Mix Blackouts and EMGs
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1) Do they work together? I plan on using the solder pots and tone caps that will come with the Blackouts.(2)Do Blackouts benefit from 18v? I plan to do 18v on the 81
Despised
New member
Re: Mix Blackouts and EMGs
The Blackouts do NOT benefit from the 18V mod like the EMG's do, so don't even waste your time. You can do it for the 81 as you mentioned, which will help open up the tonality some more. I would say to get either an EMG 89 or 89R for the middle position. The reason why I suggest this I because it's a coil split-able EMG, so you can get really good stacked, hum-free single coil tones. The ONLY difference between the 89 and 89R is which side the single coil is on - the 89 single coil is closer to the bridge, while the 89R single coil is closer to the neck.
So the way I would do it would be like this for the most versatility and tonality:
-Blackouts Metal, wired to a push/pull to select between the 2 output modes. I would wire it so that the boosted output is in the "UP" position on the push/pull, basically acting as the boost for solos and stuff like that.
-EMG 89 or 89R, also wired to a push/pull. For this pickup, I would wire it so that the single coil mode is in the "DOWN" position and humbucker is in the "UP" position. I advise this because the single coil tones will be a nice change of pace than 3 strait humbucker tones in a row, back to back to back. You'll still be able to get the humbucker mode if you want it with pulling up on the push/pull, but I think you're gonna enjoy the single coil tonality - especially with the Blackouts Metal in the bridge and the normal 81 in the neck.
-EMG 81, wired to a normal pot.
-I would have the push/pulls for both the Blackouts Metal & the 89/89R, and the normal pot on the 81 all wired as individual pickup volumes. This will allow you to be able to blend the volumes of each pickup for a more custom, unique tone. And then your last pot I would have as your master tone pot.
-IF you have the room in the cavity, you could try and wire the Blackout to it's own single battery, and the EMG's to two 9V's for the 18V mod. If you cant fit all them batteries in there, then I would just run the single 9V for all 3 pickups. You'll have and get quite a diverse blend of tones as it is, so I wouldn't worry too much about having and doing the 18V mod, or trying to power the EMG's and the Blackout separately.
Let me know how you make out, I think you're gonna be rather pleased with the tones your gonna get from this combo...
The Blackouts do NOT benefit from the 18V mod like the EMG's do, so don't even waste your time. You can do it for the 81 as you mentioned, which will help open up the tonality some more. I would say to get either an EMG 89 or 89R for the middle position. The reason why I suggest this I because it's a coil split-able EMG, so you can get really good stacked, hum-free single coil tones. The ONLY difference between the 89 and 89R is which side the single coil is on - the 89 single coil is closer to the bridge, while the 89R single coil is closer to the neck.
So the way I would do it would be like this for the most versatility and tonality:
-Blackouts Metal, wired to a push/pull to select between the 2 output modes. I would wire it so that the boosted output is in the "UP" position on the push/pull, basically acting as the boost for solos and stuff like that.
-EMG 89 or 89R, also wired to a push/pull. For this pickup, I would wire it so that the single coil mode is in the "DOWN" position and humbucker is in the "UP" position. I advise this because the single coil tones will be a nice change of pace than 3 strait humbucker tones in a row, back to back to back. You'll still be able to get the humbucker mode if you want it with pulling up on the push/pull, but I think you're gonna enjoy the single coil tonality - especially with the Blackouts Metal in the bridge and the normal 81 in the neck.
-EMG 81, wired to a normal pot.
-I would have the push/pulls for both the Blackouts Metal & the 89/89R, and the normal pot on the 81 all wired as individual pickup volumes. This will allow you to be able to blend the volumes of each pickup for a more custom, unique tone. And then your last pot I would have as your master tone pot.
-IF you have the room in the cavity, you could try and wire the Blackout to it's own single battery, and the EMG's to two 9V's for the 18V mod. If you cant fit all them batteries in there, then I would just run the single 9V for all 3 pickups. You'll have and get quite a diverse blend of tones as it is, so I wouldn't worry too much about having and doing the 18V mod, or trying to power the EMG's and the Blackout separately.
Let me know how you make out, I think you're gonna be rather pleased with the tones your gonna get from this combo...
Re: Mix Blackouts and EMGs
Can't I just wire the Blackout into the EMG battery circuit? Will it every be affected at all? If no, I think I'll wire the Blackout to the EMG battery circuit. The reason I asked the 18V question is because I can fit 2 batteries into my BB.Oh and there are 25k push-pull pots?
Can't I just wire the Blackout into the EMG battery circuit? Will it every be affected at all? If no, I think I'll wire the Blackout to the EMG battery circuit. The reason I asked the 18V question is because I can fit 2 batteries into my BB.Oh and there are 25k push-pull pots?
Despised
New member
Re: Mix Blackouts and EMGs
Yes, you certainly can wire the Blackout to the EMG battery harness. The Blackouts and regular EMG's share the same wiring systems. This is why and how Blackouts and EMG pickups are interchangeable. All you have to do is take the pickup out of the body, unplug the wire on the back, plug in the Blackout, re-install in the guitar.
Yes, there are 25k push/pull pots for active systems. Do you already have the 81 and the parts to wire it??? If not, then I would head to EMG's website, and check out the wiring kits they have for sale... you may still have to do some soldering, but not a lot due to the 3rd pickup (middle one...) the new kits they offer are the new solderless system which are really and even easier to install. I have been using the sodlrless system. You may only need the 2 pickup kit, as the 89/89R is going to come with a push/pull and all kinds of stuff . You may even be able to buy the push/pull separately I think last I knew. If your curious, just check out the page description for the 89, and there's a link on the right that will gibe you the pdf for the installation diagram sheet. I would get that one, and the one for the 81 as well. This way you have it and knkw what to loom at and what not
Yes, you certainly can wire the Blackout to the EMG battery harness. The Blackouts and regular EMG's share the same wiring systems. This is why and how Blackouts and EMG pickups are interchangeable. All you have to do is take the pickup out of the body, unplug the wire on the back, plug in the Blackout, re-install in the guitar.
Yes, there are 25k push/pull pots for active systems. Do you already have the 81 and the parts to wire it??? If not, then I would head to EMG's website, and check out the wiring kits they have for sale... you may still have to do some soldering, but not a lot due to the 3rd pickup (middle one...) the new kits they offer are the new solderless system which are really and even easier to install. I have been using the sodlrless system. You may only need the 2 pickup kit, as the 89/89R is going to come with a push/pull and all kinds of stuff . You may even be able to buy the push/pull separately I think last I knew. If your curious, just check out the page description for the 89, and there's a link on the right that will gibe you the pdf for the installation diagram sheet. I would get that one, and the one for the 81 as well. This way you have it and knkw what to loom at and what not
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Mix Blackouts and EMGs
I have mixed EMG/SD active pickup sets in several guitars. The Quik Connect wiring harness format makes this simple and problem free.
To obtain the EMG-81 sound with improved headroom and dynamics, chose the -X version.
My own preference for a neck/Rhythm position pickup to go with the BO Metal would be the SD Live Wire Classic II N.
I have mixed EMG/SD active pickup sets in several guitars. The Quik Connect wiring harness format makes this simple and problem free.
To obtain the EMG-81 sound with improved headroom and dynamics, chose the -X version.
My own preference for a neck/Rhythm position pickup to go with the BO Metal would be the SD Live Wire Classic II N.