SD vs EMG

[Jethrobodine]

I am replacing the pups in my 1988 strat (tried lace sensors, yuk!). Looked at EMG-SA, looking at SD Classic Live wire. Want more output for my digitech RP80 --> Fender Bassman set up but still want my strat to sound like a strat.

I play EJ, SRV, Gilmour. Want a pup that will do it all!

Opinions?

Thanks,

Jethro

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: SD vs EMG

I don't know a heck of a lot about active single coils, but I know Gilmour has a signature EMG set.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: SD vs EMG

This is just my opinion...NO noisless/active pickup will sound like a real Strat...That said, I have to admit i have never used the Duncan Live Wire's. IMO Gilmour is one ov the only guys that ever got a good sound with EMG's. How much output are you looking to get...your normal Strat pup is around 6.5k, so in my book, 7.5k is a HOT strat pickup the Live Wire Classic read out at 8.5k. IMO the BEST noiseless singlecoil sized humbuckers are either Vintage rails or Duckbuckers...neither of these measure anywhear near 8.5k, but both are higher that 6.5k. I don't know if this helped at all but there it is...

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: SD vs EMG

IIRC, Gilmour only used EMG's because only active pickups had enough power to go through his huge rig without a loss of signal/tone.

 

[Davey]

Re: SD vs EMG

do they HAVE to be actives?

 

[Zerberus]

Re: SD vs EMG

IIRC, Gilmour only used EMG's because only active pickups had enough power to go through his huge rig without a loss of signal/tone.

I heard it was because of the immense HUm that all their funky lighting caused that made the switch....

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: SD vs EMG

That could be it as well, Zerb, but have you seen his rig? It's ****ing MASSIVE! I wouldn't run standard SC's through it.

Most of Gilmours tone is from those Hiwatt's though.

 

[some_dude]

Re: SD vs EMG

That could be it as well, Zerb, but have you seen his rig? It's ****ing MASSIVE! I wouldn't run standard SC's through it.

Most of Gilmours tone is from those Hiwatt's though.

It's massive, but it has signal buffers all over it.

 

[Jethrobodine]

Re: SD vs EMG

They don't have to be actives. Actually passive would be cool (easier to install). There are so many choices, I just can't handle it! I just want something hot that sounds like a strat, sound good distorted, and also good at jangly clean and bluesy neck stuff.

My RP80 pushes the Bassman on good clean sounds but the distorion is kinda lame. I want it to sound like butter (I know I can only go so far with digital).

Thanks for all replies.

 

[Hellion]

Re: SD vs EMG

EMG's have a tone all their own, and I've always thought that a Strat with EMG's in it doesn't really sound like a Strat, and with all due credit to Dave Gilmour, even his Strat doesn't really sound like one to me. I love his tone, it just doesn't sound like a Strat. Eric Johnson used to use DiMarzio stacked coils, but that may have changed. I think Duncans are the most natural sounding pickups on the market. By the way, I agree with you on the Lace Sensors....think Kenny on South Park!

 

[some_dude]

Re: SD vs EMG

They don't have to be actives. Actually passive would be cool (easier to install). There are so many choices, I just can't handle it! I just want something hot that sounds like a strat, sound good distorted, and also good at jangly clean and bluesy neck stuff.

My RP80 pushes the Bassman on good clean sounds but the distorion is kinda lame. I want it to sound like butter (I know I can only go so far with digital).

Thanks for all replies.

Have you though about a Seymour Duncan Pickup Booster?

 

[Jethrobodine]

Re: SD vs EMG

Never heard of one. Just checked it out on their site. Do they really work?

 

[Young Angus]

Re: SD vs EMG

Get a set of fralins

But if you're looking for duncans, i think any choice is pretty subjective but id recomment something like an ssl5 custom staggered set, they are supposed to get some kind of cool SRV tone (according to the catalogue, which must mean they dont sound too hot that they dont sound like singles) and are hotter than the average strat pickup. Id love to try a set of these one day, ive always been very curious about them.

 

[Evan Skopp]

Re: SD vs EMG

FWIW, I asked David Gilmour about why he plays EMGs and he said it was simply a matter of cutting out the hum.

Also, FWIW, I've used the Live Wires Classic set and, IMO, they sound very vintage.

You can hear them on my track on the Forum CD (thank you Rodney Gene). There's no way I'd be able to tell that they weren't vintage Strat pickups if I wasn't looking at them.

 

[Jethrobodine]

Re: SD vs EMG

Thanks for all the replies.

I am going to try the pickup booster. Have an old tube works blue tube rack mount pre-amp. Got a boost switch that gives 12db of gain. I put that in front of the RP80, hit the boot and it really came alive. Finally heard the effect as they were intended. Blue tube colors the sound to much but proof of concept on the boost.

Thanks again.

 

[Evan Skopp]

Re: SD vs EMG

Keep in mind that the Resonance Switch on the Pickup Booster only works with passive pickups, and only when it's first in your effects chain.