EMG SA

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

Model of guitar or bass: Jackson Ps-4
Position: middle
Pickup being replaced: Jackson Stock
Other pickups on guitar: EMG-81's
Artists using this pickup: ??? Hell if I know
You musical style(s): Metal
Reason for pickup change: I wanted all EMG pickups. I was upgrading from all stock, which was "ok" but wanted a little more outta my guitar. I got alot more.

Perceived output level: Semi-Hot. Vintage kinda
Tone: very balanced, I hear just a micro more of treble - thats good though
Sonic evaluation: I am using my Jackson PS-4 with some Fender Reverb. Personally, I want a Marshall stack. I don't trust Fender at all. Eventhough using a Fender, the EMG's are delivering perfect sound... I just want MORE!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play metal, but this may be good for some other stuff like blues especially

Comments: If it were destroyed or stolen...most likely I would have it replaced. The has perfect clarity. I can hear each and every note as perfect as it should be. It sounds like fuck'n CD quality or some shit like that. It isnt the best with distortion though since it isnt that hot. I only use this pickup for anything clean. Besides that, my EMG 81 takes over.

Pickup features: Active Single Coil
Impedence or other specs: Check the Manual

Model of guitar or bass: American Standard Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: OEM
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: who cares..they hardly ever record with what they endorse..
You musical style(s): Blues, Rock, Light Metal
Reason for pickup change: The OEM p/u's were weak and NOISY.

Perceived output level: Hotter than OEM Strat but not as hot as an EMG 81.
Tone: Middle and Neck could use a treb boost
Sonic evaluation: ADA MP-1 Classic --> Marshall JCM-900 4100 --> Soldano 2x12

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Great for all types

Comments: Well i've come to find that a Strat is gonna sound like a Strat
no matter what pickup is in it(within reason). The EMGs really
woke up my Marshall (hated the Marshall with OEM Strat p/u's).
If I could have my way with the SA's I would boost the output
just a tad. I have an EMG 81 in a Les Paul that screams and I was
preying the SA would do the same but it didn't. In my opinion the
SA has a dark/muddy vintage tone (especially in the neck). If your
looking to "wake-up" your dull strat I would try a few other brands
(like Alnico II or JB's) before purchasing the SA's. But dont get
wrong, I'm really satisfied with the SA's but I suggest you listen to
several different brands (if you can) before purchasing. One more
note: The pre-wired set is EASY to install.

Pickup features: Single Coil / Active
Impedence or other specs: low

Model of guitar or bass: Fender American Std. Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Seymour Duncan Hot Rails (bridge) and Fender stock units
Other pickups on guitar: All SA's
Artists using this pickup: David Gilmour, Kirk Hammett, Vince Gill, Mike Kenally
You musical style(s): Rock, Blues, Metal, Jazz, Country, Funk - you name it!
Reason for pickup change: Because they RULE if you want the ultimate in balanced tone
and virtually no noise!

Perceived output level: Normal
Tone: BALANCED, baby!
Sonic evaluation: Okay... I'm a tad biased here not just because I've been using EMGs
for many years now, but also because I recently had EMG's "Tech Deity",
Paul Gnat, rig for me a custom setup incorporating both the SPC Presence
Control [midrange boost] and the EXG Guitar Expander [boosts highs and
lows] add-on preamp units (the same as David Gilmour uses). So even
though I don't use the "straight-on" SA tones hardly at all anymore
since the add-ons, I can still comment on them.
As stated before, they are the most balanced and quietest SC's on the
market! Granted, they won't necessarily make you sound like Stevie
Ray, but they will provide a SUPERB foundation for coming up with all
kinds of tones depending on what amp and outboard effects you use.
Right out of the box they are ready to make music--just wire 'em up
and make beautiful music. They're ultra-clean, but can get downright
dirty depending on your gear. As with all EMGs, these babys give
great pinches (i.e., harmonics) if you've got your gear tweaked for
it. But as good as they sound by themselves, they sound just that
much BETTER with the additions of the SPC and EXG! [More on those
units specifically in my upcoming "EXG" and "SPC" reviews.]

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I personally feel it adapts to all styles, but if you want to get the most out of them for heavier rock applications, then by all means you've gotta at least add the SPC midrange boost preamp.

Comments: Buy 'em again?--In a hearbeat!
Love--Total tonal balance, clarity and no friggin' noise!
Hate--Nothing.
Compared--Shopped around listening to Texas Specials, et al, but these
quiet beauties stole the show.
Wish?--EXG and SPC characteristics built in so that maybe one could
set the tonal foundations via dip switches. Also I'd have them be
not quite as deep--when I went to secure the Strat's pickguard, one
of the wires was resting underneath the bridge unit, and I couldn't
get to pickguard flush with the body until I moved the wire out of
the way. No biggee.
Searching?--Yes, but I'm much closer now with the additions of the
SPC and EXG preamps!
Share?--My recipe for Buffalo Wing Sauce maybe, but not in this forum.

Pickup features: Single Coil
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Dave Gilmour, Eric Clapton
You musical style(s): Metal and Blues
Reason for pickup change: None

Perceived output level: UltraHot
Tone: Balanced
Sonic evaluation:
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Suitable for all types of music except Jazz.

Comments: I would buy these again they are great!!!!!!!

Pickup features: Active, low impedance
Impedance or other specs: low

Pickup features: Active, low impedance
Impedance or other specs: low

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez RG565
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Ibanez stock single coil
Other pickups on guitar: EMG 81, bridge
Artists using this pickup: Mark Knopfler, David Gilmour
Your musical style(s): hard rock, fusion
Reason for pickup change: Ibanez stock pu's were noisy, wimpy etc.


Model of guitar or bass: Fender Stratocaster
Position: all
Pickup being replaced: stock fender single coil
Other pickups on guitar: none

Artists using this pickup:
Your musical style(s): Rock, Jazz
Reason for pickup change: I can't leave well enough alone...
I've installed and de-installed these a couple of times.
Previously, I didn't like the sound of the pickups. They sounded
dull and hissy. It may have been an installation mistake on my
part, because when I put them back in a year ago, they sounded
Great! Medium output, very full, rich tone. The bridge pickup is
quite twangy, in a tele sort of way, and the neck pickup is deep
without being muddy. The middle p/u is just as useable as the others,
which is not usually true for a strat. I might wish for a little more
"skronk" when using positions 2 and 4. I love these pickups!

Perceived output level: high
Tone: Clear, glassy, balanced
Sonic evaluation:
Ultra-clean single coil sound. No hiss, no feedback problems. As said:
resemble an idealized Fender pickup much more than any humbucker, but
they have their own unique quality.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:
Most blues (lacks the 'character', propably because my ear is
accustomed to different overtones/harmonics from 'vintage' pu's.)

Perceived output level: Medium high
Tone: _very_ balanced.
Sonic evaluation: Very smooth, clean sound. They
resemble an idealized Fender pickup much more than any humbucker,
but they have their own unique quality. I know David Gilmour uses
them, and I can hear the sound of the pickups in some of his tones,
for instance "Another Brick In THe Wall" on the live album.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:
Probably not a great jazz pickup, but that's more of a function
of the Strat's not being best suited for jazz.

Comments:


Comments: