Keegan Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 You're having problems getting a clean enough tone out of a solid state amp with active pickups? Maybe it's your ears that need cleaning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted May 11, 2009 Report Share Posted May 11, 2009 Might have the pickups too close to the strings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
borge Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 (edited) IME the 18v mod is worth doing in some cases ie to get rid of (EMG internal) preamp clipping when using heavy gauge strings and/or hitting hard. It could also be the EMGs high output is clipping the amps input which with most SS amps sounds pretty bad. Edited May 12, 2009 by borge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 I have never had any clipping from an EMG through any amp that was not there with a passive humbucker...only time I have ever gotten a "dirty" tone is if the pickups were too close. FWIW I DID have a duncan jazz pup that would not clean up at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dude Posted May 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 You're having problems getting a clean enough tone out of a solid state amp with active pickups? Maybe it's your ears that need cleaning Haha. Good call, but my problem isn't with getting a clean tone, but rather a clearer tone when distorting. As the batteries wear down, the sound gets muddier. It's really not pleasant to listen to. But, when you put in a fresh battery, the high frequencies are all there and clearly defined. It sounds something like a thousand angels singing a heavenly chorus - just in guitar form. The idea was that the extra voltage would give this same effect, only more so. Plus, if nothing else, as the twin 9v batteries wear down, the voltage will still be at or above 9 for quite some time, so the pickups will sound better for longer as well (not because the batteries wear down slower - which they won't - but rather they produce good sound while worn down further). That was my reasoning. Perhaps I am misled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keegan Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 Not saying it wouldn't help. It's just a PITA. =P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
borge Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 You're having problems getting a clean enough tone out of a solid state amp with active pickups? Maybe it's your ears that need cleaning Haha. Good call, but my problem isn't with getting a clean tone, but rather a clearer tone when distorting. As the batteries wear down, the sound gets muddier. It's really not pleasant to listen to. But, when you put in a fresh battery, the high frequencies are all there and clearly defined. It sounds something like a thousand angels singing a heavenly chorus - just in guitar form. The idea was that the extra voltage would give this same effect, only more so. Yes, exactly right. The internal preamps clipping point become earlier as the voltage lowers (ie dying battery) so as you've worked out, raising the voltage raises the clipping point (and therefore dynamic range) IIRC EMGs can be run at up to 27volts... so you could take it alot further..... don't take my word for it though, confirm with EMG. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim37 Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 yes the emg pickups will runn at 27 volts but in if you read emg's web site they recomend 18v max according to them the benifits are negligable at 27 volts. ok i know this can be done with ac but its been a while since i did my electronic so bear with me. is there a way to build a variable voltage regulator that way you could run two batteries in serries and use a pot to vary them say between 10v and 18v? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dude Posted May 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 you could just wire the pot as a variable resistor (as you turn up the resistance, the voltage on the pickups decreases), but that might be a bad idea. I'm not sure if it's good practice to adjust the voltage like that. Might cause heat problems, etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keegan Posted May 12, 2009 Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 you could just wire the pot as a variable resistor (as you turn up the resistance, the voltage on the pickups decreases), but that might be a bad idea. I'm not sure if it's good practice to adjust the voltage like that. Might cause heat problems, etc... Not to mention the power you waste by turning it into heat. It'd be like a magic efficiency knob. Oh boy, turn it down to 0% efficiency and turn it into an easy-bake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dude Posted May 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2009 (edited) I guess you could try something with a transformer, but having one close to a pickup sounds like a bad idea. Magnetic fields and whatnot. edit: Looks like I'm just full of plausible but unwise ideas today Edited May 12, 2009 by dude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithHowell Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 I guess you could try something with a transformer Transformers only work for AC. You would have to use an inverter circuit not what you want in a guitar! Have a look here:Variable regulators Should do what you want. You can also get the lower current versions of the regulator IC's I think they are 7805L, or 7809L if my memory serves me correctly. They are much smaller, around the size of a plastic transistor or FET and will handle the currents required for preamps. Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim37 Posted May 13, 2009 Report Share Posted May 13, 2009 I guess you could try something with a transformer Transformers only work for AC. You would have to use an inverter circuit not what you want in a guitar! Have a look here:Variable regulators Should do what you want. You can also get the lower current versions of the regulator IC's I think they are 7805L, or 7809L if my memory serves me correctly. They are much smaller, around the size of a plastic transistor or FET and will handle the currents required for preamps. Keith thanks i need to research that some more that would be kinda cool to have in place of a tone knob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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