Upgrading your guitar’s pickups can be a transformative experience, altering your instrument’s tonal characteristics and performance capabilities. Many guitarists consider replacing their stock humbuckers with EMG (Electro-Magnetic Guitar) pickups for their reputation in the music industry. In this article, we’ll explore the process of replacing humbucker pickups with EMGs, the benefits, and the considerations involved.
Compatibility and Considerations:
Before embarking on the journey of replacing humbuckers with EMGs, several factors need to be considered:
- Guitar Routing: EMG pickups typically come in two types: active and passive. Active pickups require a battery compartment within your guitar body to power the preamp circuitry. Ensure your guitar’s routing can accommodate the battery and the active EMG circuit.
- Pickup Sizes: EMG pickups come in various sizes and configurations. Make sure the EMG pickups you choose fit the existing pickup routes in your guitar. Some routing modifications may be required for larger EMG models.
- Control Setup: Active EMG pickups usually come with a different control setup than traditional passive pickups. You may need to replace your guitar’s volume and tone controls to accommodate the EMG’s requirements.
- Battery Compartment: Active EMG pickups are powered by a 9-volt battery. Ensure there is sufficient space for the battery compartment, and consider how easy it is to access for battery changes.
- Wiring and Soldering Skills: Installing EMG pickups may require soldering skills to connect the pickups, battery, and controls correctly. If you’re not comfortable with soldering, it’s advisable to seek professional help.
The Benefits of EMG Pickups:
EMG pickups are known for their distinct characteristics and advantages:
- Low Noise: Active EMG pickups have low noise and interference levels due to their built-in preamp, resulting in a clean and noise-free signal.
- Clarity and Definition: EMGs offer exceptional clarity and definition, making them ideal for genres where precision and articulation are crucial, such as metal and progressive rock.
- Versatility: EMGs are highly versatile and can cover a wide range of musical styles, from clean, crisp tones to heavy, aggressive distortion.
- Sustain: EMGs are often praised for their sustain capabilities, allowing notes to ring out with extended sustain, which can be particularly appealing for lead guitarists.
- Active Circuitry: Active EMG pickups have an onboard preamp that can shape your tone with additional control over bass, midrange, and treble frequencies.
The Installation Process:
If you decide to proceed with the installation of EMG pickups, follow these general steps:
- Remove the Old Pickups: Carefully remove your existing humbucker pickups, including any wiring and solder joints.
- Install the EMGs: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing the EMG pickups, making sure to wire them correctly to your guitar’s controls.
- Battery Installation: If using active EMG pickups, install the 9-volt battery in the designated compartment.
- Control Replacement: If necessary, replace your guitar’s volume and tone controls with those recommended by EMG for their pickups.
- Testing: Before finalizing the installation, test the pickups to ensure they’re functioning correctly and that the sound is to your liking.
- Setup and Adjustment: Adjust the pickup height to achieve the desired balance and tonal characteristics. Consult EMG’s guidelines for recommended pickup heights.
- Professional Help: If you’re uncertain about any aspect of the installation, consider seeking assistance from a professional guitar technician.
In Conclusion:
Replacing humbucker pickups with EMG pickups is a viable option for guitarists seeking to enhance their instrument’s tonal capabilities. While the process requires careful consideration of compatibility, routing, and wiring, the benefits of improved clarity, versatility, and sustain can be well worth the effort. Whether you’re aiming for a specific genre’s sound or seeking to explore new sonic possibilities, EMG pickups offer a compelling upgrade path for your electric guitar.
