Does SD make a low/moderate output ceramic neck pickup for clean tones?

[Inflames626]

Another option is contacting the Custom Shop, describe your goals and let MJ and Derek work their magic.

Mincer , a serious question I would like to ask the Custom Shop is whether the bottom end of a Screamin' Demon and the mid/top end of a Full Shred can be combined.

After playing both the Demon and the FS bridge model, I thought, "These two need to be combined somehow."

Since we tend to hear subtractive EQ more than additive EQ, I thought adding the top end of a Full Shred to the low end of a Demon might water down the Demon's low end a bit.

Do you think this is do-able?

 

[Mincer]

Mincer , a serious question I would like to ask the Custom Shop is whether the bottom end of a Screamin' Demon and the mid/top end of a Full Shred can be combined.

After playing both the Demon and the FS bridge model, I thought, "These two need to be combined somehow."

Since we tend to hear subtractive EQ more than additive EQ, I thought adding the top end of a Full Shred to the low end of a Demon might water down the Demon's low end a bit.

Do you think this is do-able?

Yes, just tell them what you are looking for.

 

[Aceman]

A Distortion turns down and cleans up pretty well. As long as 50's wiring I think it would do well at what you want.

A Screaming' Demon or a Full Shred might achieve the same thing.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

What you have to consider about the EMG 60 is that it doesn't really have a lot of top end (compared to passives). Rather, it has very little bottom-end (like every standard EMG), and a prominent upper mid spike.

In theory, the Jazz should be much brighter than the 60 even. But perhaps you're not perceiving it that way, because it's got less high mids and more bottom-end.

Also, the "official" passive version of the EMG 60 is the EMG H3, allegedly.

 

[Inflames626]

What you have to consider about the EMG 60 is that it doesn't really have a lot of top end (compared to passives). Rather, it has very little bottom-end (like every standard EMG), and a prominent upper mid spike.

In theory, the Jazz should be much brighter than the 60 even. But perhaps you're not perceiving it that way, because it's got less high mids and more bottom-end.

Also, the "official" passive version of the EMG 60 is the EMG H3, allegedly.

Rex_Rocker , this is a great point. Most of the time on my DAW EMGs seem to really hit at 2.2 khz and roll off both the lows and the extreme highs (which explains why harmonics are a lot easier for me to get on something like a Distortion). It also probably explains why they sit so well in a mix, especially for rhythm guitar.

I've used the HZs to record on a few occasions and I find them to be very close to the original active versions, even in 18 volt. They're slightly warmer and less compressed and, overall, I like them. The reason why I didn't jump to them right away is 1) I was hoping SD had its own spin on a low/moderate output ceramic neck pickup and 2) the later EMG HZs come with quick connectors and pins on the pots.

They can still be wired to split, etc., like a conventional pickup, I think, but I would have to cut the connectors off and it would be easier to use standard pots. I think older, block logo HZs might be okay for this.

The newer ones will come with extra stuff like the wiring harness, etc., that works great for when you want to do what it is intended for but can be a hassle if you want to hook pickups up the conventional way.

Also it's my understanding that passive EMGs are very quiet when split.

I have no idea what the H1 and H2 are used for considering they are supposed to be lower output. I consider the H3 to be very even and maybe even desirable as a bridge pickup, as it seems quite flat compared to the H4 with its 81-like mid spike. Is there is a passive version of the 85?

 

[Demanic]

Well, I think that the H4a has an A5 magnet, so it might be similar to the 85.
I've always wanted to wire up some HZ3's to a Blackout Modular Preamp.

Sent from my SM-A115A using Tapatalk

 

[uOpt]

You generally can't use ceramic magnets in AWG42 (PAF class) pickups. That sounds odd.

The Invader neck is not overly heavy and could be a good option. Not sure whether it is AWG43 or 44, probably 44.

EMG60 neck is probably a good option if you are also active in the bridge.

 

[Inflames626]

Well, I think that the H4a has an A5 magnet, so it might be similar to the 85.
I've always wanted to wire up some HZ3's to a Blackout Modular Preamp.

Sent from my SM-A115A using Tapatalk

I totally forgot that they made an A line for the HZs.

"You generally can't use ceramic magnets in AWG42 (PAF class) pickups. That sounds odd."

Specs are here. I checked and it is ceramic.

https://www.emgpickups.com/pub/media/Mageants/h/_/h_instructions_0230-0106rh.pdf

 

[Rex_Rocker]

You generally can't use ceramic magnets in AWG42 (PAF class) pickups. That sounds odd.

The Invader neck is not overly heavy and could be a good option. Not sure whether it is AWG43 or 44, probably 44.

EMG60 neck is probably a good option if you are also active in the bridge.

LOL, the Invader neck is 42 gauge wire.

 

[uOpt]

LOL, the Invader neck is 42 gauge wire.

Hmmm, now I need to refresh my memory. Don't want to take mine apart to measure...

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Hmmm, now I need to refresh my memory. Don't want to take mine apart to measure...

There's been talk here that the Invader neck is basically a modified Jazz. The low ohm reading definitely seems to suggest it's 42. Unless it's SERIOUSLY underwound 43, but I doubt it.

 

[Inflames626]

There's been talk here that the Invader neck is basically a modified Jazz. The low ohm reading definitely seems to suggest it's 42. Unless it's SERIOUSLY underwound 43, but I doubt it.

Whatever it is, I wish I could learn to like it as much as many people seem to. It looks pretty cool with those huge polepieces. too.

Invaders have always sounded really dark, overwound, and inarticulate to me, like the Slug before it was a thing.

 

[Inflames626]

As an update to this, I've found something of a work around for it.

Basically switching a Jazz to parallel and out of phase sounds a lot like an EMG 60 to me. It gets rid of a lot of low end and fullness that even a Jazz has.

I now wire all my passive guitars with Triple Shots and phase switches just to handle muddy neck pickups.