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EMG help....

Kenner

Kenner

Sep 1, 2007
878
32
The Mini of Apolis........
www.rockfistband.com
#1
I own an 86 and an 87 Guild Pilot with the active EMG's.....

Does anyone know what the model of the pick ups would be, or does it even matter?

Point is, there is a definitive volume difference between my E string to the rest of the strings on my 87. Pick up height is consistent, battery newish (3 months). Guess it may have always been that way, but I am just noticing it now. Prolly because I just picked up a used Alembic Epic and am noticing night and day differences between tones....I have had 3 Pilots over my years and could "never leave home without them". Now I have this pesky Alembic, and I all of the sudden don't care as much for my Guild's.... :(

Do active pick ups "wear out"?

Opinions please.... :)
 
#5
MrRumble said:
It's not because of those giant gouges in your pick ups that you showed me would it?
I have EMG's in one of my basses and they are passive with an active preamp and should not wear out. I would think yours is the same. Seriously though, I think the Alembic has spoiled you.

Dave
Click to expand...

Awesome!......That's the black one (86)........

I'm blown away by how differently the 3 of them sound. The 86 is solid, the 87 (red) is a bit twangier (except for the E string volume fade), and I sold the 88 (natural) about 2 months ago cause it lagged behind the other 2 in "Presence" on the tone side.....

F'n Alembic.......I need another one......NOW! ....hopes for an Exploiter or Persuader.......:)
 
#7
Ok...I have to ask...have you changed out the E string? I have had this ongoing problem with E strings on various basses sounding flat, hollow or dull many times. So Im just curious if your E string is twisted or not "breaking" over the saddle correctly. I have many sets of active EMG PJ's and never had a set go bad, or sound bad on one string...seems like the A string would be affected too.
 
#11
I've had about a dozen or so Pilots over the years ... never had a problem with the EMG's. Perhaps the lag is due to string height ... try it at different heights. As far as, do active pickups die ... it's not very common, but anything can happen.

... if all else fails ... blame Alembic. :D
 
#12
ubado said:
I've had about a dozen or so Pilots over the years ... never had a problem with the EMG's. Perhaps the lag is due to string height ... try it at different heights. As far as, do active pickups die ... it's not very common, but anything can happen.

... if all else fails ... blame Alembic. :D
Click to expand...

The strings are close enough to make the canyon-like gouges in the pickup covers that Mr. Rumble saw......I'll try a new set o strings tonight and give 'er "what for"......
 
#17
The Pilot bass used active EMG-J pickups, and some used the P/ J set..

If you want something more Alembic-y in the Pilot, try some Basslines Pro-Actives. I've installed them on some basses back when they used to have DIP switches on them, and they get a very smooth bright tone that reminded me of an Alembic.

You might also find some used Alembic Activators, but they are way too expensive new.
 

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