The infamous EMG 18-volt mod!

[Metalman_666]

I'm getting a pair of EMG's in my Ibanez soon, and I was going to ask the tech at the store to do the 18-volt mod. But I have a few questions.

1. Will the pups work if after the mod is done I only put in 1 battery in instead of 2 (for the sake of comparison)?
2. Is there even enough SPACE in an Ibanez SZ520QM for 2 9v batteries?
3. What exactly does this mod do... what are all the effects of it?

thanks.

 

[3 cent hero]

Re: The infamous EMG 18-volt mod!

I'm getting a pair of EMG's in my Ibanez soon, and I was going to ask the tech at the store to do the 18-volt mod. But I have a few questions.

1. Will the pups work if after the mod is done I only put in 1 battery in instead of 2 (for the sake of comparison)?
2. Is there even enough SPACE in an Ibanez SZ520QM for 2 9v batteries?
3. What exactly does this mod do... what are all the effects of it?

thanks.

1. no, not without a chunk of wire across the unused batteries' clips posts you would attatch the battery to. or use another clip with the wires attatched together and put it on the clip thats unused
2. barely
3. more headroom, cleaner sound, much better sound overall IMO

 

[Marcel]

Re: The infamous EMG 18-volt mod!

1. no, not without a chunk of wire across the unused batteries' clips posts you would attatch the battery to. or use another clip with the wires attatched together and put it on the clip thats unused
2. barely
3. more headroom, cleaner sound, much better sound overall IMO

exactly what i thought it should give you more headroom...

 

[Burkwieser]

Re: The infamous EMG 18-volt mod!

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/mgollihur/emgmod.html

 

[jeremy]

Re: The infamous EMG 18-volt mod!

it depends on how you do it.
ive seen parallel 9v systems that just give you twice the battery life as well as the normal series 9v systems that give you the added headroom, whihc makes more sense to me.

 

[nuntius]

Re: The infamous EMG 18-volt mod!

does anyone have a way to do before/after sound clips? that would be cool thanks

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: The infamous EMG 18-volt mod!

what exactly is the definition of headroom?

 

[kard2565]

Re: The infamous EMG 18-volt mod!

I put some clips on the tips and clips board of my emg 85 at 9 and 18v if you want to check them out.

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: The infamous EMG 18-volt mod!

Space above your melon.

:dot: SERIOUSLY though... is it just the sound being... not quite so focused?

 

[Artie]

Re: The infamous EMG 18-volt mod!

Headroom refers to the available voltage swing of the amp. 18 volts gives you twice as much "swing", thus potential dynamic range, (volume range), as a 9-volt system.

The higher the voltage can swing above the "noise floor", the better potential sound quality.

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: The infamous EMG 18-volt mod!

Thanks! That makes sense!

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: The infamous EMG 18-volt mod!

I put some clips on the tips and clips board of my emg 85 at 9 and 18v if you want to check them out.

Just took a listen to those... The 18-volt seems to have more harmonics to it, and maybe a little bit more high end. But what I wanna know is, is there much difference in sound between the 85 and the 81? How different would the EMG 81 sound as compared to those clips? I love your cleans... will I be able to get those out of an 81?? :32:

 

[Xeromus]

Re: The infamous EMG 18-volt mod!

I did the 18 volt mod to my guitar, and then did it to my bass player's custom bass. He was mighty pleased, so was I. The difference is like night and day. They still sound like EMG's, just better EMG's even though I know that doesn't make sense.

basically, it takes a good thing and makes it better, there really is nothing you sacrifice by doing this except maybe some space and an extra battery.

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: The infamous EMG 18-volt mod!

yeah, plus its reversible........

so what about Kard's cleans?? DAMN they're good.