Is this EMG setup possible?

R

ranalli

New member
I have a two hum guitar that I'd like to get the EMG treatment for. However I'd like to make it as versatile as possible with their quick connect system.


I'm looking to be able to have an 89 in both the bridge and neck, a volume knob for each, and a push/pull for each to switch to the single coil mode.


That is possible I believe.

What I want to know is can I put either an 81 or a 60 in those positions as well....just keep the single coil mode off?


Thanks!!
 
Re: Is this EMG setup possible?

I'm guessing you might be able to plug a 81 or 60 into the 89's wider connector if you knew which three holes to use. I would email EMG's tech support. They've always been really nice to me.
 
Re: Is this EMG setup possible?

go for the EMG 89/60
won't need anything else, trust me.
switching between those can be tricky, however, i think you can wire a quick connect 3 wire and the 89s 5-pin together and just leave the 3 pin hanging inside, and when you wanna replace, just connect the 3-pin.

that should work
 
Re: Is this EMG setup possible?

I guess that's what I'll look into doing then....wiring both the 3 and 5 pin connectors then just using whatever one applies to the pickup in there.
 
Re: Is this EMG setup possible?

Don't know why you would want an 89 in the bridge? It's not going to get a tele kind of sound. It'll sound like a fairly weak strat bridge pickup.

I think you're supose to use the 89R in the bridge also to avoid getting too weak of a split.

I say go for an 85/60 setup, you will not be disappointed.
 
Re: Is this EMG setup possible?

Mephis said:
Don't know why you would want an 89 in the bridge? It's not going to get a tele kind of sound. It'll sound like a fairly weak strat bridge pickup.

I think you're supose to use the 89R in the bridge also to avoid getting too weak of a split.

I say go for an 85/60 setup, you will not be disappointed.
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Why would anyone want a split-coil type setup. The single coil is always going to be weaker...that's their nature. Don't get me wrong..I'm sure the 85/60 setup sounds great....I alreayd know I love the 60...but I'd like a little more versatility.
 
Re: Is this EMG setup possible?

ranalli said:
Why would anyone want a split-coil type setup. The single coil is always going to be weaker...that's their nature. Don't get me wrong..I'm sure the 85/60 setup sounds great....I alreayd know I love the 60...but I'd like a little more versatility.
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Yea I know it's weaker.

Unless you have an 89 in the neck and you're using the middle position, I'd say the bridge is too weak unless it's an 89R.

If you want an extremely tinny sound from a bridge pickup, then it's fine, I just couldn't think of anything that kind of sound would be useful for.
 
Re: Is this EMG setup possible?

Kindred_Spirits said:
I really wish they made a dual mode pickup with the 60A and the SA... I really dislike the 85 in the neck.
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Yeah, that would be cooler. I've never tried the 60A but I LOVE the 60...but having a little more twang in the neck would be cooler too so I think that combo would rock. I have no need for an 85 or 81 in the neck.
 
Re: Is this EMG setup possible?

Mephis said:
Yea I know it's weaker.

Unless you have an 89 in the neck and you're using the middle position, I'd say the bridge is too weak unless it's an 89R.

If you want an extremely tinny sound from a bridge pickup, then it's fine, I just couldn't think of anything that kind of sound would be useful for.
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Well most strats have a single coil in teh bridge....there's plenty of useful sounds there.
 
Re: Is this EMG setup possible?

ranalli said:
Well most strats have a single coil in teh bridge....there's plenty of useful sounds there.
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Well... Most strats don't have their bridge single right against the trem either.

In a normal 89 that's where it would be.
 
Re: Is this EMG setup possible?

Mephis said:
Well... Most strats don't have their bridge single right against the trem either.

In a normal 89 that's where it would be.
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That doesn't bother me a whole lot though....if it's not exactly how a strat would sound then that's fine. It's an extremely close approximation on the single coil bridge approach and that's all I really want along with the ability to switch in to humbucker mode.
 
Re: Is this EMG setup possible?

Kindred_Spirits said:
Think of a warmer, slightly thicker 60 and you have the 60A.
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Sounds cool....so far I must say that the 60 is my favorite neck pickup....EVER.

I've tried quite a few and this one really does it all very well. It can get very chimey cleans(more so than the '59) but has more beef than a true single coil.

It's just a really good balance between so many great qualities. It does semi-distorted blues tones fantastically. If you dial up the gain a bit it can do a really sweet humbucker type tone too...it beefs up nicely.
 
Re: Is this EMG setup possible?

I have a Gibson Les Paul Custom with the 89 neck & 85 bridge... the EQ for the SA is completely different than the 85, so... when I use it in the single coil in the neck.. it is really clear and articulate and sounds different than when the pickup is in the humbucker in the neck.

I use the push/pull pot and it gives a great variance in tone.. I have the 85 in the bridge, but I am probably going to get another 89 for the bridge...

I am in a two guitar band and sometimes the single coil mode works for cutting through a mix better than the humbucker..
 
Re: Is this EMG setup possible?

I always found that the EMGs I had got lost in the mix and sounded thin. They just didn't work for me, I have heard several players that use them and sounded great though. Can anyone explain why an EMG might not cut... I assumed they would rip right through anything.
 
Re: Is this EMG setup possible?

Its probably because if you had an 81 in a bright guitar and you scooped the mids on your amp, your guitar has no place to sit in the mix. Because your tone was only made up of deep lows and presence. While not everyone likes the sound, a mid heavy tone cuts through better and generally is clearer. Also too much distortion tends to lower your volume in a mix. Chances are is you focused your sound on the extremities and dropped the mids, all your presence and treble (which sounds great playing by yourself) mixed with your drummers cymbals and got drowned out. EMGs don't get lost in the mix, but most people don't realize that you have to adjust your tone with the pickups. I think EMG 85s and 707s sound great with a band because they have more mids, and more balanced highs and lows. 81s focus on treble and presence for more attack. Anyway, I guess my point is that if you work with your EQ there is no reason you should be getting lost in the mix. Give it another listen.


Cheers,
George.
 
Re: Is this EMG setup possible?

Shredhead7 said:
Its probably because if you had an 81 in a bright guitar and you scooped the mids on your amp, your guitar has no place to sit in the mix. Because your tone was only made up of deep lows and presence. While not everyone likes the sound, a mid heavy tone cuts through better and generally is clearer. Also too much distortion tends to lower your volume in a mix. Chances are is you focused your sound on the extremities and dropped the mids, all your presence and treble (which sounds great playing by yourself) mixed with your drummers cymbals and got drowned out. EMGs don't get lost in the mix, but most people don't realize that you have to adjust your tone with the pickups. I think EMG 85s and 707s sound great with a band because they have more mids, and more balanced highs and lows. 81s focus on treble and presence for more attack. Anyway, I guess my point is that if you work with your EQ there is no reason you should be getting lost in the mix. Give it another listen.


Cheers,
George.
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I don't get lost in the mix with my 60A either.EMGs can cut thru well.But mostly the 80s sound not that much pleasent.that's why i use the 60A in the Bridge to have a great rythm and lead tone.It works for me ,it's not the best tone ever ,but it's clear ,chunky ,nice and well balanced sound ,and great harmonics!
 
Re: Is this EMG setup possible?

Thats the funny thing. The guitar is a little dark, but not too dark... its an explorer with a ebony fret board. and I boost the mids and lower the gain on my 5150II... I switched to a '59 with better results... maybe try again in the future.
 
Re: Is this EMG setup possible?

Oh yea, by the way daemon barbeque, I liked your clips so much that I think I'm gonna try out a 60A and SA setup. I figure that setup will be sick. Now all I gotta do is save up the money. I tune down to B, and honestly after playing a guitar with 707s enough I really started to dig EMGs. The 60A sounds thick as hell with a good chunk of mids (plus wide frequency response). Anyway your clips sound awesome.


Cheers,
George.
 
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