EMG DG20

Pickup features: active single coils + special tone controls
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Am. Strd. Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock American Standard single coils
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
You musical style(s): Blues, rock, funky
Reason for pickup change: Hated the stock pickups.

Perceived output level: Compared to the stock pickups? The stock pickups are ECLIPSED by the EMG's. There is no comparison, but the sounds the stock pickups make are there in the EMG's. The EMG's just do it WITHOUT 60 cycle hum.
Tone: The tone is balanced across the spectrum UNLESS you start manimpulating the midrange boost control knob or the high/low boost knob (they take the place of tone pots). The blues come out of these pickups like you wouldn't believe.
Sonic evaluation: I play through a Peavey Classic 30, and use an Ibanez Super Tube and Ibanez Digital Delay (DDL). I can't say anything bad about this system. I broke it in at a blues jam, not using the pedals and making no adjustments to my previous amp settings. I could cut through the mix EASILY with plenty o' tone. With the special controls the tonal variations are almost mind boggling (there's almost too much choice!). You know how thin the stock pickups are? Not these - deep beef, scathing midrange, piercing highs - it's all in them, you just dial 'em in to taste. Know how the stock pickups have drop outs when you make big bends? Not these. Incredible sustain from end to end of the pickups. With my Super Tube pedal the notes can just sustain forever it seems. And something else: These pickups respond immediately - the stock pickups sound like they're a half second behind these pickups. I couldn't believe the difference.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: These pickups would be perfect for anything except "metal".

Comments: I've been playing about 10 years and have had this system for 4 days. Years back I put an EMG81 in one of my previous guitars, so I was familiar with EMG's. Also, I worship the sonic ground on which Sir David Gilmour walks. That inspired me to investigate these units. If you want to know what the DG20 can sound like, listen to "Delicate Sound of Thunder," "Division Bell," or "Pulse" by Pink Floyd. If you want to upgrade your American Standard (or any strat), check this pickup system out. They will make any amp sound good, but I'm now inspired to upgrade mine sooner than planned - I don't think it does my guitar justice. The DG20 system comes preloaded in a lovely white pearloid pickguard - all you have to do is solder the wires to the included jack. I used the knobs off the stock pickup system because they had a more pleasing off white color that matched the cream ivory EMG pickups (the EMG knobs were too white). I feel I was given a very good price on this system (it lists at $350) and it isn't easy to find either. The clarity, response, tone, sustain, and versatility of this system makes it well worth the money. I can't wait to get a Big Muff now. If my DG20 were stolen or destroyed I would cry - and I am not kidding (especially since it's attached to my candy apple red pride and joy). Is there something I wish it had? What more could I want? Hmmmm, maybe a cigarette lighter...

Pickup features: active single coil pickup set for Strat
Impedence or other specs: includes EXG and SPC active EQ circuits

Model of guitar or bass: 1994 Fender U.S. Plus Stratocaster
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock Fender Gold Lace Sensors w/ TBX
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: David Gilmour
You musical style(s): rock, funk, blues
Reason for pickup change: I was unhappy with the Lace Sensors and wanted more tonal versatility

Perceived output level: Higher output due to the fact that these are active pickups
Tone: Just about anything you want with the active EQ circuits
Sonic evaluation: My guitar rig as of right now consists of the following in this order: Dallas-Arbiter(Jim Dunlop reissue) Fuzz Face, VOX Wah-Wah (reissue), Ibanez TS-9 Tube Screamer (reissue), Boss BD-2 Blues Driver, Electro Harmonix Big Muff Pi (original), Alesis MidiVerb4, 1974 Fender Vibrolux. With this setup I am able to nail tones from Led Zeppelin and Lenny Kravitz, as well as very nice blues tones. The active EQ circuits allow you to go from vintage Stratocaster percussive, bell like tones to a midrange heavy tone that's darn close to a humbucker.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play everything from blues to funk to rock, and this versatile setup allows me to do all without switching guitars.

Comments: I would definatly buy them again, and in fact am planning on ordering a Fender Custom Shop Stratocaster with the EMG DG20 setup. I've been playing the guitar for about 5 years, and my tastes have changed over this time several times. This allows me to get my old favorite tones from a couple of years ago, the tones I like now, and lets me experiment to find new tones I haven't used before. I love the versatility combined with pristine sound quality. The battery is an annoyance, but it lasts quite a while, and I plan on getting a Custom Shop Fender Strat with a battery cavity in the back. They are a little expensive, but you really do get what you pay for. And you could say it saves you money, because my ONE guitar can emulate MANY others. So, you can look at it how you want.

Pickup features: Single coil Active Pick-ups
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Contemporary Strat - Custom Shop
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Fender Stock Pick-ups
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: David Gilmour
You musical style(s): Blues Rock
Reason for pickup change: I wanted a single coil sound on my strat, rather than the old
set up, which consisted of a humbucker in the bridge
position. Being a huge fan of Pink Floyd's guitar sound, the DG20 made a lot of sense to me.

Perceived output level: These pick-ups sound similar to vintage strat pick-ups, but expand on the original concept.
Tone: The tone is ultra rich with tight sounding mids and bottom end. They sound very similar to vintage strat pick-ups except with more horse power. When I turn the volume up on my amp, my guitar just sings. In addition, the EMG controls on the DG20(Mid-Boost Expander & SPC Presence Control) allow me to fine tune a variety of tones without even having to go back and adjust the controls on my amplifier.
Sonic evaluation: Custom Shop Contemporary Fender Strat with a Fender ToneMaster Amplifier. My equipment is top-notch. It made sense to me to have the best single coil pick-up system on the market after having spent a couple thousand dollars on my Fender guitar and amp. In my opinion, this is it. The set-up on my guitar is now identical to the one used by David Gilmour of Pink Floyd.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play blues rock and often use heavy distortion when I play. The DG20 is a pre-wired system designed specifically for Strat style guitars. When you install it, you replace all pickups (Neck, Bridge, & the in between position).

Comments: The EMG DG20 is very expensive (for guitar pick-ups). However, in life you often get exactly what you pay for. If you enjoy the guitar of David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, and want the option of playing similar sounding blues rock, then this is your ticket. The only drawback to this system is that it is battery powered and when the battery runs out, it will be a pain in the ass to replace. In terms of sound, I love the tone these pick-ups give me. I would definitely buy them again. I'd rate them a perfect 10 if they were not so expensive, and if it were easier to relace the battery when it goes dead.