[Jan]

Some time ago I changed the stock bridge pickup in my IBANEZ 7 421 XL for EMG 707 . I've been using this pickup for more then a year now (not that I'm satisfied with it, but it's off topic) and the change has brought in one serious problem.

The output level of my neck pickup (it's Ibanez V7-71) compared to that of 707 is so low that it's useless in gigs or rehearsals - it's way too quiet. I need a nice, crystal-clean sound not as much for soloing as for clean guitar passages. My amp (ENGL FIREBALL) has only equalization for both channels, so it's up to the pickup to keep the sound clean. I need a neck pickup that would be at least approximately as loud as the 707 since I want to switch between these two pickups at gigs without changing the settings of my amplifier. And I definitely want to avoid crunch.


Could you please tell me what pickup you recommend? Unfortunately, EMG produces only two pickups fo 7-stringers: 707 and 81-7. So maybe I should switch the 707 to the neck position and install 81-7 in the bridge position? Or maybe I should go for some other pickup in the neck position (Seymour Duncan Jazz S2? DiMarzio?) PLEASE HELP ME.

[noodles]

You have two options:

--Install an EMG in the neck. You don't need two different models, either. I know plenty of people with two 707's who are very happy.

--Install a PA2 to boost up the output of the passive pickup to match the active one.

Originally Posted by EMG FAQ

Install an EMG-PA-2 on the passive pickups. There are two benefits to doing this. With the trimpot on the PA-2, you can adjust the gain of the passive pickups to match the EMG's. The PA-2 acts as an impedance matching device so you can use the low-impedance EMG controls (25K) without affecting the tone of the passive pickups. You will also be able to use other EMG accessory circuits such as the SPC, RPC, EXB, EXG, etc. For this application, we recommend ordering the PA-2 without the switch for easy installation on the inside of a guitar.

[darren]

There's an EMG 60-7 now available if you want a mellower, more vintage tone for your neck pickup.

[Jan]

Thanks guys! So noodles, d'ya mean I could buy like Seymour Duncan Jazz and boost it up with PA?

Quote:
<For this application, we recommend ordering the PA-2 without the switch for easy installation on the inside of a guitar.>
What do you mean? On the EMG website PA2 is equipped with a switch... Is there a different version available?

Darren, which pickup d'ya think will sound warmer and cleaner in the neck? the 707 or 61-7? As I've said, I want a really nice crystal clean, a bit glassy but still warm signal with not too much lows that I could use for calm, clean passages...

[noodles]

Originally Posted by Jan

Thanks guys! So noodles, d'ya mean I could buy like Seymour Duncan Jazz and boost it up with PA?

Yep.

<For this application, we recommend ordering the PA-2 without the switch for easy installation on the inside of a guitar.>

What do you mean? On the EMG website PA2 is equipped with a switch... Is there a different version available?

Yes. You can order it without the switch for "internal use". This way, it is always on.

[7 Strings of Hate]

they got an emg 60-7 now??

[Stitch]

Yes. It isn't on their website, because, to quote their e-sales guy "[our] website is shit, thatnks for noticing."
Very nice. I would suggest that over another passive pickup if only so the overall look of the guitar looks right.

[Jan]

Well, today I had the opportunity to try out a guitar equipped with Seymour Duncans and I have no more doubts - I'm getting rid of my shitty active EMG 707. Whoa! With Duncans my amp (Engl Fireball) sounded like a different amp! The heavily distorted sound was MUCH more crisp, warmer, fuller, more lively, had sort of more air... With EMG it was sterile, darker, flat, devoid of certain frequencies... I thought this was just my impression, but when the guys from my band heard the difference they totally agreed with me and now the other guitar player wants to get rid of his EMGs too. To be honest I got persuaded to buy EMG only because of all the hype that goes on around them. You know, Metallica, Fear Factory. But I didn't like my pickup right after I installed it. But I still thought - "Hey, I'm just not used to this new improved sound. If I don't like it, there must be something with me, not with the pickup. NOTHING can be wrong with this pickup, it's an EMG!". But today I've heard the difference with my very ears and decided to stop deceiving myself. It's time to admit the truth - EMGs SUCK!!! I'm going passive again! It's just a pity I had to modify my guitar to install that bloody EMG. Oh well. Who cares about the appearences - it's the sound that really matters! Fo the bridge I'm getting SD JAZZ, I just need to decide which pup to take for the bridge position. Any suggestions? My guitar is basswood. Will SD SH4 will work well with it?

[Don]

Anyway, everything's a matter of taste, but EMGs for sure don't suck! One of the best Pickups I've ever used (81) among some others. Ok might not be the right thing for folk songs...
Ever heard of Wylde, Hammet, Hanneman, King etc.???

[Jan]

Yup, I did hear about Wylde AND Metallica AND Fear Factory AND a few others. But now I don't care. Do you know how endorsement works? You get a crappy amp, pull the insides out and put in something that you really like. But still say to the press something like "I proudly use this and that". It MIGHT (I'm not saying it's like that, I am only suggesting it just MIGHT) be like that with the pickups too. Anyways, I've been using my EMG 707 for more that a year and trying out the 81 a few times (sounded worse for me, much too dark and not enough midrange) and yesterday I heard the difference with my very ears. I agree, maybe it's a matter of taste, but for me EMGs just don;t do the job. Dry, sterile, not breathing, devoid of certain frequencies... I'm not saying you should get rid of EMG but I'm saying TRUST your ears and not what you see in the magazines and advertisements.