How difficult is it to install An ACTIVE PICK UP

[distortionhead]

Hello All,

I just got my Seymour Duncan AHB 2 Metal and i have installed a passive Hum before and it turned out fine but never an active Hum.

I was reading about the AHB 2 and i would like to try the mod with the jumper wire as well as do the 18v mod as well.

So, Is this something that i should attempt or just take it in to a shop and spend the 65.00 bucks?

 

[Mark Le Comte]

Re: How difficult is it to install An ACTIVE PICK UP

Do it yourself. The only thing different is wiring a battery up and having to cahgne the pots. The first pup swap I did was with active EMGs, no problem at all.

 

[metalmachine]

Re: How difficult is it to install An ACTIVE PICK UP

however i dont think the 18v mod works well with duncans

 

[distortionhead]

Re: How difficult is it to install An ACTIVE PICK UP

what will it do if i wire up the 18v? i dont want to mess anything up. I did hear that the 18v mod alters the tone and gives it a lot more highs which i do not want as i play death metal down tuned. My emg 81 is like ice picks in the ear and i have to sweep all the mids and cut some highs to get an ok tone out of them.

 

[sosomething]

Re: How difficult is it to install An ACTIVE PICK UP

It is extremely difficult to wire up active pickups.

Dangerous too.

You could cross your voltage resistor incapacitators and electrify your bridge

ever seen a guy with a big melt mark on his right palm? active pickup accident.

Stay away from them. Far too dangerous.

 

[metalmachine]

Re: How difficult is it to install An ACTIVE PICK UP

no the 18v mod wont hurt it i have just heard it doesnt sound good with the blackouts. makes the fuzzy or somthing

 

[sosomething]

Re: How difficult is it to install An ACTIVE PICK UP

no

it melts your guitar

turns the strings into an electric fence

don't do it

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: How difficult is it to install An ACTIVE PICK UP

Not difficult at all. Just takes a little more time because there are a few more cables to join together.

The 18v mod is supposed to increase headroom. This is something that people keep trying in an attempt to give low-impedance, pre-amplifier-boosted "active" pickups similar dynamics to high impedance, "passive" pickups. Use the Search facility to read what forum members think about the pros and cons of this.

Plan what you are going to install.
Decide where you want the pots and switches to be positioned.
Sketch the original wiring.
Disassemble all of the original wiring EXCEPT the bridge grounding wire.
Carefully install the new components.

 

[sosomething]

Re: How difficult is it to install An ACTIVE PICK UP

omg no

next to candles left burning and leaving the bathroom fan on all day

active pickups are the leading cause of house fires

for gods sake

don't do this.

 

[BrockSamson]

Re: How difficult is it to install An ACTIVE PICK UP

I put the Blackout Metal in my Jackson and it absolutely blows away my old EMG-81 that came with the guitar. Try it 9v first, as this is probably all you need with the Blackout Metal.