EMG DG20 (David Gilmour) review...

[Thames]

I bought this set from a fellow member here, Walt.

Its the full Pro Series DG-20 assembly, inc. three EMG SA, SPC and EXP tone knobs. BTW, very nice and clean job from EMG concerning wiring and soldering.

Now, tonewise, I wasn't expecting very much, after reading some comments on HC.com and feedbacks from here and there... but I wanted to be a judge, thinking EMG were only quiet hifi gizmos...

Hehe... hehehehehe.... hehehehehheheheheh I LOVE THESE PICKUPS !!! Incredible sustain from the Strat! Clear and ringing chords, incredible note definition. Not alot of quack from 2 and 4, but hey! I'm not a duck!

Seriously, they deliver much more than I expected. They'll stay in the strat for while. The EXP is fantastic and well calibrated, while the SPC really helps to cut thru the mix when soloing with the DirectDrive. The tone can be as smooth as loud n proud. Dynamics are all there.

I haven't heard alot from the SD Live Wires... anyone ?

 

[Surgeon]

Glad to see you like them bro! (btw, my tickets in the mail yet?)

 

[DiminisheD-7th]

there you have it

EMG's haul ass

 

[y2stevo]

hm thats good..im plannig on gettign a Jackson DKMG since i finally played a jackson from teh Mg series and liked it and i was gonna replace the EMG hz with like 81s or 81 and 60 ,,something like that?

 

[Maggie]

Yeah, them SA's is good stuff, Maynard. Glad you like 'em!

 

[Marinblues]

I have a set of SA's.

I think that they have their place in the Universe.

 

[Mattt]

I'd like to have a set like that... but with the option of more beef in the neck and more chunk in the bridge.

My original idea was an 89 in the neck... so i can get an 85 sound, whilst also being able to get the SA sound... an SA in the middle... and then an 81 in the bridge. Only problem being that i won't be able to split the 81 to get it to sound like an SA, as i can with an 89. Dammit.

Having an 89 in the neck seems to make more sense than having just an SA or 85. Seeings as i can effectively have both.

But for the bridge, i want that Michael Romeo/Metallica type sound (EMG 81), whilst still being able to get Gilmour or Knophler type sounds (did you know Mark Knophler has used SA's on many occassions, particularly in his Shur guitars).

 

[Marinblues]

I've used the SA's often for blues and fusion. I like the bridge SA. It is thicker than a normal single coil but not overwhelming.

SA Examples:

http://www.marinblues.it/music/funkyg128.mp3

http://www.marinblues.it/music/dancywha.mp3


Marin

 

[Maggie]

But for the bridge, i want that Michael Romeo/Metallica type sound (EMG 81), whilst still being able to get Gilmour or Knophler type sounds (did you know Mark Knophler has used SA's on many occassions, particularly in his Shur guitars).

Try a 89 in the bridge. Sounds better as a humbucker than the 81, IMHO, and the gain difference is quite nominal. I love mine to pieces.

 

[Imp]

Amen - the 89 is a bit on the bassy side in the neck unless you have it right down against the scratchplate. i regret getting an 81 for the bridge instead of an 85...

hell, or two 89s in H/H might be interesting, get some tele sounds out when theyre both running on singles...

one more thing - the 89's now have the same 'quick-fit' plugs as the rest of the EMG buckers. makes them a lot easier to install than the spaghetti junction i dealt with

 

[Mattt]

Anyone got clips of an 89 or 85 in the bridge.... going through a heavy assed amp like a Mesa or Marshall? Or POD?

 

[54stratlover]

great review. I think I will hunt down one of the DG setups. thanks for the review

 

[walt]

Re: EMG DG20 (David Gilmour) review...

I bought this set from a fellow member here, Walt.

Its the full Pro Series DG-20 assembly, inc. three EMG SA, SPC and EXP tone knobs. BTW, very nice and clean job from EMG concerning wiring and soldering.

Now, tonewise, I wasn't expecting very much, after reading some comments on HC.com and feedbacks from here and there... but I wanted to be a judge, thinking EMG were only quiet hifi gizmos...

Hehe... hehehehehe.... hehehehehheheheheh I LOVE THESE PICKUPS !!! Incredible sustain from the Strat! Clear and ringing chords, incredible note definition. Not alot of quack from 2 and 4, but hey! I'm not a duck!

Seriously, they deliver much more than I expected. They'll stay in the strat for while. The EXP is fantastic and well calibrated, while the SPC really helps to cut thru the mix when soloing with the DirectDrive. The tone can be as smooth as loud n proud. Dynamics are all there.

I haven't heard alot from the SD Live Wires... anyone ?

First of all, I'm glad you got them, 2nd I hope the pickguard was what you expected and 3rd I'm glad that you like them! I didn't have a use for them at this time and they were just sitting around aging. I currently am in love with a pair of 59 bridges (neck/bridge) with a stew-mac mega switch. I'm able to get funk tones along with some screaming VH tones in the same axe. I hope that the Gilmour set serves you long and well. Like you said, they are a great set, just not for me at this time and space.

All the best
Walt

ps
After 5 system crashes on Windows 2000, I upgraded to XP Pro, much better

 

[Thames]

Hey Walt, yes, I do like the look of that pickguard. The strat is black with maple neck, so that reddish tortoise shell guard with ivory pickups give a very cool look ! really a "custom" look. I like it. I'm planning on replacing all the hardware for gold... and to replace the neck with a fender 22 frets rosewood board (instead of 21-maple).

Thanks again!