Some while ago, I posted about receiving a new EMG 85 which didn't sound like my old (not that old, probably from 2010-2015) 85. I tried recording it DI, and the waveform was vastly different. Much more headroom to the preamp. I gave that pickup away to a friend because it did work, but I was left under the impression that I might've gotten a mislabeled 85X.
Anyway, a couple days ago, I received a new 57/66 set I ordered direct from EMG. I was under the impression this 57/66 set used the same preamp as the standard non-X series line of EMG's. Well, I tried recording them, and lo and behold! The headroom was massively greater than my 81's, 85, and 60 that I have (all of which record at the same level). The max level was the exact same for the 57 and 66, so if it's a defect, it's in both of them. The 57 is also a much louder pickup than the 81, which I was expecting since that's what everybody seems to comment. But the headroom was massively broader.
I'm not complaining. They sound nice. They definitely sound more dynamic and responsive than my 2010-2017 EMG's with a broader EQ range while still sounding hot and focused like EMG's. But I wonder if they're doing anything new to the preamp. Or maybe I've been mistaken this whole time and the 57/66 actually use the X series preamp.
So what is up? Anyone know?
Anyway, a couple days ago, I received a new 57/66 set I ordered direct from EMG. I was under the impression this 57/66 set used the same preamp as the standard non-X series line of EMG's. Well, I tried recording them, and lo and behold! The headroom was massively greater than my 81's, 85, and 60 that I have (all of which record at the same level). The max level was the exact same for the 57 and 66, so if it's a defect, it's in both of them. The 57 is also a much louder pickup than the 81, which I was expecting since that's what everybody seems to comment. But the headroom was massively broader.
I'm not complaining. They sound nice. They definitely sound more dynamic and responsive than my 2010-2017 EMG's with a broader EQ range while still sounding hot and focused like EMG's. But I wonder if they're doing anything new to the preamp. Or maybe I've been mistaken this whole time and the 57/66 actually use the X series preamp.
So what is up? Anyone know?
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