EMG question?

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

For guitar pickups, I've been a "passives over actives" guy forever, but I did recently acquire an EMG 89. Considering trying it out, but I'm looking at pairing it with either an SAV or the newer SAV-X in the neck position.

I've heard great things about the SAV-X.  I'm wanting the neck pickup to be louder/brighter for high gain applications (Bogner Uber) and comparable in volume/output to the 89's humbucker mode. 

I would use the included push/pull Volume pot to split the 89 coil, but only when using the middle position of an LP type 3 way, and only in clean mode.

When in high gain applications, I flick to the bridge (fully humbucking) and to the neck.

Anyone have any personal experience with either the SAV or SAV-X?

 

[Cagey]

I say install it. What's the worst thing that could happen? You don't like it so you replace it. BFD. Costs a set of strings and an hour's time. Plus, a replacement pickup, of course.

There are a lotta variables on a guitar that affect its sound, so I'm not sure what value someone else's experience has. Unless it's a gross difference in technology, like moving to piezos, for instance, you can't expect to get similar results. Plus, it's all subjective. I happen to think Seymour Duncan's JB humbuckers sound great and would recommend them to anybody, but if Buck Owens were to install one on his Tele based on my recommendation, he'd likely want to knock my teeth out with that Tele <grin>

 

[Jumble Jumble]

I've used the SAV pickup. Nice pickup. Can't really think what else to say about it. If you like EMG single coils, you'll like it. Bags of clarity and depth. Give it a try.

 

[AutoBat]

I put an 81X and 85X in my VIP and love 'em. 
The X-series (at least in humbuckers) use active tone controls and the non Xs use passives, so I can't give any input on mixin Xs with non-X-series.

I've considered getting the David Gilmour set and making a candy red strat on more than one occasion.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

I would omit the tone control anyway, just a volume and a toggle are all I use.
Anyone use the SAV's?

 

[Re-Pete]

I've got some experience with EMG89s.
Firstly check & DOUBLE check that you are able to wire up the single coil/humbucker setting as you describe. The 89s are NOT like the usual 4 conductor wire humbucker where you cut one coil out of the circuit.

Search, if you can, for good wiring schematics about how to 'cut' the 89s with standard switches/push-pull pots. These days the EMG site has been gutted of much prior info about hardwiring the switches & so forth, as they are investing in their solderless connection system.
Here's a Thread from another Forum which has considerable diagrams & details about Active Pickups in one Thread. Covers new & old styled ways to wire in the EMGs.
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1254306

You will get much better dynamic range from the 89 if you go 18v.
I'd also suggest that you consider retaining a tone pot (for at least the 89 if you must). The actives - particularly in 18v mode - do respond well to tweaks of the tone pots. It will also help tone down some of the brightness that might occur in the 89 in single coil mode, particularly when you blend that 89 with other pickups.
If you ever consider the reversed 89 option (EMG89R) think twice about putting it into a neck position. It sits way too far forward with humbucker routing and it's a real P.I.A. balancing act getting both settings to sound half decent.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

I've got some experience with EMG89s.
Firstly check & DOUBLE check that you are able to wire up the single coil/humbucker setting as you describe. The 89s are NOT like the usual 4 conductor wire humbucker where you cut one coil out of the circuit.

Search, if you can, for good wiring schematics about how to 'cut' the 89s with standard switches/push-pull pots. These days the EMG site has been gutted of much prior info about hardwiring the switches & so forth, as they are investing in their solderless connection system.
Here's a Thread from another Forum which has considerable diagrams & details about Active Pickups in one Thread. Covers new & old styled ways to wire in the EMGs.
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1254306

You will get much better dynamic range from the 89 if you go 18v.
I'd also suggest that you consider retaining a tone pot (for at least the 89 if you must). The actives - particularly in 18v mode - do respond well to tweaks of the tone pots. It will also help tone down some of the brightness that might occur in the 89 in single coil mode, particularly when you blend that 89 with other pickups.
If you ever consider the reversed 89 option (EMG89R) think twice about putting it into a neck position. It sits way too far forward with humbucker routing and it's a real P.I.A. balancing act getting both settings to sound half decent.

Thanks, it's an old school (non quik connect) hardwired version, and it's currently wired up to the associated push/pull pot.  I'll consider the 18v mod, I've heard good things about the headroom.

How 'bout the SAV's, who else has had experience with them?  Looking to put one in the neck, I want less cream, more quack.

 

[swarfrat]

Isn't the SAV just an SA with exposed pole pieces? To answer your switch question, I think you can accomplish "splitting" the89  in between position by using a double pole toggle. Stew-Mac sells a double pole Lp 3 way toggle. I put split in quotes because. IIRC the 89 just has an extra wire with the single coil signal. It's not exactly the same thing as a split. I like my SA's, I just got the bug for the GFS Memphis after hearing it.

 

[Jumble Jumble]

The SA and SAV are much more quacky than they are creamy. My EMG Strat is way quackier than my passive Strat.

You can do creamy, of course, by adding the SPC control into the guitar and turning it up to 3 or 4.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

The SA and SAV are much more quacky than they are creamy. My EMG Strat is way quackier than my passive Strat.

You can do creamy, of course, by adding the SPC control into the guitar and turning it up to 3 or 4.

Helpful info, thank you!

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

I've had a very positive, and constructive exchange with Rick Hunt from EMG and he was very helpful, including providing insight on how best to wire the final choice of the chosen SAV to complement the 89.

So, the final result will be an EMG 89 & SAV, Push/Pull Vol (to split the 89) a 3 way LP style Toggle, and the jack.  No tone pot, I only use the one on my Tele anyway.

This will just be a simple shred stik, with actives.  No other bells & whistles.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

The 89 doesn't actually split.  It is a 3 coil pickup, hence all the extra leads.  It does a normal side by side thing, and "single coil" portion does the stacked coil thing; Fender, DiMarzio, GFS, et al.  Most everything EMG markets as a single coil is a stacked double coil.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

The 89 doesn't actually split.  It is a 3 coil pickup, hence all the extra leads.  It does a normal side by side thing, and "single coil" portion does the stacked coil thing; Fender, DiMarzio, GFS, et al.  Most everything EMG markets as a single coil is a stacked double coil.

I'm aware of that, but for simplicity purposes, kept with the familiar terminology to refer to single coil like activity.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

I knew you probably would be.  It was mainly for anyone reading the post thinking this was a conventional humbucker.

 

[stratamania]

Does anyone have any insights on the X versions versus using the non X versions ?

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Does anyone have any insights on the X versions versus using the non X versions ?

Copied/Pasted from my email with Rick Hunt/EMG.

My question to Rick: Do you think the SAV would be brighter/louder than the SAV-X for high gain soloing, perhaps retain more "quack"?

"The X pups have more headroom but they also sound more like a passive pup.  I’d go with the SAV.
Thanks,
Rick"

 

[stratamania]

Thanks for the info on the X. 

That's another thing I would like to incorporate in a future design some of those X versions. My imagination for designs exceeds the amount of guitars I need unfortunately.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

The SLV looks interesting too, I've always like Lukather's tones.

 

[stratamania]

The SLV looks interesting too, I've always like Lukather's tones.

Yep, Lukather has got some great tone over the years. This could turn into a GAS thread for pickups and guitars to put them in if we aren't careful...

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

The SLV looks interesting too, I've always like Lukather's tones.

Yep, Lukather has got some great tone over the years. This could turn into a GAS thread for pickups and guitars to put them in if we aren't careful...

It's kind of what I had in mind anyway.  Once I sell my house in Ca., I was going to build another TFS6, and a TFS7, both with Sustainiac's & Floyds, and now I'm considering a simple mahogany TFS6 with Recessed Tuno & these EMG's, real straight & simple.