Curious.... EMG EMG EMG Info Appreciated!

[Aidreon Z]

Okay this is just a little idea that I've been kicking around but how does the whole EMG pickup thing go with Jem guitars?

for example the 7DBK model.

I got these questions about it:

1) Is it possible to fit only one EMG in it (bridge) and keep the other Breeds?

2) Is there room for the battery, even if I put 3 EMGS in it (also the single coil)

3) THE SOUND! Basically, I LOVE the jem7DBK's construction and I find that there's few guitars that I like so much. It's fast! However, the breeds may be just a little too nice for me. I'm not looking for death metal sounds either but EMG's cover a lot of rock ground, not just metal. HOWEVER, how does the EMG sound in the JEM is most important. If it fits that is.


Thanks

Aidreon

[EKG]

1) Not sure, check with EMG on wiring passive and active pups together. I think you would be able to.

2) Yes, there is room in the electronics cavity. If not, you can always route out a little since the pickguard will cover it up.

3) I have never heard EMG's in a JEM in particular, but I have heard them in various RG's. A heavier, chunkier sound.

[Aidreon Z]

Thanks!

But I need to be sure about the room. I really don't want to rout my guitar. Also, any idea on how long the batteries last?

thanks

Aidreon

[EKG]

I don't think you need to do any routing with the 6 string pups, I think the 7's do. No extra routing was needed for the pups on my 3120.

Battery life depends on usage, and unplug your output cable when not in use ;-)

[Aidreon Z]

yeah I just read on the EMG site ... over 600 hours per battery. thats good enough.

I am probably just dreaming about an idea that will end up being changed after all but imagine a Jem 7DBK with EMG's and a black pickguard (maybe I'll paint something on it since that's what i do ) somehow with the screwhead inlays and asphalt finish this just seem like an awesome look/sound/playability for a rock axe

all in all this might be great. i'd have to see first but the idea definatly sounds good to me

just hope it's all possible

[EKG]

Anything is possible....and if you DO do it, PICS!!! ;-)

[archer]

I have had emg's in a bfp,the best place for the battery is the jack access plate, its a perfect fit.
the only way to get proper function of the 5 way switch you'll need a emg 89neck/89bridge, but the 81 is way better for metal. I used the 81 in the bridge/85 in the neck/ sa in the middle and left positions 2&4 on the switch unused. they sound better than passive pickups to me. emg says not to mix active pickups with passive ones, but i've tried that too with no problems. You can paint emg's too!
I say go for it!

[Aidreon Z]

that is actually a really cool idea. I can make the pickguard painting go over the emg's as well. doesnt that effect the sound at ALL? ofcourse I wont use ultra thick layers of paint, in fact it gets watered down a lot, but some varnish is really needed or else I can almost whipe the painting off. hmm.

nice idea though.

I will ditch the black knobs for nice chrome ones too.

[archer]

The paint wont affect the sound, just be sure to put a few coats of clear on them. Also make sure that they aren't too clse to the strings or it will wear off. its also a good idea to rough up the sides o the pickups with 320 grit sandpaper because the sides are smooth, this helps the paint stick. I think I might paint a set blue to put back in the bfp since I have an extra set! keep us posted on your progress.

[Active 80's]

battery life: my guitar teacher has had a guitar with 2 emg 85s and has only replaced the batteries 2x in like 10 years or somthign around a decade. and pluging in the cord to teh guitar does nothing, the pickups are ALWAYS on.
EMGs are great, but to keep from metal sound just turn down the vol knob a tiny bit and ur good to go. or just change distortion from nu, or higain to like a vintage sound. does good on my jackson and my bandit 112.
"that is actually a really cool idea. I can make the pickguard painting go over the emg's as well. doesnt that effect the sound at ALL? ofcourse I wont use ultra thick layers of paint, in fact it gets watered down a lot, but some varnish is really needed or else I can almost whipe the painting off. hmm.

nice idea though.

I will ditch the black knobs for nice chrome ones too."
it PROBABLY WONT affect ur sound, unless its past oh say 3mm thick, because kirk hammet has graphics over his 2 emg 81s and that mummy guitar sounds great. you MIGHT have to adjust the pup height, but probably not. emgs need to be relativly close cuz their magnetic feild isnt the strongest out there anyway. oh and it WILL AFFECT SOUND if you are useing paint with LEAD or any magnetic or dense metals (lead is dense). that will affect sound. but if its just paint u should be good: the emgs have epoxy to glue the cover on, so i dont think that they will be affected by a little paint. Make sure you scuff up the cover though! otherwise it will fx everything up.
oh and 1 more thing, i suggest u find a place to do vinyls if you want a graphic, painting a graphic (unless ur pro quality) can be a bad idea.

[eelblack2]

5 years later he has probably moved on based on his post count.

[Active 80's]

Originally Posted by eelblack2

5 years later he has probably moved on based on his post count.

i hope ur not calling me out there buddy...

[LonePhantom]

How many pages back did you have to go to find this anyway!!

[Active 80's]

lol.... it was at the top, off a search!
the info hasnt changed in those years sooo.... its still good stuff! lol
lol

[JiMoSiTY]

Originally Posted by Aidreon Z

yeah I just read on the EMG site ... over 600 hours per battery. thats good enough.

I am probably just dreaming about an idea that will end up being changed after all but imagine a Jem 7DBK with EMG's and a black pickguard (maybe I'll paint something on it since that's what i do ) somehow with the screwhead inlays and asphalt finish this just seem like an awesome look/sound/playability for a rock axe

all in all this might be great. i'd have to see first but the idea definatly sounds good to me

just hope it's all possible

I had a 7DBK that I put all EMGs in, no extra routing was needed...I also swapped all hardware out for black and painted an old pickguard black; everything was black. Awesome guitar.
Yes, you can use passive pickups with EMGs, but I personally have always thought of it as sort of putting three new tires on a car and leaving one old one. Just my opinion though.
Here's a pic of my blackened 7DBK: