Author Topic: Replacing EMG 81s (Read 10297 times)

noodleplugerine · « **on:** March 29, 2007, 09:42:37 PM »

Firstly, been talking about this for a while, and although I love my EMGs, I want camo covers. And yes I know that's pathetic. And I know it's simply aesthetic. But even the greatest of men can indulge!

The tone would improve aswell I hope, since although I love my EMGs, they have a very weird sound... Not muddy... Very clear... But not at all clear.

It's like they're making TV static sound, but it's very CLEAR static!

Anyone know what I mean? It's very weird methinks :p

Anyway, basically, I'm into a modern metal, and my fave band by quite a distance - In Flames, and yes I do know they play Gibsons with EMG 81s, while I have an SG shape with an EMG 81 in it :p

Basically I want a very high output pickup, with tight bass but not stupidly trebbly, I don't wanna sound like EVH, and I don't want mids turned to 11 like Dimebag.

I love chugging, it's part of what I do just like all metal fans, and I like to shred (when the gain's high enough), the stuff I play is mostly melodic riffs like In Flames stuff, with some chug chug Rhythm.

I was thinking the Nailbomb or the Warpig, but I heard the Warpig was a very bassy pickup, for more like Lamb of God / Slayer, while the Nailbomb is a more Sikth/In Flames style pup?

Or maybe even a warpig at the neck and a Nailbomb in the Bridge? Meaning I can get chug chug at neck and Melodic riffs and my solos at the Bridge?

Has anyone tried a Warpig/Nailbomb combination? Or am I just being stupid?

Tone I'm going for:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu3DvBaDAY8

Guitar it's going into is an ESP Viper - Full mahogany, tuned to standard.

Last thing: I know switching from EMGs has it's problems, but how much so?

Will I need to replace the pots? I've heard that EMGs use 300k, while most BKPs are suited for 500k?

Thanks for the help guys ^_^

sambo · « **Reply #1 on:** March 29, 2007, 09:46:15 PM »

firstly- as always i cant help on pickup recommendations... :lol:

but i can shed a little bit of insight into active to passive... cause i looked into the same thing for my Jackson.,..

i THINK im right in saying you'll need to strip it all out.... my local shop has an online pricing thingy of about £40 to do that.... (including fitting the pickups i think)... bit of a bitch but well worth it if your cr@p at soldering like me...

also... i know EXACTLY what you mean with your EMG description lol...

Crazy_Joe · « **Reply #2 on:** March 29, 2007, 09:49:24 PM »

I was thinking Miracle Men for EMG 81 or Ceramic Warpig, but maybe that's because i'm biased towards ceramic magnets!

BTW I thought the Dimebag thing was the other way round weren't his mids turned to 0 rather than 11?!

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #3 on:** March 29, 2007, 09:50:39 PM »

And Sambo, my soldering's not a problem, but when you say strip it out, are you talking about replacing EVERYTHING? Is there some sort of Battery powered Jack I don't know about?

When I went to my local (Electrohill - Palmers Green) they said £30 per pickup. My reply was something along the lines of -

"K, give me a sec, I'll just tear a sleeve from my solid gold suit."

So I think I've decided at prices like those I'm much better off doing the job myself, whatever job that is.

Quote from: Crazy_Joe

I was thinking Miracle Men for EMG 81 or Ceramic Warpig, but maybe that's because i'm biased towards ceramic magnets!

BTW I thought the Dimebag thing was the other way round weren't his mids turned to 0 rather than 11?!

No idea, but something was hella wrong with them :S

sambo · « **Reply #4 on:** March 29, 2007, 09:52:56 PM »

haha

yer his tone always sounded kinda... Bass 10, Mids 0, Treble 10, kinda thing... (imo)

BloodMountain · « **Reply #5 on:** March 29, 2007, 09:53:44 PM »

Quote from: Crazy_Joe

BTW I thought the Dimebag thing was the other way round weren't his mids turned to 0 rather than 11?!

yeah......

i would probably go for Nailbomb, although if you get a Warpig then turn the bass on your amp down, you should be fine..... no???

sambo · « **Reply #6 on:** March 29, 2007, 09:55:15 PM »

mm my mates warpig is pretty bassy... then again is in a cruddy little dean...

and i havent had much time to experiment with it...

i would probably go with nailbomb personally

WraithChild · « **Reply #7 on:** March 30, 2007, 03:02:54 AM »

I've personality never liked EMG's :D. Too thin, artificial, no balls, ect....theres a lot of words I can think up of that decribe what I hear from EMG's. I've played through Les Pauls and all sorts of guitars with EMG's. I've done tons of wiring jobs involving EMG's (I work in a guitar shop) they're relatively easy to install and EMG makes it easier for you too.

Just my opinion, i'm too addicted to passive pickups. Now I wish I could say the same for Bass.

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #8 on:** March 30, 2007, 03:04:32 AM »

How are they like to take out?

WraithChild · « **Reply #9 on:** March 30, 2007, 03:16:34 AM »

Quote from: noodleplugerine

How are they like to take out?

Simple really, just remember that active pickups usually need 1 Meg pots and Humbuckers need 500K and Singles with 250K. Of course it doesn't hurt to experiment but thats usually the ground rules of what I go by. Also remember that Active pups use Stereo input jacks and passive use mono; so you'd need to replace that too if you want.

WraithChild · « **Reply #10 on:** March 30, 2007, 03:18:32 AM »

Quote from: WraithChild

Quote from: noodleplugerine
How are they like to take out?

Simple really, just remember that active pickups usually need 1 Meg pots and Humbuckers need 500K and Singles with 250K. Of course it doesn't hurt to experiment but thats usually the ground rules of what I go by. Also remember that Active pups use Stereo input jacks and passive use mono; so you'd need to replace that too if you want.

Oh yeah, depends on how old your EMG's are but EMG's wires can be disconnected on the pickup, which makes it REALLY convient and easier.

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #11 on:** March 30, 2007, 03:33:30 AM »

So basically, the whole lot needs to be rewired.

How much would 2 new pots, with a new jack cost?

£20? £40?

WraithChild · « **Reply #12 on:** March 30, 2007, 03:36:31 AM »

Quote from: noodleplugerine

So basically, the whole lot needs to be rewired.

How much would 2 new pots, with a new jack cost?

£20? £40?

I'm from the states so you'd have to excuse my lack of knowledge in Euros. Thankfully google has something that can help me:

Pots at where I work are 5 dollars and an input would be the same. So you're probably looking at around 11-15 euros. But from my understanding guitar stuff is much more inexpensive in the states.

noodleplugerine · « **Reply #13 on:** March 30, 2007, 03:40:53 AM »

The American worker and the Brittish Pound... Natural enemies :lol:

Cheers for the insight!

As long as it's under £30 ($59.9999998) I'll probably be ok.

WraithChild · « **Reply #14 on:** March 30, 2007, 03:45:29 AM »

Quote from: noodleplugerine

The American worker and the Brittish Pound... Natural enemies :lol:

Cheers for the insight!

As long as it's under £30 ($59.9999998) I'll probably be ok.

That would be insane!! No, and make sure you get CTS pots and Switchcraft Input jacks. That stuff is A++++ quality eletronics.