Pickup comparison Video: EMG 707 Vs SD Blackout

[Audioholic]

Just received my SD blackouts, installation was a breeze, very easy, though they were a slightly tighter fit. I also forgot to put back in some of the rubber padding which would raise the pickup height, so not exactly scientific, but I tried to match gain levels...

My overall impression is that tonally they are pretty much the same. I hear (and feel) a little less compression from the blackouts and they sound slightly more warm and natural, you can hear this especially on the clean pass...

 

[Vrad]

Hey big thanks for doing that. I've been thinking of putting actives in my Ibanez UV7BK and I don't want to hack it up to put an EMG in there. The SD sounded pretty close to the EMG, maybe even a tad better.

 

[Audioholic]

Yes with distortion sonically they are VERY close, but my ears, and while playing, picked up a little less stuffiness in the sound and a bit more natural, which is exactly what I was going for, I like the sound of what I had, but thought it was a bit compressed in a bad way, I think the SD is gonna do fine instead for sure, plus its cheaper. it especially sounded better on the cleans

 

[Vrad]

Yes with distortion sonically they are VERY close, but my ears, and while playing, picked up a little less stuffiness in the sound and a bit more natural, which is exactly what I was going for, I like the sound of what I had, but thought it was a bit compressed in a bad way, I think the SD is gonna do fine instead for sure, plus its cheaper. it especially sounded better on the cleans

I mainly want it for the heavy stuff. I don't have much experience with EMG's, but I feel like EMG's (or actives in general) are more precise and good for metal. The Blazes in my UV are nice, but they're not that precise. I'd probably end up making another pickguard.

What amp was that by the way?

 

[Audioholic]

this is my first guitar with actives. I like how tight it stays in the low parts and I liked the overal tone, just felt the emgs were too compressed and a bit lifeless. I think the SD's have helped that a bit and that was just what I was going for. Still, my favorite pickup right now is my Gibson Les Paul stock pickup, that thing sounds so warm yet agggressive. I know lots of people love passives even for metal and Bare knuckle gets great regards. still i wanted something easy to change, and this couldn't be easier very smart on duncans part.

amp was my kemper....

 

[Vrad]

this is my first guitar with actives. I like how tight it stays in the low parts and I liked the overal tone, just felt the emgs were too compressed and a bit lifeless. I think the SD's have helped that a bit and that was just what I was going for. Still, my favorite pickup right now is my Gibson Les Paul stock pickup, that thing sounds so warm yet agggressive. I know lots of people love passives even for metal and Bare knuckle gets great regards. still i wanted something easy to change, and this couldn't be easier very smart on duncans part.

amp was my kemper....

I think I may have to give those a shot. Very cool...

 

[jcj]

Definitely prefer the Duncans.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

No reason to hack guitars to fit EMG 9v
Plenty of cool passive choices out there

 

[Audioholic]

Def no reason to hack and install EMG's, but if they come with them already, I am liking the blackout much better. I will have to get the corosponding neck pickup to

 

[amiller]

I'm not sure what I'm hearing that makes the difference but the SD do sound "better" to me. They seem a bit tighter and more natural.

 

[Audioholic]

I'm not sure what I'm hearing that makes the difference but the SD do sound "better" to me. They seem a bit tighter and more natural.

yes with the distortion sounds, they are very close sonically, I mean I don't think there is a dramatic difference, but the SD's have a bit more natural sound to them, and slightly less congested as heard just a little bit in the clip, and even more noticable playing. the clean sound comparison really shows the difference imo, as with gainy patches, you are already having some compression happening..