Do my EMGs sound right ?

[chesterfieldblues]

Hi, I've done a test playing same riff with different guitars and I can hear that my Jackson DKMG lacks low end, I recorded it with 81 and then switched 85 in bridge position, same conclusion.

https://soundcloud.com/onirico140/sets


Do you think this is normal ?

In addition, output seems lower comparing to other guitars (can't really see it on soundcloud, but it is noticeable on Reaper for example), my mexican Squier with single-coil-size JB Jr. seems to have higher output (not to mention the sound, I think it is obvious...)

I already changed battery, same thing...

Thx

 

[JakeAC5253]

Could be a bad capacitor in the signal chain, sounds like some DC could be leaking through to the opamp. I'd look to replacing them if you can.

 

[Rex Rocker]

Yes, the EMG 81's low-end is not very generous at all. That what makes it so "tight" under high-gain. The 85's low-end is bigger, yes, but I've tried fatter-sounding pickups.

Yes, EMG's are not blistering high-output. Both the DiMarzio Super Distortion and Crunch Lab I've had have been noticeably hotter than the 81, 85, 60, 81X, 60X, and EMG 81TW I've owned. The Het Set's hotter than any other EMG's I've had. Didn't get a chance to compare them to high-output passives, though.

They sound pretty normal to me in the clip.

 

[chesterfieldblues]

The first one in soundcloud link is a cheap Cort Katana KX5 with mighymite motherbucker, basswood body, maple neck and it sound far bigger than the DKMG with EMG 81 or 85, it is the most annoying thing to me...

The DK2M with SH2 sound really huge too...

 

[mickrich]

Maybe, like me, you just don't like the EMG sound.
I have Duncans in all my guitars now including a couple of ESPs that had EMGs in them.
What you are hearing is exactly the same thing I hear with them.
Scratchy mids and no low end thump compressing the amp and moving air.
No amount of fiddling will get the sound you want IME.
Just swap them for Duncans and move on.

 

[chesterfieldblues]

I sold a Hellraiser C1 with 81TW on bridge two years ago, didn't like the sound, thin and somehow plastic but I thought it was the guitar, reading same kind of comments on this forum...

Anyway, mickrich, maybe you're right about my ideal tone isn't on EMG world, but when I increase input gain on my channel preamp, it seems ok (lack ok low end still there, but input level is the same as the other guitars, at last !)

 

[deLuther]

EMGs, especially 85, have high RMS output, larger than most passives, but peak output is lower (limited by power supply). Most active pickups preamps have low-pass filters, so less lows.

 

[Rex Rocker]

I like them, personally. They sound a bit weird on their own to me, but they sit in a mix nice.

The way their preamp cuts lows and clips a little is (IMO) the exact same reason why tubescreamers work as boosts for high-gain amps, just less extreme.

 

[deLuther]

Screamer does not remove resonance peak from passives
For me actives like EMGs are too smooth in that area.
Opamps used are also on noisy side just like any other low-power opamps.

 

[chesterfieldblues]

Can I conclude that EMG 81 and 85 clips are normal, comparing them with other guitars (input gain is the same for every take, of course !)

 

[Rex Rocker]

They sound pretty normal to me.

 

[deLuther]

Normal for me.