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Brain Becker
Active member
I went back to 9 volts for the EMG's. I could not get a clean sound that was clean. It was always too dirty. Anybody else have this issue?
TheGreatGreen
Well-known member
EMGs at 9v aren't really quieter than at 18v or 24v. When I went to 18v from 9v, I noticed better treble clarity and less mid honk.
If you're having trouble getting a clean sound, that's going to be caused more by the amp or pedals than the pickups. EMG's typically run very clean.
If you're having trouble getting a clean sound, that's going to be caused more by the amp or pedals than the pickups. EMG's typically run very clean.
Speeddemon
Well-known member
yes, but fairly hot too... so unless your amp can do the Roland JC-clean or Fender/Mesa Mark clean, chances are the EMGs will easily overload your amp's input and cause some 'hair' on the tone.
I had a beautiful Schecter C1 Limited with EMG 81's for a while and did the 24V mod with these 12V A23 batteries, where you can combine 2 of them in a 9V-block sized holder...Didn't do much for me, but I found out I just didn't like the active tone. Too sterile for my taste.
Sold the Schecter and upgraded to an ESP Horizon NTII (running Duncan SH-14 Custom 5 and SH-12 Screamin' Demon).
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Uzi Nein Millimetah
Well-known member
Never had any problem getting cleans with EMG singles or if HH, anything with the 60 or 60A at the neck.
The newer 57TW/66TW will split and are very clean without screwing around with voltage, so I've never felt the need....
The newer 57TW/66TW will split and are very clean without screwing around with voltage, so I've never felt the need....
Omnipotent1
Well-known member
I was so excited to try the 24v mod just to immediately go back to 9v within hours. Wasn’t for me.. I run an 85 in the bridge of my Schecter.. She was fine the way she was.. Made it sterile af as @Speeddemon said.. like I lost my punch & definition in the lows for some reason.. highs were a bit crisper but felt overly compressed. Nothing was good about it in my set up.. It came back to life when I went back to 9v.. Cant speak on an 81..
Uzi Nein Millimetah
Well-known member
I bought my 81s and 85 BECAUSE I wanted the EMG sound. Not a reimagined version.....
They were used by the biggest names in metal for a long, long time before anyone started worrying about voltage mods. That said, a 60 at the neck is a worthy upgrade from the 85s if cleans matter.
JackBootedThug
MURDERATOR
Complete opposite for me. I can’t believe I went for years without running all my emg’s like this…. 24v ftw 
Omnipotent1
Well-known member
I bought my 81s and 85 BECAUSE I wanted the EMG sound. Not a reimagined version.....
They were used by the biggest names in metal for a long, long time before anyone started worrying about voltage mods.
It’s never good enough for us mental musicians… lol always have to go fuckin with shit.. I think the 24v mod is a good example of “if it’s not broken don’t fix it” however I do believe they can help in certain instances.. Maybe someone’s pup needs some more juice or maybe their axe isn’t hitting right (no resonance)… sadly EMG isn’t the most consistent pup to pup. So I can see it potentially working for some. I guess it depends on your setup 
I have some homies who run them & they sound great. Just wasn’t right for my schecter or my ESP EII-MI. I will say my homeboy tends to hunt for 2003 EMG 81s. Took out the 81s in his old guitars & even out of brand new guitars.. Swaps them out with 2003 models, & they sound radically more aggressive than the shit that came with the original set up. (If that’s what you’re going for) Call me crazy but he made me a believer… My ESP EII was his.. Played it before & after the swap… Well it’s mine now……. lol He takes the pain staking approach of swapping out multiple pups of the same model to match it to the guitar. Bless his soul..
DISTORT6
Well-known member
I find it very guitar dependent.
Didn't like it in my ESP Hanneman. "Thinned" out the low-end.
In my LTD EX-400BD, it works great. Made the sound more focused and I now use that guitar a lot more often.
Both guitars are EMG 81/85.
Didn't like it in my ESP Hanneman. "Thinned" out the low-end.
In my LTD EX-400BD, it works great. Made the sound more focused and I now use that guitar a lot more often.
Both guitars are EMG 81/85.
Tone Monster
Well-known member
I run 18 V in all mine. Love it versus 9 V.. more open high end. LESS compressed.
anomaly
Well-known member
I only tried the 18 volt mod, seemed to open the tone up a bit and made it less compressed.
Omnipotent1
Well-known member
This is good to know. I guess that’s the beauty of guitar.. Each one is unique.
anomaly
Well-known member
I've tried various 81's from various years and they all just sound like EMG 81'S to me. from about 2005 - 2017 or so.
Omnipotent1
Well-known member
I know it sounds crazy.. & I posted that with the understanding that fingers will be pointed with the thoughts of “This freakin guy”
Let’s just say we’ve experienced some weird “anomalies” over here.. 
most cases it’s minutia.. some cases it’s “wtf have you done” (in an amazing way) moments. I have zero patience to ever swap a pick up but my brother has given me the luxury to try multiple different ones in the same guitar back to back to back. That’s his thing tho.. set up & configure..
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