what is the 18 volt mod?

[azzyazzborne]

OK i finally decided to get a myself the emg 85 and 81 pickups... now i have read many reviews on the forum saying that the pickup sounds better with this '18 volt mod'... what is it exactly? how would you do this and how does it affect the sound of the pickup....

[some_dude]

Re: what is the 18 volt mod?

It gives more headroom, less compression, and a faster responce to pick attacks.

It's not a night and day thing....it's very subtle, but I think it's worth it.

The easiest way is to buy three 9v battery connectors from a store. To form a new harness, solder them end to end as shown. Plug in two batteries into the new harness and plug the third into the existing EMG harness.

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: what is the 18 volt mod?

Here's an alternative method, using the two battery jacks connectors that came with your pickups, if you can't get more. If they're not wired up yet, hook the black wire from one battery connector to the red on the other. Now, treat it as one unit, connecting the loose black wire to the input jack and the loose red wire to the red battery wires for the pickups.

If they are wired up, it's the same process, you just have to disconnect the battery connector from the pickups first.

Like Screamingdaisy said, it's not a night and day difference, but definitely worth trying out. There is another version of this mod, but rather than affecting the tone, it extends battery life. If you aren't impressed with the sonic difference, let me know, and I'll tell you how to do the other one.

Good luck!

[Metalman_666]

Re: what is the 18 volt mod?

The 18 volt mod is definitely, like the other guys said, worth trying out. I heard the EMG's in a guitar in store with the same setup that I have, and it didn't sound quite as good as through my guitar that has the mod.

screamingdaisy: does it really remove compression?

[some_dude]

Re: what is the 18 volt mod?

screamingdaisy: does it really remove compression?

Less compression.

Compression is a result of hitting the upper limits of somethings ability to amplify. Since 18v gives the preamp more headroom, it somewhat reduces the compression.

I found that at 9v they sound very "sterile" and/or "metal", but at 18v they seem to open up some and just plain sound better to my ears.

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: what is the 18 volt mod?

I like the 18 v mod, but I don't think it's a "use it or they sound like sh*t" situation. There's no room to fit a second battery in my 1-hum strat, and I love the 81 in it.

[some_dude]

Re: what is the 18 volt mod?

I like the 18 v mod, but I don't think it's a "use it or they sound like sh*t" situation. There's no room to fit a second battery in my 1-hum strat, and I love the 81 in it.

True.

When I installed the 85 in my 1-hum Strat I forgot to grab more 9v connectors, so it only has 1 9v in there. I think it sounds fine, but I'll still be jamming another battery in there at the next string change.

[azzyazzborne]

Re: what is the 18 volt mod?

alright thanks guys.... i might be considering that on my guitar...you think its possible to get tech to do it? ahah cause i'm sh*t at soldering stuff...

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: what is the 18 volt mod?

Are the pickups already installed in your guitar? If not, just have it done at the same time. If he tells you it's gonna cost any extra, tell the guy to f*ck himself, coz he's trying to rip you off

[azzyazzborne]

Re: what is the 18 volt mod?

does anyone have an mp3 or recording or something of a guitar using the mod?

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: what is the 18 volt mod?

There used to be one in Tips & Clips, but the link is broken now. Honestly, I think the mod is just as much feel as it is hear, so a clip may not be impressive.