Brighter version of EMG SA

[Peter Krasov]

Hi folks,

I've got a Squier Strat with EMG SA set. It was very fine untill I dropped into it the Babicz tremolo. The trem improved the overal feeling and resonance, which I loved very much, and enhanced bass frequencies. As a result those SA's became extremely fat, especially considering the fact that I tune my guitar a whole step lower and use heavy gauge strings: 13-56, 14-58(60), or mixed sets.

So. I'm searching for a EMG Strat set, that would be brighter than SA. After learning the EMG site, I found that S and SV set should be brighter that SA.

Does anyone have any ideas on that? I'm afraid that S may be quite lifeless due to ceramic magnets.

 

[lkr]

Re: Brighter version of EMG SA

The sv is brighter and lower output with a lower noise threshold. I put them in my gilmour pickgaurd and liked them better.

 

[Peter Krasov]

Re: Brighter version of EMG SA

Thanks.

Have you tried S?

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Brighter version of EMG SA

The S and SV have ceramic magnets. They are a little more edgy and, hence, more like a Fender than the SA and SAV.

I find the SLV the most pleasing. Its rod magnet polepieces add percussive transient detail that the blade polepiece models lack.

 

[Peter Krasov]

Re: Brighter version of EMG SA

Funkfingers, I guess SLV may be even fatter than SA.

The EMG site tells us that SVs are Alnico Vs http://www.emgpickups.com/guitar/single-coil/strat/svset.html#info.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Brighter version of EMG SA

Think of the SLV as a hybrid between the SA and SAV, only slightly overwound. Don't get too hung up over the specification statistics. The SLV is more "Fender" sounding than the SA.

Have you tried lowering the bass end of your existing pickups?

 

[Peter Krasov]

Re: Brighter version of EMG SA

Yes, I tried, the sound becomes less clear and less definite. Someone may like that, but I prefer to put pickups as close to the strings as possible.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Brighter version of EMG SA

In that case, the EMG-S or -SV is probably the best option for your guitar.

 

[Peter Krasov]

Re: Brighter version of EMG SA

In that case, the EMG-S or -SV is probably the best option for your guitar.

Do I understand correctly that S will be tighter that the SV?

 

[lkr]

Re: Brighter version of EMG SA

I have not tried the s. They are the same preamp as the sa and I couldn't stand the hiss they produce. The sv is alnico rods. It is their take on vintage strat pups. I have tried the sav and it reminded me of the sa but with exposed coils. With the controls that emg offers I can get just about any sound from the sv pups and super quiet. My strat is a mahogany body and neck. It is full and a touch dark so the brighter sv was needed. If your interested in the s, look up some vince gill videos. He used to use the s exclusively live.

 

[Peter Krasov]

Re: Brighter version of EMG SA

Thanks, I'll listen to Gill's videos for comparison.

 

[jmh151]

Re: Brighter version of EMG SA

I have the Gilmour set with the SA's and found them to be too fat as well. have you tried lowering the pickups?

 

[Peter Krasov]

Re: Brighter version of EMG SA

Yes, I tried, the sound becomes less clear and less definite. Someone may like that, but I prefer to put pickups as close to the strings as possible.