EMG X series
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Brown Note
New member
Re: EMG X series
They're supposed to be EMGs version of the duncans version of the Emg pickups
; active pickups that don't clip their output when strummed hard. Emg's are great, the duncans are awesome, thus EMG X's should be also great.
They're supposed to be EMGs version of the duncans version of the Emg pickups
; active pickups that don't clip their output when strummed hard. Emg's are great, the duncans are awesome, thus EMG X's should be also great.
xntrick
New member
Re: EMG X series
i have the emg 81-x, it has lower output than the 'normal' '81 but that isn't such a bad thing as it makes the pick up much more versatile, it has more dynamics than both Blackouts, better cleans than the ahb1 and MUCH better harmonics than the ahb2..so far i am happy with it and it gets along well with my peavey 3120, i have to turn the gain down on the amp when using Blackouts as they feedback like crazy...
i have the emg 81-x, it has lower output than the 'normal' '81 but that isn't such a bad thing as it makes the pick up much more versatile, it has more dynamics than both Blackouts, better cleans than the ahb1 and MUCH better harmonics than the ahb2..so far i am happy with it and it gets along well with my peavey 3120, i have to turn the gain down on the amp when using Blackouts as they feedback like crazy...
mustaine-who?
New member
Re: EMG X series
I'm picking up an EMG 81x over xmas to a/b with the AHB-3 in my Caparison...full report to follow...
I'm picking up an EMG 81x over xmas to a/b with the AHB-3 in my Caparison...full report to follow...
surface54
New member
Re: EMG X series
Increased transient response, lower output impedance, true tone controls.
If you were to A/B them both you'd notice even more headroom in the X's than a standard on 18v., giving the X's a more vibrant feel. The increased transients are noticeable as well, and the amount of range on the tone control is incredible. After spending some time with the Active Tone pot you'll find standard ones have a much narrower scope.
It really comes down to more amplitude with the X's -- A standard EMG with an 18v mod is still clipping, just at a higher range than the 9v., while the X's maintain a true waveform.
im just posting what i found on the emg site. i actually want some emg x's. for recording which is what i do all the time, i think i need the accuracy of the emgs for metal. passives are great for the feel, but i dont always need the feel, i need more articulate driven mids to sit in the mix better.
Increased transient response, lower output impedance, true tone controls.
If you were to A/B them both you'd notice even more headroom in the X's than a standard on 18v., giving the X's a more vibrant feel. The increased transients are noticeable as well, and the amount of range on the tone control is incredible. After spending some time with the Active Tone pot you'll find standard ones have a much narrower scope.
It really comes down to more amplitude with the X's -- A standard EMG with an 18v mod is still clipping, just at a higher range than the 9v., while the X's maintain a true waveform.
im just posting what i found on the emg site. i actually want some emg x's. for recording which is what i do all the time, i think i need the accuracy of the emgs for metal. passives are great for the feel, but i dont always need the feel, i need more articulate driven mids to sit in the mix better.
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Funkfingers
Guest
Re: EMG X series
Sorry to hijack but...
I'm finding all of this very interesting. My modified Ibanez RG321MH used to have EMG-81 and -H pickups on Quik Connect cabling. I liked the tonal abilities of the two pickups but found the -81 always overpowered the -H. More recently, I have tried a Seymour Duncan Live Wire Classic II in place of the -81. Again, nice tone but overpowering. I was thinking about changing to either an EMG-HA or an -81TW. How would an EMG-81X compare to these, the HA-X or a regular EMG-HA?
NOTE: My Ibanez has an SPC mid booster in place of a treble roll off tone control.
Sorry to hijack but...
I'm finding all of this very interesting. My modified Ibanez RG321MH used to have EMG-81 and -H pickups on Quik Connect cabling. I liked the tonal abilities of the two pickups but found the -81 always overpowered the -H. More recently, I have tried a Seymour Duncan Live Wire Classic II in place of the -81. Again, nice tone but overpowering. I was thinking about changing to either an EMG-HA or an -81TW. How would an EMG-81X compare to these, the HA-X or a regular EMG-HA?
NOTE: My Ibanez has an SPC mid booster in place of a treble roll off tone control.
Johtosotku
New member
Re: EMG X series
I changed the pickups on my strat(ash/maple/maple) for an 85X bridge and 60X neck last summer.
I really like them in the guitar. Volume and tone pots work beautifully. The tones are balanced, powerful and smooth. Great clarity all around, even as the guitar is in B tuning.
I've played a lot with regular emg models such as the 81 and 85 before but I hadn't had any in this specific guitar before. The only other guitar I have with emgs now is my Schecter Hellraiser FR7 with stock 707tws. The guitars are so different, though, that I don't find a comparison that practical.
I changed the pickups on my strat(ash/maple/maple) for an 85X bridge and 60X neck last summer.
I really like them in the guitar. Volume and tone pots work beautifully. The tones are balanced, powerful and smooth. Great clarity all around, even as the guitar is in B tuning.
I've played a lot with regular emg models such as the 81 and 85 before but I hadn't had any in this specific guitar before. The only other guitar I have with emgs now is my Schecter Hellraiser FR7 with stock 707tws. The guitars are so different, though, that I don't find a comparison that practical.
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Funkfingers
Guest
Re: EMG X series
What precisely has EMG changed about the Tone control? I always found their standard green capacitor to be the problem. Substituting a .047uF cap made the control behave "normally".
What precisely has EMG changed about the Tone control? I always found their standard green capacitor to be the problem. Substituting a .047uF cap made the control behave "normally".
xntrick
New member
Re: EMG X series
this is from EMG:
"The X Pickup needs the active tone control because the output impedance of the X is only 2K Ohms. Our normal output impedance is 10K Ohms. 10K Ohms is enough for a passive tone control, but 2K doesn't have enough reactance so you would need a really low value pot and a honking capacitor and it wouldn't be linear. Active is the only way to go."
this is from EMG:
"The X Pickup needs the active tone control because the output impedance of the X is only 2K Ohms. Our normal output impedance is 10K Ohms. 10K Ohms is enough for a passive tone control, but 2K doesn't have enough reactance so you would need a really low value pot and a honking capacitor and it wouldn't be linear. Active is the only way to go."
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Funkfingers
Guest
Re: EMG X series
^
Thank you. That helped. Looks as if I shall be needing a regular Quik Connect EMG-HA pickup.
^
Thank you. That helped. Looks as if I shall be needing a regular Quik Connect EMG-HA pickup.
SrDeMaFp
New member
Re: EMG X series
I haven't noticed a difference at all, actually, unless split. VERY similar sound.
I haven't noticed a difference at all, actually, unless split. VERY similar sound.
whatshisname
New member
Re: EMG X series
From what I've always understood, and I'm sure someone will correct me in I'm wrong, the 89 is exactly the same as the 85, only splittable.
From what I've always understood, and I'm sure someone will correct me in I'm wrong, the 89 is exactly the same as the 85, only splittable.
Virtual Kevorkian
New member
Re: EMG X series
Nope.
Listen closer.
The 85 is thicker and has a looser low end than the 89. The top end is also smoother. The 89 has a tighter low end, more aggressive top end, and an overall more 'focused' sound. The best way I can put it would be like this:
85--------------89--------------------------------------81
The pickup doesn't split - it's two pickups in one housing that's maybe a cm or so deeper than the actual 85, so the windings are going to have to be different from the 85.
I actually far prefer the 89 to the 85, which I find to be just over-the-top in the low midrange department, and I've been digging the 81 over both as of late, as well.
That all said, the EMG T bridge pickup has to be the best pickup they make. Absolutely LOVE that thing.
The problem you're running into is that the H is a single coil in a humbucker housing. I'd go with an 81TW in the neck - it's not quite as aggressive or tight as the 81 is (which is why I prefer the original 81 in the bridge), but the single coil tone from the S inside of it rules.
The 81X will be like a more dynamic, more 'open' version of the 81; it won't get the single-coil characteristics of the H or the single coil mode of the 81TW, though.
If you're looking to ditch that -H, I'd probably take it off your hands!
Nope.
Listen closer.
The 85 is thicker and has a looser low end than the 89. The top end is also smoother. The 89 has a tighter low end, more aggressive top end, and an overall more 'focused' sound. The best way I can put it would be like this:
85--------------89--------------------------------------81
The pickup doesn't split - it's two pickups in one housing that's maybe a cm or so deeper than the actual 85, so the windings are going to have to be different from the 85.
I actually far prefer the 89 to the 85, which I find to be just over-the-top in the low midrange department, and I've been digging the 81 over both as of late, as well.
That all said, the EMG T bridge pickup has to be the best pickup they make. Absolutely LOVE that thing.
The problem you're running into is that the H is a single coil in a humbucker housing. I'd go with an 81TW in the neck - it's not quite as aggressive or tight as the 81 is (which is why I prefer the original 81 in the bridge), but the single coil tone from the S inside of it rules.
The 81X will be like a more dynamic, more 'open' version of the 81; it won't get the single-coil characteristics of the H or the single coil mode of the 81TW, though.
If you're looking to ditch that -H, I'd probably take it off your hands!
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Re: EMG X series
I thought that the 89 had 3 coils in it, basically, a humbucker, and then another coil under the bridge side coil, reverse wound to make it a stacked single coil for noise reduction when coil tapped....or something along those lines?
I haven't AB'd the 85 and 89, but I think I prefer it over of the 81!
I thought that the 89 had 3 coils in it, basically, a humbucker, and then another coil under the bridge side coil, reverse wound to make it a stacked single coil for noise reduction when coil tapped....or something along those lines?
I haven't AB'd the 85 and 89, but I think I prefer it over of the 81!
Virtual Kevorkian
New member
Re: EMG X series
Kind of...
Kind of...
EMG X series
Thanks for the info, looks the 89 is the better way to go. Think I'm gonna go with the 81x and the 89x, will be nice to have that single coil option.
Thanks for the info, looks the 89 is the better way to go. Think I'm gonna go with the 81x and the 89x, will be nice to have that single coil option.