Active pickups... why?

[Ransom]

I have never owned a guitar with Active Pickups. I do understand the theory... very low noise to allow for very high gain. An oversimplification, I know. I own a bass with 18v active electronics and really enjoy playing it.

If I was considering switching one guitar to active electronics... what manufacturer and model of pickup? Is it recommended to go with a solid state amp as well? Line 6 or some such?

 

[man-in-moon]

Re: Active pickups... why?

the only active pickups i have owned are emg's i liked the 81, 85, and the 60. the 85 bridge and 60 neck was my favorite combo.

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: Active pickups... why?

There shouldn't be a problem with active pups in a tube amp. So go with your preference on that. I, like most people on here, prefer a tube amp, but if the solid state sounds better, go for it. I'm just saying you won't have to buy a new amp if you go with active pups.

Many people swear by those EMGs. I've heard some great tone from them. I've never heard from anyone that has tried them, but the Duncan Live Wires sound awesome in the sound clips. It's likely my next guitar will have them in there, at least for a while.

 

[Rotten Guitar String]

Re: Active pickups... why?

If I were to get some active pickups I'd make them EMG's for sure. I wouldn't mind my next axe to have EMG's.

 

[Stringmachine]

Re: Active pickups... why?

I prefer EMG's when it comes to active pup's. I got a set of 81/85 for my LP on the way. I have not tried SD's Live Wire though. They might be good.

 

[hagopick]

Re: Active pickups... why?

i didnt like the EMG s 81 and 85 because its too much brightness ,i never tried the duncans live wire ,but if i felt that will sounds a little wormer than the EMG i will have them.

 

[Imp]

Re: Active pickups... why?

active pickups allow more much more flexible tone control than passives - the sweep of tones on an EMG tone pot is pretty cool i only have EMG bass pickups now, and i love them. for bass, EMGS are an awesome choice..

 

[Quencho092]

Re: Active pickups... why?

it isnt fun having to buy batteries though. My dad had active pickups on his bass for a few years and he had to put new batteries in every five days-he plays weeknights from 7 to 12.

The amount of money wasted on batteries-approximately 500 dollars. Is it worth it? Nope-he could have bought another bass or an amp with that money, instead of paying a premium to be able to play his bass. Rechargeable batteries did not work the same in that application, since they die down in volume over time.

If you like the tone and have the cash to spend, go for it. But if you can find another set of great pickups that give you what you want, you'll be better off.

 

[ranalli]

Re: Active pickups... why?

it isnt fun having to buy batteries though. My dad had active pickups on his bass for a few years and he had to put new batteries in every five days-he plays weeknights from 7 to 12.

The amount of money wasted on batteries-approximately 500 dollars. Is it worth it? Nope-he could have bought another bass or an amp with that money, instead of paying a premium to be able to play his bass. Rechargeable batteries did not work the same in that application, since they die down in volume over time.

If you like the tone and have the cash to spend, go for it. But if you can find another set of great pickups that give you what you want, you'll be better off.

Don't know what kind of setup your dad had but EMGs go for a LONG TIME without having to change the batteries. Over a year for sure.....

 

[Imp]

Re: Active pickups... why?

your dad must have left it plugged in - i do about 12 hours a week, and i'ts been going 2 years!

tom

 

[some_dude]

Re: Active pickups... why?

your dad must have left it plugged in - i do about 12 hours a week, and i'ts been going 2 years!

tom

+1.

Mine have been in there for almost a year now, including a couple of times where they were left plugged in for a day or more and when I changed strings last they were still outputting over 9v each.

 

[vinterland]

Re: Active pickups... why?

In my opinion I wouldn't go with a solid state amp with actives. I think actives sound much better on a tube amp. Nice warm, clean, transparent sound.

 

[TheGZeus]

Re: Active pickups... why?

low impedence unity gain.

EMGs have alot of internal voicing and compression some people like.

I like certain korean actives, because they basically sound like very smooth clean passives. Well, cleaner and smoother with FAR greater dynamics than any passive I've heard.

Low impedenc signals have less susceptability to noise and can travel over longer cable lengths without losing high end.
THe problem comes in that amps have a very high input impedence.
Mismatches can cause noticable notnal shifts and can alter the headroom.

 

[Ransom]

Re: Active pickups... why?

Which amps are going to work well with actives? I have a few tube combo's and a Line 6 Flextone III that I use sometimes.

How do you think actives (EMG or SD) will work with the Line 6?

 

[ranalli]

Re: Active pickups... why?

I don't know if I'd use EMGs in some cheapo SS type amps with a pedal in front or something but both Line6s and tube amps have been fine for me.

 

[Boleslaw Gers 666]

Re: Active pickups... why?

I would go with a tube amp for actives. Like Zakk Wylde's huge tone is contributed to by his active pickups, but the tube amp is essential too.

 

[Forbes]

Re: Active pickups... why?

it isnt fun having to buy batteries though. My dad had active pickups on his bass for a few years and he had to put new batteries in every five days-he plays weeknights from 7 to 12.

The amount of money wasted on batteries-approximately 500 dollars. Is it worth it? Nope-he could have bought another bass or an amp with that money, instead of paying a premium to be able to play his bass. Rechargeable batteries did not work the same in that application, since they die down in volume over time.

If you like the tone and have the cash to spend, go for it. But if you can find another set of great pickups that give you what you want, you'll be better off.

I think the battery life for EMG's is huge, there was a discussion on it here once, i'm pretty sure it was well over 1000 hours.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Active pickups... why?

with my dave Gilmour set, battery life has been a non-issue. They alos sound great with my tube amps and with my digital moreling preamps. In fact, some of the best cleans I've gotten have been with the EMG's into a SWR Strawberry blonde combo. :burnout:

 

[Ransom]

Re: Active pickups... why?

With all the discussion about battery life... I have a thought. Is it possible that the battery issue was not the active electronics but rather a wireless setup? I know that when I go wireless it EATS batteries like crazy. Just a thought.

Does the tone from actives through a SS like Line 6 sound to sterile? I am not looking for metal tone at all... more of a straight ahead rock and blues sound. Thoughts?

 

[Zhangliqun]

Re: Active pickups... why?

I have no use for active electronics on a guitar but on a bass, they are indispensible. Passive is just hollow and wimpy on a bass to me.

Batteries aren't really a problem -- I play my bass about 10-12 hours a week and replace the battery about once a year. Granted that's not 30+ for your dad, but even then it should only be about once every two or three months at the most. Does he leave it plugged in overnight?