replacing pickups in an electric guitar

[Kenazo]

lol. my thread turned funny.

Regarding going to a Peavy Classic 30, I'd been playing almost weekly through a friends Classic 50. It was a really nice amp, but I didn't really feel the difference in sound was worth double the price.

Perhaps I'll have to give replacing my Humbucker a try, though probably won't for a while. Cash is a bit tight right now.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: Fritzo

You have that backwards. Passive isn't effected by the guitar it's installed in. Active is.

That wouldn't make sense then. In science, a passive set is a set that is influenced by it's surroundings. An active set is a set that influences it's surroundings with it's own properties

link

Passive pickups send a low output, raw signal to the amp that can only be affected by the volume and tone controls on the instrument itself. Passive pickups tend to lose the extremes of high and low frequencies, but still give a very even and punchy tone. This is because passive pickups tend to push out more midrange frequencies. While passive pickups might give players less dynamic control, their smooth sound is still very unique and desirable.

Active pickups have pre-amps that are built into the pickup housing, so they can drive the signal to the amp themselves. This pre-amp must be powered by a source other than the amp; so active pickups require a separate battery to operate. This allows the pickup to send a higher output signal, producing a more complete, full-range sound than most passive pickup systems and giving players more control of instrument dynamics, projection and tone.

Yes...this shows I was right. A passive pickup is going to be influenced by the construction and properties of the guitar, as stated in your link. An active pickup has it's own set of properties that would override the influences of the guitar it's mounted in, so it would pretty much sound the same no matter where it was used. See?

[/quote]


In electronics, when you mention that something is passive, you are saying there passive filter (usually an inductor) that will filter out certain frequencies. Since Passive sounds the same on every guitar, that would mean it would block certain frequency and filter the pick ups so the surrounding of the guitar would not matter. Ofcourse, i am thinking about this in my head, and I am only a student, but that is my take it on it.

I also never know there was a difference in pick ups that is either active, or passive. I have also never seen an electric guitar that uses batteries other than the ones with an amp built into it. I guess that means I have never dealt with active pick ups.

All that said, I would think Active would sound the same no matter what guitar you used since the preamp is built in. but if they have confirmed that active does sound different on each guitar, then i guess i am wrong.

 

[Jeff7181]

Passive pickups are "passive" because they don't consume any power. Active ones do, like CptObvious said.

Active pickups have a wider frequency response but because of it's low impedance, low output nature, it requires a preamp. Thus it's called an "active" pickup... because the sound produced is not just the result of a wire disturbing a magnetic field and generating a voltage.

The reason passive pickups don't sound much different in different guitars is because they DON'T have a wide frequency response. They tend to sound "flat" and "muddy," especially cheap ones.

A similar situation can be found with microphones. Quality microphones used for recording are low impedance and have a wide frequency response. Ever plug one into a computer with an adapter? I have... even with the volume levels as high as they can go, you can barely hear it. Why? Because just like an active pickup, it's a low output design with a wide frequency response that requires a preamp.

The cheap $10 microphones you can buy for your PC are high impedance designs with high output levels and a narrow frequency response. That's why your voice never sounds the same to you when you record your voice and play it back on the computer. You've lost some frequency ranges.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
Passive pickups are "passive" because they don't consume any power. Active ones do, like CptObvious said.

Active pickups have a wider frequency response but because of it's low impedance, low output nature, it requires a preamp. Thus it's called an "active" pickup... because the sound produced is not just the result of a wire disturbing a magnetic field and generating a voltage.

The reason passive pickups don't sound much different in different guitars is because they DON'T have a wide frequency response. They tend to sound "flat" and "muddy," especially cheap ones.

A similar situation can be found with microphones. Quality microphones used for recording are low impedance and have a wide frequency response. Ever plug one into a computer with an adapter? I have... even with the volume levels as high as they can go, you can barely hear it. Why? Because just like an active pickup, it's a low output design with a wide frequency response that requires a preamp.

The cheap $10 microphones you can buy for your PC are high impedance designs with high output levels and a narrow frequency response. That's why your voice never sounds the same to you when you record your voice and play it back on the computer. You've lost some frequency ranges.

Pardon my ignorance....

I understand all the tech. stuff (it kind of threw me off when someone said it would sound the same no matter what), but if active does such a case, and makes the sound more dynamic, why would professionals prefer passive? Does it sound so dynamic that it becomes too "full". I mean, when I think of dynamic, I think of dynamic range, as in a "fuller" sound because more of the frequencies can be heard.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
A similar situation can be found with microphones. Quality microphones used for recording are low impedance and have a wide frequency response. Ever plug one into a computer with an adapter? I have... even with the volume levels as high as they can go, you can barely hear it. Why? Because just like an active pickup, it's a low output design with a wide frequency response that requires a preamp.

I have to bump up the signal by at least 30-40dB before it's at a reasonable volume using my mic, but at least it reproduces the sound pretty well

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
Passive pickups are "passive" because they don't consume any power. Active ones do, like CptObvious said.

Active pickups have a wider frequency response but because of it's low impedance, low output nature, it requires a preamp. Thus it's called an "active" pickup... because the sound produced is not just the result of a wire disturbing a magnetic field and generating a voltage.

The reason passive pickups don't sound much different in different guitars is because they DON'T have a wide frequency response. They tend to sound "flat" and "muddy," especially cheap ones.

A similar situation can be found with microphones. Quality microphones used for recording are low impedance and have a wide frequency response. Ever plug one into a computer with an adapter? I have... even with the volume levels as high as they can go, you can barely hear it. Why? Because just like an active pickup, it's a low output design with a wide frequency response that requires a preamp.

The cheap $10 microphones you can buy for your PC are high impedance designs with high output levels and a narrow frequency response. That's why your voice never sounds the same to you when you record your voice and play it back on the computer. You've lost some frequency ranges.

Pardon my ignorance....

I understand all the tech. stuff (it kind of threw me off when someone said it would sound the same no matter what), but if active does such a case, and makes the sound more dynamic, why would professionals prefer passive? Does it sound so dynamic that it becomes too "full". I mean, when I think of dynamic, I think of dynamic range, as in a "fuller" sound because more of the frequencies can be heard.

A lot don't. But passive pickups do have a unique sound compared to active that some musicians like. One is not necessarily better than the other unless you're talking about a specific situation. Generally with a passive pickup, highs aren't as bright, and lows aren't as deep... but passive tends to produce a good mid range sound. If you're playing a lot of metal with that traditional Metallica sound and have a lot of the mids removed via an equilizer, a passive pickup isn't going to sound too great because the mids are it's strong point... and by "EQing out the mids" you're highlighting the highs and lows.

It's kinda like the all tube amp vs. solid state amp debate.

 

[Rudee]

Replacing pickups makes a big difference. Most of my older Ibanez RG's have had new Dimarzio's put in them and they sound great. If you are looking for a cheap and simple change in tone, just try a different guage of strings.

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
Passive pickups are "passive" because they don't consume any power. Active ones do, like CptObvious said.

Active pickups have a wider frequency response but because of it's low impedance, low output nature, it requires a preamp. Thus it's called an "active" pickup... because the sound produced is not just the result of a wire disturbing a magnetic field and generating a voltage.

The reason passive pickups don't sound much different in different guitars is because they DON'T have a wide frequency response. They tend to sound "flat" and "muddy," especially cheap ones.

A similar situation can be found with microphones. Quality microphones used for recording are low impedance and have a wide frequency response. Ever plug one into a computer with an adapter? I have... even with the volume levels as high as they can go, you can barely hear it. Why? Because just like an active pickup, it's a low output design with a wide frequency response that requires a preamp.

The cheap $10 microphones you can buy for your PC are high impedance designs with high output levels and a narrow frequency response. That's why your voice never sounds the same to you when you record your voice and play it back on the computer. You've lost some frequency ranges.

Pardon my ignorance....

I understand all the tech. stuff (it kind of threw me off when someone said it would sound the same no matter what), but if active does such a case, and makes the sound more dynamic, why would professionals prefer passive? Does it sound so dynamic that it becomes too "full". I mean, when I think of dynamic, I think of dynamic range, as in a "fuller" sound because more of the frequencies can be heard.

One of the main reasons people prefer them is that active pickups sound extremely compressed. They are great for stuff like heavy metal with lots of top end harmonics and crunchy distortion but they lack the headroom of a passive pickup. Plus the materials used to make passive pickups usually give them character (pole pieces, nickel covering, how they're wound) where active are usually ceramic and sound relatively the same.

It's kind of like which you prefer, they both have their place.

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
Passive pickups are "passive" because they don't consume any power. Active ones do, like CptObvious said.

Active pickups have a wider frequency response but because of it's low impedance, low output nature, it requires a preamp. Thus it's called an "active" pickup... because the sound produced is not just the result of a wire disturbing a magnetic field and generating a voltage.

The reason passive pickups don't sound much different in different guitars is because they DON'T have a wide frequency response. They tend to sound "flat" and "muddy," especially cheap ones.

A similar situation can be found with microphones. Quality microphones used for recording are low impedance and have a wide frequency response. Ever plug one into a computer with an adapter? I have... even with the volume levels as high as they can go, you can barely hear it. Why? Because just like an active pickup, it's a low output design with a wide frequency response that requires a preamp.

The cheap $10 microphones you can buy for your PC are high impedance designs with high output levels and a narrow frequency response. That's why your voice never sounds the same to you when you record your voice and play it back on the computer. You've lost some frequency ranges.

Pardon my ignorance....

I understand all the tech. stuff (it kind of threw me off when someone said it would sound the same no matter what), but if active does such a case, and makes the sound more dynamic, why would professionals prefer passive? Does it sound so dynamic that it becomes too "full". I mean, when I think of dynamic, I think of dynamic range, as in a "fuller" sound because more of the frequencies can be heard.

One of the main reasons people prefer them is that active pickups sound extremely compressed. They are great for stuff like heavy metal with lots of top end harmonics and crunchy distortion but they lack the headroom of a passive pickup. Plus the materials used to make passive pickups usually give them character (pole pieces, nickel covering, how they're wound) where active are usually ceramic and sound relatively the same.

It's kind of like which you prefer, they both have their place.

OK, that is the response I was looking for. It really threw me off when someone said that all passive sound the same no matter what guitar you use, which is definately not true. I guess i know nothing about active pickups b/c i do not listen to anything like metal. As for porfessionals using active pick ups, i have never seen one. Could you guys give em names? All the guitarists I have ever idolized used your standard Gibson, Fender, Ricks, etc....

 

[Rock Hydra]

Originally posted by: Jeff7181

Originally posted by: Rock Hydra
I replaced the stock ESP pickups in my guitar with an EMG 81s at the bridge and the sound is so much better. I'll snap a few picteures and PM them to you. You'll have a little idea of what to expect.

I've thought of doing that with mine... instead I bought a $40 pedal that accomplishes almost the same thing for half the price and 1/100th of the work.

Actually, I initially did the same with my ESP. I bought a DigiTech Death Metal pedal and and it sounds so much chunkier than my fender Frontman 15g. But once I got my EMG 81 the tone, even the sound of the output changed. It sounds a lot nicer now. I like it. Also, since the magnets are a lot weaker than those of passive pickups, if you do get EMG 81s, make sure you position them as close to the strings as possible without having them hit the pickup when you play/palm mute/pick scrape.

 

[Jeff7181]

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation

Originally posted by: Gibson486

Originally posted by: Jeff7181
Passive pickups are "passive" because they don't consume any power. Active ones do, like CptObvious said.

Active pickups have a wider frequency response but because of it's low impedance, low output nature, it requires a preamp. Thus it's called an "active" pickup... because the sound produced is not just the result of a wire disturbing a magnetic field and generating a voltage.

The reason passive pickups don't sound much different in different guitars is because they DON'T have a wide frequency response. They tend to sound "flat" and "muddy," especially cheap ones.

A similar situation can be found with microphones. Quality microphones used for recording are low impedance and have a wide frequency response. Ever plug one into a computer with an adapter? I have... even with the volume levels as high as they can go, you can barely hear it. Why? Because just like an active pickup, it's a low output design with a wide frequency response that requires a preamp.

The cheap $10 microphones you can buy for your PC are high impedance designs with high output levels and a narrow frequency response. That's why your voice never sounds the same to you when you record your voice and play it back on the computer. You've lost some frequency ranges.

Pardon my ignorance....

I understand all the tech. stuff (it kind of threw me off when someone said it would sound the same no matter what), but if active does such a case, and makes the sound more dynamic, why would professionals prefer passive? Does it sound so dynamic that it becomes too "full". I mean, when I think of dynamic, I think of dynamic range, as in a "fuller" sound because more of the frequencies can be heard.

One of the main reasons people prefer them is that active pickups sound extremely compressed. They are great for stuff like heavy metal with lots of top end harmonics and crunchy distortion but they lack the headroom of a passive pickup. Plus the materials used to make passive pickups usually give them character (pole pieces, nickel covering, how they're wound) where active are usually ceramic and sound relatively the same.

It's kind of like which you prefer, they both have their place.

OK, that is the response I was looking for. It really threw me off when someone said that all passive sound the same no matter what guitar you use, which is definately not true. I guess i know nothing about active pickups b/c i do not listen to anything like metal. As for porfessionals using active pick ups, i have never seen one. Could you guys give em names? All the guitarists I have ever idolized used your standard Gibson, Fender, Ricks, etc....

James Hetfield, Kirk Hammet, Randy Rhodes, Dave Mustaine, Zakk Wylde, etc. etc. etc. etc. Active pickups are a favorite of a lot of blues musicians too.

 

[jotosuds]

pickups are definitely the biggest tone factor for electrics. but imo the amp is absolutely the most important thing for good tone. if you have a good amp, almost any guitar will sound nice thru it.