Any Love For, Or Thoughts On, The Fishman Fluence Modern Humbuckers?
- Thread starter magillver
- Start date
Masta' C
Well-known member
You didn't get them for "free" because they suck, if that's what you're thinking. They are excellent pickups that are featured in lots of high-end guitars now and MANY players, including a surprisingly long list of famous rock/metal musicians, have moved to those from classic EMGs. Chances are, they just didn't suit the previous owner's particular tastes for some reason. It happens.
aspectterms
New member
If you’ve got a modern, high-gain guitar (e.g., ESP, Ibanez, Schecter), drop them in — they’ll shine there. For vintage-style builds, they might feel too “polished” or sterile.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
I love them.
They kinda do the 81/85 thing better than the 81/85, IMO. The bridge Ceramic pickup is like an 81 with a tighter/cleaner bottom-end and more string clarity and note separation. The neck Alnico pickup balances well with the Modern Ceramic, because, unlike the 85 which is actually hotter than the 81, it's better matched in output. The Modern Alnico is also a great bridge pickup that kinda resembles the 57 in the bridge more than the 85, honestly.
The passive voicing on the Modern Ceramic is not very standout. I don't know of many people who would say that voicing is the star of the show, but it's certainly usable for when you want a bit more of a "broader" not as focused passive feel. The way I'd describe is kinda like an X2N but more middle-of-the-road in output. The neck pickup in passive mode is actually pretty cool and sounds great clean.
I haven't had them in a while, but I used the Fishman rechargeable battery with them. They do draw more current from batteries than EMG's. So rather than having to change batteries like once a year like with EMG's, you get like 3 or 4 months of battery life with them on a standard 9V. But the Fishman rechargeable battery lasts longer, and it tells you when it's time to recharge it too.
But yeah, if you're looking for vintage tones from them, nah. Look elsewhere. The Fishman Classics are fantastic too, especially for that.
Honestly, these days, if I wanted the active tone, I'd just not even consider EMG's and go straight fo Fishman. I'm kind of over EMG's now that Fishmans are out, and I used to be a big fan/user of EMG's. Fishman Moderns do a very similar thing, just better in all aspects IMO. Not only do they have more sounds available, but the sounds that are direclty inspired by EMG's are just better, I think.
They kinda do the 81/85 thing better than the 81/85, IMO. The bridge Ceramic pickup is like an 81 with a tighter/cleaner bottom-end and more string clarity and note separation. The neck Alnico pickup balances well with the Modern Ceramic, because, unlike the 85 which is actually hotter than the 81, it's better matched in output. The Modern Alnico is also a great bridge pickup that kinda resembles the 57 in the bridge more than the 85, honestly.
The passive voicing on the Modern Ceramic is not very standout. I don't know of many people who would say that voicing is the star of the show, but it's certainly usable for when you want a bit more of a "broader" not as focused passive feel. The way I'd describe is kinda like an X2N but more middle-of-the-road in output. The neck pickup in passive mode is actually pretty cool and sounds great clean.
I haven't had them in a while, but I used the Fishman rechargeable battery with them. They do draw more current from batteries than EMG's. So rather than having to change batteries like once a year like with EMG's, you get like 3 or 4 months of battery life with them on a standard 9V. But the Fishman rechargeable battery lasts longer, and it tells you when it's time to recharge it too.
But yeah, if you're looking for vintage tones from them, nah. Look elsewhere. The Fishman Classics are fantastic too, especially for that.
Honestly, these days, if I wanted the active tone, I'd just not even consider EMG's and go straight fo Fishman. I'm kind of over EMG's now that Fishmans are out, and I used to be a big fan/user of EMG's. Fishman Moderns do a very similar thing, just better in all aspects IMO. Not only do they have more sounds available, but the sounds that are direclty inspired by EMG's are just better, I think.
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80's_Metal
Underglazed Hair Metalologist
Pretty solid pickups if you're into rock and Metal. They've got a lot of bite and snarl.
Some of the biggest axehandlers in the business use them exclusively.
Some of the biggest axehandlers in the business use them exclusively.
RanchManSandy
Active member
yo i have the Moderns in my Ibanez Prestige and i disagree that the bridge is akin to an EMG81 "but better". The EQ and response are too different imo. It's thicker and has less "cut" or "bite" to my earballs. It's pretty tight, but still not like an 81. ultimately, when I want that "emg81 sound", I still use my guitar that has an 81 in it. Nothing does quite the same thing, and that's fine tbh; I don't need an 81 clone.
that said, I do like the Moderns quite a bit, though I think the "passive" mode they have doesn't sound great--it's too muddy for me.
that said, I do like the Moderns quite a bit, though I think the "passive" mode they have doesn't sound great--it's too muddy for me.
