EMG's vs. SD Live Wires

[Lewguitar]

Because I don't have alot of experience with active guitar and bass pickups, I'm curious what you guys who have used both have to say about these two and how they compare. I'd be interested in reading experienced comments on both the guitar and bass pickups from both companies and how the two brands compare to each other tone wise and why you might prefer one or the other. Thanks! Lew

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: EMG's vs. SD Live Wires

I haven't used both, only the Live Wires. I love them. A lot of people talk about the EMGs making all guitars sound the same, but I'd imagine they're better than that. I'll probably try some one of these days.

 

[Lee_L]

Re: EMG's vs. SD Live Wires

I've played a few guitars with EMGs, and one with LiveWires. To me, the EMGs are louder (volume) and quiter (noise) than passive pickups, but they're sort of sterile. The LiveWires are just as quiet, but louder, ESPECIALLY the Metal bridge pickup. It just pushes a tube amp to insane levels of gain.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: EMG's vs. SD Live Wires

I like the livewires better. I had an emg81 with treble/bass booster that I hated. I was loaned a tele with EMG single coils in it and I like the livewires strat set better. I find the livewires to have more dynamics and more volume.

Snowdog

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: EMG's vs. SD Live Wires

It's similar to comparing Duncan & DiMarzio passive stuff. Two totally different flavors, with battery-power being pretty much the only commonality.

However, having said that... I like EMGs way better. The way most of the anti-EMG guys on here make the 81 out to be (no dynamics, sterile, too hot to be useful) is actually a pretty good description of the Livewire Metal.

FWIW, I don't really like anything besides the Invader, JB, Distortion, Custom, (ie hot pickups) and I think the LW-Hmet sucks.

 

[frehley]

Re: EMG's vs. SD Live Wires

I've used Livewires and I almost exclusively use EMG's and I agree with what
JB From Hell said about the Metal Livewire. The Livewire is too hot to be used for anything other than for distortion as it distorts when played with a clean tone. EMG's on the other hand don't distort when played clean in fact, I find them to be very hi-fi in tone which I personally like.Very clear.

I think some people say they sound sterile because they are reacting to the sound of the bar magnet design which tends to make pick attack less pronounced so they don't sound as plucky as pole piece designs. I think this is in fact what people are responding to when they say active designs sound flat, sterile, dry or whatever. Picking dynamics are not as noticable.
I prefer the sound of a bar magnet for rhythms because the distortion stays clearer, more articulate and SMOOTHER. I like polepieces more for leads but the distortion tends to be scratchier so the bar magnets win overall.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: EMG's vs. SD Live Wires

I've never played the Livewires, but I would love ot compare the strat LW to my DG-20 set (which I love, BTW ).

 

[D-EJ915]

Re: EMG's vs. SD Live Wires

EMG's on the other hand don't distort when played clean in fact

My 81 does, it's a light overdrive, but you can tell that it's overdriving it. Most guitar's I've played with the exception of mine and another, have had the pickups kinda far away from the strings, they tell you to put 'em as close as possible for the intended sound.

 

[Lee_L]

Re: EMG's vs. SD Live Wires

To those who don't like the LiveWires, what kind of amp were you using?

 

[frehley]

Re: EMG's vs. SD Live Wires

A Roland JC-120, Line6 flextone HD with a Marshall 4x12bv cab and a Carvin MTS 3212 combo. All clean tones were distorted.

BTW, I used the Metal Livewire humbucker set. Killer distortion tones but no usable clean tones.

 

[pinto79]

Re: EMG's vs. SD Live Wires

I love the Metal LiveWire. I had one in my Strat to test it. Rediculous distortion, amazing sustain and it makes a Peavey Classic 50 sound like a Rectifier...

If I want cleans, I've got passive singles...

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: EMG's vs. SD Live Wires

If I want cleans, I've got passive singles...

I don't even care about clean tones, it just sounded like ass.

BTW, I tried it with a Peavey XXX, and the guitar was a Charvel with 2 LW-Hmets. The bridge position, while no good at all, could've been usable, but the neck was simply horrible.