Blackouts or EMG's ?

A

Andvaka

New member
I read somewhere here that the blackouts have to much output for a pod. So I was wondering is that the case with Hd 147 and the vetta or is just the pods? I'm looking to buy actives and was looking at the classic EMG 81 85 set up when my local dealer pointed me in the direction of the Blackouts. Any info is helpful. Thanx.
I'm using the JB/59 as it is but I like the Zakk sound from no more tears and miracle man albums.
 
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Re: Blackouts or EMG's ?

Andvaka said:
I read somewhere here that the blackouts have to much output for a pod. So I was wondering is that the case with Hd 147 and the vetta or is just the pods? I'm looking to buy actives and was looking at the classic EMG 81 85 set up when my local dealer pointed me in the direction of the Blackouts. Any info is helpful. Thanx.
I'm using the JB/59 as it is but I like the Zakk sound from no more tears and miracle man albums.
Click to expand...

I answered your question in the "where to buy" thread as well:

The Blackouts are not too hot for a POD, the POD compatibility issue came up when powering them with 18 volts. EMG's "18-volt mod" (using two 9v batteries) came about as a way to get some more dynamics out of the EMG circuit. The balanced inputs of the Blackouts do not need (nor do I feel they benefit from) 18 volts. You won't hurt them with 18 volts, but that's when they became a little "over the top" for the POD. No worries with 9 volts and the POD, just set the height to your preference and rock on. The only caveat is that since these pickups have a far greater dynamic range, it is feasible that if you pick really hard you could digitally clip the POD. But if that's how you're picking when playing clean, you'd probably do that with a high output ceramic passive as well.
 
Re: Blackouts or EMG's ?

Thanx. I have an emg equipped eclipse at home to test drive the pups. I don't like their lack of character and frying pan gain. Is this what is to be expected of the blackouts or are they more like duncans on steroids? Which is really what I'm after more beef and more bite. The emg's have the bite but not the beef. They are 81 bridge and 60 neck who is pretty nice though.
 
Re: Blackouts or EMG's ?

my blackout works perfectly fine through my PODxt. i clip the thing using my JB, DD, etc. just as often as with the blackout. ....i like it loud. haha.
 
Re: Blackouts or EMG's ?

I don't have any experience with the blackouts, but I just installed the ZW set in an agile lp copy. I dunno if it's just that you're running thru a pod, but thru my orange, the emgs are really thick and chunky with good highs. I love the 81 especially in the bridge slot, I haven't tried it in the neck, but I will when it's time to swap strings again (easier access).
 
Re: Blackouts or EMG's ?

I'm using the line6 HD 147 halfstack.

I used to own a jackson soloist which had the 81 85 set up and I liked t at the time. But that was 11 years ago and I was running it through a rectumfrier halfstack and before that a marshall rack rig jmp-1 plus 200 watt poweramp and the works. Lotsa noise and brewtality. My dilemma is that I have reduced my gear to one guitar and a digital halfstack and I kinda like the jb 59 setup but would like something more. Maby it's time to buy another guitar,hmmmm.
 
Re: Blackouts or EMG's ?

The emgs were noisy? I've been told by many that emgs are some of the quietest pups around and I'd say that's pretty accurate b/c my guitars with duncans and other pups are way noisier than the emgs are and I play the emgs with a lot of gain.
 
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