deeaa
September 30th, 2011, 10:50 AM
In a moment I'm posting a direct comparison video with my EMG85-bridge strat and the SG w/passive Dirty Fingers thru my Ceriatone & OD pedal, very straightforward no-computer-chips setup.
At some points I swear in blind test, you could not tell which is which, the sound is so similar. Which should be even more amazing considering the other is a strat with a floating trem and bolt-on & active, and the other a set-neck, hardtail tilt-constructed passive guitar!
Just goes to show how little the differences between electric guitars really are, even when played thru a super simple p-t-p all tube amp and a simple overdrive pedal - always with the exact same settings, just changing the guitar...and then they tell me simply changing from one passive PU to another similar one makes a helluva difference - well I'll say it's all in your head, I seem to sound just the same even with so hugely different guitars (which just confirms my earlier findings; I can't much see any huge, real sonic differences between one electric and another).
But even though the sound remains the same, in some respects the difference is clear; the passives are much dirtier and louder, more metal, especially for cleans, which indeed become 'cleans' and also they are clearly less defined in lower sounds and chords, as well as prone to starting to squeal badly at higher drive levels. The EMG's sound much more refined, and are easier to play & sound good while at it.
BUT the passives, on the other hand, seem to also have a little warmer and rounder highs in leads, and by adjusting the playing style, allow for more 'Zakk Wylde' type screams and such and singing leads with more volume. The difference isn't huge, but nevertheless they are indeed a touch more lively for lead playing, both in good and bad. It is however very debatable if the more singing quality is more due to NOT being a floating-trem axe than the actual pickups...or the mahogany vs. maple and alder...A-HA!
SO for real world use, on stage and studio, I'd still definitely go for EMG85...they won't squeal on you, and they'll always have superb clarity when need be, but can be just as soulful and raunchy as passives too.
And truly there seems to be no significance in what kind of pickups you select, based on this test as well as my previous experience. Yep, it's all in your heads, the effect of woods and such...it's of no matter.
I'll post the comparison video on YouTube soon enough...
At some points I swear in blind test, you could not tell which is which, the sound is so similar. Which should be even more amazing considering the other is a strat with a floating trem and bolt-on & active, and the other a set-neck, hardtail tilt-constructed passive guitar!
Just goes to show how little the differences between electric guitars really are, even when played thru a super simple p-t-p all tube amp and a simple overdrive pedal - always with the exact same settings, just changing the guitar...and then they tell me simply changing from one passive PU to another similar one makes a helluva difference - well I'll say it's all in your head, I seem to sound just the same even with so hugely different guitars (which just confirms my earlier findings; I can't much see any huge, real sonic differences between one electric and another).
But even though the sound remains the same, in some respects the difference is clear; the passives are much dirtier and louder, more metal, especially for cleans, which indeed become 'cleans' and also they are clearly less defined in lower sounds and chords, as well as prone to starting to squeal badly at higher drive levels. The EMG's sound much more refined, and are easier to play & sound good while at it.
BUT the passives, on the other hand, seem to also have a little warmer and rounder highs in leads, and by adjusting the playing style, allow for more 'Zakk Wylde' type screams and such and singing leads with more volume. The difference isn't huge, but nevertheless they are indeed a touch more lively for lead playing, both in good and bad. It is however very debatable if the more singing quality is more due to NOT being a floating-trem axe than the actual pickups...or the mahogany vs. maple and alder...A-HA!
SO for real world use, on stage and studio, I'd still definitely go for EMG85...they won't squeal on you, and they'll always have superb clarity when need be, but can be just as soulful and raunchy as passives too.
And truly there seems to be no significance in what kind of pickups you select, based on this test as well as my previous experience. Yep, it's all in your heads, the effect of woods and such...it's of no matter.
I'll post the comparison video on YouTube soon enough...