EMG connect question?

Mosher Zone

Mosher Zone

New member
Hi guys, I bought a used EMG 81 quick connect version but i don't have the quick connect cable. Can i just solder the wire to the prongs on the pickup cause i don't plan on changing it anyway so have no real use for the quick connect in the future.
 
Re: EMG connect question?

I wouldn't risk it, you can get the quick connects on ebay for a reasonable price.
 
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Re: EMG connect question?

My only concern is that there are 2 prongs...and 3 wires (one being ground). Which prong would you solder that to? How would you tell which one is right? I went and bought a solderless 3-way and pot...I love the simplicity...
 
Re: EMG connect question?

i wouldn't want to solder anything that close to the pickup and risk burning up the preamp or pickup.
 
Re: EMG connect question?

EMG's own wiring instructions say that you can solder to the prong connections of their solders hardware. Just be careful with the iron wattage.

Looking at the underside of the EMG pickup, with the Quik Connect prongs pointing towards you, left is red (+9v).
 
Re: EMG connect question?

Funkfingers said:
EMG's own wiring instructions say that you can solder to the prong connections of their solders hardware. Just be careful with the iron wattage.

Looking at the underside of the EMG pickup, with the Quik Connect prongs pointing towards you, left is red (+9v).
Click to expand...

As far as I know, the pups are connected properly with the little arrow in the right place.
If they were connected backwards, would they still work?

This is my first time installing and using EMG's so I have no basis for comparison as to if they are morning properly. Aside from that bit of noise, they sound great to me so they seem like they are working as they should.

I was considering that if I cannot fix the issue, I might just invest in the quick connect kit for $25 and see if that fixes it.
I appreciate your help BTW.
 
Re: EMG connect question?

guitarrob said:
If they were connected backwards, would they still work?
Click to expand...

No. No voltage, no pre-amp action.

guitarrob said:
Aside from that bit of noise, they sound great to me so they seem like they are working as they should.
Click to expand...

If you are hearing vibrating strings and a bit of battery/pre-amp hiss, your active pickups are working as intended.

guitarrob said:
I was considering that if I cannot fix the issue, I might just invest in the quick connect kit for $25 and see if that fixes it.
I appreciate your help BTW.
Click to expand...

Buying the cable kit will relieve your fears about possibly damaging anything with a wayward soldering iron tip. Solderless Quik Connect cabling would also make future pickup changes very easy - even between different brands.

EDIT - What sort of connecting cable does your guitar have in the control cavity? Are they soldered to the pots and switch or is everything push-on plastic block and spade connectors?
 
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Re: EMG connect question?

Funkfingers said:
No. No voltage, no pre-amp action.
Click to expand...
Yeah, so they must be hooked up properly as they are working.


Funkfingers said:
If you are hearing vibrating strings and a bit of battery/pre-amp hiss, your active pickups are working as intended.
Click to expand...
True, I may just be hearing something that is normal. I am going to have to try and guitar with some active at the shop to see if I hear that same sound or not.
The sound is not prominent, it is just something I hear in the decay almost before it goes silent.
I am happy with them none the less but I want to figure out if there is a problem with them or not.
Funkfingers said:
Buying the cable kit will relieve your fears about possibly damaging anything with a wayward soldering iron tip. Solderless Quik Connect cabling would also make future pickup changes very easy - even between different brands.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I solder audio circuitry all the time so I am handy with the soldering iron but I think I am just going to get the kit anyway. In case I ever sell them. I can install new pups easily as that end is quick connect.
Funkfingers said:
EDIT - What sort of connecting cable does your guitar have in the control cavity? Are they soldered to the pots and switch or is everything push-on plastic block and spade connectors?
Click to expand...
They have the pins and connectors on the Pups themselves but everything else is solder. I bought the set used from another member here.
I may be hearing something that is not a problem, I will have to get it figured out by verifying the wiring, grounding the switch and trying another guitar with the same pups.
 
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Re: EMG connect question?

I think i'm just going to get the quick connect cable, i'm not bad with an iron but it's my first time working with EMG's so i'll just be on the safe side. Thanks everyone. :1:
 
Re: EMG connect question?

Another question.

I am planning to fit a PA-2 that i had in another guitar along with the 81, the PA-2 is a quick connect so if i get a standard connect cable for the 81 do i just cut the red to the PA-2's battery clip & join the pickups battery cable to it so they run off the same battery. Or is there pre wired cable that will do this. Hope this makes sense. :1:
 
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