EMG SA vs. SAX, SAVX, or SX?

[jay42]

I've been using an SA set for 20+ years and I miss the sound of real passive strat pickups sometimes. Are the X versions close to passive pickups or more like splitting the difference?

Put another way, is it worth the money to update my set? (50% isn't enough for me. ymmv)

[edit] It looks like they don't make an SVX model.

 

[jay42]

bump...btw, I can't get into the Suhr site on IE. (I think he still offers EMGs for Mark Knopfler fans.)

 

[jay42]

bump

 

[Lucidology]

Yes they are ... dropped a SX set into my Suhr classic and the guitar sound opened up incredibly from the normal S's I had in there ...
However, with that being said, I love the sound of the Vince Gill EMG's much more then I do the SAs in general ...
They have much more quack and less mid-range ...more alive sounding IMO ...
So I'm sure no matter what X set you get, they will be more open ....

One thing though... with the X's you have to reinstall all the electronics...

 

[jay42]

Yes they are ... dropped a SX set into my Suhr classic and the guitar sound opened up incredibly from the normal S's I had in there ...
However, with that being said, I love the sound of the Vince Gill EMG's much more then I do the SAs in general ...
They have much more quack and less mid-range ...more alive sounding IMO ...
So I'm sure no matter what X set you get, they will be more open ....

One thing though... with the X's you have to reinstall all the electronics...

Thanks for the reply. The Vince Gill set is all S versions, iirc.

Yup, I did all the soldering myself. I might be able to find matching connectors for the SPC and EXG. The other thing I miss is a passive tone knob...can't have everything. If I go for this and they do it for me, I think I can remove the EXG.

 

[Lucidology]

Thanks for the reply. The Vince Gill set is all S versions, iirc.

Yup, I did all the soldering myself. I might be able to find matching connectors for the SPC and EXG. The other thing I miss is a passive tone knob...can't have everything. If I go for this and they do it for me, I think I can remove the EXG.

Right ... I totally need that passive tone knob ...
use it all the time ...

 

[jay42]

Lord, what a pita...SX set + SPC are installed. I had to use end mills to hone out room for the battery and the oversized 5 way switch. I will render my verdict on Sunday.

 

[zetamkiii]

18v Mod...

 

[jay42]

18v Mod...

where do you put two 9V batteries? I suppose you could have box installed behind the trem area.

 

[jay42]

Alright, judgement day: The SX set is close enough for my needs. There's a little more midrange built in compared to my passive pickup strat. EMGs can be run up to where they nearly interfere with the strings, so there's some extra level and the mixed positions differ. I will play with pickup height a bit to find more snark.

 

[Lil Noise]

Just saw this old thread and decided to chime in...

I've been using SAs and an 89 (basically 2-SAs) for years and haven't had any experience with any of the other of their pickups. They sound great, but they do have a somewhat compressed sound.

I've been thinking about going for the SAX at least for the neck pu.
So how have they worked out for you?

I've also listened to the VG neck and it does sound very nice. So are the Vince Gill pickups the very same as the S ???
If that's so, then the SX should be even more open sounding.

 

[Paul Conway]

Bump from the grave..