvel models with those specs I much preferred the 85, and nowadays I'd probably try the 57 first.
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I did have an 85 in the bridge prior to having the 81 swapped back in and when I had the 85 in the Charvel there was a small amount of low end but then it's like there was no high end? Do you think an F-Spaced EMG-57TW would fit in the bridge of my Charvel or would it have to be routed out due to the depth of the pickup? Also, would I have to get a different pickup ring?

Here are pics of the Charvel when it still had the 85 in the bridge and the black Original Floyd Rose on it; The black Floyd rose was swapped out for the gold Original Floyd Rose (Floyd Rose is a early '90s vintage) that came on the guitar as well as the 81 when I got it as a Christmas gift form my parents years ago and the 81 was in the guitar when I first got it too.

My Charvel.jpg



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Original Gold Floyd Rose Off My Charvel Model 5fx.jpg
20200216_191115.jpg
 
I have never found Model series guitars to sound all that great. Pickup swaps never seemed to really do them justice either. EMGs always seemed to liven the Model Series up a bit IMO vs the usual passive suspects.
 
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