NGD - EMG Content

[idsnowdog]

I bought an Ibanez RG3EX1 off Mercari this weekend for $175 and it arrived today. It has EMG-81's in both the neck and bridge which I will more than likely replace with a set of Blackouts I have. Or I may replace the neck EMG-81 with an EMG-H or two spare EMG-S singles I have. I may also replace the bridge EMG-81 with an EMG-89 and a five-way switch. The wiring was poorly done and the ground wires were barely connected and there were poorly performed splices that need to be replaced. I will probably wire it to use the same external 18v phantom power box as my Livewires.

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: NGD - EMG Content

Good price, solid guitar, bargain find. Nice work!

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: NGD - EMG Content

I tried the EMG-81 at 18V but I can rule out that pickup right away. Too compressed, no bass, too much upper midrange, lack of dynamics. The Blackout Metal makes the EMG-81 sound wimpy in comparison. The neck Blackout is suprisingly good too. I also ordered a used EMG-H and EMG-89 to see if I like either of them but they may be headed to another guitar because the Blackouts sound really good.

 

[idsnowdog]

I tried the EMG-81 in the neck today. It actually compliments the Blackout Heavy Metal pretty well. But it's all midrange and the Blackout neck is better.

 

[PFDarkside]

Cool....

Any links to the external power box for actives? I assume you use the tip for signal, ring for 9V, and sleeve for ground? Modify the internal wiring appropriately and use a stereo cable for the guitar to power box?

 

[Mincer]

Yeah, I bet the Blackouts would be awesome in that guitar. I dig that color and the grain of the wood, too.

 

[idsnowdog]

Cool....

Any links to the external power box for actives? I assume you use the tip for signal, ring for 9V, and sleeve for ground? Modify the internal wiring appropriately and use a stereo cable for the guitar to power box?

Yes, it's fairly simple to build the phantom power box. You just need a stereo-jack, mono-jack, two battery clips, and some wire. You just eliminate the clips from the circuit on the guitar end. You then run a stereo cable from the phantom power box to the guitar and a mono cable from the box to the amp.

 

[idsnowdog]

Have you considered an 89R for the bridge?

I ordered a used EMG-89 and EMG-H on eBay. I intend to try the 89 in the bridge and H in the neck. Although I'm fairly sure I will end up picking the Blackout Metal for the bridge and whichever I like best for the neck. I can then mix-match EMG's for a second guitar I am building and sell or trade the rest.

 

[idsnowdog]

I tried the EMG-H in the neck today but I'm going with a full set of Blackouts. The Blackouts were nearly twice as loud EMGs and had a much different feel. I didn't try the EMG-89 because I haven't received the wiring harness for the 7-pin system yet. I will use the EMGs in another guitar.

 

[greekdude]

Whenever I tried the 18v mod, I reverted it back ASAP. EMG + 18v = weak tone, does not drive the amp that hard.

 

[Artie]

Nice score. That's a gorgeous guitar for not much moola.

 

[idsnowdog]

What a difference a different guitar makes! I put the EMG-81, EMG-S, EMG-H in another guitar I assembled from leftover parts and they sound great together. I think the body might be alder or poplar which makes all the difference. The EMG-81 and EMG-H sounded dull in a basswood guitar. The only change I would make is to add an Artec QTA in place of the useless tone control. The slight mid-range and treble boost settings sound excellent with the neck/middle positions. I would like a slight bass boost for the bridge position but everything I have seen is too expensive.