deathsguitarist
Well-Known Member
If you can't dial it in or none of the others suggestions work for you, seriously try trading it for a 707. I have a feeling you will like it a lot more.
EMG 81-7 sounds thin
- Thread starter inhuman666
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PirateMetalTroy
The Tooth Fairy
Change the battery. it could just be dying, and my 81's start to sound like dick when they get low.
Buy a decent set of rechargeables to keep alternating in the guitar. One set in use, the other set charging. Do't forget rechargeable batteries lose their charge a a rate of about 1% per day. they'll need changing at least every 3 months, so bear that in mind. Even then, I'd rather pay $7 for a rechargable, than $15 for a pair of 9v's every few months.
Buy a decent set of rechargeables to keep alternating in the guitar. One set in use, the other set charging. Do't forget rechargeable batteries lose their charge a a rate of about 1% per day. they'll need changing at least every 3 months, so bear that in mind. Even then, I'd rather pay $7 for a rechargable, than $15 for a pair of 9v's every few months.
TemjinStrife
Power Metal Cellist
He said he changed the battery already.
Also, EMG batteries really only need to be replaced every year or two, even with regular play, as long as you unplug the guitar when it's not in use.
Also, EMG batteries really only need to be replaced every year or two, even with regular play, as long as you unplug the guitar when it's not in use.
warlock7strEMG
Well-Known Member
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EMG's are way focused in comparison to alot of passive pickups so it could just be your ears not bein adjusted to the tonal differences yet. could also be ur settings, actives require alot less gain, presence and highs than passive pickups do. try dialing those back if you havent already.
however, i found the 81-7 to be lacking too in every guitar that ive heard it in, just too bright and seemed to be missing that thick bottom and low mid that makes a 7 string roar. i prefer the EMG 707 or Seymour Duncan Blackout over the 81-7. both are less bright and have more emphasis on the low mids. either one of those will give you the thicker tone that ur lookin for
however, i found the 81-7 to be lacking too in every guitar that ive heard it in, just too bright and seemed to be missing that thick bottom and low mid that makes a 7 string roar. i prefer the EMG 707 or Seymour Duncan Blackout over the 81-7. both are less bright and have more emphasis on the low mids. either one of those will give you the thicker tone that ur lookin for
cyril v
Contributor
yeah... 81-7's are naturally really thin sounding, just check this clip out and hear how "thin" they sound! 
All jokes aside, if you feel they aren't up to snuff, I wouldn't recommend the 707 as an alternative to an 81-7 as they sound spongy/single coil-ish and are tonally very different IMO. If you're after the tone of the 81-7 and feel it needs a little more girth (after ruling out pick-up hight, battery's, EQing etc etc), then the 18v mod/81-7x or Blackouts would be more appropriate choices.
All jokes aside, if you feel they aren't up to snuff, I wouldn't recommend the 707 as an alternative to an 81-7 as they sound spongy/single coil-ish and are tonally very different IMO. If you're after the tone of the 81-7 and feel it needs a little more girth (after ruling out pick-up hight, battery's, EQing etc etc), then the 18v mod/81-7x or Blackouts would be more appropriate choices.
Forced Chaos
Well-Known Member
Get rid of it and buy a Bare Knuckle Warpig Ceramic 7......you'll thank me later. 
What about the pickup height?
Usually, de 81 needs to be almost touching the string for ultra masive chuggah chuggah from the averns of hell
I've always found that they actually sound better backed off from the strings (despite EMG recommending putting them as close as possible).
mrhankey87
Banned
The solutions are:
put the 18v mod in your Stealth (I did the same and it was very worthy with the 81-7, much bigger sound).
swap it with the 707, you'll get a much more "Nevermore" sound, much bigger.
put the 18v mod in your Stealth (I did the same and it was very worthy with the 81-7, much bigger sound).
swap it with the 707, you'll get a much more "Nevermore" sound, much bigger.
inhuman666
Well-Known Member
rolled back the gain and treble on the GT6 and guitar sounds SICK!
guess the settings for the passives don't work for the EMG's
thanks for the suggestions guys
guess the settings for the passives don't work for the EMG's
thanks for the suggestions guys
Scar Symmetry
Ex Whiny Bitch
TemjinStrife
Power Metal Cellist
False
For what I play, which does not involve furious amounts of modern death metal distortion? Yes it is.
Scar Symmetry
Ex Whiny Bitch
For what I play, which does not involve furious amounts of modern death metal distortion? Yes it is.
Ok chillax guy, was just saying it's not always a thin sounding pickup
TemjinStrife
Power Metal Cellist
Ok chillax guy, was just saying it's not always a thin sounding pickup
Wasn't snapping at ya. I love EMGs for cleans and the super brutal stuff... but I rarely play much of either
inhuman666
Well-Known Member
guitar sounding thin once more.
how do I troubleshoot the wiring and pickup?
how do I troubleshoot the wiring and pickup?
Konfyouzd
Return of the Dread-I
There's only two wires, right? Make sure the hot one is properly connected and make sure all your grounds are properly secured....?
Also, maybe try changing your battery?
incinerated_guitar
Well-Known Member
I second the blackouts idea! I find they tend to sound very big and meaty compared to EMG
Although they sounds fuller than EMG i found them messy and very undefined, beside the fact that they have too much gain and didn't cut as well than my EMGs in mix, that's why i kept coming back to them.
casketshrine
Well-Known Member
Not sure about 81-7s as I have 707s but EMG 81 does NOT sound thin. Compared to the passives I use, it sounds different but not thin or inferior.
Having said that, Blackouts are also great pickups. You will be happy with those as well. I have both the 6 and 7 string versions and they sound great. I would not go as far as saying EMGs are inferior to Blackouts but its just a matter of taste.
Besides, as suggested before by other users, you probably want to change your settings a bit and dial in the tone until it is to your liking.
Having said that, Blackouts are also great pickups. You will be happy with those as well. I have both the 6 and 7 string versions and they sound great. I would not go as far as saying EMGs are inferior to Blackouts but its just a matter of taste.
Besides, as suggested before by other users, you probably want to change your settings a bit and dial in the tone until it is to your liking.
