Blackout Singles vs. Emg S
- Thread starter Nsatke81
- Start date
Ace Flibble
New member
That's... a pretty vague line of questioning.
Tried the Blackouts once and immediately swapped them back out, never cared to try them a second time. To me they sounded like they were made to split the difference between a single coil and a humbucker, like they were a pickup for someone who wanted an active HHH sound but was stuck with an HSS guitar and refused to give up on actives. For me, when I want an active humbucker or more-humbucker-like tone I will either go passive and use Hot Rails/Cool Rails or I'll change the guitar's routing/pickguard to simply take a full active humbucker. In other words, I only use an active single coil-size pickup when I want a normal single coil-type tone (but I need to stay active, e.g. for a bridge humbucker), which the Blackouts didn't do. They lack the sharp attack of a normal single coil tone and the mids are cranked up so much they make P-90s sound hollow by comparison.
Conversely, EMG's SA, SAV and SLV all sound like varieties of normal single coil. The SAV has the EQ and response of a common A5 Strat pickup; the SA calms down the pick attack a little; the SLV adds a slight overwound flavour, for me making it like the bridge-specific version of the SAV. I prefer the 'X' variations since those have a more dynamic response (i.e. a more modern, power-efficient preamp, like Blackouts have) without needing to find space for 18v. I've not yet tried their newer Crossroads or Maverick pickups but given they're mechanically similar to the SAV but with an even calmer and more dynamic preamp, I have no reason to doubt the claims that they're even more like a common passive Strat pickup.
I don't like the S myself since the extra compression and attack of the ceramic magnet is something I don't like in single coils (also my issue with the ceramic-powered SD Hot Stack Strat vs the A5-powered Hot Stack for Tele), since the single coil tone already has sharp attack anyway. The S might be great for funk (Prince liked 'em enough) but that's not my wheelhouse.
While we're on the subject I'll also add that the EMG Tele pickups (especially the alnico and X versions) are phenomenal, easily my favourite Tele neck single coil and second-favourite bridge (behind the SD Hot Stack). Anybody who thinks either EMG or active pickups in general automatically means high-output metal should go try those. You've never heard a cleaner, twangier Tele bridge or a more bell-like Tele neck.
I like the standard Blackout humbuckers and the Jeff Loomis model, but when it comes to active single coils, SD have a lot to learn from EMG still. They really need to catch up and do some splittable actives, too. (If SD would like to make a splittable/dual-mode JL with white covers and concealed poles, I'd be all over that...)
Tried the Blackouts once and immediately swapped them back out, never cared to try them a second time. To me they sounded like they were made to split the difference between a single coil and a humbucker, like they were a pickup for someone who wanted an active HHH sound but was stuck with an HSS guitar and refused to give up on actives. For me, when I want an active humbucker or more-humbucker-like tone I will either go passive and use Hot Rails/Cool Rails or I'll change the guitar's routing/pickguard to simply take a full active humbucker. In other words, I only use an active single coil-size pickup when I want a normal single coil-type tone (but I need to stay active, e.g. for a bridge humbucker), which the Blackouts didn't do. They lack the sharp attack of a normal single coil tone and the mids are cranked up so much they make P-90s sound hollow by comparison.
Conversely, EMG's SA, SAV and SLV all sound like varieties of normal single coil. The SAV has the EQ and response of a common A5 Strat pickup; the SA calms down the pick attack a little; the SLV adds a slight overwound flavour, for me making it like the bridge-specific version of the SAV. I prefer the 'X' variations since those have a more dynamic response (i.e. a more modern, power-efficient preamp, like Blackouts have) without needing to find space for 18v. I've not yet tried their newer Crossroads or Maverick pickups but given they're mechanically similar to the SAV but with an even calmer and more dynamic preamp, I have no reason to doubt the claims that they're even more like a common passive Strat pickup.
I don't like the S myself since the extra compression and attack of the ceramic magnet is something I don't like in single coils (also my issue with the ceramic-powered SD Hot Stack Strat vs the A5-powered Hot Stack for Tele), since the single coil tone already has sharp attack anyway. The S might be great for funk (Prince liked 'em enough) but that's not my wheelhouse.
While we're on the subject I'll also add that the EMG Tele pickups (especially the alnico and X versions) are phenomenal, easily my favourite Tele neck single coil and second-favourite bridge (behind the SD Hot Stack). Anybody who thinks either EMG or active pickups in general automatically means high-output metal should go try those. You've never heard a cleaner, twangier Tele bridge or a more bell-like Tele neck.
I like the standard Blackout humbuckers and the Jeff Loomis model, but when it comes to active single coils, SD have a lot to learn from EMG still. They really need to catch up and do some splittable actives, too. (If SD would like to make a splittable/dual-mode JL with white covers and concealed poles, I'd be all over that...)
Artie
Peaveyologist
I haven't done Blackout singles, but I have the Livewire Classic II set in my Roadhouse Strat. They perfectly capture the classic Stratocaster tone. And, they're noiseless.
Edit: I should add, I don't see them on the webpage. It would be a shame if they stopped making what could arguably be one of their best Strat sets.
Edit: I should add, I don't see them on the webpage. It would be a shame if they stopped making what could arguably be one of their best Strat sets.
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i played emg sv for a long time and really liked em. the blackouts have a lot more output and are much more middy than a vintage strat pup, i really like them though. less scooped than a vintage strat pup but still sounds like a single coil to me. the duncan livewire strat pups are a much more stratty and scooped set and sound great if thats what you are looking for
Ace Flibble
New member
If you've played the H then you've played the S as they're exactly the same under the covers. For Learning To Fly (and well, 99% of Gilmour's recordings) you want the SA (which is also the HA when put under a humbucker cover). Importantly you'll also want the SPC mid boost for the lead parts (which, funnily enough, bumps up the EMGs until they sound kind of like the Blackouts; but importantly with the EMGs you can turn it back off for rhythm!). Of course then there's the compressor, chorus, amp, speakers, and actually being able to play like that... but in any case, three EMG SAs and an SPC are what you want in your guitar for that tone.
The LiveWires are indeed gone. They went quite some time ago now, once the Blackout marketing took over. The Dave Mustaine active humbucker set is still around but they've mostly scrubbed the 'LiveWire' branding from them.
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PFDarkside
of the Forum
Well, the good thing is that we have a very good idea that track was recorded with EMG SAs and a SPC midrange boost. Of course you can buy the DG-20 loaded pickguard or piece it together yourself. With the X series preamp, a Strat loaded with SAX and SPC/Standard Tone would be a nice modern upgrade to the 80’s Red Strat.
ToneFiddler
New member
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