EMG SA

Pickup features: Active SC's
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Squire Fat Strat ( S/S/H)
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Squier Stock
Other pickups on guitar: All Stock
Artists using this pickup: David Gilmour, etc...
You musical style(s): Blues, Soft to Rude rock
Reason for pickup change: Stock pu's too muddy and trebly eventhough the tone is at max still way muddy. No low end definition can't differentiate C from G (that muddy).

Perceived output level: Output level depends on the amp volume and pu's height !!!
Tone: Balanced strat tone. I alway envied other guitars coz i can hear their low end tone so i decided to change pu's
Sonic evaluation: The set includes 3 pots ( vol/tone/tone ) and a DPDT switch(all US made components). I'd recomend using those as they would probably best configured and used with the SA's.
No Hum here... a small amount of hiss ( very small trust me ) mayber because the battery's new.
Using Vox pathfinder (solid state )and boss OD-2R pedal. can't get out of the #2 pos. Sounds too good to be true to me... great rhythm tone ! The neck is perfect for the blues sounds THICKER than usual pu's. Bridge is trebly (as expected) and kinda weak so one has to raise it and sounded pretty well after that.
I always hear ppl complaining about changing battery hassles (removing the pickguard). I never use the tremolo (strat only)anyways so i used the alakaline batt. (with a small amount of foam around it) to block it. Extended the batt. wires so that it would reach the input jack(where the plug goes in?? duh !). Since EMG's has less magnetic pull and the battery blocking the tremolo i now have "MORE" natural SUSTAIN.
U won't believe how easy it is to get the harmonics in 1,3 and 5.
Clean Mode:
I just love it. NO HUM !
Driven Mode:
Small hiss ( won't be heard when playin )

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Metal players try EMG-81's

Comments: Definitely satisfied. Will try humbuckers on diff guitars for the more open sound probably JB's and PAF's

Pickup features: Active single coils
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Matthias Jabs Strat
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Fender Fat 50's
Other pickups on guitar: EMG 81
Artists using this pickup: Gilmour
You musical style(s): blues, rock, ect
Reason for pickup change: wanted to try the EMG's for myself

Perceived output level: Hot for a single coil. Surprisingly good distorted, somewhat dull clean
Tone: even, but something isn't there
Sonic evaluation: Marshall JCM 800, Peavey CLassic 30 and a Vox AS 30

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: My style is a lot like Gary Moore, and David Gilmour....with some Zappa oddness tossed in for good measure. Good pickup for high energy applications or when you need a driven single coil and hate the noise.

Comments: Haven't decided if I like these yet, I still have the original pickup/guard setup and may go back to it to get a more natural tone. EMG's are great for distorted lead but I am not sure if I really will use them much over the long run. The guitar I put them in is a backup so for a song here or there these pickups can be fun.

Pickup features: Active Single Coil
Impedence or other specs: dunno, don't care

Model of guitar or bass: Jackson Dinky JS20
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Stock Jackson pickups in neck and middle...
Other pickups on guitar: EMG 85 in bridge
Artists using this pickup: eric clapton....uh....lukathier, etc
You musical style(s): Punk, Hardcore, whatever i feel like playing
Reason for pickup change: I installed an EMG 85 previously, and was told that active and passive pickups would not work together...so i was kinda forced to purchase these, although i was happy to oblige. Stock pickups were just really cheap and muddy.

Perceived output level: Pretty hot, not as hot as the 81 and 85, but still hot.
Tone: pretty balanced...very clear tone, but has some bass (unlike previous single coils). Sounds EXCELLENT when using neck and middle pickups in parallel.
Sonic evaluation: I'm using a 40 watt peavey Envoy 110, which is good for bedroom use, but not much else. This pickups sound great though this amp, even though it's solid state.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Excellent match for any style of music that requires clear leads and clean sounds.

Comments: If these pickups were stolen, then i'd be very very fucking pissed. I'd probably just buy a new guitar if it was stolen, but i'd certainly re-outfit it with EMG pickups, they rock.

Pickup features: Active single coil
Impedence or other specs: Check the EMG site

Model of guitar or bass: Kramer Focus 3000, Fender Strat Plus, Carvin DC-135
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Styock Kramers, Fender Lame Sensors, Stock Carvins
Other pickups on guitar: EMG-81
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock - from metal to blues
Reason for pickup change: Wanted good tone.

Perceived output level: Not as hot as the 81, but still kinda hot
Tone: Balanced tone
Sonic evaluation: Typically played through an almost stock BF Fender Bassman Head into 2 -12" Weber VST speakers (1-Chicago and 1-Thames) mounted in a Mesa/Boogie 4x12" Recto Cabinet (the other 2-12" speakers are Celestion Vintage 30's for a distorted lead tone from a Boogie amp). I usually play with a Fender clean tone when using the neck and middle pick-ups. These pick-ups sound great for that. Don't believe anyone who says that EMG's make all guitars sound the same. I have three electrics (all Strat shaped), all EMG equipped, and they all sound a little different. Strats still sound like Strats and Les Pauls still sound like Les Pauls, only better in my opinion.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Suitable for clean tones up to SRV type overdriven tones, probably not a first choice for high distortion tones.

Comments: I've been playing for about 25 years. Sure I'd buy them again (I already have). The Strat Plus also has the SPC and EXG controls (see EMG's site). I never use the SPC on the neck and middle PU's and never use the EXG on the bridge PU, and even then I only use each one a little. And I never, ever, ever use both at the same time (talk about a sonic mess). I'd like to lose the SPC and replace it with a master tone control, then have the EXG control the neck and middle PU's ONLY. Anything I wish it had? Yep, a way to have the SA clean tone and the 81 distorted tone from the same pick-up. Wishes don't have to be realistic do they? I'm happy with my PU's contribution to my sound. I'm happy with my guitar's, amp's, and speaker's contributions. Effects...now that's different.

Pickup features: active humbucker with strat single coil size and sound
Impedence or other specs: see http://www.emginc.com/

Model of guitar or bass: Music Man Steve Lukather Signature
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: -
Other pickups on guitar: EMG-SA in middle, EMG-85 at bridge
Artists using this pickup: who cares?
You musical style(s): who cares?
Reason for pickup change: I'd like to have a hum free single coil sound

Perceived output level: normal, see below
Tone: see below
Sonic evaluation: see below

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: doesn't apply

Comments: In a shop I was playing on a Music Man Steve Lukather Signature a
strat style guitar with vintage tremolo locking tuners and EMG-85/SA/SA. The amp was a Hughes & Kettner Triamp. For clean settings I used channel 1a, for high gain distortion channel 3b. I read a lot on the high output,
hum free performance of the SA. To my astonishment I had to ask
the owner of the shop for raising the pickups. When the top of the neck pickup was almost at the heigh of the fretboard the SA were *as* loud as SD Vintage Staggered Strat on a Hamer Daytona, which is Hamers strat copy.
Played clean the SA had less bass than the Duncans and sounded
different, but not in an unpleasant way. I don't spend too much time
on the clean sound since the reason not to consider these pickups for
guitars became obvious with the high gain channel.
With high gain I heard a high amount of hiss that disappeared when
the guitars volume knob was rolled back. I repeated the test with the
Hamer. The Duncans are not humbucking, thus their hum level was higher, but they had far less hiss.
Hence the SA's benefit of less hum is foiled by a high amount of hiss.
I don't spend money on exchanging hum against hiss.
I believe that the coil design of the SA is very inefficient and
a high gain preamp is used to compensate the lack of signal strengh.
Thus the hiss.
The EMG-85 at the bridge did not impress me, too.

Pickup features: Active single-coil
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Standard Stratocaster
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Seymour Duncan Cool Rails / Classic Stack
Other pickups on guitar: EMG SA mid, 89 bridge
Artists using this pickup: David Gilmour
You musical style(s): Blues, rock, Gospel
Reason for pickup change: Cool Rails was too muddy for neck position as I was fooled into installing a "bridge model" when I was inexperienced. I wanted a cleaner and brighter sounding pickup, so that I can use neck alone for blues riffs. The mid was changed since I was changing the entire system into active. I sold my Classic Stack to someone. The Classic Stack was actually great, but was not hot at all and cannot balance with my new pickups.

Perceived output level: Hot, only a little less than passive humbuckers
Tone: Very balanced
Sonic evaluation: I play a MIM Strat running through a BOSS ME-8 into a Marshall DSL-401 tube combo. This pickup sounds glassy even at neck! The bass is also tight. It is also very hot compared to any passive pickup. EMG did live up to its expectations of being great at clean sound. There is really no sound. Dead silence when my hand was off the guitar. Less magnetic pull also, and thus bending now is easier. In the clean channel they sound exactly like very hot single-coils. No tonal difference but added "sweetness". In the distortion channel this boy is definitely a winner. The bass is not over-prounced and the sccoped mids makes the pickup great for rock. You can roll of the tone knob to make it sound more mellow and middy. The treble does not cut off like when you roll of the tone of a passive single-coil.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This is definitely the pickup for every style. I think it can even manage heavy metal!

Comments: If it is gone, I will immediately divert my finances from other areas to replace it ASAP. Even if I am getting a new guitar, I will still install EMG SAs on them. It is the cleanest and hottest single-coil I've ever played! Definitely did a lot of A/B comparing and this is just the one for me. EMGs are extremists. Some people loathe them while some can die for them. I love this pickups and I have found the sound that I want. Nothing is perfect though.

Pickup features: Single Coil Active
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Strat Plus
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Gold Lace Sensor
Other pickups on guitar: SA/SA/89
Artists using this pickup: David Gilmour
You musical style(s): All kinds- Rock mostly
Reason for pickup change: Wanted active pickups and wanted to try EMG

Perceived output level: Even- CAN BE sterile
Tone: middy, clear, even- very balanced- no noise at all
Sonic evaluation: I am using A strat plus with an SA in the neck and middle and an EMG 89 in the bridge (see review on this pickup) I also have the EMG EXG expander (high and low boost) and SPC control (mid boost) these replace the two normal tone knobs on a strat. I run from my strat to a Boss GX-700 effects processor then to a Carvin tube 100 (Stereo power amp) which goes out to a Mesa Boogie 2X12 Recto cab (2 12" Vintage Celestion speakers) My other cab is a no name. The good thing about active pickups is: 1) You don't have to worry about shock hazards, 2) You can use any length cord without changing your sound at all, 3) They have NO noise in them, 4) You can raise the pickups very close to the strings. They can sound a bit sterile but the EXG and SPC controls really help keep them warm.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play everything and the set up I have is very versitile. I mean the 89 switches between single and humbucker (push pull knob on volume) and the EXG and SPC controls change the sound of the SA's a lot so I can get many different tones.

Comments: Well I paid a bundle and waited months to get them but I have to say that yea I would get them again. They are a big part of my sound now.
Take out "XXX" to e-mail me.

Pickup features: Single Coil - Passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Encore Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Encore Original Pickups
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: David Guilmour - Larry Carlton
You musical style(s): Blues - Jazz - Experimental - Rock
Reason for pickup change: I don't want any more buzz.

Perceived output level: The hottest single coil pickups that I ever tried. They sound loud and extremely clean, almost as a humbucker. I love them. If you want POWER and a clean-buzz-free sound, this pickups were made for you!
Tone: That depends a lot in wich position are you using the pickup. In the neck position is middy, with good basses and trebles (specially the basses). With the middle pickup you have a balanced-great sound, full of all frequences. The bridge pickup is trebly, but without loosing basses. You have all kind of sounds with this pickups.
Sonic evaluation: I'm using an Encore Strat guitar with an 1978 Randall semi valvular amp, an ARIA distortion footswitch and a Morley Wah-wah.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I've been playin' blues since 1996 and those pickups are for people who don't want a vintage sound. But if you want to go for a powerful blues guitar, buy an Strat and set-up her with EMG-SA pickups. In the case of Jazz, they are GREAT!!! In the neck position you get a sound that is almost perfect. And for experimental music... no words. Outstanding. You can do anything you want.

Comments: I would buy it again, and again and angain. I'm a new EMG fan. I've been playing since 1995. I never buyed another gear.
I love the candid-full-of-frequences powerfull and clean sound that it offers.
I wish it have different colours, not only white, black or wood. I'm SATISFIED with the SA.

Pickup features: Active Single Coil
Impedence or other specs: Low impedance

Model of guitar or bass: Fender '57 reissue strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: david Gilmour
You musical style(s): "Alternative", Straight aheead rock
Reason for pickup change: Using a solid state amp when bought (GK). Stock pickups were super trebly and sounded weak.

Perceived output level: quite hot
Tone: balanced, more "full", humbucker sound with mid booster, but kind of "sterile"
Sonic evaluation: I currently use an early 90's Marshall JCM 900 with el-34's, for gain boosts I use either a ts-5 tubesceamer, an old dod 250 preanp/overdrive, or an eq pedal. other effects are a crybaby, an oc-2 octave, and occasionally a dod chorus.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: "alternative", hard rock, medium rock, occasionally metal.

Comments: These pickups sound great clean and great with a lot of gain, but with moderate gain (like amp preamp gain or a cranked amp) they sound a little flat and sterile. They are extremely quiet however. I recently re-installed my stock pickups after about 5 emg years and although they're noisy and weaker (I now NEED a pedal for solo gain levels) they definitely sound more organic. I was suprised how much less trebly they were through a good tube amp. The emg's don't particular sound bad, just different, ad it was a tone I got sick of. To me the perfect strat sound is Chili Pepper era John Frusciante.

Pickup features: Active Single Coil
Impedence or other specs: Low Impedence 25k

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Fat Strat
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Stock Neck and Middle Position Single Coils
Other pickups on guitar: EMG 89
Artists using this pickup: David Guilmor
You musical style(s): Pink Floyd, SP, Metallica
Reason for pickup change: Single Coils were worse than the humbucker I replaced..Horrible buzzing, just plain bad.

Perceived output level: Very Good, great high-output, but just before it starts to distort.
Tone: Balanced very well.
Sonic evaluation: Fender and a Marshall tube amp.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: It's good for most types of music, IMO.

Comments: I think they are very good pickups for clean sounds, and decent with distortion sounds. I love that they have almost no noise at all. I am very satisfied with them.