High output pickups

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cool09

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What characteristics do high output pickups have? Do they usually have greater sustain then medium output pickups? Do they act comparable to increasing the gain (and/or volume) in amplifiers (w/lower output pickups)? Can they be hard to tame in a sense? (It's really impossible to go to a major music store and ask to demo certain pickups unless you can find a retail guitar with active EMG pickups, etc.)
 
They push the front of the amp differently than lower output pickups. Think of them as a subtle boost. They will compress the signal just a bit and make certain things easier to do. Harmonics will tend to jump off the neck faster. Fast legato lines are easier to do. It's really just a different feel.
 
Thank you very much. Good summary. Do SD, Dimarzio, EMG high output pickups differ much or same sort of feel? What I can hear with EMG actives is extremely good balance across bass/trebles and very good definition of each string (ie. Jeff Loomis). (That may apply for EMG passives, too. I don't know.) Balance is what makes an exceptional classical or acoustic guitar.
 
I had a ceramic warpig. Compared to a holy diver bridge it had a munch smoother mid range and did push the front end harder. It had a lot less character than the holy diver.
 
In General:

Cleans not as great as lower output

Mid gain can be decent

High gain...easier to rip on.

Whether or not it sounds better depends on what you're going for.
 
cool09":2q4jf9ro said:
Thank you very much. Good summary. Do SD, Dimarzio, EMG high output pickups differ much or same sort of feel? What I can hear with EMG actives is extremely good balance across bass/trebles and very good definition of each string (ie. Jeff Loomis). (That may apply for EMG passives, too. I don't know.) Balance is what makes an exceptional classical or acoustic guitar.
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It depends on the pickup's wind and eq curve. A lot of times, the higher winds result in a more mid range push. That's just speaking in generalities though. So much depends on the wind and the magnet chosen. There are really a ton of factors that go into winding a pickup. EMGs have a reputation for being very well defended pickups. DiMarzio does a great job of this as well. EMGs don't really sound like Duncans or DiMarzios. They are just built with a different Philosophy in mind.
 
For me the Higher output pu's seem to boost the mids a bit and you lose a good amount of dynamics as well as a good clean tone.
I had given up on high output pu's until i tried a dimarzio STEVE SPECIAL.
This model is really unique, even though it has the power of a high output model it still cleans up, does not have the over boosted mids and is very dynamic.
Dont know how they did it but it is a great pu for a guy like me that likes the dynamics,touch and the more hollow mids of a old PAF but with more power.
One drawback is this thing will let make every mistake be heard and stand out, it covers up nothing.
you have to be on your game playing one.
very transparent.
 
It's funny to see guys like Steve Morse and Steve Lukather use high output Dimarzios but have them set lower so it is not only the output level but how you set them in terms of height that make a big impact on the sound characteristics.
 
I definitely agree with what has already been said.
A high output pickup will push your amp more, it will allow you to roll back the gain on your amp, and it will have more compression.
Most higher output pickups I have had focused on the treble and they do sound more crisp.
 
DrugDM":2jys5ie9 said:
It's funny to see guys like Steve Morse and Steve Lukather use high output Dimarzios but have them set lower so it is not only the output level but how you set them in terms of height that make a big impact on the sound characteristics.
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Definitely. I keep my Afwayu WAY down...but damn it sounds mean and meaty and cleans up great. :rock:
 
I have had Jackson guitars with EMG's (81/60 combo) and actually took them out. They sounded too processed and the 60 in the bridge was too high of an output. I guess I just prefer more classic, passive pickups. If you need a boost, get a boost pedal:) I also had the guitars tricked out with EMG Expanders and those I wasn't too happy with either. IDK could just be my ears and my amps.
 
Bxlxaxkxe":oi1owe3k said:
DrugDM":oi1owe3k said:
It's funny to see guys like Steve Morse and Steve Lukather use high output Dimarzios but have them set lower so it is not only the output level but how you set them in terms of height that make a big impact on the sound characteristics.
Click to expand...

Definitely. I keep my Afwayu WAY down...but damn it sounds mean and meaty and cleans up great. :rock:
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LOVE the Afwayu! Probably my favorite pickup. On a side note, Lukather is no longer using EMGs.
 
I play Andersons, H2+, H3, and an HN3+ "the flamethrower"

I don't use clens, but my amps don't need distortion pedals......
 
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