Help with EMG/Solid State

M

milkandmeat

New member
Alright so i ordered that Limited Epi Midnight LP that came with 2 EMG 81's. All I have is a Line 6 Flextone so I was worried about the EMG's but I got it anyways. Well I got it, and it doesn't really sound bad, it's just muddy and not very bright.It almost feels like I'm playing on the neck pickup, especially when I'm playing on the higher strings.. I know the flextone will always have this problem somewhat... my old LP had a JB and it sometimes had this problem, but not this bad. Is this just how actives sound on solid state amps? It's not a problem to get a new pickup but I want to make sure this is the problem.Also, any recommendations on what pickup I should try? The Duncan Custom and Distortion look like they might be good because they have lots of highs.

And no, I can't afford a new amp.
 
Re: Help with EMG/Solid State

The fact that a 81 emg bridge can sound like a neck pickup is a amazing concept, does it sound like this on all models and now matter how high your treble is
 
Re: Help with EMG/Solid State

the JB was much better than the 81. i was told that emg's through solid state sound way too compressed, thus making it sound muddy. like i said, the jb was better.
 
Re: Help with EMG/Solid State

I can't imagine how (if properly installed) an EMG 81 sounds muddy. That's just weird.
 
Re: Help with EMG/Solid State

Pull the pickups up as high as they will go. I play EMG's into a modeling preamp and they aren't muddy at all. They are very crisp, clear, and detailed.

Keep in mind that you will have to tweak your amp setting for the new guitar.
 
Re: Help with EMG/Solid State

Pull the pickups up as high as they will go. I play EMG's into a modeling preamp and they aren't muddy at all. They are very crisp, clear, and detailed.

Keep in mind that you will have to tweak your amp setting for the new guitar.
 
Re: Help with EMG/Solid State

milkandmeat said:
i've replaced the battery. did you even listen to the clips?
Click to expand...

Sorry - that's just my knee-jerk reaction when someone calls an EMG 81 "muddy" sounding. I've listened to your clips, and honestly it doesn't sound overly-dark to me. It sounds thin and flat. Your treble is there because I can really hear the amp reacting to the pick on the strings. I can think of three things that might be the problem. I say "might" because I don't know for sure.

1. You need to concentrate on adjusting the mids on your amp. The amount of midrange you dial in is going to affect the way your high-end sounds. I don't know if you have too much midrange or too little based on what you're trying to do, but I'd start there.

2. The guitar itself (e.g. the wood) just has a very narrow resonance, or one that's darker than you're used to. Nothing to do about that, I'm afraid.

3. There is a specific frequency you're hearing that you've become fixated on, and you can't dial it out. The fact that you call that clip "muddy" is what makes me think this. It's anything but muddy. There is no sparkle or high overtones to the sound, but it's very crisp and sharp-sounding to me.

4. The pickup's output is overloading the preamp section of your amp. EMG pickups were designed to be used with tube amps, to reduce noise and increase output because an overdriven tube preamp can sound good. Overdriven solid-state ones do not. You may be better-off with a lower-output pickup.

Anyway, I don't know if any of this will help, but good luck.
 
Re: Help with EMG/Solid State

i know this is an old thread but i just wanted to add i played this guitar the other day and it was muddy as ****, what an aweful sounding guitar. And i really like high end epiphones, and i really like EMG's. Avoid this guitar, i have no idea how they managed to screw this one up but they sure did. The 81's really do sound like squishy mudd. No bite whatsoever. The zakk wylde les paul doesn't sound like this at all, it sounds really good. But the midnight sounds just bad.
 
Re: Help with EMG/Solid State

Sounds like an EMG81 into a solid state amp to me...

Which magicly is exactly what you have.........



Try getting a descent tube amp, other than that, theres not much you can do.
 
Re: Help with EMG/Solid State

The two clips you posted sound much different. Both have cool, unique tones. They're both heavy and can carry a good metal riff as you showed. I guess it's just not the sound you're looking for. I have a guitar loaded with an EMG 81 in the bridge and 85 in the neck. It has a nice, thick metal tone. I recently put Bill Lawrence pickups in my Jackson Kelly. That has the perfect tone: metal, clean, and everything in between. Let's just say that the guitar with EMGs is now the backup. I most likely will never change pickups in the Jackson again. I'm actually considering selling the EMG guitar and buying another Jackson to put Bill Lawrences in. Just my personal experience.

P.S. I have tried SD, EMG, Dimarzio and now consider Bill Lawrence home. Never hurts to check them out. billlawrence.com
 
Re: Help with EMG/Solid State

Mephis said:
Sounds like an EMG81 into a solid state amp to me...

Which magicly is exactly what you have.........



Try getting a descent tube amp, other than that, theres not much you can do.
Click to expand...

um i know this is not aimed at me but i use EMG's into tube amps and solid states and they sound the same in both and great in both. :smokin:
 
Re: Help with EMG/Solid State

You guys should try EMG selects for metal man these things are GREAT in a guitar i just played last night. I don't know why they get a bad wrap
 
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