Interesting new development. (EMG/Duncan content)

[pinto79]

Hey guys.

My main guitar for many years has been a Black 1992 MIM Telecaster loaded with EMGs, 81 and 85 in bridge and neck respectively. They are old EMGs that don't have the quick disconnects on them. They've always sounded better to me than the newer ones and I've been nothing but happy with them for the most part.

Yesterday, I plugged in my recently acquired Lake Placid Blue 1992 MIM Telecaster that I have loaded with a Tele HotRails set. I was rocking out and really digging this guitar, feeling really good about the purchase. After about 45 minutes, I put it down and picked up the black one. Without touching a knob on the amp, it felt totally different. Weak even. Soft in it's tone.

Could it have been like this all along and I just didn't notice? The two guitars are setup exactly the same and sound the same when unplugged. Is it possible that the HR is SO good that brings the mighty EMG 81 to its knees?

My plan with these was always to have them similarly toned so that they can back each other up. But with the drastic difference, I need to do something!

I can't HR the black one as it's been routed to fit full size humbuckers, but I'm thinking it's time to move away from the EMGs.

I have a DiMarzio Super 3 that I'm thinking to try in the bridge and a D Activator Bridge to try in the neck. I have a Fast Track 2 I can try in the neck too. These are the only ones I can use, as I want to keep my White pickups on Black guitar motif going.

Any other thoughts? I've considered adding an SPC control to the EMGs, but part of me feels like that's just a band-aid solution.

I look forward to your input guys!

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Interesting new development. (EMG/Duncan content)

The usual criticisms against EMG active pickups involve words like "cold", "sterile" and "compressed". A kinder person might use the word "controlled". This is an inavoidable side effect of the EMG pre-amp circuitry.

By comparison, the Hot Rails pickups are not so "controlled". They drive a valve amplifier with more - for want of a better word - abandon. They are "ruder".

So far, my favourite compromise between traditional and active pickup characteristics is the Seymour Duncan Live Wire Classic II humbucker. These are certainly available in a Cream/Ivory colour. I'm not sure about pure white.

 

[Koreth]

Re: Interesting new development. (EMG/Duncan content)

How's the battery on the EMG equipped tele? I admit I'm guessing here, but if the battery was getting weak, couldn't that affect the tone on the EMG axe?

 

[Evan Skopp]

Re: Interesting new development. (EMG/Duncan content)

Duh. Blue Teles sound better than black Teles. You didn't know that?

 

[pinto79]

Re: Interesting new development. (EMG/Duncan content)

The usual criticisms against EMG active pickups involve words like "cold", "sterile" and "compressed". A kinder person might use the word "controlled". This is an inavoidable side effect of the EMG pre-amp circuitry.

By comparison, the Hot Rails pickups are not so "controlled". They drive a valve amplifier with more - for want of a better word - abandon. They are "ruder".

So far, my favourite compromise between traditional and active pickup characteristics is the Seymour Duncan Live Wire Classic II humbucker. These are certainly available in a Cream/Ivory colour. I'm not sure about pure white.

I wouldn't use cold or sterile to describe these ones. Controlled, for sure. When I was playing a JCM 800 2203, the 81 could do no wrong. The 30th Anniversary Marshall I'm using now is a different animal, more of everything available, bottom end, gain etc., and while the 81 sounds fantastic still, the HR just seems to have a bit more.

I'm thinking that part of what I'm experiencing is a recent switch to some true single coils in a couple of guitars and change in the way I look at tone.

I like the ruder attack of the HR, so I think I'll try the Super 3, I was pretty rude when I had it in my Hello Kitty Strat...

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: Interesting new development. (EMG/Duncan content)

How's the battery on the EMG equipped tele? I admit I'm guessing here, but if the battery was getting weak, couldn't that affect the tone on the EMG axe?

If you're talking about the tone being weak or soft, this could very well be the problem. I can't imagine the 81 in the bridge of your tele being soft, even compared to the Hot Rails.

Maybe another silly guess, but are you positive you didn't bump the volume or tone knob on your black tele?

 

[pinto79]

Re: Interesting new development. (EMG/Duncan content)

How's the battery on the EMG equipped tele? I admit I'm guessing here, but if the battery was getting weak, couldn't that affect the tone on the EMG axe?

The battery is quite new, but I will have to double check tonight. My experience is that they don't really change until they're completely dead.

 

[pinto79]

Re: Interesting new development. (EMG/Duncan content)

If you're talking about the tone being weak or soft, this could very well be the problem. I can't imagine the 81 in the bridge of your tele being soft, even compared to the Hot Rails.

Maybe another silly guess, but are you positive you didn't bump the volume or tone knob on your black tele?

Volume was checked.

Don't get me wrong, it still sounds awesome, just doesn't seem to hit the amp as hard.

 

[pinto79]

Re: Interesting new development. (EMG/Duncan content)

Duh. Blue Teles sound better than black Teles. You didn't know that?

That must be it!

If I had room for 2 batteries, I would try the LiveWire Metal bridge/Classic Neck combo that I have.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Interesting new development. (EMG/Duncan content)

That must be it!

If I had room for 2 batteries, I would try the LiveWire Metal bridge/Classic Neck combo that I have.

I was referring to the 9v Live Wire Classic II (with the small white screenprinted logo) rather than the 18v series with the raised logo.

 

[pinto79]

Re: Interesting new development. (EMG/Duncan content)

I was referring to the 9v Live Wire Classic II (with the small white screenprinted logo) rather than the 18v series with the raised logo.

I figured, and that's a great suggestion. If cash wasn't in short supply, I'd probably be all over that. I just happen to have a pair of the older LiveWires around.

 

[ericmeyer4]

Re: Interesting new development. (EMG/Duncan content)

Maybe you should replace the EMGs with a JB/Jazz combo ala Mr. Duncan and Mr. Beck.

 

[pinto79]

Re: Interesting new development. (EMG/Duncan content)

Maybe you should replace the EMGs with a JB/Jazz combo ala Mr. Duncan and Mr. Beck.

I've never liked the JB. I can't get it to sound right. I also think I'm craving that mid frequency smash that the 81 just can't seem to deliver.

 

[John E Rokker]

Re: Interesting new development. (EMG/Duncan content)

How old are the strings on the EMG equipped guitar compared to the HR equipped guitar. Fresher strings make a huge difference.
Also, passive pickups have a different FEEL to them than actives. They are much more sensitive to the way your pick strikes the strings.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Interesting new development. (EMG/Duncan content)

Maybe it's just the particular frequencies of the HR that are hitting the amp harder. i know that some of my amps seem to respond to different pickups in weird ways. For example, a PG hit's my Bassman harder than a C5, for some reason. The tone just seems more immediate and punchier.

 

[pinto79]

Re: Interesting new development. (EMG/Duncan content)

How old are the strings on the EMG equipped guitar compared to the HR equipped guitar. Fresher strings make a huge difference.
Also, passive pickups have a different FEEL to them than actives. They are much more sensitive to the way your pick strikes the strings.

The string part gives me pause... The strings on both of them are about the same age, maybe 2 or 3 weeks old with minimal play as I've been away on business...

I'm normally a GHS Boomers user, but the Black Tele has a set of Curt Mangan strings I got from one of my distributors to try. Great feeling strings, but maybe they are the weak link here.

I'll put a set of Boomers on it tonight and see what that does.

 

[pinto79]

Re: Interesting new development. (EMG/Duncan content)

How old are the strings on the EMG equipped guitar compared to the HR equipped guitar. Fresher strings make a huge difference.
Also, passive pickups have a different FEEL to them than actives. They are much more sensitive to the way your pick strikes the strings.

This was it!

I put a fresh set of GHS Boomers and she's back to her former glory. There is still a tonal/attack difference between the guitars, but they are closer to each other now. The difference yesterday was so drastic.

Looks like there was a reason I stopped actively searching out different strings once I found the Boomers...

 

[xntrick]

Re: Interesting new development. (EMG/Duncan content)

the Boomers have a nice tone with my emg-81x, i also like the slinkys and the dean markley signature series...

 

[metalmachine]

Re: Interesting new development. (EMG/Duncan content)

try blackouts. similar to the emg set but hotter and beefier.