So, i done swap of emgs in my LTD Horizon 1001 Deluxe guitar. I swapped 85 to bridge and 81 to neck position.. And i found out that i prefer the sound of EMG 81 on the bridge, and also 81 on the neck. 81 sounds to me brigter, with less low end. Which is cool, because i have kind of dark amp, Randall Diavlo RD-45, and RD-1. Also, it works well in Bias FX, and i found the favorite preset for high gain, Modded Mark II C+. I prefer Bias FX to Peavey Revalver. Peavey Revalver sounds too fizzy to me. Also found out that TB-4 seymour duncan pickup in alder body guitar sounds superior with my randall and those vst simulations. What i wanted to try in the future with this mahogany body LTD is: EMG 57/66 set, and Seymour Duncan TB-6/SH2 set. This guitar is tuned to Cis Standard right now. Where i am dissapointed is, that i cannot do the 18v mod with emg-s in that particular guitar.. The electronic cavity is, unfortunately too small.
My EMG 81/85 swap experiment, thoughts
- Thread starter Lux84
- Start date
metalchurch79
New member
Re: My EMG 81/85 swap experiment, thoughts
You can use cell batteries and stack them so they equal 18v
You can use cell batteries and stack them so they equal 18v
metalchurch79
New member
Re: My EMG 81/85 swap experiment, thoughts
Id suggest radio shack but theyre cutting out.. but Id imagine Wal-Mart or somewhere online would carry them...
There might be some youtube videos on how to stack them and different methods. Ive seen some guys stack them inside heatshrink tubing which was an awesome idea.
They make cell batteries in many different values....
Id suggest radio shack but theyre cutting out.. but Id imagine Wal-Mart or somewhere online would carry them...
There might be some youtube videos on how to stack them and different methods. Ive seen some guys stack them inside heatshrink tubing which was an awesome idea.
They make cell batteries in many different values....
metalchurch79
New member
Re: My EMG 81/85 swap experiment, thoughts
Oh I remembered another thing I saw which were cell batteries stacked up inside both sides of a AA>9V converter. That was a neat idea too and it plugged right into the EMG harness.
Edit:
Its been a while so that converter was likely either shortened or modified..
Oh I remembered another thing I saw which were cell batteries stacked up inside both sides of a AA>9V converter. That was a neat idea too and it plugged right into the EMG harness.
Edit:
Its been a while so that converter was likely either shortened or modified..
metalchurch79
New member
Re: My EMG 81/85 swap experiment, thoughts
Yea you'll get it, just be patient and think it through.
Mini pots will also get you some extra room, and one of my favs is using just 1 volume because that really opens things up. I'm not much of a neck pickup guy, but I too preferred running an 81/81 9v setup over an 81/85 or 85/81, but I do like all of those combos given the right guitar.
I was into that 18v phase for a number of years but gradually preferred the 9v over the 18v because it seemed like an old friend.
Yea you'll get it, just be patient and think it through.
Mini pots will also get you some extra room, and one of my favs is using just 1 volume because that really opens things up. I'm not much of a neck pickup guy, but I too preferred running an 81/81 9v setup over an 81/85 or 85/81, but I do like all of those combos given the right guitar.
I was into that 18v phase for a number of years but gradually preferred the 9v over the 18v because it seemed like an old friend.
Masta' C
Well-known member
Re: My EMG 81/85 swap experiment, thoughts
The 81/81 combo is great!
On the other hand, if you really liked the JB and are willing to modify the wiring slightly, the Fishman Fluence Classic set is awesome. Voice 2 is modeled on the original JB from the late '70s, but still have all the benefits of actives.
The 81/81 combo is great!
On the other hand, if you really liked the JB and are willing to modify the wiring slightly, the Fishman Fluence Classic set is awesome. Voice 2 is modeled on the original JB from the late '70s, but still have all the benefits of actives.
metalchurch79
New member
Re: My EMG 81/85 swap experiment, thoughts
Another thing to try is a PA-2 toggle or an AB-knob and set it to boost the neck pup only so it gets the results youre looking for. Some guys boost their 60's a little bit which also have a ceramic mag like the 81 because they prefer that mag type in the neck...
I ran an 81 with a PA-2 boosted EMG-H and also later on with a PA-2 boosted S in the neck with great results... Theres a few things you can experiment with including swapping out for Fishmans or even Blackouts...
Another thing to try is a PA-2 toggle or an AB-knob and set it to boost the neck pup only so it gets the results youre looking for. Some guys boost their 60's a little bit which also have a ceramic mag like the 81 because they prefer that mag type in the neck...
I ran an 81 with a PA-2 boosted EMG-H and also later on with a PA-2 boosted S in the neck with great results... Theres a few things you can experiment with including swapping out for Fishmans or even Blackouts...
JohnnyBsurfin
New member
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: My EMG 81/85 swap experiment, thoughts
Not an active pickup guy anymore, but I used to love the 81/81. When I finally got an 81/85 combo, I tried them the "other" way, and hated the 85 bridge.
Not an active pickup guy anymore, but I used to love the 81/81. When I finally got an 81/85 combo, I tried them the "other" way, and hated the 85 bridge.
