[asmegin]

What kind of amp are you running? Brand/model please

 

[TRENCHLORD]

Amp really does matter a lot.
If you run an amp that's tight compressed and modern (6505,Fireball, ect..) then you might like a more open transparent pickup.
If you run an amp that's big and open like a recto, then maybe a more focused mid-punchy pickup will serve you better.

Everyone seems to think about guitar/pickup matching but I've found that pickup/boost/amp matching to be at least if not more important.

 

[Oldschoolpaulie]

Amp really does matter a lot.
If you run an amp that's tight compressed and modern (6505,Fireball, ect..) then you might like a more open transparent pickup.
If you run an amp that's big and open like a recto, then maybe a more focused mid-punchy pickup will serve you better.

Everyone seems to think about guitar/pickup matching but I've found that pickup/boost/amp matching to be at least if not more important.

And I'm sure you're right.
My amp is an old POS Peavey Renown. I eventually want a 5150. But, at the same time, my Ibanez sounds pretty healthy through it.

 

[sammyp]

If anything I'd say the tone of Ibanez' are wimpy, so maybe it's not the guitar.
What's the pickup height like? Remember, with EMG's, they need to be much closer to the strings than with passive pickups.

Also, change the battery. A 9v that's running low can make all sorts of whacky shit happen to EMG's.

Yup! What he said .... I'd change the battery first ...

Amp really does matter a lot.
If you run an amp that's tight compressed and modern (6505,Fireball, ect..) then you might like a more open transparent pickup.
If you run an amp that's big and open like a recto, then maybe a more focused mid-punchy pickup will serve you better.

Everyone seems to think about guitar/pickup matching but I've found that pickup/boost/amp matching to be at least if not more important.

Exactly .... All the X factors have to line up!

 

[Oldschoolpaulie]

Well... picked up the axe this morning before going to work... had to work until 10:00pm, wondering all day how it would sound.
Had the trunion bar adjusted, and the thing intonated at the 12th fret... and an EMG85 swapped into the bridge PUP.
Got home and went through my routine... and it is MUCH better! I'm glad I didn't just sell it off. Now I can enjoy that buttery smooth action, responsive pinch harmonics, clear discernment of the notes on the bass strings WITH a decent amount of FATNESS, and sustain forever. Definitely worth it.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Anyone want to buy a used EMG 81? :rofl:

 

[TRENCHLORD]

Yeah it's much more of an organic full-sounding pup.
It's also a bit more saturated, which really works with the 18v mod if you ever want to tighten/sharpen it just a hair-bit.

 

[Oldschoolpaulie]

I asked my guy if he was familiar with the 18 volt conversion when I dropped it off, and he said he was, and would do it if I wanted. I asked him for his opinion, and he said that "some people say they can hear a difference... I cannot."
Since I bought my first guitar from this guy 25 years ago, I figured if he couldn't hear it, I probably wouldn't!

 

[TRENCHLORD]

I asked my guy if he was familiar with the 18 volt conversion when I dropped it off, and he said he was, and would do it if I wanted. I asked him for his opinion, and he said that "some people say they can hear a difference... I cannot."
Since I bought my first guitar from this guy 25 years ago, I figured if he couldn't hear it, I probably wouldn't!

Oh you'd feel it for sure right away. hearing the difference is easy if you're the player, and probably not so easy for anyone else in the room, unless you can togle back and forth between the two like on a true shootout.

18v definitely dries out the saturation somewhat, but so does rolling the volume back to 90% with a standard 9v 81/85, although doing it the second way cuts output more while the first way actually makes the pickup slam harder.

9v leaves those mids fatter and softer, while 18v lends an edgier treble and tighter bass but dries out those mids.