Anyone Keep Going Back To EMG?

c7spheres

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Does it just give more clarity?
It increses headroom so basically more clear sounding and less noise maybe from what I understand. Everyone pretty much agrees 18v is all that's really needed and 24v is negligible from what I've read but people do the 24v mod because it's really small compared to even only two 9v batterys let alone three. THe only potential downside I can see is that the batterys are slightly harder to find in storesand though may not cost more they have way lower millamp ahour on them so they'll wear out faster. I still need to try the lithium 9vs to see how they react and last but my battery hasn't wore out yet and I still have a packe of alkalines too. - I'm betting a normal lithium 9v woul dbe great compared to alkaline because they should stay are peak voltaage longer. I transfer my 9v's to other stuff after they hit about 8.5 volts. That's the point I can tell stuff isn't feeling or responding right after when I test them after taking them out.
 
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c7spheres

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he's only chargin like $12 there's no reason to even think about making your own any more really. ...........
edit: Oops. I guess the thing I saw was the holder for the 24v mod not the mod itself. - I do wonder why the 1.5 volt ones would cause damage or fire like he's says though. I have my doubts but even if I was gonna build my own I'd still get the higher rated one. I can't find them now for some reason, only the 1.5v one. Why am I looking? I'm don't need one yet, haha.
 

slavboi_delight

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Just took my buddies Jackson B7 for a spin with 81-7 and a 81-7tw.
I don't know what it is but that guitar sounds absolutely monstrous with them in it.
I had 5 7 strings before that all loaded with 81-7 or 707 and they were not that lethal sounding.
GOD DAMN.
 

Neon_Knight_

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Just took my buddies Jackson B7 for a spin with 81-7 and a 81-7tw.
I don't know what it is but that guitar sounds absolutely monstrous with them in it.
I had 5 7 strings before that all loaded with 81-7 or 707 and they were not that lethal sounding.
GOD DAMN.
Could be worth asking your friend what power supply his guitar has. Perhaps 9v vs. 18v is the difference to your guitars.
 

Emperor Guillotine

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24v > p81 and p60
27v > 24v :lol:

The 81 sounds massive tuned down low an octave. Had an 8-string with the 81-8/85-8X set and it was killer
Can confirm. ^

I very briefly had an Agile 30" 6-string that came stock with the standard EMG 81/85 set, and I had that thing in an octave below our common D-standard (D3). It sounded ridiculous.

The actual tuning that I used was: D, D, G, C, E, A with an octave interval between the two lowest strings. (Essentially, it's A-standard but with the sixth/lowest string dropped down to D2. Think of it like a 7-string tuned down to A with a low D2 and with the sixth string [A2] removed. Or alternatively, if it's easier, you can think of it simply as Architects' infamous tuning during the last two album cycles that Tom Searle was with the band [F#, F#, B, E, G#, C#] but down four semitones.)

Worth mentioning that I did, however, swap out the EMGs for a Duncan Nazgul/Sentient set with fresh wiring (and a single 550k volume pot from BKP, no tone pot). Now that tone that I was coaxing from the guitar after the swap was absolutely silly. Like, silly heavy. Instant, iconic Josh Travis tone as soon as I engaged the coil-split on the Nazgul to get a bit more of that "woodiness" and percussive smack out of the guitar's chugs.
 

Hoss632

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The 81 sounds massive tuned down low an octave. Had an 8-string with the 81-8/85-8X set and it was killer
Agreed. I know it was initially put out when E standard and what not was the thing. But I find the 81 really comes alive when you get into Drop C/B on down. And probably to no surprise to anyone in this thread, but an 81 actually sounds great under high gain in Open C tuning. Those big 6 string chords ring out quite nicely.
 

Crungy

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You guys are selling me on the 85/81-8's now, nice to hear how they are on 8 strings.
 

slavboi_delight

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Only thing that always concernes me about emg is, the tw humbucker is a THICC boi and the actual volume drop off as you split is immense. Clean tones with emgs always reminds me of a piano.
 

Matt08642

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Agreed. I know it was initially put out when E standard and what not was the thing. But I find the 81 really comes alive when you get into Drop C/B on down. And probably to no surprise to anyone in this thread, but an 81 actually sounds great under high gain in Open C tuning. Those big 6 string chords ring out quite nicely.

Okay, Devin Townsend. I see you. :lol:

Fuck yes. The lower you tune the gnarlier an 81 sounds, literally a magic pickup :lol: Also jamming Devin songs on an 81 just feels right. Start laying down some random sus chords and you're in flavor country.
 

Marked Man

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Fuck yes. The lower you tune the gnarlier an 81 sounds, literally a magic pickup :lol: Also jamming Devin songs on an 81 just feels right. Start laying down some random sus chords and you're in flavor country.

The 81 stills Reigns in Blood....👹

I have yet to hear something better overall for thrash and most other heavy music. The 81 has been King since the 80s, while many others have come and gone....
 
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