I installed a puretone output jack which eliminated all interference. I think mine was just a ground issue. At any rate, it’s resolved now. Completely noise free performance.
Love mine on my 57' ( I know..) had them for a good decade now and they have behaved exceptoinally, the tones are crisp, beautifully balanced with some Ernie Ball Paradigms - loud AF!!!
I have the same, but don't have the expander or midboost. Might have to get the midboost to get some humbucker tones for the bridge pickups. I love them.. ♥️🤘
I installed the Gilmour pickups in my Strat and soon after I did, I was getting a crackle noise in one of the pots when I rotated the nob. That did not make me happy with the Gilmour pickups. They are not cheap.
I'm really sorry to hear that..have you contacted EMG. Their customer service is great. You should not be getting any crackles or weird noises...you're right..they're not cheap.
@@modscientist9793 No I have since sold that Strat. It was a made in Mexico Strat with active pickups in it. The battery compartment was in the back of the guitar which made it easy to replace the battery in the Gilmour pick guard. I have since purchased another Strat. Answer to your question no, I never thought of contacting EMG.
@@modscientist9793 It should como standard, once we are buying the Gilmour pickups already wired pickguard, the could come with the Gilmour Mod, don't you think?
@@luiscesardasilvaalves3836 I don't think he used the mini toggle with the EMG set.. it's literally an spdt mini toggle that turns the neck pickup on and off. Easy to wire that in almost anywhere.
Thanks for this video, I've been looking for something like this for two weeks. I wanted to hear if the EMG single coils could handle hair metal type distortion or if I should get the splittable EMGs (although I've been trying to break away from Humbuckers). Both the clean and driven sounds sound great!
I absolutely love this set with the expander. It covers the whole gamut of strat tones and more. It will crush many passive humbuckers with its tone and power.
If I played guitar I would love to match this set up with Randy Rhodes heads. Imagine the gain and power. I have always loved the sound of EMG pups. My last guitarist had EMG pickups. They are amazing
"Don't Tell The Wife Guitars" is a vendor from California on eBay. They have the EMG DG20 in every color combination. White Pearloid Pickguard with Ivory SA PUs and White Knobs White Pearloid Pickguard with White SA PUs and White Knobs White Pearloid Pickguard with Black SA PUs and White Knobs Black Pearloid Pickguard with Black SA PUs and Black Knobs Black Pickguard with Black SA PUs and Black Knobs Tortoise Pearloid Pickguard with Ivory SA PUs and White Knobs Tortoise Pearloid Pickguard with White SA PUs and White Knobs Of course, everyone wants the Gilmour Black Strat look, but they are not listed. EMG might make it for you. The Black Strat actually doesn't look that cool in terms of the PUs and knobs in white against a Black on Black Strat. The white plastic ages over 60 years to look Ivory/Cream. But EMG doesn't have Ivory knobs and pickguards. - Missing Black Pickguard with White SA PUs and White Knobs
I have hss with 2 sa and an 85 and i been curious about the spc and exg but there pricey i would pay maybe 50 each but there 158 plus tax for both and there is no used market sadly
Did you swap out the pickguard that came with the EMG DG20 from black to black pearloid? Do you just remove the knobs to remove the electronics?. DAT Bridge looks very familiar.
A small correction, the SA pickups are NOT true single coils. They are stacked humbuckers with an Alnico bar magnet along with the low impedance preamp. Great review!
Very cool.. I'm building a strat now with 3 sa pups. No spc or expander. I'll use a lot of gain and a slight noise gate to rid myself of the hum, but don't have to gate it so much and I love the harmonics and feel of these pickups. I have had the 85 and 81 humbuckers and loved them.
@@COATIF67 you know what, I might take you up on that, I need to put a down payment on a truck so I am actually selling a bunch of stuff to come up with it.
Sir you must me tell how far each pup is from the string and from both sides left and right? I'm trying to figure out the best balanced sound. And yours sounds great.
Normal medium height. EMGs havr low magnetic pull so you can bring them righ up to the strings if you want. This allows you more range of tonal variation than standard pickups.
As Gabriele Porto wrote, the wiring is pretty locked down. If you look on EMG's website, there's a photo of the back of the control area so you can see what you're faced with.
@@luiscesardasilvaalves3836 great question, if you set them low you get a really nice vintage vibe, closer they're more output/pronounced and modern sounding. I set these halfway but you can really bring these as as close as you want due to their low magnetic pull. Thanks.
With SPC and EXG off and played clean, they definitely do sound a little sterile, but to me that's part of the appeal. It's not quite a real single coil (little more balanced) but not a humbucker either and what you get is a sound that sounds very good typically clean with a delay or overdriven. I've never been too big a fan of EMG humbuckers, but the singles are killer.
I love my dg20’s! If you lower them, you’ll get more of a vintage tone. Raising them gave mine a P-90’ish tone. They’re probably the most versatile “sounding” pu’s I’ve got on any of my guitars (14…I’m a guitar whore). I have to remember to unplug it after I’ve finished playing it or it drains the battery.
EMG put it together for me. But you can also buy the pickguard and drop the black set in there. Ask EMG nicely and they might do the same for you. Awesome people there! : )
Hi mine sounds good and great directly connected to the amp and clean , But when I use pedals gets awful...... by watching your video maybe it is because I was using SPC and To Exg At the higher levels, does it matter in your concerns and Knowledge Of this product or pick ups if it doesn’t matter if you use a tube amp And pedals with it, can you help me understand that , thank you By the way I am not a pro player and stopped playing for lots of years I bought it with the first Line of production of those Ione a Strat plus only made around 1994, Thank you once again Ps I got lots of pedals stolen I just keep a blues driver from boss a big muff pi analog Man Chorus and memory boy from electro harmonixs and that’s my chain now .
@@BlackRose-vi2yg yeah, cell phone video doesn't do these justice..that's all that i had at the time. I will do an update with my proper current gear. Thanks for the comments. Regardless,, in the video, they don't sound anything like $5 pickups, so next time run your comments through your inside big boy filters first so your comments are helpful to the community, in the end that's what the goal is. Thanks.
Good observation but not really. The battery is under the tones, remove a couple of screws and lift that side of the pickguard up. Easy swap and a good 9v will last a very long time. A small price to pay for great tone. Worth every second. But only takes a couple of minutes.
nice video, but the noises you call 'hiss' are normal with high gain sounds.There is no pickup in the world that is quiet with super distorted sounds !!! if you were to change guitar and use one with humbuckers you would hear many more noises
Thanks for your input..i have to do an updated version of this. Thanks for watching some of it. It's been one of my most popular content shared. My bad sinuses and my allergies are all over it with my sniffles lol..so its time for an update. Yes..tone is very subjective.
Great demo, awesome playing! 🤠👍🏽👍🏽
@@mindieta thank you. I ended up putting another guitar together with the DG20. They're a fun set.
I just found another DG20 set on Craig's list. My 3rd set, now looking for another Stratocaster.😂👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
@@mindieta score!! Enjoy.
I installed a puretone output jack which eliminated all interference. I think mine was just a ground issue. At any rate, it’s resolved now. Completely noise free performance.
Just ordered this set! getting it tomorrow!
You're going to love it!
How did it turn out?
Only o guitar with this?
Love mine on my 57' ( I know..) had them for a good decade now and they have behaved exceptoinally, the tones are crisp, beautifully balanced with some Ernie Ball Paradigms - loud AF!!!
I have the same, but don't have the expander or midboost. Might have to get the midboost to get some humbucker tones for the bridge pickups.
I love them.. ♥️🤘
I installed the Gilmour pickups in my Strat and soon after I did, I was getting a crackle noise in one of the pots when I rotated the nob. That did not make me happy with the Gilmour pickups. They are not cheap.
I'm really sorry to hear that..have you contacted EMG. Their customer service is great. You should not be getting any crackles or weird noises...you're right..they're not cheap.
@@modscientist9793 No I have since sold that Strat. It was a made in Mexico Strat with active pickups in it. The battery compartment was in the back of the guitar which made it easy to replace the battery in the Gilmour pick guard. I have since purchased another Strat. Answer to your question no, I never thought of contacting EMG.
Nice video and I liked the way you put it with the tone of the pickups. Completely agree, thanks!!
Mod Scientist The pickups sound beautiful, it is so crisp and clear and has bite. Power cords sound really good with those pickups.
Thank you..the pickups are super nice!
Is it possible to have neck+bridge with a mini toggle with this set of pickups?
I've not tried a Gilmour mod with this but anything is possible..the mod only turns the neck pickup on and off independently.
@@modscientist9793 Yes, the only thing is that the board comes as it comes with the circuit printed.
@@luiscesardasilvaalves3836 correct..you have trace out the connections to cut etc.
@@modscientist9793 It should como standard, once we are buying the Gilmour pickups already wired pickguard, the could come with the Gilmour Mod, don't you think?
@@luiscesardasilvaalves3836 I don't think he used the mini toggle with the EMG set.. it's literally an spdt mini toggle that turns the neck pickup on and off. Easy to wire that in almost anywhere.
Thanks for this video, I've been looking for something like this for two weeks. I wanted to hear if the EMG single coils could handle hair metal type distortion or if I should get the splittable EMGs (although I've been trying to break away from Humbuckers). Both the clean and driven sounds sound great!
I have an all original 1984 Kramer Focus 3000, I think
I’ll get this. The original pickups sound thin.
I absolutely love this set with the expander. It covers the whole gamut of strat tones and more. It will crush many passive humbuckers with its tone and power.
Sounds real good, nice demo video !!
Thank you! Like my professional lighting? Lol. Dang light went off.
@@modscientist9793 it was still a good video
@@frederickelectrick6137 thank you so much!
If I played guitar I would love to match this set up with Randy Rhodes heads. Imagine the gain and power. I have always loved the sound of EMG pups. My last guitarist had EMG pickups. They are amazing
"Don't Tell The Wife Guitars" is a vendor from California on eBay. They have the EMG DG20 in every color combination.
White Pearloid Pickguard with Ivory SA PUs and White Knobs
White Pearloid Pickguard with White SA PUs and White Knobs
White Pearloid Pickguard with Black SA PUs and White Knobs
Black Pearloid Pickguard with Black SA PUs and Black Knobs
Black Pickguard with Black SA PUs and Black Knobs
Tortoise Pearloid Pickguard with Ivory SA PUs and White Knobs
Tortoise Pearloid Pickguard with White SA PUs and White Knobs
Of course, everyone wants the Gilmour Black Strat look, but they are not listed. EMG might make it for you. The Black Strat actually doesn't look that cool in terms of the PUs and knobs in white against a Black on Black Strat. The white plastic ages over 60 years to look Ivory/Cream. But EMG doesn't have Ivory knobs and pickguards.
- Missing Black Pickguard with White SA PUs and White Knobs
I have hss with 2 sa and an 85 and i been curious about the spc and exg but there pricey i would pay maybe 50 each but there 158 plus tax for both and there is no used market sadly
Thanks man, very helpful as I also play with a Katana 50
You're most welcome. Yeah the Katana is a great little amp.
EMGS sound great !
I added another DG setup to my Sire S7 strat.
Did you swap out the pickguard that came with the EMG DG20 from black to black pearloid? Do you just remove the knobs to remove the electronics?.
DAT Bridge looks very familiar.
Nope..EMG put it together like that for me..I asked nicely..lol. awesome company.
A small correction, the SA pickups are NOT true single coils. They are stacked humbuckers with an Alnico bar magnet along with the low impedance preamp.
Great review!
And what about the "S" series VG (Vince Gill) set?
@@luiscesardasilvaalves3836 All of the active EMG Singles are stacked humbuckers.
@@luiscesardasilvaalves3836
Also stacked humbuckers, but with a ceramic bar magnet instead of alnico.
I know this is 3yo, but you convinced me. I have a strat and could not get along with the Texas Specials.
I'm so glad it helped, I just went full emg gilmour on my Sire S7 as well. Great pickups.
@modscientist9793 what nut did you use? Mine is a plastic material
@@hockeyman2274 Graphtec Tusqxl nuts
@@modscientist9793 thanks
@@hockeyman2274 you're very welcome!
Very cool.. I'm building a strat now with 3 sa pups. No spc or expander. I'll use a lot of gain and a slight noise gate to rid myself of the hum, but don't have to gate it so much and I love the harmonics and feel of these pickups. I have had the 85 and 81 humbuckers and loved them.
Loved it! Wish I could post a pic of my guitar, I got the white and I LOVE it, except for the battery location is a pain.
I'm glad you like yours, yes they're pretty awesome, the battery location was a worthy compromise for the awesome tones!
@@modscientist9793 absolutely, unquestionable.
I added a Fishman Fluence Rechargable Battery. Game changer
I've got an original set of these with the oak backs . I belive there from 1978 or1979 they sound amazing
I want another set! Miss them..great sounds indeed.
Just picked up a DG20 loaded pickguard for $150
Score!!!! Enjoy. The spc and exg with the SA pickups is a killer combo
You got ripped off ! I dont want you to feel bad so ill give you what you paid for it just dm for my address so i can dispose of it properly
@@COATIF67 you know what, I might take you up on that, I need to put a down payment on a truck so I am actually selling a bunch of stuff to come up with it.
Sir you must me tell how far each pup is from the string and from both sides left and right?
I'm trying to figure out the best balanced sound. And yours sounds great.
Normal medium height. EMGs havr low magnetic pull so you can bring them righ up to the strings if you want. This allows you more range of tonal variation than standard pickups.
A short question: Would it be possible to add a push-pull pot to the volume pot to add the neck pickup in the bride and the bridge/middle position?
I got this set and the circuit board is printed.
i don't think you can modify it
As Gabriele Porto wrote, the wiring is pretty locked down. If you look on EMG's website, there's a photo of the back of the control area so you can see what you're faced with.
New drinking game: You take a shot every time this dude clears his nose!
Totally..I have sinus probs. Lol. Consider yourself lucky if you don't.
The best review here.
Your pinch harmonics are off the charts.
Which amp are you using ?
Lol. Thank you..i love the squeals hehe. Hd500x. Can't remember if it's my Katana 50 or you're hearing my monitors. Sorry, it was a while ago.
@@modscientist9793 No worries! Thanks for replying brother.
What about your pickup height?
@@luiscesardasilvaalves3836 great question, if you set them low you get a really nice vintage vibe, closer they're more output/pronounced and modern sounding. I set these halfway but you can really bring these as as close as you want due to their low magnetic pull. Thanks.
@@modscientist9793 thanks a lot!
@@luiscesardasilvaalves3836 you're very welcome. Have you bought the set?
@@modscientist9793 I ordered a custom guitar with the DG20 pickups and Gotoh Hardware.
With SPC and EXG off and played clean, they definitely do sound a little sterile, but to me that's part of the appeal. It's not quite a real single coil (little more balanced) but not a humbucker either and what you get is a sound that sounds very good typically clean with a delay or overdriven.
I've never been too big a fan of EMG humbuckers, but the singles are killer.
Great observations...balanced!
Really good! Thank you
Thank you I hope that it helps you. This pickup set is very good and sounds awesome
I love my dg20’s! If you lower them, you’ll get more of a vintage tone. Raising them gave mine a P-90’ish tone. They’re probably the most versatile “sounding” pu’s I’ve got on any of my guitars (14…I’m a guitar whore). I have to remember to unplug it after I’ve finished playing it or it drains the battery.
what effects are you using? Can you get the gilmour sound with these without using effects?
I was using just my Boss Katana, but sure, you can get almost any sound you want from them.
Very cool, buddy!!!...
Thank you brother!
Where did you find that color set? I can only find the DG20 in white.
EMG put it together for me. But you can also buy the pickguard and drop the black set in there. Ask EMG nicely and they might do the same for you. Awesome people there! : )
@@modscientist9793 I have to second that. EMG has fantastic support. Their engineer Anthony is a rockstar.
I wanted that, but got fat 50s instead
Fat 50s are good too
Hi mine sounds good and great directly connected to the amp and clean , But when I use pedals gets awful...... by watching your video maybe it is because I was using SPC and To Exg At the higher levels, does it matter in your concerns and Knowledge Of this product or pick ups if it doesn’t matter if you use a tube amp And pedals with it, can you help me understand that , thank you By the way I am not a pro player and stopped playing for lots of years I bought it with the first Line of production of those Ione a Strat plus only made around 1994, Thank you once again
Ps I got lots of pedals stolen I just keep a blues driver from boss a big muff pi analog Man Chorus and memory boy from electro harmonixs and that’s my chain now .
Those pups should not produce the noise you are getting! Access the gate on the L6.
Sweet tones, bro!
Thanks ma dude! I love that ax.
iys a 60 cycle hum you have to ground everything in an strat , promise
These require the removal of the guitar grounds..their internally grounded. Promise lol. It's not 60hz hum.
Tbh the way its recorded they could be 5 bucks pickups
@@BlackRose-vi2yg yeah, cell phone video doesn't do these justice..that's all that i had at the time. I will do an update with my proper current gear. Thanks for the comments. Regardless,, in the video, they don't sound anything like $5 pickups, so next time run your comments through your inside big boy filters first so your comments are helpful to the community, in the end that's what the goal is. Thanks.
battery changes must be a real pain in the arse!!!
Good observation but not really. The battery is under the tones, remove a couple of screws and lift that side of the pickguard up. Easy swap and a good 9v will last a very long time. A small price to pay for great tone. Worth every second. But only takes a couple of minutes.
Please tune your guitar
! Otherwise nice demo.
It was in tune when I bought it.
nice video, but the noises you call 'hiss' are normal with high gain sounds.There is no pickup in the world that is quiet with super distorted sounds !!! if you were to change guitar and use one with humbuckers you would hear many more noises
Stopped watching after “vintage 50’s” are non sense …. Tone is very subjective, it’s a taste, some like it , some don’t !
Thanks for your input..i have to do an updated version of this. Thanks for watching some of it. It's been one of my most popular content shared. My bad sinuses and my allergies are all over it with my sniffles lol..so its time for an update. Yes..tone is very subjective.
Without all the sound from your mouth and nose this review would have been great
Be thankful you don't have bad sinuses, a deviated septum, and allergies all rolled into one. You're welcome.