Crunch Master
New member
The Pickup:
OK, so I've been using an EMG 81 in the bridge for years. For quite a while I've been thinking of trying out an 85 instead. Well, now that the new X series is out, I thought this would be a great time to try out the 85 in the bridge, so I got the 85x and got it installed today. At first I was like wtf? Where's my high end, where's my cut and grind? But after re-EQing I found a really good balance, and now I can actually use more of the treble on my amp without it ice-picking me.
So far I'm really happy with it. The chugs, palm mutes, and harmonics with this thing are the best I've ever experienced, period. My only real complaint with the EMG pickups have been the over-compressed nature they seem to have. Well, I have to say, with the new X series things have really changed for the better! Pick dynamics, attack, and openness have all been greatly improved. It just plain sounds, and very importantly "feels" better to play on. EMG has answered my complaints and then some. If you had the same complaints about EMG pickups yourself, you owe it to yourself to give these new X series pickups a try!
The Speakers:
I've been thinking about replacing the speakers in my Earcandy Cab for a while now. I've had Eminence Red Ryder speakers in it for years. They kind of remind me of the Celestion G12T-75. I've been using the G12T-75 and Red Ryder for years, and as wil my pickup, I wanted to try something different, so I ordered up a pair of Avatar Hellatone 60L speakers. I received them today, which was sooner than I expected, so I fired up my trusty iron and proceeded to swap the speakers.
Once I got them installed and fired up my amp, I was impressed with what a difference this swap had made. These Hellatones really are smooth, but still very crunchy, and most of all punchy! Palm mutes have taken on a whole new meaning here; just absolutely pounding, and not at all flubby. The palm mutes are very percussive, and chugin along never sounded wo punishing, in a good way!
So all in all, I think I'm pretty happy with these changes. If you've ever thought about either of these products yourself, I say go for it, they both really do perform as advertised!
Now when my Titan finally gets here, I'll be really be ready to throw down!
OK, so I've been using an EMG 81 in the bridge for years. For quite a while I've been thinking of trying out an 85 instead. Well, now that the new X series is out, I thought this would be a great time to try out the 85 in the bridge, so I got the 85x and got it installed today. At first I was like wtf? Where's my high end, where's my cut and grind? But after re-EQing I found a really good balance, and now I can actually use more of the treble on my amp without it ice-picking me.
So far I'm really happy with it. The chugs, palm mutes, and harmonics with this thing are the best I've ever experienced, period. My only real complaint with the EMG pickups have been the over-compressed nature they seem to have. Well, I have to say, with the new X series things have really changed for the better! Pick dynamics, attack, and openness have all been greatly improved. It just plain sounds, and very importantly "feels" better to play on. EMG has answered my complaints and then some. If you had the same complaints about EMG pickups yourself, you owe it to yourself to give these new X series pickups a try!
The Speakers:
I've been thinking about replacing the speakers in my Earcandy Cab for a while now. I've had Eminence Red Ryder speakers in it for years. They kind of remind me of the Celestion G12T-75. I've been using the G12T-75 and Red Ryder for years, and as wil my pickup, I wanted to try something different, so I ordered up a pair of Avatar Hellatone 60L speakers. I received them today, which was sooner than I expected, so I fired up my trusty iron and proceeded to swap the speakers.
Once I got them installed and fired up my amp, I was impressed with what a difference this swap had made. These Hellatones really are smooth, but still very crunchy, and most of all punchy! Palm mutes have taken on a whole new meaning here; just absolutely pounding, and not at all flubby. The palm mutes are very percussive, and chugin along never sounded wo punishing, in a good way!
So all in all, I think I'm pretty happy with these changes. If you've ever thought about either of these products yourself, I say go for it, they both really do perform as advertised!
Now when my Titan finally gets here, I'll be really be ready to throw down!
