Ibanez RG320FM and Zakk Wylde Pickup set

Ravendark · #1 02-20-2006, 03:12 PM

Hi guys,
I just bought and installed my new pickups today. The EMG-81 (bridge) and the EMG-85 (neck).
My guitar is the RG320FM with the Edge Pro II trem.

Well the first impression was lets say bad...

I did not notice any change in the sound of my guitar. I am not using an amplifier right now because I am at the university and the amp is home, but I have the Korg toneworks AX1500G processor.

I was expecting a heavier sound or at least something different.
But no!
Is there something wrong?
The old pickups were the stock powersound ones.

Thanks.

ibanezcollector · #2 02-20-2006, 03:21 PM

did you change the pots to 25k?

Demiurge · #3 02-20-2006, 03:33 PM

Maybe you connected the "quick-connect" cables the wrong way. The first time I installed an EMG I made that mistake and the pickup sounded weak as hell... then when I fixed it- OMG. If not that, and you used the pots included with the pickups, you either have some bad EMGs or some really good powersounds ;-)

Ravendark · #4 02-20-2006, 03:43 PM

Well I have no idea.
The guy at the guitar shop installed the pickups.
What are the pots?

Thanks for your reply!

Edit: I will try to connect the quick-connect cables the other way around and get back to you

lyconxero · #5 02-20-2006, 04:09 PM

They are referring to the volume and tone potentiometers which control just that. For EMGs to work properly, you need to install the pots that come with the pickups. Also, even with EMGs I don't know how much you expect your tone to improve if you're just playing through an FX processor. You should hear a difference but you're not REALLY going to hear just how different they sound until you play through a REAL AMP.

Ravendark · #6 02-20-2006, 04:18 PM

The guy at the guitar shop changed the volume and tone controls.
Now I am looking for a screwdriver to check if the "quick-connect" is connected the right way

LonePhantom · #7 02-20-2006, 04:47 PM

That's surprising that you haven't found much change in your sound. I hope it's just a bad install on your guitar and that it can be fixed up. Your guitar should have a huge sound now!

Ravendark · #8 02-20-2006, 05:27 PM

Thats what I was expecting...

Ok, I connected the "quick-connect" cables the other way around but then I had no sound at all.

Is it possible that something went wrong? How can I find out?

Ravendark · #9 02-20-2006, 05:30 PM

Also, (i dont know if this is relevant) the guy who installed th pickups, he originally installed the 85 at the bridge and the 81 at the neck and I told him to change them.
When I asked him to change them he told me that I wouldn't like it because the 85 is louder than the 81.

"Even Zakk Wylde uses the 85 at the bridge and the 81 at the neck" he said...

Toto · #10 02-20-2006, 05:38 PM

MISTAKE!

81 is 1.25Volts and 85 is 1.00V, 81 is a bridge PU but can be used in neck, BUT anyways guitar MUST have HUGE sound!

Ravendark · #11 02-20-2006, 05:43 PM

Well I have the 81 at the bridge now and the 85 at the neck.
I dont know I got dissapointed because I also gave a lot of money...
Unless if its the FX's fault like lyconxero suggested.
But still, with the same settings shouldn't the guitar now sound better?
Even when I palm mute it, it sounds weaker than before...and the old pickups realy sucked!

guitardevil2005 · #12 02-20-2006, 06:23 PM

what pups did u have before

Ravendark · #13 02-20-2006, 06:35 PM

Powersound. The ones the guitar had when i bought it

Algiman · #14 02-20-2006, 07:07 PM

I strongly suspect that your processor is disguising the real sound. Do you use lots of compression? I find that EMGs need completely different compression settings to passives. Run the guitar through a real amp before judging it.

Ravendark · #15 02-20-2006, 07:16 PM

I will try to find any guys with amps here at the accomodation and let you know.
I will also change the battery put a good one, duracell or something...

Thanks alot!