EMG 18 Volt Mod on my LP...

muttznmongrelz

New member
...so "headroom" equals "treble" (?)...thus far...not an improvement IMHO. Even the 85 in the neck is far too treble enhanced. :scratchch

I'll play w/my amp & pedal settings and give it a chance...but first impression...I'll be converting back to 9 Volts. :28:
 
Re: EMG 18 Volt Mod on my LP...

I was just going to do this mod on my M-1000, I just went to Radio Shack and picked up some 9-volt clips. Well let me see what it does to mine it's only a $2.50 mod, worst case it goes back.
 
Re: EMG 18 Volt Mod on my LP...

Hopefully you'll be happier w/it than I am at the moment. I've even bass and mid increased things and it's still bordering on "ice pick"! ****...not at all what I expected. Oh well...only a few minutes to convert it back if my opinion of it doesn't change.
 
Re: EMG 18 Volt Mod on my LP...

Headroom usually refers to dynamic range before signal break up.

The 9v to 18v mod is often suggested for bass guitars but far less often for guitars. Perhaps you have just discovered why?

The first generation of Seymour Duncan Live Wire guitar pickups was 18v. I have only ever heard these on the SD pickup audio demonstration CD. On that, they sound unnatural and unpleasant.

I have a pair of Live Wire Classic IIs on an LTD Eclipse. To my ears, these sounds right, tonally and dynamically.

LW Classics are 9v. 'Nuff said.
 
Re: EMG 18 Volt Mod on my LP...

yeah im not digging mine either. ive had it in for months giving it a change since i didnt like the sound of my orignal pickups. i think i just need different pickups
 
Re: EMG 18 Volt Mod on my LP...

yeah im not digging mine either. ive had it in for months giving it a change since i didnt like the sound of my orignal pickups. i think i just need different pickups

yeah, ive tried the 81 and 85 in both positions with 9v and 18v...EMGs just are not doing it for me. if there was a way to combine the 85 in the bridge with 18v for rhythm & the 81 in the bridge with 9v for lead, id probably be a lot happier. but the other sides of each just sound terrible for me.
 
Re: EMG 18 Volt Mod on my LP...

yeah, ive tried the 81 and 85 in both positions with 9v and 18v...EMGs just are not doing it for me. if there was a way to combine the 85 in the bridge with 18v for rhythm & the 81 in the bridge with 9v for lead, id probably be a lot happier. but the other sides of each just sound terrible for me.

Why not wire an extra batter to just the 85?
 
Re: EMG 18 Volt Mod on my LP...

Ive done this to both of my EMG axes. One seems Bigger sounding.. The other, just alittle and brighter. I WAY on the fence for the EMGs.. I thought it would be good to have an Emg axe in the stable, but I cant help but thinking the guitar would sound better with passives.. I dunno.. I dont wanna gut it and start over.
Good thing is, the 18v mod was easy and easily reversible
 
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