EMG or SD?

C

chr0maticism

New member
Guys i need ur help, i'm still undecided whether to install emg or sd in my Fender Strat, my options are:

1. EMG SA-SA-85 or
2. SD hot rail - cool rail - JB

Do you have any ideas? if i were to install SD, is the pickup combination correct? can it give me the sound that i want which is fat, powerful, not too bright, if you have any other suggestion for pickup combination please let me know, i really need some help here.

My guitar info:
Fender American Strat Classic floyd rose

1.Pickup conf: HSS
2.Body : Alder
3.Neck: Maple
4 Fret : Rosewood

I play mostly rock, something like U2 or coldplay, but i play solo as well. Thanks
 
Re: EMG or SD?

I think you're good with Seymour Duncan as a choice, I'm not a fan of actives personally. Although I think that if you're trying to avoid a bright edge you may want to put a custom 5 in the bridge slot instead of a JB. It's a little more tame on the high end and sounds closer to the 85 in my opinion. Be sure to get whatever bridge bucker trem spaced though, or else the poles won't line up with the strings on your guitar.
 
Re: EMG or SD?

I think either would be ok, but an SA is almost a total opposite of a hotrail.
 
Re: EMG or SD?

I hated every EMG I've ever had (which is the 81, 85, and DG-20 set [the SAs])

The SAs just aren't good sounding strat pickups. As much as I wanted to like them (and I shelled out $300 for the Dave Gilmour set with presence/expander circuits), they just didn't have "it" (which is what my WCR "SR" single coils have).

It sounds like you'll want a traditional type of single coil for the neck and middle to nail U2 type stuff and you'll want a decent output bridge for rock. The Custom 5 (instead of JB) /Cool Rails/Hot Rails should get you there :)
 
Re: EMG or SD?

Thanks guys for replying so promptly, for the bridge i think i'll go with JB it's the single coils pups that i don't want them to sound too bright, not the bridge bucker....for the bridge i want it to sound fat, powerful, and yet with distortion still can pronounce the notes....
Ok for the single coil pups, if i have options : lil'59, cool rail, and hot rail, which one goes to neck position and which one goes to middle position. i really want to get the fat, not so bright and powerful sound like SA. Thanks..... :)
 
Last edited:
Re: EMG or SD?

I don't think the C5 would do the job in that particular strat(remember, there's a floyd in there.......) I have tried the C5 in that particular strat model and immediately replaced it......it sounded completely "empty" and thin.....no mids at all.
 
Re: EMG or SD?

If you want dynamic control, go with Duncans.
If you want your dynamics to BE controlled, go EMG.
 
Re: EMG or SD?

I tend to prefer duncans over EMG's in a strat. But I got a set of EMG 81/85 on the way for my "metal" LP.
 
Re: EMG or SD?

I have the HR in the neck, and CR in the middle. These pups are definitely NOT bright sounding. Exactly the way I like it.





(I get all warm and fuzzy feeling just thinking about it)
 
Re: EMG or SD?

TheGZeus said:
If you want dynamic control, go with Duncans.
If you want your dynamics to BE controlled, go EMG.
Click to expand...




BWAHAHHA....more EMG bashing from you.....what a suprise....



I guess you'll tell us next how their ripping everone off....LOL....
 
Re: EMG or SD?

The only EMG tone I like it David Gilmour's. No other EMG tone sounds any good, save for Zakk Wylde at times.
 
Re: EMG or SD?

Thanks for all your reply, just want to ask for your last opinion, what if i install lil'59 for the neck position and lil' screaming demon for the mid position and JB 4 for the bridge bucker, do you guys think it's a good combination? cos i heard JB 4 and lil' 56 IS a very good combination, and guitar tech from seymour duncan also suggested me to install lil' screaming demon for the mid position, THANKS A BUNCH EVERYBODY!! :burnout: :banana:
 
Re: EMG or SD?

Hang around a little longer, bro, and more responses will come.

BTW, SD has a 21 day return policy. Check it out on the FAQ page. First question.
 
Re: EMG or SD?

ranalli said:
BWAHAHHA....more EMG bashing from you.....what a suprise....



I guess you'll tell us next how their ripping everone off....LOL....
Click to expand...
Price hasn't come up.
If you'd like, I'll lay it out, but I'd prefer to get some work done.

If you want a sompressor/expander PRE-SET for you at a fairly high ratio, get EMGs, but I cannot stand their total lack of dynamic response(I'm leaving tone aside for this).
I play VERY dynamically, and I need to go from clean to scream in a heartbeat without tapdancing(I save the tapdancing for other things).
 
Re: EMG or SD?

Thanks for all your reply, just want to ask for your last opinion, what if i install lil'59 for the neck position and lil' screaming demon for the mid position and JB 4 for the bridge bucker, do you guys think it's a good combination?
cos i heard JB 4 and lil' 56 IS a very good combination, and guitar tech from seymour duncan also suggested me to install lil' screaming demon for the mid position, THANKS A BUNCH EVERYBODY!!
Click to expand...


Or is it the other way around? lil'59 for the mid position and lil' screaming demon for the neck position?Well? anybody?
 
Re: EMG or SD?

chr0maticism said:
Or is it the other way around? lil'59 for the mid position and lil' screaming demon for the neck position?Well? anybody?
Click to expand...

No, stick with the Lil' 59 in the neck, and the Lil' Screaming Demon in the middle. But it's all up to the ears of the player, so mess around with it, and if you don't like it, just switch them around, or switch pickups altogether if you have to. The 21-day return policy is a handy thing for SD to give us :)
 
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