[Ryan_H]

I have been using EMG pickups in my Jackson and Gibson LP for years now and recently i plugged in my ibanez and discovered tones that i had all but forgotten exsisted. It was a revolation! However now im left with that question > to emg or not to emg? Im more and more tempted to rip them out and put something different in there. They just seem to do brute force but dont really produce half as much tone!

Is anyone else feeling the same? Or have i finally lost the plot?

[Zepp88]

Personally I would support trying out different types of passive pickups. And since you like certain qualities of actives the Seymour Duncan Blackous might be something good for you to try, I hate EMGs, but I love the Blackouts.

Also, what wood is your Ibanez made out of? And what pickups are currently in it?

[Ryan_H]

I was using my Jem 10th. Its so so so so lovely only trouble is the two coil tap settings are a lot quieter than the two outside humbucker tones. I was doing a Jazz/funk gig and the EMGs just eat tone. Thinking of the Bare Knuckle Pickups. They have been given some good reviews.

Jackson did a cutom shop model of the SLS when they were first developing it and i really loved it as it had duncans in it and a flame top. When it went on retail sale they took it all off and put EMGs in insted! Lame. The LP is a Zakk copy, 1985 custom which has been stripped and reset in zakks colours and electronics so i will keep that the same as it is a brute and i love it!

[Zepp88]

Man I love Les Pauls

I've heard a lot of good things about Bare Knuckles, I haven't had the pleasure of trying them myself though. Since you're in the U.K. that could be a good option for you!

[Ryan_H]

I love LPs and Zakk so its kinda perfect. Will be doing the London Guitar show in a couple of months so may take a walk down to their stand and take a look. Gotta pay for my Boogie to be repaired this week £800.00!!!!!! ($1400 ish) could buy a new one nearly!!!! Would like to get the LP refretted too. All this music shit aint cheap!

[7 Dying Trees]

Originally Posted by Ryan_H

I was using my Jem 10th. Its so so so so lovely only trouble is the two coil tap settings are a lot quieter than the two outside humbucker tones. I was doing a Jazz/funk gig and the EMGs just eat tone. Thinking of the Bare Knuckle Pickups. They have been given some good reviews.

Jackson did a cutom shop model of the SLS when they were first developing it and i really loved it as it had duncans in it and a flame top. When it went on retail sale they took it all off and put EMGs in insted! Lame. The LP is a Zakk copy, 1985 custom which has been stripped and reset in zakks colours and electronics so i will keep that the same as it is a brute and i love it!

Go bareknuckle. They are as good as the reviews, if not better. Seriously, the hype is well justified!

As usual, my advice is speak to tim at BKP, he'll be able to point you to which pickup represents that sound in your head. He has some weird black magic mojo connection with pickups!

[Lozek]

Originally Posted by Ryan_H

I love LPs and Zakk so its kinda perfect. Will be doing the London Guitar show in a couple of months so may take a walk down to their stand and take a look. Gotta pay for my Boogie to be repaired this week £800.00!!!!!! ($1400 ish) could buy a new one nearly!!!! Would like to get the LP refretted too. All this music shit aint cheap!

What are you getting done to your Mesa for £800? That's ridiculous. Where are you getting it done?

[Ryan_H]

Well the Triaxis was a USA model that needed converting, thats £200 so thats not too bad but the bulk of the cost is the 2:90. Theres a lesson here...Dont buy expensive amps on EBay as you cant be sure. It had been badly repaired in the past and the Valves were unmatched so it kinda melted and took half the amp with it. Im kinda stuck a new one is too much and other power amps aint as good so its a shit but its a no brainer. I love my mesa and the G-system controls it all Via midi etc so i dont want to ditch the rig.

[Uber Mega]

You live in the UK, so you should jump on the price tag of Bareknuckle! You can't go wrong with them.

[sakeido]

Originally Posted by Ryan_H

I was using my Jem 10th. Its so so so so lovely only trouble is the two coil tap settings are a lot quieter than the two outside humbucker tones. I was doing a Jazz/funk gig and the EMGs just eat tone. Thinking of the Bare Knuckle Pickups. They have been given some good reviews.

Jackson did a cutom shop model of the SLS when they were first developing it and i really loved it as it had duncans in it and a flame top. When it went on retail sale they took it all off and put EMGs in insted! Lame. The LP is a Zakk copy, 1985 custom which has been stripped and reset in zakks colours and electronics so i will keep that the same as it is a brute and i love it!

EMGs do suck, Blackouts are much better. That said I still prefer the Bareknuckles in my S7320 and Charvel.
As far as the SLS goes.. you can still get the model with a flame top and duncans, Fuller's Vintage Guitar has two left (still) and they are very expensive. The Import SLSMG with EMGs is still one of the absolute best guitars I've ever owned.. and its getting its own set of BKPs pretty soon. That thing was a total steal, for how much ass it kicks.