How do the Livewire II strat pickups compare with the STK-S4s?

[GuitarStv]

Which noiseless pickup sounds most like a regular single coil - just without the noise?

 

[jmcorey]

Re: How do the Livewire II strat pickups compare with the STK-S4s?

I'd love to know the answer to this also. Unfortunately, very few people have experience with the Duncan livewire sets, aside from the Mustaine set.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: How do the Livewire II strat pickups compare with the STK-S4s?

Yeah, I was interested in hearing some clips of the Livewire II pickups . . . but there's nothing at all on Youtube. There isn't even anything I could find on the SD website. Bizarre. It's like Seymour Duncan doesn't want to sell these pickups.

 

[jeremy]

Re: How do the Livewire II strat pickups compare with the STK-S4s?

the livewire strat pups are very stratty, almost exaggerated strattiness. really nice pups! i havent a/b'd them to the stacks but id guess the livewires are a little brighter and scoopier than the stacks

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: How do the Livewire II strat pickups compare with the STK-S4s?

Hmm. That sounds promising. Would they work with the EMG mid boost?

How does the battery connection work with the livewires? Like do they always drain the battery, or only when the guitar is plugged in or something?

 

[jeremy]

Re: How do the Livewire II strat pickups compare with the STK-S4s?

only when the guitar is plugged in, never tried the livewires with the spc but i dont see why it wouldnt work

 

[Masta' C]

Re: How do the Livewire II strat pickups compare with the STK-S4s?

The LiveWire II for Strat connects just like the Blackouts and EMG, using the same 3-prong quick-connect system.

Have you seen this page? LINK

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: How do the Livewire II strat pickups compare with the STK-S4s?

Nope, thanks!

 

[Mincer]

Re: How do the Livewire II strat pickups compare with the STK-S4s?

The Livewires are louder, so they tend to hit the amp harder. The STK-S4 remains, for me, the best noiseless Strat pickup ever. It hits the amp the same way, and responds the same way as a good Strat pickup.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: How do the Livewire II strat pickups compare with the STK-S4s?

When you drop the volume on active pickups does it lose high end like with passives?

 

[jeremy]

Re: How do the Livewire II strat pickups compare with the STK-S4s?

nope

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: How do the Livewire II strat pickups compare with the STK-S4s?

Do you have to wire up the Livewires differently?

 

[Masta' C]

Re: How do the Livewire II strat pickups compare with the STK-S4s?

Differently than what? The LiveWire II's use standard EMG/Blackouts style wiring. i.e. if you have an EMG SA-equipped guitar, you can pop in the LiveWire II's without changing anything. Simple plug n' play operation

The original '80s/'90s LiveWire's (the EMG-looking ones) were different beasts entirely.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: How do the Livewire II strat pickups compare with the STK-S4s?

Differently than standard strat wiring. i'm considering these for a new guitar and don't have any experience with active pickups of any sort.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: How do the Livewire II strat pickups compare with the STK-S4s?

They require 25K pots and wiring for a 9V battery.