How do I install EMG 81 with CC (neck)?

S

Shinobi

New member
I have an EMG 81 that I installed into my ESP in the Bridge. The neck PUP is a CC. When I pulled the EMG our of my Charvel (single PUP) it had a 27K pot or something like that in it.

I then installed the EMG into my ESP that had both neck and bridge PUPS, but I didn't change the pot. It seems to work, but is the tone correct with the 250K pot that was being used with both passive PUPs or do I need to install something else to have it installed correctly?

Thanks
 
Re: How do I install EMG 81 with CC (neck)?

The EMGs come with 25k pots, so Id stick wth those. Even though it might sound okay with the 250k pots, Im not sure if the active circuit will tolerate that value for too long.
 
Re: How do I install EMG 81 with CC (neck)?

Best bet is to add a preamp like the afterburner or PA2 to the neck pickup then use 25k pots for the volume and tone. Even with the gain turned down it will make the impedence match.

Unless it had separate volume and tone controls for each pickup, then you could put the preamp after the controls before the switch.

Or you could change out the neck pickup for an active one, I prefer the 60 over the 85 in the neck, but thats preference.
 
Re: How do I install EMG 81 with CC (neck)?

Too much hastle in that combo. Why dont you go with a Duncan Distortion instead of the 81. I was always a die hard EMG guy (and still love them) but now I'm lovin the DD. Pretty much sounds like the 81 with a bit more mids and breaks up better. Or go the other way and go 81/85 or 81/60.
 
Re: How do I install EMG 81 with CC (neck)?

I had an Ibanez set up that way for quite awhile; active bridge, passive neck and I just used typical pots that go w/passives. The only problem I had was that I had very little control over the EMG's volume. The volume pot on it was nearly an on/off, with anything in the middle being very hard to get. I didn't care much because I always had the volume pegged w/distortion for bridge p'up playing anyway. But, I'm no expert on the subject. Maybe Soulcrusher is right?
 
Re: How do I install EMG 81 with CC (neck)?

Guston7 said:
I had an Ibanez set up that way for quite awhile; active bridge, passive neck and I just used typical pots that go w/passives. The only problem I had was that I had very little control over the EMG's volume. The volume pot on it was nearly an on/off, with anything in the middle being very hard to get. I didn't care much because I always had the volume pegged w/distortion for bridge p'up playing anyway. But, I'm no expert on the subject. Maybe Soulcrusher is right?
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Sorry but soulcrusher is not right in this guitar I have had an EMG81 and a Dimarzio Super D since 1993 with zero issues. They are wired simply through a 500k pot.

Guston does have it right. When using a 500k pot with an EMG the pot works more like an on off switch than a pot. But for me with this guitar thats just fine who uses EMG 81's for rolled off volume work anyways.


If the OP is happy with the volume sweep hes getting he doesnt need to swap the pots.

DSC01293.jpg
 
Re: How do I install EMG 81 with CC (neck)?

eMyTh said:
BKP Aftermath > EMG

Do yourself a favor please. ;)
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The dude already has the pickups hes asking an install question.

I see you rush in to blow the BKP horn alot in only vaugely related situations?

I have to ask how many BKP pickups do you own right now? Or are you just enamored with the youtube vids?
 
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Re: How do I install EMG 81 with CC (neck)?

If you have two pots, I'd go with separate volumes for the pickups, other being 500k and the other 25k.
 
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