Zak Wylde EMG 81/85 to Ibanez RG5EX1

[gtask8]

Hey guys whats up! Im new to the forums after seraching around with no answer.

Ive been all over the internet, and maybe musician to musician you can shed some light on the situation?

Got me a Zak EMG 81/85 set, and wanna drop it in, but I do believe I may need a new toggle?

Is there any advice, or schematics out there that can shed some light here so I can get back to jammin?!

Thanks!

[C.Thep]

Yes, you should get a 3 way switch rather than the 5 way.

[Destro 007]

it would be more "correct" to have a 3 way toggle, but you could still make the 5 way work if you wanted to. My advice would be to contact EMG, I called them one time about some wiring and they were very helpful. They were able to find a wiring diagram for my application and send it to me.

[kshands]

A 3 way is need to run just a 81/85. A 5 way will not work ive tried it. Get a 3 way from WD Music and use seymour duncans 3 way schematic. EMG has a PDF that shows and tells you want to. Read it all. I didnt and went back to get a pickup dimension. Id do the 18v mod too. More headroom and space.

EMG PDF: http://www.emginc.com/content/wiring...20%20%20ZW.pdf

Seymour Duncan: http://www.seymourduncan.com/support...atic=3ws_trans

WD Music: http://www.wdmusic.com/oak_3_way_lev..._for_tele.html

18v mod: http://home.comcast.net/~mgollihur/emgmod.html

[LonePhantom]

I've used the existing 5 way with an 81-85 pickup config. Positions 3 and 4 utilise the neck pickup, and position 5 is like a kill switch. I'm not sure how it's wired as my Dad did it, but I can confirm that you can use an existing 5 way if you are saving some cash.

[Onlytheclouds]

I agree that you should do an 18v mod. It brings the pickups to life much more clarity and derfinition without losing output.

[gtask8]

Well, I hooked it up with the 9v mod, I used an Aftermarket Stereo jack from Radioshack, and got everything hooked up according to the schematics, but still no sound. Ive gone over everything....

Possibility I blew my Pups?

Im pretty sure I jacked everything correctly. Ive connected them around until I have no hum sounds, dont know if thats supposed to be correct or not...

[LonePhantom]

I doubt that you've killed your pickups. The pickups are the quick connect type I'm guessing? Flip the plug around. I think I remember when I installed some with my Dad that we had no sound even though all looked to be wired up correctly, then we flipped the plug around on the pickup, and low and behold we had sound.

[gtask8]

Ill give it a shot, let you know whats up. Thanks for the reply so far guys!

Edit: Switched them around and well, nothing!

....Hmmmmm. Yup....guess its off to the shop I Spoze

[gtask8]

Ok, took it to the shop and turns out it was the volume Pot. Dont know why, but when one of the wires was pulled off it, it made wonderful sound!

I do have one question tho, Since I have a three way switch, are the top, and bottom clicks only supposed to have sound? The middle is quiet...dont know if thats kinda the way its supposed to be or both Pups sounding off?

Ok, Off to check out this 18v mod now lol