EMG X ???
- Thread starter JRSOLDJA
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Funkfingers
Guest
Re: EMG X ???
The -X versions have a revised pre-amp design, intended to provide greater headroom and, hence, increased dynamic range. The idea was to negate criticisms about the pickups sounding over-compressed.
In my opinion, it works. I like the EMG-81X almost exactly as much as I dislike the -81.
Blackouts v. EMG-X
Best thing to do is exploit the Quik Connect wiring loom and give both pickups an A/B test. If possible, record something with each pickup. Change no other settings on your guitar or amp controls. If one sounds more to your liking than the other, leave it in the guitar.
Over the years, I have made similar changes to my LTD EC-401w. The stock EMG-81/-60 disappointed. -81X, -85X, -60X and HA pickups were all preferable. To my ears, THE standout pickup was always the SD Live Wire Classic II neck 'bucker. The trick was finding the best match for it at the bridge position. So far, that has been the Blackouts Metal with the output jumper connector on. Second choice EMG-81X.
IMO, the EMG-85X is fine in either bridge or neck position.
The -X versions have a revised pre-amp design, intended to provide greater headroom and, hence, increased dynamic range. The idea was to negate criticisms about the pickups sounding over-compressed.
In my opinion, it works. I like the EMG-81X almost exactly as much as I dislike the -81.
Blackouts v. EMG-X
Best thing to do is exploit the Quik Connect wiring loom and give both pickups an A/B test. If possible, record something with each pickup. Change no other settings on your guitar or amp controls. If one sounds more to your liking than the other, leave it in the guitar.
Over the years, I have made similar changes to my LTD EC-401w. The stock EMG-81/-60 disappointed. -81X, -85X, -60X and HA pickups were all preferable. To my ears, THE standout pickup was always the SD Live Wire Classic II neck 'bucker. The trick was finding the best match for it at the bridge position. So far, that has been the Blackouts Metal with the output jumper connector on. Second choice EMG-81X.
IMO, the EMG-85X is fine in either bridge or neck position.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Re: EMG X ???
Don't like them.
Don't really dislike them either, but I was way disappointed when I tried the 81X and 60X.
To me they were just basically 18V-modded standard EMG's with the volume notched down a tad. Not all that different from the standard 81/60 to me. More headroom? Yes, a bit, but also weaker output and not different enough to me. I guess they're cool if you're struggling to fit a 2nd battery in the control cavity, but otherwise, not worth it to me.
A bit off-topic, but it is a common misconception that the Het Set has the X-series preamp. It does not. It clips like crazy because the pickup itself is hotter. I really liked the JH-B when I had it. It didn't sound all that passive-like to me, but it did have more chunk and slightly more attack than an 81, and sounded great running at 18V too.
Don't like them.
Don't really dislike them either, but I was way disappointed when I tried the 81X and 60X.
To me they were just basically 18V-modded standard EMG's with the volume notched down a tad. Not all that different from the standard 81/60 to me. More headroom? Yes, a bit, but also weaker output and not different enough to me. I guess they're cool if you're struggling to fit a 2nd battery in the control cavity, but otherwise, not worth it to me.
A bit off-topic, but it is a common misconception that the Het Set has the X-series preamp. It does not. It clips like crazy because the pickup itself is hotter. I really liked the JH-B when I had it. It didn't sound all that passive-like to me, but it did have more chunk and slightly more attack than an 81, and sounded great running at 18V too.
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Funkfingers
Guest
Re: EMG X ???
This is precisely the point. The reduced output affects the way in which the pickup drives valve amplification into saturation. Users of modelling amplification may not detect any difference.
This is precisely the point. The reduced output affects the way in which the pickup drives valve amplification into saturation. Users of modelling amplification may not detect any difference.
DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
Re: EMG X ???
Have to disagree on this point. Each pickup is voiced differently, and the knobs on your gear have to be adjusted to work with the pickup being used. This is a big reason for sticking with one pickup and one guitar type. Tone is consistent and easier to fit in the mix.
Have to disagree on this point. Each pickup is voiced differently, and the knobs on your gear have to be adjusted to work with the pickup being used. This is a big reason for sticking with one pickup and one guitar type. Tone is consistent and easier to fit in the mix.
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Funkfingers
Guest
Re: EMG X ???
My suggestion was purely for A/B testing purposes.
My suggestion was purely for A/B testing purposes.
DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
Re: EMG X ???
True, if all you were testing is overall comparative volume and the headroom difference, but if it comes out sounding darker or brighter than desired, you'd be amazed how many people would declare a given pickup "bad" without tweaking the amp to compensate for the voicing difference.
True, if all you were testing is overall comparative volume and the headroom difference, but if it comes out sounding darker or brighter than desired, you'd be amazed how many people would declare a given pickup "bad" without tweaking the amp to compensate for the voicing difference.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Re: EMG X ???
Blackouts are a whole different animal, IMO. FWIW, I found my old Hetfield bridge running at 18V to have pretty comparable output and headroom to my old Blackout AHB-1b running at 9, but much less low and low mid content.
Agreed. Not just the output, but the resistance is different too. I just didn't find the different all that big anyway. I really didn't mean to come out like "yeah, they suck!" because they don't. I really dig the plain old standard 81's running at both 18 and 9V, and this one isn't far off, so I dig it as well. I'd just rather have (and recommend) the standard 81. Each to his own.
Blackouts are a whole different animal, IMO. FWIW, I found my old Hetfield bridge running at 18V to have pretty comparable output and headroom to my old Blackout AHB-1b running at 9, but much less low and low mid content.
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Re: EMG X ???
Very true, I remember thinking how my other guitarists' X2N passive pickup sounded like crap on my amp settings. Granted I still didnt really like the pickup that much even after I messed with my amp settings but came down to true comparable preference at that point.
Very true, I remember thinking how my other guitarists' X2N passive pickup sounded like crap on my amp settings. Granted I still didnt really like the pickup that much even after I messed with my amp settings but came down to true comparable preference at that point.
bloughlin16
New member
Re: EMG X ???
I'd go the EMG 57/66 route. Very versatile and dynamic pickups, and definitely better than the Blackouts (no offense, SD).
I'd go the EMG 57/66 route. Very versatile and dynamic pickups, and definitely better than the Blackouts (no offense, SD).
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Funkfingers
Guest
Re: EMG X ???
As always, "better" is subjective.
As always, "better" is subjective.
Re: EMG X ???
Really? I've always liked my Blackouts. What style of music are you using the 57/66's for?
Really? I've always liked my Blackouts. What style of music are you using the 57/66's for?
DrNewcenstein
He Did the Monster Mash
Re: EMG X ???
On the subject of 18v, has anyone else tried running each pickup off its own battery? I did that some years ago in a H-S-S Soloist Pro, where the bridge had its own battery, and the singles shared one. The volume difference between the singles and HB was drastically improved. While the HB was still louder than either single, the singles were louder than they were when all 3 shared the same battery.
I have one EMG-equipped axe right now, and may try to rig each pickup for 18v - 4 batteries crammed into a Jackson San Dimas-style cavity :lol:
Might even change my H-S-S DK2 to EMGs and try 18v on the singles and a single 9v on the bridge. Hmmmm.
On the subject of 18v, has anyone else tried running each pickup off its own battery? I did that some years ago in a H-S-S Soloist Pro, where the bridge had its own battery, and the singles shared one. The volume difference between the singles and HB was drastically improved. While the HB was still louder than either single, the singles were louder than they were when all 3 shared the same battery.
I have one EMG-equipped axe right now, and may try to rig each pickup for 18v - 4 batteries crammed into a Jackson San Dimas-style cavity :lol:
Might even change my H-S-S DK2 to EMGs and try 18v on the singles and a single 9v on the bridge. Hmmmm.
Re: EMG X ???
Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk
Have you thought about using lithium batteries. They have a better capability of delivering current with no voltage drop than any alkaline.
Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk
Masta' C
Well-known member
Re: EMG X ???
I'm not a fan of the EMG "X" series. However, rather oddly, I sort of wish SD would apply a similar concept to the Original Blackouts. Those things could use to have their output dialed back a bit. Voicing-wise, I love them, but output-wise, they can be a bit much at times.
I'm also a fan of the 57/66 set and even the JH set (James Hetfield signature). If I were moving up from any of the "older" EMG models and didn't want to go with Duncans, I would opt for one of those 2 sets.
I'm not a fan of the EMG "X" series. However, rather oddly, I sort of wish SD would apply a similar concept to the Original Blackouts. Those things could use to have their output dialed back a bit. Voicing-wise, I love them, but output-wise, they can be a bit much at times.
I'm also a fan of the 57/66 set and even the JH set (James Hetfield signature). If I were moving up from any of the "older" EMG models and didn't want to go with Duncans, I would opt for one of those 2 sets.
TattooedCarrot
New member
Re: EMG X ???
Late to the party but I just found this thread on a search so Ill chime in.
I used to like regular EMG's and played mostly metal. As I got older and my tastes changed I got away from them for the reasons most people don't like them; compressed, kinda sterile, lack of response to pick attack, colored the sound, etc. I moved on to passives, mostly lower or medium output where the tone and responsiveness was more apparent. Some of my favorites are WCR and Antiquities.
Fast-forward to a couple months ago, on a whim I ordered an EMG 81X/60X for my '78 LP in brushed gold (cool looking now that EMG offers metal covers). I was really surprised at the difference in the old EMG's. Don't get me wrong, they still sound like an 81/60, except now they are alive. The have a more open slightly hollow sound that reacts very well to pick attack. Even on the cleaner blues and rock amp settings they sound very good and traditional. When going back to metal, or even better, solo mixing with reverb and delay thrown in they just kill. They retain the openess of their passive DNA but sustain with harmonics jumping off and they are responsive so you can really coax the sounds you want on the fly just in the manner you play and attack the strings.
So now I'm torn in shopping for a set for a new V98 I picked up. Torn between something like Ant/Ant, SH5/Ant, or 85X/60X.
As I A/B my two Les Pauls (one with 81X/60X and the other with Antiquity humbuckers), on the clean and rock settings the Antiquity is the winner in openess and overall vintage and pleasing tone. However, the EMG-X's don't do bad at all compared to the old ones that were just lame in that style. These X's give me about 70% of the goodness I'm getting from the Ants. Now switching to high gain or processed soloing with reverb and delay and it's just about the same % in the other direction. The EMG's pwn it, and the Ants are cool, but start falling apart a little and aren't quite there.
FWIW while I have some nice tube amps (modded Fender Bluyes Deluxe, Avatar 18w Marshall clone, Orange OD-15), most of my playing is through my Eleven Rack and either headphones or a Rokit5 monitor playing along with my iMac.
Ill also throw in that the regular EMG-T set is just great on it's own. Probably the best overall EMG set they made. I like teles, but am more a blues-rocker and don't like too much twang or country picking. So I had a hard time finding a good Tele pickup set. I tried Antiquity, the stack Gibbons custom shop, Zahngbucker Paul Bunyon, Quater Pound, Texas Specials, on and on and when I tried the EMG-T set I was like - wow - Tele sounding but not over the top so and an excellent Fenderish neck tone. Tele's are usually weak in the neck, used best in the middle position as far as that goes but the EMG-T neck can get all stratty.
I'm not without my Duncans though, I still have Ants in a Les Paul and SSL6/SSL2/SSL2 in my strat.
What's a thread without pics? Here's my '78 Custom with 81X/60X and my Tele Partsocaster with EMG-T set. If I go with EMG 85X/60X in the V98 Ill add that one as well.
Late to the party but I just found this thread on a search so Ill chime in.
I used to like regular EMG's and played mostly metal. As I got older and my tastes changed I got away from them for the reasons most people don't like them; compressed, kinda sterile, lack of response to pick attack, colored the sound, etc. I moved on to passives, mostly lower or medium output where the tone and responsiveness was more apparent. Some of my favorites are WCR and Antiquities.
Fast-forward to a couple months ago, on a whim I ordered an EMG 81X/60X for my '78 LP in brushed gold (cool looking now that EMG offers metal covers). I was really surprised at the difference in the old EMG's. Don't get me wrong, they still sound like an 81/60, except now they are alive. The have a more open slightly hollow sound that reacts very well to pick attack. Even on the cleaner blues and rock amp settings they sound very good and traditional. When going back to metal, or even better, solo mixing with reverb and delay thrown in they just kill. They retain the openess of their passive DNA but sustain with harmonics jumping off and they are responsive so you can really coax the sounds you want on the fly just in the manner you play and attack the strings.
So now I'm torn in shopping for a set for a new V98 I picked up. Torn between something like Ant/Ant, SH5/Ant, or 85X/60X.
As I A/B my two Les Pauls (one with 81X/60X and the other with Antiquity humbuckers), on the clean and rock settings the Antiquity is the winner in openess and overall vintage and pleasing tone. However, the EMG-X's don't do bad at all compared to the old ones that were just lame in that style. These X's give me about 70% of the goodness I'm getting from the Ants. Now switching to high gain or processed soloing with reverb and delay and it's just about the same % in the other direction. The EMG's pwn it, and the Ants are cool, but start falling apart a little and aren't quite there.
FWIW while I have some nice tube amps (modded Fender Bluyes Deluxe, Avatar 18w Marshall clone, Orange OD-15), most of my playing is through my Eleven Rack and either headphones or a Rokit5 monitor playing along with my iMac.
Ill also throw in that the regular EMG-T set is just great on it's own. Probably the best overall EMG set they made. I like teles, but am more a blues-rocker and don't like too much twang or country picking. So I had a hard time finding a good Tele pickup set. I tried Antiquity, the stack Gibbons custom shop, Zahngbucker Paul Bunyon, Quater Pound, Texas Specials, on and on and when I tried the EMG-T set I was like - wow - Tele sounding but not over the top so and an excellent Fenderish neck tone. Tele's are usually weak in the neck, used best in the middle position as far as that goes but the EMG-T neck can get all stratty.
I'm not without my Duncans though, I still have Ants in a Les Paul and SSL6/SSL2/SSL2 in my strat.
What's a thread without pics? Here's my '78 Custom with 81X/60X and my Tele Partsocaster with EMG-T set. If I go with EMG 85X/60X in the V98 Ill add that one as well.
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