Why do EMGs tend to sound so huge???

[papersoul]

Everytime I see a band where the one guitarist runs EMGs, his tone is huge and clear. It happens everytime. I saw another band the other night where the one guitarist ran a Les paul with (I have no idea which models) passives and the other guitarist had a Schecter with EMGs and he sounded monsterous. When this same guitarist picked up his LP with an after market picku in the bridge…..he did not sound as big. Thoughts? Is it the larger, cleaner signal coming off the guitar that is responsibe?

 

[Nite_Maresz_25]

Re: Why do EMGs tend to sound so huge???

Is it the larger, cleaner signal coming off the guitar that is responsibe?

Most likely.

 

[fab.regnaut]

Re: Why do EMGs tend to sound so huge???

I think the receipe is that 81 is wounded at around 10k so it picks clean and precise and the signal is pushed by a internal preamp .
It is loud and clear but metallic and a bit cold to me , but efficient for metal .

 

[papersoul]

Re: Why do EMGs tend to sound so huge???

I think the receipe is that 81 is wounded at around 10k so it picks clean and precise and the signal is pushed by a internal preamp .
It is loud and clear but metallic and a bit cold to me , but efficient for metal .

This guy had an 85 and it was very warm.

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: Why do EMGs tend to sound so huge???

Its simply that the pup is louder. If the sound guy doesn't do anything at the board naturally its going to be louder/bigger in the mix than a passive pickup. It has nothing to do with tone and everything to do with the preamp. People perceive louder as better. Studio types have known this for years. Why do you think they put those massive mains in their rooms?

 

[papersoul]

Re: Why do EMGs tend to sound so huge???

INteresting, then lets take this in another direction. I have swapped many pickups over the years in my guitars but never changed the volume on the amp.....only adjusted the gain and EQ. I also did the same when comparing pickups between guitars. I wonder if a lot of what I perceived as hotter or better was just louder and if adjusting the volume may have changed my view. For some reason the whole volume thing elluded me. Weird.

I guess this is why I'll watch friends live with passives, PRS, Duncans, vintage pickups, Gibsons, etc who sound just as huge or loud. I think when playing in a band with a guitarist running hotter pickups or EMGs it is essential to get the volume right.

I always hear people say that something like a Duncan C-5 will always be fuller sounding than something like a 59 because of the different wind....but maybe that is more a volume thing?

 

[Davey]

Re: Why do EMGs tend to sound so huge???

the thing is.. you got to have a good, loud amp that sounds nice.

if i have it loud (on my ****ty crate amp) i tend to have the EQ below the 12 o'clock 'neutral' position, cos the percieved volume and the air moving add that tight bass and add trebble and a mighty crushing midrange. if you overdo with the EQ you might get a too icepicky, buzzy, nasal and slightly muddy tone out of the amp.

of course.. the first thing at fault is the pickup ..


no, it's your amp guys!!!

as for EMG's.. they got a REALY clean signal (which is why a lot of people prefer them for sound processing units) which gets amplified by a realy efficient lil preamp (means adds little, to no white noise). thats why they are so articulate and because they might be so over the top at some points, people say they are sterile. i hope i can get started on my dropB project ASAP and drop em into that so i can give my 1st had account on em

 

[some_dude]

Re: Why do EMGs tend to sound so huge???

I find that EMGs typically have a very immediate, purcussive attack (particularily the 81). I've found that when playing certain types of music, the more purcussive attack the "bigger" the sound.

I find it also has something to do with the way the amplifier responds to the attack....

ie,

fast tracking amps + EMGs = crap (IMO)

Slow tracking amps + EMGs = great (IMO)

.....but I'm assuming that this guy kept the same amp with both guitars so that might be a moot point in the conversation.