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Author Topic: Active Pickups  (Read 8898 times)

willo

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« on: June 15, 2005, 12:42:16 PM »
ok, i was thinking about these the other day - and then i got a little confused, cos i dont really know too much about pickups. they need batteries to power them, now why is that? is it that the current produces a stronger magnetic field, and therefore a more powerful pickup? or is something else altogether?
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PhilKing

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« Reply #1 on: June 15, 2005, 01:16:07 PM »
They need a battery to power the amplification for them because they use very few windings and are low impdedance.
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Ratrod

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« Reply #2 on: June 15, 2005, 05:23:17 PM »
There's a lot of info on that on the EMG website. Phil King is right, there are just a few winds on the coils. The idea behind it is that it creates less pull on the stings for a more natural behaviour. The actual pickups are more like microphones. The very low signal is then amplified by an internal preamp.
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Steve-Mr Pig 2U

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« Reply #3 on: June 15, 2005, 05:44:42 PM »
Active pickups are wound with a very thick gauge of wire (usually 36g, the thickest we use is 42g) and are wound with very few winds. This produces a very clear signal, but is very quiet. They use a pre-amp to boost the signal (that’s what the battery is for) and "sculpt" the sound using capacitors and resistors.
Tim and HJM will correct me if Im wrong!
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TwilightOdyssey

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« Reply #4 on: June 15, 2005, 05:48:43 PM »
Steve, you forgot to mention that they also make every guitar sound the SAME!! :evil:
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Ratrod

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« Reply #5 on: June 15, 2005, 05:59:27 PM »
Quote from: TwilightOdyssey
Steve, you forgot to mention that they also make every guitar sound the SAME!! :evil:


Don't think so. I've had EMG81's in an Explorer and in a Les Paul. Very different soundwise.
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Tim

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« Reply #6 on: June 15, 2005, 06:10:56 PM »
Quote from: Ratrod
Quote from: TwilightOdyssey
Steve, you forgot to mention that they also make every guitar sound the SAME!! :evil:


Don't think so. I've had EMG81's in an Explorer and in a Les Paul. Very different soundwise.


I find I can strap an 81 to anything, even a cricket bat and get the same ballpark tone-that's one of their strengths IMHO.The timber of an Explorer and a LP along with construction is sufficient to make a difference but I think the overall compressed tone is the same.
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willo

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« Reply #7 on: June 15, 2005, 07:06:13 PM »
ok, thanks for the help so far, guys!
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Ratrod

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« Reply #8 on: June 15, 2005, 07:52:20 PM »
If I had a cricket bat with an EMG81 in it, I would change it to a Warpig.
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38thBeatle

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« Reply #9 on: June 15, 2005, 08:53:36 PM »
Quote from: Ratrod
If I had a cricket bat with an EMG81 in it, I would change it to a Warpig.


nice one!
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FELINEGUITARS

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« Reply #10 on: June 16, 2005, 12:16:23 AM »
Quote from: Ratrod
If I had a cricket bat with an EMG81 in it, I would change it to a Warpig.


A miracle man would work better on willow


Heavy metal cricket bats - adds a new dimension to the concept of the sound of leather against willow :roll:
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willo

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« Reply #11 on: June 16, 2005, 12:49:08 AM »
Quote from: FELINEGUITARS
the sound of leather against willow :roll:


i dont like the directin this thread is heading in, i feel vulnerable  :?
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FELINEGUITARS

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« Reply #12 on: June 16, 2005, 12:58:37 AM »
Quote from: willo
Quote from: FELINEGUITARS
the sound of leather against willow :roll:


i dont like the directin this thread is heading in, i feel vulnerable  :?


No - wasnt thinking of you
Was just the cricket bat thing - seemed amusing

**Edited to keep thread on topic- sorry Ol**
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R/2e

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« Reply #13 on: June 16, 2005, 08:20:07 AM »
Quote
If I had a cricket bat with an EMG81 in it, I would change it to a Warpig.


What would you do with a Warpig with an EMG81 in it?  :lol:  :lol:

Seriously, just replaced an EMG 81/89 set with Mules in a fixed neck custom guitar (much better!) so don't diss the EMG's too much till I shift them on eBay.............
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Ratrod

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« Reply #14 on: June 16, 2005, 09:59:15 AM »
I've been a big EMG fan for years untill BKP came into my life. The LP had the anniversary ones. Great lookers. For heavy distortion I'd still recommend them over anything that DiMarzio, SD and others have to offer. Machine Head uses EMG's, they're perfect for that style. A bit mechanical.

Are you reffering to the Ed Roman Warpig guitar, R2/e or the subject of the Black Sabbath song?
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