EMG DG20

That's well covered territory by now.

'99 Am Std Strat. Ash body, maple board. I replaced stock everything with the EMG system. A friend bought them new about five years ago, and wanted out of them. I read alot about them, and wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Plus, I had played his guitar with these installed and thought it sounded good.

O.K., let's get this out now. I know a couple tunes by Pink Floyd, but I'm not a huge fan. I'm also not trying to cop anyone's particular tone, so they may sound just like Gilmour and I wouldn't know it. On to the review. These are HOT! I had to turn my amp volume down a couple notches as compared to my stock strat settings, and I had the PUPS fairly low in the pickguard! EMG says to crank 'em up near the strings for a better signal to noise ratio, but then I feel like I would be turning my amp down too much and getting out of it's sweet spot. At the moment, I play through a peavey classic 30 with JJ tubes, and I'm not really an effects guy. Tone on this set is super clean, the pups are very quiet, SPC and EXG controls work well as a basic preset EQ, and there are a lot of tones available. Experiment with pickup height as these are VERY sensitive to adjustment. However, I personally like classic, warm, glassy, strat tone best, and these didn't really deliver what I wanted. I like them O.K., and the various tonal options were interesting, but I went back to stock. These PUP's are kind of like a modeling amp, it does a lot of things tonally, but doesn't do any of them very well. These aren't quite humbucker, not quite old school single coil. While I don't think these are bad, they aren't for me. EMG deserves a lot of credit for putting out such a complete, well designed system. I give them an 8 for versatility.

Been playing 14 years, most of that time acoustic. Other stuff I own, (or once owned): Am. ser. tele, jap 60's reissue strat, two '83 Ibanez roadstars, Taylor 310, Martin D1, Yairi WY1, Takamine FP360SC, Fender vibrolux reissue, Fender hot rod deluxe, Behringer ACX 1000, various PA's, processors, stompboxes, etc. I sold my set, but I wouldn't have a problem recommending these to someone else. They didn't work for me because I wanted more classic strat, and the tonal variation, while nice, didn't sell me on them. I realize that the '99 Am. Std PUP's aren't the best, but I like them well enough. There's something to be said for being happy with what you have. Good Luck!

3 active single coil pickups
EXG and SPC equalizers

91 Strat Ultra

Eh.

First of all, you should listen to the pickups by themselves without the EXG and SPC. Kind of straightforward, clean but not a lot of character IMO.

Then you add in the EXG and the SPC and you can get some decent sounds but they are all just essentially EQs, nothing you can't easily recreate with passive pickups outside the guitar.

Took these back out after a month. They were not the right choice for me. I tend to be a purist and like a guitar plugged right into a simple tube amp with warm tones, not a lot of effects and such.

I expect the main benefits of this pickup set are 1) to give a strong signal that will drive a lot of effects and 2) allow you to EQ your sound on your guitar knobs instead of on an external device. I think they are also definitely for those looking for a crystal clear tone, not a classic warmer tone.

Set of 3 for stratocaster

1981 JV Squier Strat
All positions
Original Pickups
No
David Gilmour,Azhar Kamal
Love of EMG??s

Mid output
Vintage Twin and 1971 JMP Marshall 100w with 4 x 12" Speakers of same year and brand.
Tone: Meaty,Beaty,Big and Bouncy.
Style: Versatile(Funk,Rock,Blues,Jazz). Studio Sessions.Work impeccably.

I definitely would use them again.
Playing professionally since 1985 as a studio land live player.
I love everything about them and the only drawback is that you have to change batteries quicker if you don`t unplug the guitar when not in use. I even unplug em between sets in a live envoronment.
EMG??s are rather unique and a very definitive choice when recording with DAW??s and using plug in amps like the guitar rig or the logic amp pro etc... they have very good signal to noise ratio, i.e they are very discreet(did i mention that i am a zappa fan?).
Compared to my vintage strat(1961) they sound so much more vibrant and eclectic. the EXG and SPC systems are wonderfullly calibrated and are especially good in conjunction with tube amps live as they make excessive gain shaping pedals redundant.check em out.

Pickup features: Active single coil
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Strat Plus 1996 Fender Anniversary model
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: I bought it with the DG20 set installed
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: David Gilmour
You musical style(s): Rock, Blues, Bits of everything
Reason for pickup change: They came with the guitar

Perceived output level: I have had these in this guitar since i bought it a year ago. This review is to let you know my experience with these. Today, the sound from these is amazing, see my comments at the end.
Tone: Lots of option, using the EXG, SPC controls. You can dial in a nice round mid boost, or a more cutting bass/treble boost.
Sonic evaluation: Previously: Boss GT6, Line6 Spider 212 II amp.
Today: Peavey Classic 50 2*12, lots of good effects pedals.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play in a Pink Floyd tribute band.

Comments: Ok... here is the main point of this review.
When i first got these i thought they sounded good, but not what i was expecting. I was using a GT6 and a Spider 2 amp, and previously i had been happy with my sound. I didnt get the sound i wanted at first, i was happy but not overjoyed.
Over the space of a year i started upgrading my equipment - I bought a Peavey Classic tube amp, and ditched the GT6 in favour of a set of really good pedals (Big Muff, Mistress, Barber LTD, Reezafratzitz, SPF Ego Booster, Boss DD3, MXR Dynacomp, Phase 90 and more...). I then realised it had been a year since i changed the battery (and wasnt sure how old the battery was), so, off came the strings and in went a new battery....... WOW!!!!!! the difference in sound was amazing...
It was the new battery which had made me notice the difference.
Using the GT6 and Spider did these pickups no favours. To hear what these babies can do you really need to plug them into some good equipment (and keep the battery fresh). I am now completely won over, these are great pickups, and i can get the Dave Gilmour tone from Pulse soooo much easier now.
Great :)

Pickup features: single coil strat replacement
Impedence or other specs: Low imp.

Model of guitar or bass: Fender frankencaster (all american,best parts) Custom frets 65 nk
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: varoius
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: plenty
You musical style(s): everything I can get my hands on
Reason for pickup change: Noise

Perceived output level: Adjustable (has a mid and bass/ treble boost respectively)
Tone: It's all in there, up to you
Sonic evaluation: I use anything and everything when recording. Live, old boogie mk2b,tubed with 5781-a nos, mullard and tesla nos. Sounds the way it was desienged too, and then some.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I'm a session player, and live also. These pick-ups allow me to leave a forest of guitars at home.

Comments: Stealing is not an option, definatley not recomended in my neighborhood. If these went down I'd re-up for sure. Having had emg's since thier inception I can say I've had no problems, period.
In comparison to others I would say I've heard stuff I love, but nothing has the ability to take on so many different sounds, and naturally well, not modeled.
Everyone has tastes an opinions, these seem to satisfy just about everyone with an imagination.

Pickup features: Active single coils
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: MIM Fender Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: All of 'em...
Other pickups on guitar: None...they all sucked so they all had to go.
Artists using this pickup: David Gilmour, myself and everyone else who was smart enough to buy this system.
You musical style(s): Rock, punk, pop and blues...
Reason for pickup change: Well it's no secret that Fender's Mexi-guitars usually have crap stock pickups and since they don't shield their pickup cavities there's a TON of that annoying buzz.

Perceived output level: Hot and loud.
Tone: I usually play music with distortion ala Weezer, Green Day, AC/DC and listening to these pickups is like eating a good piece of cheesecake...rich and creamy!!!
Sonic evaluation: My beloved Stratocaster thru a variety of Marshalls.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This is a great match for anyone who plays anything! It's SO versatile.

Comments: I'm completely happy with this system. HOWEVER, I wish that it was offered on a different pickguard. I'm not a fan of white pearloid. I think it looks stupid with cream-colored pickups. No worries, I have a tortoise shell pickguard waiting for these babies...
ALSO...I have figured out how to alleviate removing the pickguard for battery changes. I'll tell you how but it may not work for everyone.
Okay, here goes...since I don't use the tremolo, I had previously blocked it off. During the installation of the DG-20, I threaded the battery clip wires from the back of the guitar thru the hole in the tremolo cavity where the string ground wire went. This called for adding a couple of lengths of wire to the red and black wires coming from the battery clip so that they still reached their destinations. Next, I installed two of the tremolo springs...One in the first and last spots so that I could put the battery in between them and keep it from banging around back there. Then, I took a thin piece of foam from the system's packaging and laid it down between the two springs. Lastly, I placed the battery on the foam between the two springs and closed the trem cover. Now I don't have to mess with the pickguard to change batteries.

Pickup features: single coil, with pearl pick guard
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Fender 50th Annv. Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Harmonic Design and Fender '54's
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Me.
You musical style(s): Alt rock (clean channel stuff) to heavier rock (lead tones) Eric Johnson to Zakk Wylde to Slash to SRV
Reason for pickup change: the noise/hum of vintage pu's was driving me nuts.

Perceived output level: they have more output than passive pickups, but the lack of noise/hum makes them seem even louder and fuller. Its so nice to have more than just 2 settings that are clear.
Tone:
Sonic evaluation: I have more gear than most people ever will. Les Pauls, Ernie Ball EVH, Zakk Marshall JCM800, early 90's 5150, Marshall 4x12, Mesa Boogie 2x12, Vox combo, etc... I also run the music division of a Hollywood TV/Film studio. So I have a good place to compare. These pickups really give your strat a clean clear sound. The strat "quack" still there, and the crystal, bell-like clean too. With my Fulltone overdrive into my Vox combo is amazing with a warm lead. Totally able to shred and make the guitar sing, and then fade back in a super clean rhythm. The Harmonic Design Vintage Strat Plus pickups were good (way better than the 54 Fenders), but at stage volume or even in the studio I just got so tired of the hum and noise. Now, silence! The silence is overwhelming, that you think the pickups are louder. They have a little more output (20%?), but the lack of noise makes it seem like (50%). So my effects are clearly heard without the underlying noise in them. They just sound like you're playing on a well produced record. The onboard pre-amps are just the icing on the cake. they add that strat quak attack or add a more in your face lead tone.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Rock

Comments: For a Strat and lead playing this is just a great set. All these reviews are absolutely correct about the DG-20. I like it so much I'm curious what the VG (Vince Gill set) would sound like too...might have to buy another strat for those!!

Pickup features: Active single-coils.
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Fender American Deluxe Series Strat S-1
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Samarium Cobalt Noiseless
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: David Gilmour
You musical style(s): Various
Reason for pickup change: Wanted a nice bluesy distortion and more power from a direct replacement active single-coil pickup set. David Gilmour's guitar solos are very smooth and silky, so either using EMGs or Lace Sensors, the result remains the same, thanks to an active mid-boost circuit which produces a good bunch of sweeping tones, ranging from classic Fender clean to scorching distortion.

Perceived output level: These active stacked-coil humbucking pickups are hot indeed, but they are extremely low in buzz and hum which is especially important when you're running with a lot of effects or a big rack. They use Alnico magnets which give a warmer tone with a little more midrange than the EMG-S. The low-impedance design preserves your tone quality when using a cord or wireless transmitter. Useful for Pink Floyd, Dire Straits and Clapton stuff.
Tone: EMG DG20 pickups provide an incredibly balanced tone. You'll get a fat, punchy humbucking output when using the SPC mid boost circuit. The EXG guitar expander adds further sparkle and clarity to the top-end and works well in conjunction with the SPC mid-boost to compensate for any lack of highs when that control is full-on.
Sonic evaluation: I'll opt for a 135W Silverface Twin Reverb and a big rack of cool FX. Dave uses HiWatt amps and a 1984 vintage '57 reissue Candy Apple Red Strat equipped with a set of active EMG single-coils. I'd like to use a maple-neck 2004 American Deluxe Strat with S-1 switching for a try. It appears that the EMG DG20 set will work perfectly with the S-1 system.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Everything. From blues to country, with dashes of pop, folk, jazz, boogie and classic rock. EMGs are suitable for use in all positions.

Comments: Primarily known as an acoustic player (I have a Yamaha FG420A dreadnought guitar), I've always wanted a better sounding guitar which suits perfectly these music styles. David Gilmour, Mark Knopfler, Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton are my main influences. Using a Strat with a set of DG20 pickups through a Zoom 504II acoustic floor simulator, an Alesis Nanoverb pedal and an Electric Mistress flanger is a dream. Playing guitar since 1986 and bass since 1995. I strongly recommend the DG20 set for those players want glassy crystal-clear tones and creamy humbucker crunch without that nasty 60-cycle buzz which is synonymous with the "stock" single-coil pickup.

Pickup features: SINGLE COIL FOR STRAT LIKE GUITAR
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Chinese squier strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: stock squier p.u.s
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Gilmour and probably somebody else
You musical style(s): Blues, Jazz, Rock, modern and classic
Reason for pickup change: I bought the squeir to fool around with. I tried Duncans first, and a friend had DG-20s which sounded better

Perceived output level: many tone variables, active sounding, glassy, brittle, muddy bottom
Tone: tone is variable depending on pickup and amp tuning
Sonic evaluation: I use this with a Legacy 100Watt, a Matchless Chieftain and a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe. It is awful with a POD, and I use a volume pedal and sometimes a Tubescreamer.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I started using it on stage and found that it is consistent, and easy to manage. I was playing rock, but found that the guitar sound was warm, still identifiable. I was actually pretty surprised.

Comments: I've been playing 34 years. I have 8 guitars, 53LP, 58 Strat, G&L asat classic, 68 tele, this squier, carved top tele 03, 67 Gibson Hummingbird, 98 Heritage H575. It is the only active pickup guitar I have, so is unique. I don't like the muddy bottom, but very much like the tone variations you can get in all the strat pickup positions. If you don't like the tone, work with your amp. good pickups can't save a piece of crap amp.

Pickup features: Active Stacked Hum-cancelling Single Coils
Impedence or other specs: Low

Model of guitar or bass: Carvin kit guitar
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Carvin passive single coils
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: David Gilmour, Mike Kneally, etc..
You musical style(s): Rock, Blues, Jazz
Reason for pickup change: I wanted the single coil sound, but also a more muscular tone.

Perceived output level: The output is high, but it doesn't overpower guitar equipment
Tone: balanced and sweet
Sonic evaluation: I use a Marshall JCM800 combo, and a Vox AC15 with the blue Alnico speaker. I also use a Korg AX100G effects pedal.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: country pickin, rock riffin, jazz lickin

Comments: I would definitely get these again. They aren't soulless - soul is up to you. I have been using these for about three years now. I think if no one is looking, they can't tell you have active pickups. They will think that you switch guitars a lot because of the extreme versatility in your sound. You can get a totally clean jazz sound that sounds the same as an acoustic with a pickup, to a vintage strat sound, to a country tele sound, to a hard rocking les paul sound. There is a different feel to these than passive pickups. These are a little more smooth and bluesy. I am sure if you have a trebly sounding amp, they could sound brittle, but so can a vintage strat. You can buy pickups that SRV used, and sound like him, or you can be like him and go after the tone that you want to hear. I think these pickups have helped me get closer to the frequency response that I want to hear.