Help EMG 85 and 81 Schecter C1 Plus Wiring Push/Pull Coil Split

[theawesomeone78]

Okay guys. This is my first post and I am fairly new to wiring EMG's. This is my first EMG set in a guitar that I didn't even install. I have some experience in soldering and wiring seymour duncan pickups but never EMGs. I bought my Schecter C1 Plus Used from guitar center and it came with EMGS already so I didn't wire anything. However this past weekend I was performing a setup on the guitar while changing the strings. When I perform setup I usually try to clean the guitar and check everything is functioning properly. When I was turning the knob on the first volume pot (neck pickup) I noticed that it was turning. So I then decided to take a look at the electronic compartment and try to tighten the pot so it wouldn't move when turning the volume. When I had finished tightening I proceeded to continue to restring and perform the setup. However when I plugged the guitar to the amp I noticed the bridge pickup would not sound. I then proceeded to try the middle position (it did not work) and the neck position (it works). So I knew something was wrong with the electronics so I proceeded to open up the electronic compartment again and I noticed that this red wire had fallen out. The thing is I don't know how the wiring was done for the guitar. I have tried to lookup wiring schematics, manuals for the pickups and everything seems right to me. This is my first time working with EMG's and when I tried to lookup wiring EMGS with push/pull coil split, everything said that this was not possible. So I am confused and need some help. The guitar has 3 knobs, 1 volume (neck) 2 volume (bridge) 3 tone (push/pull coil split). It has a 3 way-switch and I followed the cables and everything looks good to me but I don't know where this red wire may go. Since the neck is working and the bridge isn't. I am going to provide some pictures that way you guys can maybe try helping me and if you guys want I can draw a schematic that way it can help you guys better diagnose the problem since I know the wires are real small. If any of you guys can help me I would really appreciate it since I want to play this guitar again and I don't know the solution. Also EMG 85 is neck and 81 is bridge. Also the red wire I am talking about I had soldered it onto the push/pull coil split but I am sure that's wrong.

 

[BeKindRewind]

Re: Help EMG 85 and 81 Schecter C1 Plus Wiring Push/Pull Coil Split

Nah you can't coil split EMG's.

Are you sure it's an 85? It could be an 89 - they have a similar gold logo, but they have a single coil mode that's activated by a push pull pot. it's literally 2 pickups inside the same housing, a single coil and a mini humbucker.

as for the rest of your question , it's hard to tell from the pics but it might be the wire that connects the bridge pickup to the battery. so try connecting it to the wires going to the battery and see if that helps

edit- I did a bit of research and the C1+ comes stock with Duncan Designed with a coil tap. Previous owner must have switched to EMG set, but kept the push pull pot anyways - it probably doesn't do anything, just a leftover from the old setup. I'm at a loss as to where your hanging wire should go, though, and why it would make the bridge pickup only not work. It looks like it should go to the output jack, but then none of the pickups would work.

because the setup i see looks like it's this

Pickups -- > (each to their own volume pot) --> each volume pot goes to the switch --> switch then goes to the tone pot, which should presumably then go to the output jack.

 

[theawesomeone78]

Re: Help EMG 85 and 81 Schecter C1 Plus Wiring Push/Pull Coil Split

To answer your questions @BeKindRewind

I am sure the pickups are EMG's 81 and 85 because I just checked them and in the back the neck is printed as an 85 and the bridge 81.

The "red wire" for each pickup is soldered with one another including the 9V battery. So its the two red wires of the pickup and the red wire of the 9V battery soldered together under the shrink wrap.

The setup is each pickup is soldered to their own pot which then goes to the switch. At the switch there are two green wires one going to the output jack and one going to the tone pot.

I could maybe draw a wiring schematic to help show the wiring because I know it's hard to tell in the pics. If that would help please let me know. Also thanks for trying to help me out but I'm so lost as to why it doesn't work

 

[shadowfire90]

Re: Help EMG 85 and 81 Schecter C1 Plus Wiring Push/Pull Coil Split

The EMG that can do various wiring mods usually they will say on the bases.

Some examples
EMG 89 , or the later 85TW - The 85 and 89 are the same pickup, then when they put out the 707 (7 string) it's an 85-7 technically is what I've been told
EMG 81TW - TW means they can coilsplit

some others worth mentioning
81TWX for instance exists - It's got a fusion of the X series updated circuit inside with the benefit of coilsplitting
89R - For those who really need an out of phase tone
There are a ton of EMG active preamps out there and most will work with passive wiring such as the EMG aferburner, RPC and so forth. I've drawn out how to achieve this. I recommend those who don't use their tone control.

The color code of an EMG 81TW (lets say) found in a Schecter will have this dark orange-ish red color like in this Ibanez. The pickups were originally in a Schecter. But you'll notice it's not the usual silver and gold lettering. Though I've heard EMG did change their pickup letter colors. I haven't followed EMG in quite a while as I'm a blackout fan.

with EMG pickups that can coilsplit they will have a larger cable on the back of them. 7 contacts. It'll be a rainbow of cables. For brownie points for 3 or 5 pin EMG pickups. Servo or dupont cables are usually what you need if you want a cheap replacement. If you have some with the 7 colors I do have a diagram I've got drawn out how to install them properly with push pull pots as EMG makes you email them for a diagram.

View attachment 102108

 

[Artie]

Re: Help EMG 85 and 81 Schecter C1 Plus Wiring Push/Pull Coil Split

edit- I did a bit of research and the C1+ comes stock with Duncan Designed with a coil tap. Previous owner must have switched to EMG set, but kept the push pull pot anyways - it probably doesn't do anything, just a leftover from the old setup.

I agree with this. That nasty glob of solder on the 3-way is not how this would have come from Schecter. The hanging wire definitely goes to the push-pull, which would have been used to split the original pups. (Which, as BeKind says, can't be done with active EMG's.)

I wouldn't connect that wire anywhere, but tape it off, or cut it off, so it doesn't touch anything.

 

[EmiAba]

Re: Help EMG 85 and 81 Schecter C1 Plus Wiring Push/Pull Coil Split

Do Emg active pickups work properly with those pots?