EMG SA

Pickup features: Active single coil
Impedence or other specs: No idea

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez S540FM
Position: middle
Pickup being replaced: Stock Ibanez QM
Other pickups on guitar: EMG 81 and EMG 85
Artists using this pickup: David Gilmour, Mark Knopfler
You musical style(s): Blues, Rock, and Metal
Reason for pickup change: Stock pickups sounded ok, wanted to get a more glassy, David Gilmour/Mark Knopfler type of tone, and turn the guitar into an active crunch machine with the ability to play metal along with Floyd covers.

Perceived output level: Slightly more than a standard strat single coil, but much quieter
Tone: Well balanced, glassy, bell like tone with a nice mid-range, a little bass, and not too piercing on the treble side
Sonic evaluation: Using this on my Ibanez through a Hot Rod Deville, and also a Marshall AVT50. Sounds great clean, a little punchy and compressed on the gain side, but if I crank the amp's gain for heavy rythym and leads, I just switch to the 81 or the 85 - but that's why I bought it. It's a very versatile pickup for cleans - you can get a nice warm bell like jazzy tone, a good sound for Police songs, Floyd songs, and Dire Straits. Very creamy smooth, I'd definitly recommend them, I want to put three in my Strat, but don't feel like installing them cause it's too much of a pain, with changing the pots and using a battery and all.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Good in all positions, but better for cleans in general. Then again, I never much cared for heavily overdriven single coils on any guitar.

Comments: I'd definitely buy one again, or maybe try an SAV if it was lost or stolen. Been playing for 10 years, own a variety of guitars from Gibson, Ibanez, and Fender. Love the bell-like clean tones, not a big fan of the overdriven sound, but I still like it better than the stock gold lace sensors in my Strat Plus. Overall, I'm satisfied.

Pickup features: Active Single Coil
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Mexican Strat Special
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: S. Duncan Hot rails
Other pickups on guitar: EMG SAV (neck)
Artists using this pickup: David Gilmour
You musical style(s): Classic Rock / Jam Band
Reason for pickup change: Wanted to try something different and had an SA and SAV sitting in the "parts" drawer. Ordered a custom pickguard from Warmoth with no middle strat pickup cutout. Also added the SPC control in place of 1 tone pot.

Perceived output level: The sound is crystal clear and boosted. This helps you a bunch if you use a large FX chain.
Tone: Supplied volume and tone pots actually work. SA with the SPC mid boost gives a nice round distortion thru a tube screamer and a Bassman Head. Paced in parallel with the SAV in the neck gives a tele sound with more of a mid focus instead of trebly twang.
Sonic evaluation: EMG equipped strat>Digitech synth wah>tubescreamer>Crybaby 535q>Univibe>Bassman Head>Custom mod FX loop>EH Small Stone>Volume pedal>Roland space echo>return to power amp>Avatar 212 enclosure with Eminence and Celestion drivers. The EMG's push the signal through easily and it makes the FX more transparent; it lets the amp's tone shine.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: You can play all music with EMG single coils. If you want a metal sound uses the "S" series. Back in the 80's Kirk Hammet played a Fernandes strat copy with all positions EMG S. Many leads off of Ride the Lightning done on this guitar. David Gilmour of Pink Floyd uses the SPC with his SA and gets serious TONE.

Comments: This pickup has alnico magnets inside as well as an internal preamp with a quick disconnect. This makes it easy to swap with other active EMG's. You literally can walk into a guitar store and try out new pickups before you buy once you've done the first set. That can't be beat. I have been playing for 15 years and have had at least 1 guitar modded with EMG's for 14 years (EMG 85). When doing stage work it is extra pleasing to know that you can't get shocked when it's time for vocals - no blue sparks from the mic to your lip. EMG makes great gear, however I've not seen any that give that strat "quack" just right.

Pickup features: single coil active
Impedence or other specs: ,..

Model of guitar or bass: fernandes LE 2
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock fernandes
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: David Gilmour
You musical style(s): rock, blues, metal
Reason for pickup change: Need quiet operation for gigs. The stock single coils produced too much hum. These pickups are grounded internally so they are safer than normal ones from electric shock.

Perceived output level: much higher than the stock pickups, but not harsh.
Tone: Not too trebly, similar to american stratocaster. More mids than stock pickups.
Sonic evaluation: I am using a made in japan fernandes revival stratocaster with these pickups and ran it through straight to a marshal JCM 800. The marshall is so noisy anyway and with those stock pickups, it created a hell of noises. These emgs are so quiet that the usual noises from the marshall disappear! These pickups are at best in playing metal rythem where u need a tight and agressive riffs. I used it mostly for blues because the tone is at its best. Smooth and middy and full sounding.. not too trebly which bleed the ears. Not very suitable for rock lead where I prefer using humbuckers. For tight agressive rythem and blues. for the 2nd and 4th position the sound is similar to humbuckers but it is not exactly it. My favourite positions are the bridge and neck positions for playing leads and middle position for playing blues. I may consider getting a 3 way switch to replace the stocked 5 way switch. The output jack is a switchcraft one. Very high quality.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: As i said these pickups are not suitable for lead playing. Very suitable for rythem as it is even and tight sounding in playing chords.

Comments: Give it a 9 because it is not very versatile in playing rock lead. Maybe i would try the more expensive SAV with individual pole pieces next time.

Pickup features: Single
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: 1989 Fender American
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock Fenders
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Gilmore
You musical style(s): Jazz Rock Blues
Reason for pickup change: 35 years of the same old 60cycle hum. I never thought I would go for active pickups but I did finally on a whim. And it turned out to be a forehead slapper. I needed a quiet guitar.

Perceived output level: First the sound is even...Up the neck and up the fretboard.. Effects track a lot better.
Tone: Balanced and a bit trebly but hey thats why you play a strat.
Sonic evaluation: I am not much of an effects person so I play mostly straight into a Fender Super 60 with the odd bit of phase or wah wah.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play as a guitarist behind acoustic type singer song writer.

Comments: I would replace these with out a doubt and I am equiping my backup with them. I know all the arguments you get from that grizzled old bearded guy in the hippie gitar shoppe about MOJO but to hell with that, these are pickups for professionals. No hiss no hum all tone. Dig it.

Pickup features: Active Single Coil
Impedence or other specs: Don't know

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Standard Stratocaster
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: David Gimour
You musical style(s): Punk, Alternative
Reason for pickup change: Just wanted to try something new.

Perceived output level: Higher Output
Tone: Whatever
Sonic evaluation: Fender Mexican Standard Stratocaster, Kustom KGA30

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Punk, Alternative, It gives the guitar higher output, and it's good in all positions

Comments: I would buy EMG pickups again, they've proved to be beyond what I expected. In my 3 1/2 years of playing this was the first time I ever experimented with aftermarket pickups. The EMG's, even though not as well known as Seymour-Duncan or DiMarzio, are worthy of my respect. My friend was wise to give me his set of EMG pickups since he never had the time to install them on his guitar, now I make him wish he didn't do that.

Pickup features: Active single coils
Impedence or other specs: Check www.emginc.com for info

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: N/A
Other pickups on guitar: EMG
Artists using this pickup: David Gilmour, Mike Keneally
You musical style(s): Improvisational rock
Reason for pickup change: I purchased the Strat because I wanted a strat with EMG's already installed. Perfect!

Perceived output level: These pickups are very punchy. For a single coil sound it feels like a slap in the face. Almost seems like the tone is compressed a little, which is cool by me. Not exactly a Floyd/Gilmour sound but really close. Also the pickups are very nicely balance, unlike my other guitars.
Tone: A little trebly, but in a good way. Cuts through the mix without having to overpower everything
Sonic evaluation: I'm using the Strat through a Crybaby wah, Dod compressor, Big Muff into the amp. In the effects loop I use a Danelectro flanger and a Line 6 Delay modeler. My amp is a Tech 21 Trademark 60.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play jam/rock music similar to Phish, Floyd, but I also like britpop like Coldplay, Radiohead, Doves, Blur

Comments: This is definitely the pickup to have. The only other one I might use are the Duncan Alnico pickups.

Pickup features: Active Single Coil Strat replacement pickups
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Warmoth Strat Ash body Maple Cap and neck
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Kent Armstrong SAV
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Blues R&B
Reason for pickup change: Unhappy with the tones from the Kent Armstrongs, search for a richer sound.

Perceived output level: High output active circuit
Tone: Well balanced smooth toned with great clarity
Sonic evaluation: Through a Musicman RD 210 mid 80's combo these sounded initialyy good with great claruty - no hum at all. You needed to play the strings to tell if the guitar was connected as the pickups do really exibhit no noise at all. After the initial excitement of this HI-FI sound I started to feel that while they lacked noise they also lacked soul. In addition they had a tendency to 'bark' at high volume settings (on the guitar) with the Musicman. As a result I changed it for a Rivera and hoped that the more sophisticated amp would tame this, it did to some extent but the harshness could be heard. I write this review because i finally gave up on the EMGs and put the Kent Armstrongs back, suffered the noise but got back the 'soul' of the single coil sound - which I love. I am starting to look again and have ordered some Harmonic Design pups. I will let you all know how I get on!
The good points have been the excellent acoustic like rythm tones from a Strat type guitar, smooth jazzy tones at lower volume settings (on the guitar) . The builkd qualirty is unmatched by anyone. They have fantastic recording qualities with no noise and very nice jazz/fusion tones available.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Blues R&B - not a good match - fusion and stadium rock is their metier.

Comments: No I would not buy again for my taste although if i got into fusion and Pink Floyd styles I probably would. To be frank I play in small bars and functions where the background noise is quite high. This HI-FI sound is not necassary and I prefer the 'dirt' and the soul of standard type single coils. My fault, not the right tool for me.

Pickup features: Single Coil Active
Impedence or other specs: N/A

Model of guitar or bass: Yamaha SSC 500 ( Late 70's Model ) Neck Through Design
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Fender Vintage Noiseless
Other pickups on guitar: N/A
Artists using this pickup: David Gilmore
You musical style(s): Rock and Blues
Reason for pickup change: Fender pickups were very thin sounding. Not satisfied at all with them. Even with all the mods done that everyone suggested, they still sounded weak and thin.

Perceived output level: Slightly hotter than stock
Tone: Very well balanced with good mids
Sonic evaluation: Very good pickups for my setup. ( Solid Body with neck through design going into a Marshall Bluesbreaker.) I have tried many combinations and these pickups are exactly what I am looking for.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: These pickups are great for Rock and Blues.

Comments: Considering they are totally quiet and great sounding, I am completely satisfied.I will be using EMG from now on. I would definitly replace them if something were to happen to them and as far as comparing them to other pickups. I would rate them FAR SUPERIOR to overpriced Fender pickups. I knew this as soon as I played the first chord.

Pickup features: Active Single Coil Size
Impedence or other specs: ..?

Model of guitar or bass: USA Strat 40th anniv model
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change: Improved tone

Perceived output level: louder than standard strat - maybe couple of notches of gain on a POD JCM800 model
Tone: Clearer, more presence, more bottom end (in a positive way)
Sonic evaluation: This strat, also with Sperzels and tusk nut and the SAs straight in to a Line 6 Flextone II plus. For drive I mainly use the Marshall JCM800 model for clean the Line 6 clean. Diven these pickups are way way better than stock. A fuller sound, very little hiss. Both bridge and neck pickups are a treat with a semi driven sound (gain about 4).
Clean I opt for neck and middle (or the inbetweens) to give classic clean strat tones that are strong and clear.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Covers band with blues edge

Comments: The SA does it for me. Somehow it makes a strat sound like a strat you hear on record rather than a near match. It's a vast improvement. Now hum, no dimmer switch problems etc. People have mentioned the hiss but even with Soldano gain the hiss is more amp than guitar it just isn't an issue. Also with these, you get new volume and tone pots. I've not got the extra mid or hi/lo boosts as the mid did nothing for me (I'm not a fat humbucker tone man) and hi/lo's are great as they come so....

Pickup features: Active Single Coil
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Late 70's Fender Strat Hardtail
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock Fender PUs and a Seymore Duncan Hot Rails Bridge PU
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock, Jazz, Blues
Reason for pickup change: Stock pickups were weak and crappy. Hot Rails are only good for LOUD distorted playing.

Perceived output level: Somewhat hotter than stock, not nearly as hot as the Hot Rails but WAY more versatile.
Tone: Used with the SPC, whatever I want. Classic Strat to Full round Jazz.
Sonic evaluation: Used with a Peavey Encore 65 Tube Amp and a custom built AC30 clone.
Have also played though a JCM800 half stack, Polytone Fusion, Twin.
I have yet to find an amp I can't get a good tone on

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: These pickups are a good match for my styles of playing. I think they are probably suitable for any style, provided that the basic guitar you put them in is good quality.

Comments: If they were destroyed or stolen I would probably get them again. I might try some of the AGI-Lace offerings. I have been very impressed with the sound of those PUs and the unique design concepts. I love the sound and low noise of these PUs, but I hate changing the battery