Hello to all my fellow guitarists out there on youtube. I'm back again today with another pickup soundcheck.
Thanks for tuning back in to my channel, it's an honor and a privilege to have you here with me.
Today we are going to be looking at the 18 volt modification for an EMG 81 and an EMG 85.
(more details on the 18 volt mod are listed below).
If we are going to test a true legendary hardcore metal pickup then we are going to need a true hardcore metal song and artist. That's right folks, Rebecca Black! :P
For this sound check, as with all my sound checks, I did my best to incorporate as many different techniques as possible: Power chords, full chords, distorted sweeps, muted runs, picked runs, pinch harmonics and clean strummed and "arpeggiated" chords. I do my best to keep these comparisons fun and interesting without taking this all too seriously, so I hope you enjoy today's offering and will check back in from time to time :)
All guitars are a direct line-in recording using Reaper, through a Boss GT-10 effects processor. A slight amount of VST delay was added to some of the clean guitars and the harmonized pedal-point lead during the bridge to give it that "chamber orchestra feeling" (if that makes sense).
This comparison is for fun and reference only. As you know, with any guitar and pickup, the sound produced depends on several factors such as amps, effects, strings, acoustics and the player's individual personal technique.
After the song ends, there is a small intermission and then the song repeats with the "Friday" track muted so you can hear the guitars clearly. I humbly suggest listening to the guitars in the context of the songs and solo to contrast the tonal differences.
So what is the EMG 18 volt mod?
An 18 volt mod, simply, is wiring a second 9 volt battery in series with your existing 9 volt battery to boost the power to your pickups to 18 volts.
So what is the benefit of boosting the voltage?
Well, the "official answer" (from EMG ) on this "unofficial" mod, is that it increases the "headroom" for your pickups. There are various interpretations as to what this means exactly. After playing the traditional 9 volt powered EMG for over 20 years, to my ears, and in my humble opinion, in comparing the voltage change from 9 to 18 volts, I believe that the 18 volt mod really opens up the tonal spectrum of the pickups' preamps.
I believe that there is most certainly a better mid-range response and I would even suggest that the pickups are maybe even more sensitive to subtle nuances in your personal playing. I guess I would say the pickups sound like an active version of a passive pickup if that makes sense. Plenty of tone without sacrificing gain.
If your sound is a sculpture, think of the 18 volt mod giving you more clay to shape your sound. Of course some people prefer the traditional 9 volt power setting, and that's fine too. And of course some people don't like EMG pickups at all, that that's ok too. There is no right or wrong answer here folks. It's up to your personal preference.
As for me, I will be sticking with the 18 volt mod. I can get all the low end I need for traditional and dropped tunings and extra mid- and high frequency response to work with in shaping a lead sound that suits my taste.
I liked the 18 volt mod so much that I purchased a set of EMG X pickups for one of my other guitars. When I have the time to install them I'll be back with another soundcheck.
WARNING
Before attempting this modification please research the subject thoroughly.
FAILING TO DO THIS MODIFICATION PROPERLY WILL FRY YOUR PICKUPS!!
IF YOU DO ATTEMPT THIS MODIFICATION, YOU DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE TO YOUR GUITAR THAT THIS MODIFICATION CAUSES.
I AM ALSO NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY EMOTIONAL TRAUMA CAUSED FROM LISTENING TO THIS REMIX OF REBECCA BLACK.
If you are considering this mod, may I suggest the following:
GOOD NEWS, NO NEED TO CUT / ALTER YOUR ORIGINAL WIRING!
To wire the batteries in series, I purchased three heavy-duty 9 volt battery harnesses and spliced them together to make a harness. After making the harness, I simply connected the harness to the single 9 volt harness hard-wired to the pickups and voila! Simple, quick and clean. I can also return to the 9 volt setting within a matter of seconds.
For more information on 18 volt modifications please see these external links:
http://www.emgpickups.com/pdfs/faq/EMG-FAQ-Battery-Questions.pdf
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/forum/showthread.php?t=941907
Well, that's all for now. Thank you very much for taking the time out of your schedule to listen to my humble soundcheck. I hope the soundcheck was useful and you enjoyed it. Again, I do my best to keep things interesting and not take myself to seriously.
Keep guitar based music alive. Keep playing and keep in touch!! If you have any questions, contact me anytime.
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ahh! finally got to hear this..lol awesome as usual! i also love the clips and creativity..
great great guitar ..wow!
anigre75 10 months ago
@anigre75: Thank you so much for the kind words. Coming from you, a guitar virtuoso, I am truly honored. My artwork / clips aren't as cool as yours, but I figured it might be good for a few laughs. :)
richardbagman 10 months ago
Ohh father. You are something else!
0000Ishbo 10 months ago
@0000Ishbo : Thank you :)
richardbagman 10 months ago
lmfao andy, you're the man. the clips you selected to mash into this are perfect
ohgodtheinternetwhat 10 months ago 2
@ohgodtheinternetwhat Thanks! Some of the references are kinda subtle, but hopefully they were good for a few laughs. I enjoyed your CD by the way!
richardbagman 10 months ago