I had an old Erie Des SL1 that had an emg in the bridge and it sounded killer. I was wondering what some of you feel about a set of actives in the SL2H. Do you think the guitar loses some of its character or tone? Some folks say all guitars despite wood, style, bridge, etc sound the same with actives. I didn't notice that at all with my SL1 but then again I never had that guitar with anything else in it to compare.
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Opinions on EMGs in SL2H
Collapse
X
-
I love EMGs in an SL2H. I don't think that all guitars sound the same with EMGs, but a lot of folks do. I've got an SL2HT and an SL2 custom that both have the 81/85 set, and they sound very different to my ears. Both of them run the 18volt set up, which I think helps with the sterility that some complain about with EMGs.
I also have an SL2HT with the TB-4/59 set. I bought the guitar thinking I would swap the pups, but I absolutely love the way it sounds, and will never change it.
I am in the same boat as you though, I have never had these guitars with other pickups in them. All of them came from the factory with the pickups that are in them, so I can't compare what the guitars sound like with different pups. If pressed I would say the EMGs seem brighter to me, with the SDs having a bit more warmth. I love both, so I don't know that I could recommend one over the other.
-
I think that's why I ended up with multiple guitars. Whenever I wonder what a guitar might sound like with other pups I convince myself that I should get a different guitar because I would lose the sound I have originally.
I have yet to get a guitar that played great that I disliked the sound enough to swap pickups. I'm actually hoping for it to some degree. I would like to have an axe that I used as a tester for different brands and models of pickups.
Comment
-
i love the 81/85 combo in my sl2h. the bridge is sizzling and hot, and the neck is warm and roomy and gives great clean tones.198? Charvel Model 2B s/n 245085
1987 Charvel Model 6 s/n C707218
2001 SL2H Black Pearl s/n U09404
2006 SL2HT Burnt Cherry Sunburst s/n U18151
2008 USA C/S Soloist Soft Arch Carved Top Tiger Eye JA0510
2009 Adrian Smith Dinky s/n 006666 (Ebony Fretboard)
2009 Adrian Smith Dinky s/n 007066 (Maple Freboard)
Comment
-
It's really up to the guitar itself. Some Soloists sound great with EMG's but that same guitar doesn't get it with Duncans. Or another Soloist rocks with Dimarzios in it, but put EMG's in that one, it sucks. It's up to the guitar, at least in my experiences."Got a crazy feeling I don't understand,
Gotta get away from here.
Feelin' like I shoulda kept my feet on the ground
Waitin' for the sun to appear..."
Comment
-
I am with Toejam, I hated the duncans, and converted to EMG, found the 81 too hard and nazal in the bridge and the 85 too bassy in the neck ( I use 4 x 12), so swapped them around and got sonic heaven. Dumped the "never used it anyway" tone control and added an EMG SPC for the big creamy lead sounds and more sustain, and I am a real happy camper. I went 18V, and the only downfall is the guitar volume between 1 and 0 is like a switch, so I may experiment with a different resistance of volume pot some time. My dimmer lights make no interference at all ith these pickups.7 Charvels and a load of other stuff.
Comment
Comment