*****EMG HZ???*****

collisster

collisster

collisster

Soldato
Joined
23 May 2006
Posts
2,590
Location
Blythe
I've heard crappy things about EMG Hz's. I want to get things straight. ARE they really that bad? I have never used any HZ's and I'm just wondering?
discuss

Thanks
 
As stock pups go, they're not that bad - if they are the HZ4's then they are the highest rated non-active pickups EMG sell.

They do lose clarity a little when it comes to heavy distortion, but they are plenty decent enough to start with.

As said, you ideally want the 81/85 Zakk Wylde EMG set.. mine were delivered from the States yesterday (even with import tax they were still £30 cheaper than the UK!) so tonight I'm breaking out the soldering iron, sticking on a Dream Theater cd and butchering my new Les Paul :p

@Woody__: it's usually an 81 in the bridge and the 85 in the neck :)
 
I got my new guitar with 81's. I cannot recommend that pickup enough. Theyre ******* mindblowingly good.
 
The guitarist in my old band used to run treble 85s (!), tuned down to A (not drop-tuned) and a heavily-overdriven Mesa Boogie head over a 2x12 and 4x10 pair of cabs.

That was...nice

I had only ever seen a couple of other treble setups before that one.

*n

PS: Found an old pic....before he fitted the 85s:

g23gm6.jpg
 
I used to have the 81/85 combo on my ibanez destroyer - fantastic pickups :)

if you really want EMG's then try and find a second hand pair on ebay - I got my 81/85 pair plus wiring all for £90 from the states about oooh 6 years ago.
 
Hate said:
I used to have the 81/85 combo on my ibanez destroyer - fantastic pickups :)

if you really want EMG's then try and find a second hand pair on ebay - I got my 81/85 pair plus wiring all for £90 from the states about oooh 6 years ago.
Click to expand...
You can buy a new set for ~£120 including import tax from the States via ebay, that's what I did :)
 
Hate said:
... which are just overpriced "signature" pair of 81 and 85?
Click to expand...
No, they are a normal 81 and 85 set but come with matched hardware such as vol and tone pots, input jack etc. It's a complete kit to re-wire your guitar. . and they are worth it, I can vouch for them.
 
Neon said:
are you sure? and there not overpriced have you heard them?
Click to expand...

read up, i've had them in previous guitars.

riddlermarc said:
No, they are a normal 81 and 85 set but come with matched hardware such as vol and tone pots, input jack etc. It's a complete kit to re-wire your guitar. . and they are worth it, I can vouch for them.
Click to expand...

so, you get extra stuff worth another few quid on top... well, you've convinced me :p
 
Hate said:
so, you get extra stuff worth another few quid on top... well, you've convinced me :p
Click to expand...
Read the documentation, it's all matched hardware:
EMG's exclusive Quik-Connect™ cables (2), 25k long shaft volume/tone controls (2), 25k split shaft volume/tone (standard) controls (2), screws & springs.
Click to expand...
You could buy these bits separately if you wanted to, would be a PITA though.
 
Hate said:
wasn't so bad when i put them in my old ibanez, although i'm handy with a soldering iron
Click to expand...
You still have to do a decent amount of soldering, not much different than if you're going barebones with the 81 and 85 :)
 
if you're buying new its usually cheaper to buy the Matched ZW set than buy the 2 pickups individually - and you get all the bumpf with them.

if you're putting them into a "lower end" guitar its sometimes useful to get the matched pots with it. but i wouldnt change the pots in my ibanez if i went for the EMG route.
 
i miss my destroyer :( it had all sorts of knick knacks soldered into it- killswitches and whatnot :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom