NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

[OsvyRock]

NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Just bought a used Gibson Flying V for $400 (case included). It has a EMG 81/85 combination. No stock pickups* I dated the guitar and it was made in 1998. The guitar is actually ‘’dead’’ since there is a connection malfunction in it. The guitar has some pretty good weight (heavier than my 2005 SG Standard), the neck is fat, but feels smooth.

I have been thinking quite a lot about this guitar future. I could leave the EMG’s on it and have hell of a headache, replacing the battery(batteries with a 18v mod), and get the EMG ES-18 Power Supply later on.
I also have a zebra Pearly Gates neck that I took out of my DBZ Bolero, and a Slash Alnico II set (unopened) that I could put in the guitar.
I have been thinking the following options:

Keeping the EMG’s

Installing the Pearly Gates… but which bridge pickup?

Buying a Seymour Duncan or Dimarzio pickup set (Open to suggestions)

(Last Resort) Installing the Seymour Duncan Slash Alnico II set.

Which could be my best bet?
What would you recommend?

I’m trying to save the Alnico II Pro’s for a future LP (I would like to get close/have the Slash sound); but I’m open to everything. What do you recommend?

My other guitars are equipped with:
DBZ Bolero: SH-5/59n
SG Standard: 490R/498T
Squier Strat: Fender Vintage Noiseless

 

[TattooedCarrot]

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

batteries on those EMG's will last 3,000 hours - which is a really long time. You just have to make sure to unplug the jack when not using it since that acts as the on/off switch.

That said, lots of good pickup combos for those. One of my favorites in my V is the SuperD/PAF.

 

[BTMN]

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Load it up and Crank It UP!!

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Love it.

Try out the EMGs first. Maybe you'll dig em.

 

[formula73]

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Love it.

Try out the EMGs first. Maybe you'll dig em.

This.

 

[Jocelyn]

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

If I were you I would try out the EMGs first. Then if I dont like it, hmm I would like to try Custom 59 set on the V.

 

[LatsMcGee]

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Don't forget to try the 85 in the bridge before you ditch the EMGS....My friend's Gibby is identical to yours and he has a pair of Screamin Demon UOA5's in it....sounds really nice through his amps....

 

[eschoendorff]

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Love me some Vs! String it up and play it for a while with the EMGs. You can ALWAYS change pickups in the future...

BTW, GHS Progressive 10-52 work quite well on 24.75" scale Vs...

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Get a SuperD and put the PGn in with it. The Slash's might be worth a shot, but I don't know how much different they are than the standard A2P, which I personally would not go for at all in a V.

Sweet deal btw.

 

[OsvyRock]

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

batteries on those EMG's will last 3,000 hours - which is a really long time. You just have to make sure to unplug the jack when not using it since that acts as the on/off switch.

That said, lots of good pickup combos for those. One of my favorites in my V is the SuperD/PAF.

Thanks! I'll give the EMG's a try out once I get it back to work.
Is going to have the 18v mod. A friend said it sounds lot better with the mod.
I'll take your classic pickup suggestion in mind.

Load it up and Crank It UP!!

THANKS MAN!!!

Love it.

Try out the EMGs first. Maybe you'll dig em.

This.

Thanks! I will do just that!

If I were you I would try out the EMGs first. Then if I dont like it, hmm I would like to try Custom 59 set on the V.

Custom/59 Hybrid bridge right? For the neck pickup... should I use the Pearly Gates I have in store? That's after trying the EMG's out and reviewing the guitar. The previous owner said many people want to buy it from him (even a famous guitar player/tech) before he went on to sell it.

Don't forget to try the 85 in the bridge before you ditch the EMGS....My friend's Gibby is identical to yours and he has a pair of Screamin Demon UOA5's in it....sounds really nice through his amps....

The 85 is the one with gold logo right? The one in the neck right now*
How does it sound in the bridge!? I'm really new to EMG pickups. The only band I have seen live using EMG's: Metallica. Ain't much of a fan of them; but they really can play heavy when they want to! The EMG's are versatile enough right? I played them on a Fernandes and a Peavey XXX; and it sounded huge. Just wanted to have an idea of how they sound compared to the SH-5, my actual bridge pickup of choice; but I'm eager in trying new sounds.

My main amp is a Blackstar HT-40*

Love me some Vs! String it up and play it for a while with the EMGs. You can ALWAYS change pickups in the future...

BTW, GHS Progressive 10-52 work quite well on 24.75" scale Vs...

Thanks! I'll keep those strings in mind* I'm a actual D'addario guitar users; and it has been 6 years since I last played GHS strings. How are they now? (Sound, feel)

Get a SuperD and put the PGn in with it. The Slash's might be worth a shot, but I don't know how much different they are than the standard A2P, which I personally would not go for at all in a V.

Sweet deal btw.

Thanks man! I couldn't believe the selling price either, till I saw it in person. I'll keep your pickup suggestion in mind! I was thinking the exact same thing... The Alnico II Pro's may ''rule'' in a LP or other type of guitar; but in an All-Mahogany? Almost nobody talks about them.



Thanks guys for all your replies! I will get the guitar back to work with the EMG's ASAP. I'm really eager to play it!
What can I expect from the EMG's in this type of guitar. The most similar guitar I have is a stock 2005, Gibson SG Standard. I believe it will have some quite high output, and be really good on the overdriven department.

I'll appreciate any feedback on it, and on live (band setting) EMG 81/85 sound.
Thanks again!

 

[TattooedCarrot]

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Also regarding the 85 in the bridge, IMO the 85 is a far better bridge pickup than it is a neck pickup. I blame Zakk for the confusion.

The 85 has more measurable output than the 81, but isn't as purcussive due to the EQ'ing.

The 85 is very hot and thick with a lot of lows and low mids. It sounds beefier than the 81, is more fluid and more forgiving (or sloppier if you're a fast tight player). It has a little more of a traditional sound than the 81, and IMO is more flexible. Make sure you try it in the bridge before you give up on them.

Also, a lot of people like the 18v mod but I prefer the regular 9v version. Make yourself a little connector tree with Radio Shack connectors for $2 and try it both ways, its just a matter of snaps.

 

[formula73]

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Everything TC said, along with I don't actually PREFER the 9v version; I couldn't hear one bit of difference in it and 18v. The 18v mod works better in active bass EQs, where range and headroom is king. I still think it's snake oil in regards to the pickups, themselves.

The 81, imho, is a pretty awful pup for the neck, too. Too much midrange. If you end up really digging the 85 in the bridge and the 81 not as much in the neck, try the 60. It's got a bit of a scoop in the mids that really works well for clean, articulate neck stuff.

 

[OsvyRock]

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Also regarding the 85 in the bridge, IMO the 85 is a far better bridge pickup than it is a neck pickup. I blame Zakk for the confusion.

The 85 has more measurable output than the 81, but isn't as purcussive due to the EQ'ing.

The 85 is very hot and thick with a lot of lows and low mids. It sounds beefier than the 81, is more fluid and more forgiving (or sloppier if you're a fast tight player). It has a little more of a traditional sound than the 81, and IMO is more flexible. Make sure you try it in the bridge before you give up on them.

Also, a lot of people like the 18v mod but I prefer the regular 9v version. Make yourself a little connector tree with Radio Shack connectors for $2 and try it both ways, its just a matter of snaps.

WOW! Didn't know that the EMG 85 was so versatile (workable as a bridge and or neck pickup). I mostly have experience with Seymour Duncan pickups. The EMG 85 works similar to which SD pickup in the bridge position?

I read that on active pickups the Seymour Duncan Blackouts are ''The Real Deal''. This guitar will be my first real (own) try to the active pickups world.

About my playing style... I don't play a very fast guitar style, but I like a tight/bassy sound (Seymour Duncan SH-5 Custom style) in the bridge. I'm still open to new sounds.

Everything TC said, along with I don't actually PREFER the 9v version; I couldn't hear one bit of difference in it and 18v. The 18v mod works better in active bass EQs, where range and headroom is king. I still think it's snake oil in regards to the pickups, themselves.

The 81, imho, is a pretty awful pup for the neck, too. Too much midrange. If you end up really digging the 85 in the bridge and the 81 not as much in the neck, try the 60. It's got a bit of a scoop in the mids that really works well for clean, articulate neck stuff.

I really need to test drive this pickups. Now that you talk about the EMG's that way, I'm a little unsure about them. I will still get the guitar back to work ASAP and try the EMG pickups to know what I like/dislike about them.
I will review the guitar, and we can start pickup/sound searching from there on.

Thinking here, I believe I tried the 81/85 combination on a DBZ Barchetta guitar 2 years ago. While it sounded good, I didn't like the sound as much as the actual sound of my DBZ Bolero (SH-5/59n). But I don't want to repeat the same pickup configuration. I think I could definitely go ''hotter'' than the Custom for this one. I definitely will like something hotter than a 59 in the neck position*

 

[TattooedCarrot]

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Just make sure you try the 85 in the bridge and report back, regardless of if you like the EMG's at all, I think people would like to hear back on that. The high output and bass heavy EQ is IMO what makes the 85 very wrong as a neck pup, yet because of Zakk everyone thinks it just a neck pup. Steve Lukather uses it as a bridge pup.

 

[BloodRose]

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

I MUCH prefer the 85 in the bridge and 60 in the neck. Or and 85/85 even.. I too, prefer the 18 v mod and do mine exactly per TC's diagram. Very easy and very inexpensive. 2 things about it. Make sure you have room in the cavity for 2 batteries. And, the difference is not like night and day.. But, I notice more headroom.

 

[formula73]

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

I MUCH prefer the 85 in the bridge and 60 in the neck. Or and 85/85 even.. I too, prefer the 18 v mod and do mine exactly per TC's diagram. Very easy and very inexpensive. 2 things about it. Make sure you have room in the cavity for 2 batteries. And, the difference is not like night and day.. But, I notice more headroom.

I'll have to give it a shot again, one of these days.

85/60 all the way. The 81 is just too thrashy for me. The voicing works great with JCM800s, etc, to tighten up the bass and smash the front end into overdrive *but* most modern amps seem voiced a bit differently-even Marshall's offerings: a little tighter on the low end, a little brighter, and a little less low midrange.

 

[XPAULPITT]

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

I would go with the EMGs at 9v. The 18 volt mod makes them sound harsh and shrilly to me. I like my EMGs to sound like EMGs. The 18v mod makes them sound like something different. Whats the point? If you want something different from EMGs, dont use EMGs. When I think of Flying V I think metal and EMGs are metal.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Seths or Antiquitys; and an RS Kit. If you really want great Vee tone--go with a vintage-style PAF.

Bill

 

[eschoendorff]

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Thanks! I'll keep those strings in mind* I'm a actual D'addario guitar users; and it has been 6 years since I last played GHS strings. How are they now? (Sound, feel)

I am a frequent D-Addario user myself. The GHS feel somewhat similar, but the Progressives have a little more presence and sparkle. That 10-52 set just feels right to me, especially on my V. And, they're about he same price as D'Addarios, so you can try them without breaking the bank.

 

[OsvyRock]

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Re: NGD – Used 98' Gibson Flying V

Just make sure you try the 85 in the bridge and report back, regardless of if you like the EMG's at all, I think people would like to hear back on that. The high output and bass heavy EQ is IMO what makes the 85 very wrong as a neck pup, yet because of Zakk everyone thinks it just a neck pup. Steve Lukather uses it as a bridge pup.

I MUCH prefer the 85 in the bridge and 60 in the neck. Or and 85/85 even.. I too, prefer the 18 v mod and do mine exactly per TC's diagram. Very easy and very inexpensive. 2 things about it. Make sure you have room in the cavity for 2 batteries. And, the difference is not like night and day.. But, I notice more headroom.

I would go with the EMGs at 9v. The 18 volt mod makes them sound harsh and shrilly to me. I like my EMGs to sound like EMGs. The 18v mod makes them sound like something different. Whats the point? If you want something different from EMGs, dont use EMGs. When I think of Flying V I think metal and EMGs are metal.

Seths or Antiquitys; and an RS Kit. If you really want great Vee tone--go with a vintage-style PAF.

Bill

I am a frequent D-Addario user myself. The GHS feel somewhat similar, but the Progressives have a little more presence and sparkle. That 10-52 set just feels right to me, especially on my V. And, they're about he same price as D'Addarios, so you can try them without breaking the bank.

Guitar Update*
Today I went to my friend to get the Gibson back to work again. When we opened up the guitar's pickguard.... we found the guitar had been carved to make space for a battery (to make place for the transition from pasives to actives). While a 9v battery could fit inside with little problem now; a 18v mod IS NOT POSSIBLE!!! There is no space for it!

The only way it can go in (with a 18v mod) may be, by replacing the stock pickup selector with a short shaft one. I got a shorter spare one because the one stock in my DBZ was faulty since purchase. DBZ Guitars sent two of them... so I'll give it a try there.

My day didn't end there! I tried out my friend Fernandes guitar that has EMG 81/85 configuration (with an 18v). It really sounds HUGE!!!! Played it through a Roland Jazz amp and his pedals; and it REALLY ROCKED!!!!!

Sadly my guitar tech was thinking about my ''lifestyle'' and simplying things out for me; and told me that EMG's are REALLY GREAT!!! But he prefers it on guitars that have a bigger cavity, and a cavity on the back (for battery access). Is gonna be a real pain, removing the pickguard everytime the batteries start failing, it could be even on gigs or after just replacing strings or worst... screwing the guitar set-up. You people know how neck starts shifting and all that...

He suggests me going passive.

I actually have the following passive pickups:
Pearly Gates neck
Slash Alnico II Pro set (unopened)
G&B: Dbz Guitars Stock pickups

What do you people recommend me?

I already have someone interested in my EMG 85 and can sell it for $60. That way I can buy a bridge pickup to go alongside my Pearly Gates neck... but which one? I also know that this will make my V very vintage. I also could go in a different direction... What about the SH-6 Distortion Mayhem combination?

Well there's a lot of options and no action has been taken yet. Feel free to comment!