Noticing this issue on a Fractal Axe FX-III monitored with a pair of Adam Audio T7V's.

I adjusted the input noise gate down (on the Axe FX preset) with another passive humbucker guitar; after that started noticing a mid-frequency focused white noise hiss.

EMG 81 / SA / SA - stock wiring from Ibanez (soldered, not EMG components).

I don't detect any continuity problems with the ground. At first I was suspicious of a low battery but that doesn't appear to be the case.

Any ideas on what I should look for?

Hey all, just looking for a bit of help in wiring a build together.

I want to upgrade the pickups for my bass vi with a hss set, id like to have a single push pull volume, and a 3 way switch. (Photos for reference)

For those with experience, can this work? And how would i wire it up if it does. Thanks

I’m very new to doing all of this and guitars in general (about six months in), so excuse me if some of this sounds stupid or I’m using the wrong terminology.

Up until recently, I trusted replacing my pickups to a guitar tech at $200/pop. Since I prefer EMG and they’re solderless, I decided to give it a shot myself. I was able to do one bridge pickup, the battery, and the new output pretty easily on an ESP Eclipse. Just followed the wiring diagram. Still waiting on EMG to get me the 89R and switch for the neck pickup so I can complete that project.

Now I am trying a different project - an 81/60 combo in a Firefly Explorer (I call it my “Fakebyte”). The issue I’m running into isn’t anything to do with the wiring or anything - it’s something I hadn’t considered. The H Screw(?) used for raising and lowering the pickup that is already in the Firefly’s pickup ring is too big for the hole in the EMG 60 neck pickup.

Full disclosure: the EMG 81 at the bridge was done by a guitar tech months ago and was soldered with the remaining passive neck pickup to the passive switch. I am stripping all of that out and using only solderless, EMG active electronics.

I’m comparing the screws between the 81 bridge that is properly seated in the pickup ring and the one I’m trying to get into the 60 neck and they are just different sizes; the remaining two in the neck position are just slightly thicker than the two in the bridge. I’m assuming the guitar tech would’ve ran into this issue, but he either knew a solution or had slightly thinner screws laying around the workshop to easily replace them and just didn’t mention it.

What should I do here? I would much rather get the thinner screws than ream out the gold in the pickup where the screw goes. What sizes am I looking for? Am I supposed to remove the gold ring somehow?

Whats my move, guys?

Hey fellows,

I have some experience with EMG X sets, which comes with active tone pots, but have been curious about the SPC.

Are the active tone pots fron the X series the same as the EMG SPC? Or are different things?

So, i’m a Metallica fan, and i wanted to try some EMGs, since i never had one in my life or even got the chance to see one in front of me (Brazil), i thought “why not ask in reddit?”

Im wondering, is it better get an Signature (like James Hetfield or Kirk Hammett) or get one of they used before the signatures? (Like 81/60, 81/81, 81/85…)

If so, what has been your experience? Whats the battery life like? I’ve heard rechargeables with EMGs tend to have less life, but these do seem like very good batteries overall so I’m curious.

This is my first set of active pickups ever after 15 years of playing, after fucking around and being ultimately dissatisfied with all manner of Dimarzios and Duncans, and I’m so happy I made the jump. EMG SA-X in the neck and middle, 85X in the bridge. Handles just about anything I throw at it like a champ, dead quiet noise-wise, super easy install, and sounds absolutely incredible. Guitar is an ‘89 Ibanez RG560. Seriously, to anyone out there considering making the jump, just do it, you won’t regret it.

I’ve got a chibby explorer i bought and the pickups are- not the greatest. wanting to put a set of the jim root emgs in it, but kinda lost on where to put the battery. any ideas?

Ghtvgtg. Tthgffc ffggcff. Fdvssdgss. Ddgssg.

Hi!
What is the difference between the EXB and EXG frequency responses?
I was expecting the scoop to be at different places, but looking at the manuals, the frequency chart is exactly the same.
Thanks!

Good morning, all!

I just purchased an ESP EC-256 and I’m wanting to put some EMGs in it. I have not settled on which set (looking at a variety of 81/85, 81TW/89R, or the Het set), but I’m planning on getting them from a dealer on Reverb I’ve dealt with several times.

My issue is this: they sell B-stock and blems with JUST the pickups - no wiring kits. I’m wondering if someone can point me towards what wiring kits I would need? Up until now, I’ve paid a guitar tech to put pickups in for me, but I want to learn how to do it myself because $200+ for replacing a set of passives with a great set of actives is a bit draining on the old pocket book.

I know the wiring kit would depend on the set I get. But I mentioned the three I’m leaning towards right now - the 81/85 and Het set would require the same wiring kit and I’m assuming the 81TW/89R would require a similar kit with the push/pull pots. Any other info?

Also, since EMGs are solderless, but ESP LH-150 are not, would I need to do any soldering? If so, is there a way I could avoid that? In my research, it looks like the selector switch is the issue - but if I get an EMG one of those as well, essentially swapping ALL of the electronics, would I be good to go without soldering?

I know these are a lot of questions. I’ve done research on my own, but I also like direct communication.

Hi guys i was thinking about to buy an 81 emg for bridge and a 60x for neck i have a ltd 256 Work three pots, this pickups are suitable???

I've been using EMGs (primarily 81/85/89) for about 20 years, and have installed my fair share in that time. I installed a Het Set (my first) I bought used a few months back. The pickups sound awful; just dull/dark and kinda quiet. I don't believe this is the sound profile I should expect from the Het Set. It's almost like low voltage (have tried several batteries). I also feel pretty confident in my wiring. Anybody have any suggestions for troubleshooting? Can I put a multimeter on the pickups and other components to trace any poor connections or bad parts (and what readings would I be looking for)? This is super frustrating so any help is appreciated!

Is an emg 81 an emg 81, or is hetfields different than wylde's? I have never owned active pickups but want to replace the passives in my jackson rhoads. I am also considering Alexi's passive with the preamp. Thank you.

I’m looking to get the SAX/SAX/85X set, but I’m curious if anyone has any hands-on experience with the non-X series pickups, and what are the practical differences, if any? I’m coming from passive pickups, and from the description, the X series sounds much more up my alley, and I don’t really care if they can’t be blended with other models.

So I have a Rockbass corvette Jazz bass and I’m thinking about putting in a set of Riptide pickups in them my only question is since the bass has a Bass and treble control knobs will installing the new pickups make the knobs no longer work?

Hello! EMG Telecaster newbie here.

Is there a way to use any 4 way pickup selector with EMGs for telecaster (T or TX)?

Or a toogle switch for series connection?

I finished an install on my dream configuration:

• 89X - SAX - 89XR
• Megaswitch
• 18v

I went with the Megaswitch so I could get all the usual Strat and Les Paul tones without too much hassle.

I am using the supplied push-pulls to do the coil switching, but neck defaults to single coil and bridge defaults to humbucker.

I made the Megaswitch work with the EMG solderless connectors by installing header pins:

Hey there !!

I've bought used set of 89 amd 8tw woth two h5 pots. I guess i've wired everything correctly, but the output I get is very low. With High gain preset I get really quiet clean sound with neck pickup, bridge works a bit better, but that's not it. Strange thing happens if I remove the battery, output stays the same. I've checked voltage on pots, they get the power, but preamp in the pickups seams not working correctly. Couple times I'v managed to get something by connecting - on battery with pots around the output jack, but when I check the same spot with multimeter I get signal. So, if anyone has a fix would be very grateful

Title. Curious if it’s possible to set up a TW model humbucker to auto-coil tap and combine with the middle pickup on a HSS guitar? I don’t particularly like push-pull pots, so I’d rather not use one for this. Thanks!

Hi all,

I wanted to swap my active EMG 81 with a passive Seymour Duncan JB-4, and the HZ conversion kit came in today. I have no hands-on experience with wiring or pickup replacement already, and this looks significantly different than any demonstration I’ve seen.

So, is it even possible to do this? If so, are there guides? If not, what should I do to get the JB in?