Good or bad idea: EMG 81 and 85 on a Schecter Omen 6?

[Hos]

Does anyone think it is worth replacing the diamond plus stock pickups
on a Schecter Omen 6 with an EMG 81/85 set? Given that they are active
and require a 9V battery, would they even fit?

I think I heard (once on a random forum) that active pickups are
useless with a Solid State amp (or maybe it was just with a Line 6
Spider). I use a Line 6 Flextone Duo with Boss Metal Zone and GE-7
Equalizer pedals so I was worried that it was a waste. I play from
upbeat hard rock to metal/post hardcore.

Thanks,
Hos

[jtees4]

On Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:16:41 -0800 (PST), Hos <kbr...@gmail.com>
wrote:

I use EMG 85s on a couple of guitars and I use passive EMG HZ3's on a
couple of guitars. I like them all. I don't see why they wouldn't fit.
Some people like EMG's some people hate them. Your choice.

*********
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=789610

[Jim]

Hos wrote:

> Does anyone think it is worth replacing the diamond plus stock pickups
> on a Schecter Omen 6 with an EMG 81/85 set?

Do you do a lot of high gain stuff? If so, you'll notice that the EMG's
will have MUCH more output, and less buzz and noise.

> Given that they are active
> and require a 9V battery, would they even fit?

I have active tones and batteries in my Strat and Tele. Heck, I have
two batteries in my SG. I don't see why they wouldn't fit in that
guitar, but you own it and you can take a look at available room.

>
> I think I heard (once on a random forum) that active pickups are
> useless with a Solid State amp

I think that active pickups without active tones is like buying a
Ferrari that won't go out of second gear. The result is a pretty high
output. If you use a solid state amp, you may have to dial the volume
down if it gives ugly clipping because of the output level. But there
are still huge advantages, including active tone shaping.

> (or maybe it was just with a Line 6
> Spider).

Any analog to digital device can distort if you overload the A/D
convertors. If that happens, dial down volume.

> I use a Line 6 Flextone Duo with Boss Metal Zone and GE-7
> Equalizer pedals so I was worried that it was a waste.

Do you use overall boost? Does it cause ugly distortion? If not, the
EMG's probably won't either.

Spend some time at the EMG site to learn about their active tones. My
"metal guitar" is an Epiphone Korina G-400 (SG) with EMG 81 and 85, and
SPC and RPC active tones, running at 18V.

The SPC is actually designed to make the EMG single coil types sound
like a humbucker. But put it in front of and EMG humbucker, and you get
a really thick, warm tone. Not overly dark, but LOTS of mids that
really push a great tube distortion. I use it most of the time when I'm
using the bridge 81.

The RPC is designed to make the EMG humbucker sound like a single coil.
I use it with cleaner tones with the 85 neck, and it sounds
surprisingly good. I'll also use it with the bridge pickup, with or
without the SPC, when I want an edgier tone.

I am more than happy with my setup, and have not been able to get nearly
as good of tones for high gain from passive pickups.

Here she is: http://tinyurl.com/2prchx

> I play from
> upbeat hard rock to metal/post hardcore.

I think you'd love the setup I describe above. Running with two 9V
gives a bit of additional output because you have more headroom in the
guitar, and the batteries last a LONG, LONG time.

>
> Thanks,
> Hos

[Hos]

On Jan 20, 4:10 pm, Jim <as...@beforeyousend.com> wrote:
> Hoswrote:

Thanks for the advice! I am definitely going to try this setup. I'm
not sure how you implement 2 9Vs but maybe I'll better understand once
I actually purchase the pickups.

Best,
Hos

[Jim]

Hos wrote:

The two 9V are simple series. You have the clips on both batteries.
Red on battery one is your +9V. Wire black on battery one to red of
battery two. Black of battery two is your ground (-). BINGO, you've
got 18V, more headroom and a bit more output. EMG states this is
entirely safe to do, and if I'm not mistaken, you can even go to 27V on
lots of their gear.

Always remember to remove your cable from your guitar. If the cable is
in, the batteries are in use!

[Jim]

Jim wrote:

SORRY, the red becomes +18V!

[mmaj...@gmail.com]

I have a Schecter omen 6 also. I believe there is enough room in it for the 9v battery maybe even two. But i heard there is no room for the "push/pull" knobs electrical Unit and will need routing in the body. Is this True?

[White Spirit]

*plonk*

I can do that since I'm not posting from Google Groups ;)

[The_Chris]

Better pickups are always better. However, if you're plugging into crappy amps, they won't be a magic bullet. If you're using a Metal Zone.... that's a whole other ball of wax. IMO, that pedal just can't sound good loud - it's a good practice pedal. Active pickups are a preference. I have them in ONE guitar. I don't like the battery angle. Can I tell the difference between them and my Duncans/Dimarzios when I'm playing through a distorted amp?? Not that much - if at all....

[lucky...@hotmail.com]

I see that this is an OLD thread, recently revived.

I use active tones in all of my active EMG guitars. It really adds to the versatility. And I CAN tell the difference, even with distortion. Even into my Mesa's. But the biggest difference in practice is the ability to drive the preamp HARD with high output, no need for any sort of a boost. All while cutting noise and hum. Unless I'm forgetting a guitar, three of my eight electrics use EMG's with active tones. To my ears, with my variety of amps, I reach for EMG's when I want either very clean, or classic rock to metal tones. I reach for passive for cleanish to blues to classic rock.

Yes, I mentioned classic rock twice. At that distortion level, either EMG's or passives work great.

[rickc...@gmail.com]

Garbage in garage out. Can't polish a turd