I'm thinking of switching my EMGs for passives

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MajorTom

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I own a couple guitars that came with EMGs. A jackson Demmelition King V and an ESP Eclipse II standard series. I'm not displeased with them, but I'd like to try other pickups. My curiosity was piqued after seeing some the EMG 57/66 set, but they're way expensive. I'd be willing to try them, but I got to looking around and thought maybe there was another set suited to my needs.

I suppose I should specify what I want to get out of them if I'm going to get good recommendations...

I like a high gain crisp tone. I use a 6505 boosted with a TS-9 through an Orange 2x12. I really like Black Dahlia Murder's tone. Carcass' tone on Surgical Steel is really good.

I'm not looking for a "right" answer so a description of the qualities your suggestion would bring to the table would be appreciated.

I was looking at the SH-6 based on Ola Englunds suggestions... I considered the Black Winter pickups, but they seem higher priced for a messier sounding pickup which is something I'm not fond of...

Sorry for my rambling post and thanks in advance for any replies.
 
Maybe check one of these out instead of swapping pickups?



 
Thanks, but I'm happy with my setup. I'd just like something other than EMG pickups in my arsenal.
 
MCP Solutions! Once I put them in, it was all over for actives. No contest, not even close. I'm never going back.
 
With the od pedal bass wont be an issue as the pedal removes all of it.

Pick something hogher dc resistance to start, i convert active users more easily this way.

Look for between 14-20k dc resistance. If you like emg81 go ceramic magnet if you like emg85 go alnico magnet.

As some suggestions. :

Manlius asphalt, motor city solution, smits m-tone series, seymour duncan JB.
 
I'm considering the same thing, i'm really interested in the EMG 57/66 set though. i've also considered the Black winter & the MCP Solution. My problem is that im playing a head that doesn't have as much gain as a 5150 or something Similar.
 
I used EMGs for twenty years and made the switch to passives last year and haven't looked back. I really like Seymour Duncan pickups.
 
Have you tried playing through the amp without the boost? EMGs plus a boost is a lot of output! If you have and that still doesn't work for you, Anderson pickups are wicked. My H2+ in my Musicman is the best bridge pickup I've tried so far, I stopped swapping after getting it. Definitely fatter and less compressed than the 81 in my explorer. There are higher output models that may be up your alley like the H3, but I haven't tried them. Cheers
 
I'm thinking of switching my EMGs for passives

'bout fkn time :lol: :LOL:

See BKP, rest? History.

Namaste,
Mojo
 
Rezamatix":1dlmnryl said:
I don't like the harsh top of ceramics and I hate EMG's.
I would have to say, there is only one pickup for me these days , that's the Arcane Pickups brand.
Untouchable IMHO , call and ask for the 14k Alnico 8 bridge. Gamechanger.
Click to expand...
Man said "gamechanger".

You know me and gamechangers :D
 
DET1973":39edild8 said:
I'm considering the same thing, i'm really interested in the EMG 57/66 set though. i've also considered the Black winter & the MCP Solution. My problem is that im playing a head that doesn't have as much gain as a 5150 or something Similar.
Click to expand...


I was actually considering the Black Winter set as well. I've only seen the Ola Englund and Keith Merrow videos; but in those videos they sound awesome. Those guys are great at making recordings though...
 
Ventura":1sf6t10n said:
I'm thinking of switching my EMGs for passives

'bout fkn time :lol: :LOL:

See BKP, rest? History.

Namaste,
Mojo
Click to expand...


I was hoping to spend less than 200 dollars. I suppose that'll be another challenge.

I had the setup without the boost first. I keep the gain on the head down at like 2.5 or 3 and it sounds really crisp and clear. I'm not necessarily unhappy with the 81, I just want to try something different.

I've had a couple pickups in the past. I had a JB/59 set in an EC1000, a Dimarzio tone zone, a L500XL... I liked the JB and the L500XL a lot. I guess I could go back to that.
 
I really like my Custom Custom. Spongy with this tightness to it, smooth, just enough output. Awesome pickup. I like the JB as well, definitely hotter than the CC but with high gain amps today, I kind of like less output from the pickup.
 
MajorTom":3s4apctf said:
Ventura":3s4apctf said:
I'm thinking of switching my EMGs for passives

'bout fkn time :lol: :LOL:

See BKP, rest? History.

Namaste,
Mojo
Click to expand...


I was hoping to spend less than 200 dollars. I suppose that'll be another challenge.

I had the setup without the boost first. I keep the gain on the head down at like 2.5 or 3 and it sounds really crisp and clear. I'm not necessarily unhappy with the 81, I just want to try something different.

I've had a couple pickups in the past. I had a JB/59 set in an EC1000, a Dimarzio tone zone, a L500XL... I liked the JB and the L500XL a lot. I guess I could go back to that.
Click to expand...


Manlius, tonerider, smits, seymour duncan will all keep at $200.

If budget is your thing try the gfs offerings.
 
I bounced around with different pickups, including a MCP Solution. I keep coming back to the Solution, Duncan Distortion, and an EMG 81. For metal it's tough to beat a good 'ol 81 through the right amp.
 
Lace Drop & Gains, glad I sold my EMGs for them, will never look back.
 
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