Author Topic: Bareknuckle Miracle Man vs EMG 81 (Read 4637 times)

south_coast_melody · « **on:** March 27, 2007, 01:45:37 AM »

Hey guys. I'm new to the forums and just recieved my first BK pickup as of last week. I'm pleased with the tone (articulation, brightness, etc), but compared to the EMG 81 in my other guitar, it's lacking tightness. Is there something I've done wrong?

My current setup:

PRS Custom 24: BK Miracle Man (bridge) PRS Vintage Bass (neck)

IbanezRG320: EMG 81 (bridge) EMG 85 (neck)

The two are supposed to be very similar, but I don't find the tightness entirely too similar.

Thanks in advance, guys.

Tim · « **Reply #1 on:** March 27, 2007, 07:24:43 AM »

I think we've already spoken via email and there's a wiring issue if memory serves me correctly.
Passive and actives work totally differently not least in the way the amp sees the pickup.As always try pickup height as a first port of call.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #2 on:** March 27, 2007, 11:36:16 AM »

I had a MM in my LP and tightness was not something it lacked. Check your wiring - what value volume pots does the guitar have?

from my experiences with EMG81s I'd say that they have much more midrange than the MM and less bass. they're also much less dynamic though, with less top end bite.

:twisted:

south_coast_melody · « **Reply #3 on:** March 27, 2007, 10:19:29 PM »

I believe the PRS Customs have 500K pots. It's weird, because so many people prefer the MM over the 81, but it just doesn't sound tight in comparison to the 81. Do you think because it has more noticable gain, I my have to turn down the gain on my amp to tighten up the tone a little bit, or should that not be a problem?

MDV · « **Reply #4 on:** March 27, 2007, 11:41:24 PM »

You could be hearing the difference in scale and materials of the guitar. I've had an 81 and 3 miracle men in the same guitar, and they're quite comparable tightness wise (i.e. both extrmely).

Miracle Man Matt · « **Reply #5 on:** March 28, 2007, 07:31:25 PM »

Well I also have both, and I find that the MM is tighter than my 81!! BUT, it has alot more bass and smoother mid, whereas the 81 has less bass and a more aggressive mid, which i think you are finding different.

But still, I was using 500k pots (emg use 25K if you havn't changed them over!!) And it sounds tighter and ALOT more defined!!

JoshuaLogan · « **Reply #6 on:** March 29, 2007, 03:51:18 AM »

from what everybody has said, apparently it has a lot more bass than an emg 81.... so, that means you should probably try turning the bass on your amp down to get about the same amount of low end you had before... too much bass will make things sound more loose

south_coast_melody · « **Reply #7 on:** March 29, 2007, 05:16:44 AM »

Thanks guys! You're probably right. The bass is pretty tight, just the overall tightness of the pickup doesn't seem to be as tight as the 81. I'm sure this can be fixed by tightening the amp up a bit though.

Another thing could be how I have the pickup wired. I'm getting loads of (line) noise and it's eating up my tone, it seems. Does anyone know how to wire a MM to a PRS Custom 24? Or at least to a 5 way rotary switch?

Thanks again, guys.