EMGs compressing and clipping dry signal

[Mm1066]

Have any of you experienced it? My guitar is sounding as though it needs a new 9V battery when played/recorded dry. I tried replacing it with three consequtive new ones, but they are still processing a distorted, compressed waveform.

I had a setup recently, and the guy told me all electronics were functioing correctly. I asked about it and he blamed it on the pickups being set too "hot". I have a MH-1000 from 2008, and have an EMG 85 in the bridge, and the 81 in the neck. Could this be why? I have the same combo in my Schecter ATX, which looks and sounds fine though.

I read about it on this forum and saw about lowering the pickup level, which I tried until it was essentally level with the plastic holder, but had no luck.

Any electronics gurus availble to offer me ideas or thoughts as to why it's happening and/or how to fix it?

Thanks

 

[deLuther]

Clipping with EMGs is normal thing, especially with 85.
What is distance between strings and pickup?

 

[Mm1066]

I'd say about 5mm, but even if I changed it to literally in level with the holder it was still getting the clipping/distorting.

 

[Fvlt]

Do you have room to fit a second battery? Bumping them up to 18v will increase the onboard preamp's headroom, which in turn cuts a bit of the compression.

 

[Sickan]

Change pickups or 18v mod.

 

[TheDriller]

I have the same pair of emgs in the same configuration,
The 18volt mod is basically the only way to get rid of the clipping.
Lowering the pickup height can help a bit but they still clip like a bitch on hard playing while at 9volts

 

[Mm1066]

I don't have enough room in the battery holder at the back I don't think, however I think it could still be possible.

I'm still just a bit confused as to why the pickups are overdriving in this guitar, whilst they're perfectly fine in the other. Could it really be just a matter of replacing them with newer ones?

 

[Mm1066]

Thanks guys. I'll definately look into getting an 18v mod.

 

[deLuther]

I`m tried 18V mod, did not liked it much.
Clipping was slightly reduced. I have managed to get similar clipping by moving pickup further from strings.
And situation also depends on guitar, I have worse situation with the same pickup on bolt on guitar than with neckthru.

 

[Mutant]

http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/equipment/293799-my-emg-18v-experiment.html

 

[Fvlt]

http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/equipment/293799-my-emg-18v-experiment.html

I'm going to repost that one on some other forums when EMG clipping comes up.

 

[Lowberg]

18 v mod.

Buy 3 9v clips, wire them like this. and just clip the 3rd one to the current one. This way the mod is easily reversible if you dont want to run 2 batts.

But yes it does increase the headroom lowering the pickup's signal distortion