Okay, so apparently I'm an idiot (EMG wiring content)

[Sirion]

For the first time in my life I've bought EMGs: a set of 85/sa/sa, for a Kramer Deluxe. With the solderless system, one would think that getting this thing up and running would be a breeze, but for some reason I can't get it to sound right. I don't have an amp around, but when I play it through a Line 6 SonicPort VX into StudioOne 3, without any plug-ins, it literally sounds like an 8-bit video game; if I don't pick very very lightly there is also a significant amount of distortion until the pick attack fades. Surely it is not meant to sound like that, even in this modest rig?

As far as I can tell, everything is connected as it is supposed to be (I have gone over it several times), and the batteries are new. I could probably pop it open one more time to take some photos, but I thought I'd hear if anybody have any other suggestions what might be wrong? As it is, the guitar isn't good for much except playing Super Mario themes very softly.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Okay, so apparently I'm an idiot (EMG wiring content)

I know a lot of interface gear doesn't play well with active pickups; my PreSonus POS thing doesn't for one thing. Don't know if that's the same for yours.

 

[Flake]

Re: Okay, so apparently I'm an idiot (EMG wiring content)

the output is too high ie you connected it correctly


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[Sirion]

Re: Okay, so apparently I'm an idiot (EMG wiring content)

Okay, so I don't quite know what happened, but it works now. I had placed the pickups as closely to the strings as possible, as per EMG's suggestions, but not so close that they interfered with the strings. I put them back to almost-pickguard level, where Reb Beach has his, and it worked correctly. I even tried to put them back up to see if I could get some rad Nintendo effects out of it that way, but no. I have no idea what truly changed, but now they work, and I didn't even have to screw the pickguard off!

 

[allstarrme]

Re: Okay, so apparently I'm an idiot (EMG wiring content)

the output is too high ie you connected it correctly

This^

When you lowered them you dropped the output enough they became usable. When they were near the strings the signal was overdriving and clipping the input of your interface.

 

[Sirion]

Re: Okay, so apparently I'm an idiot (EMG wiring content)

The strange thing was that they didn't do that when I tried to put them back up for fun. But oh well, at least it works now…

 

[Toejam]

Re: Okay, so apparently I'm an idiot (EMG wiring content)

You might not have had the guitar cable pushed into the jack all the way. EMG jacks are tight and need two clicks. Had the same thing happen years ago on my first guitar with EMGs.
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