How to correctly install EMG solderless pickups - the (P) 81/85 combo

[@degatagauwatie4073]

Thank you. My setup wasn't working because I didn't have the wires orientated correctly. This video helped me see what was wrong.

[@DevilAndSons]

Great, I'm glad it was helpful.

[@angeltrujillo1292]

I changed my pick ups from my 18 year old guitar to the zack wylde 85 and 81 thanks for this video helped out a lot I’ve never done this before.

[@DevilAndSons]

Nice, so glad this was helpful. Thanks for letting me know and enjoy your new set up.

[@davidsams63]

I know this is an old video but was looking at how to put together an EMG pickup in a straight one vol to output setup and this was absolutely perfect so thank you so much.

[@DevilAndSons]

Hey, this video is meant to last as long as EMG makes pickups like this, so I'm glad you found it. Thanks for commenting.

[@crsmade]

Ahhhhhh thank you! Fkin finally someone who explained and took me by the hand (literally) with the set up,,EMG videos are crap and explained nothing like this / you are a life saver Thank you!

[@DevilAndSons]

It's a pleasure. I'm so glad this was helpful for you. Good luck with your installation (what are you upgrading?).

[@PhoenixAndTheRaven]

Love the video. Great tutorial. Just twist up those wire ends brother. Make your life easier and have a better connection.

[@DevilAndSons]

Thanks so much

[@troybclear]

Your vid helped alot!!! Just put in the EMG D.E. bass pick up set & it was a breeze!!! Thanks!

[@DevilAndSons]

Hey, it's a pleasure. Enjoy your new sounding bass.

[@suyashG_1z]

Terrific video. I have some confidence now to make the switch myself. All other DIY videos on KZbin are pretty useless ones.

[@DevilAndSons]

Thank you so much, this is so kind.

[@htcthunderbolt]

you don't do paid promotions, That alone made me subscribe!! the videos are great as well

[@DevilAndSons]

Thanks. Although possibly some disappointing news, a few companies have recently reached out to me to make some videos for them so there may be some change. However I still want to make the same educational type of videos, not reviews or anything.

[@htcthunderbolt]

@@DevilAndSons I get it, but I pay for zero ads, so I feels it's a giant middle finger to my money if I still have to pay for ads. There isn't a single area anymore where someone's ad or product isn't shoved in your face any more. It gets rather irritating. Either way I'll stay watching and subbed cuz I do understand your end of it :)

[@DevilAndSons]

@htcthunderbolt thanks. I don't exactly earn much money from KZbin with my viewing numbers, it's a bit like doing it for the live of doing it. But I don't have a problem with people who make content getting paid as they couldn't really do it if they relied on KZbin ad money only. What I'm doing isn't directly paid, some companies have given me some free paint so I can make videos about painting (which most of my videos are these days). Potentially videos I'd make anyway. Then I may some videos for a company that make polishes because I used their polishes anyway, I reached out to them and said how much I liked them, and they are a small company that I'd like to see do well. Thanks so much for your support

[@htcthunderbolt]

understandable, it would be nice if you tube paid you much better tbh and I understand the need on your end of paid promo's I guess the issue is more with you tube vs you etc. @@DevilAndSons

[@nathan3308]

Thanks I just installed mines following your video, very helpfull

[@DevilAndSons]

It's a pleasure. I'm glad it helped. Enjoy your new pickups.

[@skippycameron9207]

So perfectly explained! Well done!

[@DevilAndSons]

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, much appreciated.

[@Rockbass1984]

Love this and thank you! Going to be giving my super old $75 ESP a little facelift, including installing 85/81, since I mostly play my DNKY now, but need a fixed-string option I can easily down-tune (love my Floyds but fuck spring tensioning lol). Working through the Symphony X catalogue which is often in D standard. Love EMG tone, kind of love Bareknuckle more though. I feel like we would be friends in real life :)

[@DevilAndSons]

Sounds great. Thanks for being so friendly and commenting

[@chaggasfernandes]

Your video was very helpful. Thanks for posting. God bless

[@DevilAndSons]

It's a pleasure, I'm very glad it was helpful.

[@istvanfabian881]

I was doing this for hours and couldnt make it work u helped ty

[@DevilAndSons]

It's a pleasure. I'm glad I could help. What were you putting them in?

[@istvanfabian881]

@@DevilAndSons i put an 81 into an ltd les paul the tutorials suggested using the bus and it just didnt work for some reason and then i saw u install it without the bus and now it works fawlessly

[@DevilAndSons]

So glad. Sounds like a nice upgrade.

[@reapertutorials1947]

Love your tats. They really pickup, pun intended, on camera

[@DevilAndSons]

Ha, thanks so much.

[@DevilAndSons]

I love a good pun.

[@ryant3600]

I have swapped many guitars for EMG's due to the solderless install. Very easy, the instructions are very clear, but these video's are good too, especially for those younger folk, that don't like to read. ha..

[@DevilAndSons]

Ha, who looes to read these days? Thanks, and also - I agree, the instructions are very good.

[@neilbeni7744]

Thanks for this video Champ 👊💥😁

[@DevilAndSons]

It's a pleasure. Thanks for watching and commenting. I hope it helps.

[@borgonianevolution]

Where was this video when I was wiring my GGBO build with the EMG Zakk Wylde series. This plug n play system is a great idea..... right up until you have to stuff it all in a crowded control cavity. The wires are a tad long to adapt to all makes of guitars but some cut outs are tiny and stuffing all this in vs hard soldering can be problematic. that said I LOVE emg pickups and they are on every guitar I own or have owned with the exception of my Charvel acoustic.

[@DevilAndSons]

That is a very good point about the length of the wires and control cavities being small. I really enjoyed how simple the system was to use. Have you got a favourite set of EMGs? I am interested in hearing a set of James Hetfield ones in real life.

[@borgonianevolution]

@@DevilAndSons The only named set I have is the Zakk Wylde 81/85 set. My 2005 Mockingbird has an 85 in the bridge position and my 1986 Washburn RR1v has an OG 81 in the bridge position. I have crappy covers on my channel with all three guitars. Use headphones so you really get the tone nuances.

[@DevilAndSons]

I've watched some of your covers but will go back with fresh ears. The 81/85 does seem very popular.

[@DevilAndSons]

Are the Zakk Wylde ones altered in anyway other than the name?

[@borgonianevolution]

@@DevilAndSons The 81 / 85 has been the traditional "Metal" set used by pretty much everyone.

[@before120]

the emg instruction shows the bus output to the right of br/nk going to the volume and then volume to tone but you sent the output to the power out??

[@DevilAndSons]

Are you looking at the instructions for the same bus? Or the other way around?

[@JamesMurphyProducer]

it’s very clear what the Ring is on a TRS (Tip, Ring, Sleeve) connector, but what constitutes the “Ring” on a TS (Tip, Sleeve) connector, aka a guitar cable, as you have here? Is it the black divider between the tip and sleeve? I would’ve thought that was just a nonconductive isolator between the Tip and Sleeve, no?

[@DevilAndSons]

Yes, you are right. When I said the ring i meant on the jack, the ring shaped section but really I should call it the sleeve connector perhaps, to be clear.

[@V4L1]

Hi , Ive been thinking for a while about getting a Harley Benton R458 fanfret which Ive heard about in many reviews that their pickups are not that good so I was looking for some pickups I could get as replacements and came across the EMG 808X. I'm not able to get two sets of pickups at the moment and so I was wondering if I could connect one pick up and keep the stock one until I can replace it too. This is a great video and I'm definitely saving it for later , keep it up !

[@DevilAndSons]

Thanks for watching and book marking. I'm pretty sure that using this supplied bus you couldn't combine one pickup using the emg solderless system with a soldered pickup without soldering the soldered one (I.e. the Harley Benton) to the bus. However that would be fine if you are buying the pickups separately and the each come with a bus, so you can essentially discard the one you have soldered on to when you put the second pickup in. However, you should check EMG's website as I think they may sell a bus system that allows both types to be used together. I hope that makes sense.

[@davidhockley-r3y]

Hi pal. The black wire that you used to connect the three grounds to one. Is that a special wire or can it be anything. I have connected everything and am getting low output but need to ground the toggle switch. I’m hoping that solves my output problem 😃

[@DevilAndSons]

Thanks for watching. I just had a quick run through the video and can't find the bit with the wire you are talking about. Can you let me know what time it appears in the video? In general though, i don't use anything special in addition to the wires the kit comes with. Silly questions - have you checked the pickups aren't too low (far away from the strings) and also tried a different battery? Those two things can make a difference to the output.

[@davidhockley-r3y]

33:20 🤘

[@DevilAndSons]

@davidhockley-r3y that's heat shrink tubing. You can get it on amazon. Great stuff. I used to use electrical tape but this is much better.

[@davidhockley-r3y]

Sorry. I meant the 3 inch long wire that you’ve put heat shrink over. 😊

[@DevilAndSons]

@davidhockley-r3y that's just standard hook up wire. Phew! We got there. I hope you sort out the low output. If not there may be some tests you can do to try and work out the issue.

[@Fartinhalerr]

Is it possible to hook both pickups to 1 vol and 1 tone?

[@DevilAndSons]

Emg's website has a good list of the wiring options here www.emgpickups.com/top-wiring-diagrams

[@DevilAndSons]

I can't remember off hand how it's done, but I am sure yes.

[@DevilAndSons]

I would double check here.

[@Qwert280]

Thank you

[@DevilAndSons]

I'm glad it was helpful.

[@jacko628]

I'm not exactly hinging on a response, but it'd be appreciated, as I do have a question: is it possible to wire two humbuckers to a single tone knob, but two volume knobs with the solderless kits? So, a volume knob for each pickup, but a master tone knob? I've got a Les Paul style guitar from Harley Benton that has this setup, and I'm looking to swap out the HBZ pickups in that with EMG 81s and 85s.

[@DevilAndSons]

Just a quick look at the EMG page and there are a few options for this: www.emgpickups.com/top-wiring-diagrams

[@jacko628]

@@DevilAndSons HUGE thanks, the diagrams make it a lot clearer. I've also watched the video over a few times as well, and it's a huge help. I'll make sure to rewatch it when I get the kit that I've decided on when I get around to doing the swap

[@DevilAndSons]

@jacko628 great. Do let me know how you get on. I think this system is really good.

[@DrumGuitarDude]

I'm planning on installing a set of EMG's on my Ibanez. Thing is, it only has one volume pot - what should I do here? Just toss out the tone and its wiring system?

[@DevilAndSons]

Yes, you can remove the tone without affecting the volume circuit. Or you could leave the tone pot loose on the inside of the cavity if there is a room and just set it as you want, knowing you can adjust if needed.

[@charlescowan6121]

I'm using a pj set and a seperate bqc preamp, what components do I need and which can I discard? I understand each box includes a switchcraft input jack, right? However both include a volume pot, does it matter if they're both 25k? Do I need 2 9v batteries? The instructions say no, but offer no explanation?

[@DevilAndSons]

The EMG website is pretty good for wiring diagrams. It's very likely that the preamp simply replaces everything. The instructions for the preamp should be the one to follow, showing how the pickups fit in. It will be set up so the preamp battery powers the pickup. I hope that helps.

[@charlescowan6121]

@DevilAndSons Thanks for the reply, mate! I finally held both instructions side by side and compared each diagram. I finally found the closest match. We're set there. I ran into other problems with space. Needing a different input jack 😆 🤣. Solve one thing and discover several more. This bass is gonna sound amazing!!

[@DevilAndSons]

@charlescowan6121 that's the way, bit on e all the problems are sorted they will be a distant memory. Have fun with your bass.

[@darkmtxdarkmtx]

Do I have to use bot knobs? I have a LTD H1007fr with EMG's a vol and a 3 way toggle, can I just use one of the solderless knobs or both are mandatory?

[@DevilAndSons]

The EMG website has a lot of wiring schematics up, they will most likely have one that matches your needs.

[@darkmtxdarkmtx]

@@DevilAndSons i checked but I found only a one pick-up 1 vol solderless

[@DevilAndSons]

@darkmtxdarkmtx OK. Just to check. The emg set up you have is the same as, or very similar to what is here, and you want a single master volume,and no tone controls?

[@darkmtxdarkmtx]

@@DevilAndSons exactly, I installed a traditional soldering, not convinced at all of the solderless and my luthier said it's not that great so, I'll keep it the old way

[@DevilAndSons]

@darkmtxdarkmtx diagram 6 a/b here is what you need, just leave off the tone. www.emgpickups.com/pub/media/Mageants/0/2/0230-0221rA_HZ_SL_Humbucker.pdf

[@jonathanterry7835]

Do you need to switch the battery oce a while? Honestly it would kinda suck.

[@DevilAndSons]

Yes, but as the jack socket acts as an on off switch they can last quite some time.

[@JosephS352]

I am thinking to use one of these on esp ltd M-201 can ı do that and does it worth?

[@DevilAndSons]

There's no reason it shouldn't work

[@oRBz_NZ]

Perfect tutorial, but Is it alright If I ask for help? I just installed my EMG MM5TW with a single coil/dual coil push/pull volume pot, mid/freq stack pot and a tone pot. Everything was installed perfectly, but now I have no clue why there's a static sound that comes and goes, mostly when I mess with the tone volume, there's some noise that comes when messing with the mid/frq volume, but it'll then disappear. So frustrating tbh and I have no Idea why it's even doing that

[@DevilAndSons]

Thanks, and please do. Firstly, is the bridge earthed? It shouldn't be for pickups like this so perhaps that's causing an issue. Secondly, if possible I would try disconnecting the mid/freq to see if there are any issues with the other parts. Then try putting it back in. If there are issues still I would then try disconnecting the standard tone to see if the issues continue without that. That may help narrow down the issue. I also just had an issue with something completely different that was resolved once I changed to a different battery.

[@oRBz_NZ]

@DevilAndSons thanks, I tried what you provided and there isn't any noise. I then re-connected everything again and there still isn't static noise which is a plus, but..........there's a but lol...... When I was test playing, the static noise returned, but it isn't loud, but it's there. I placed my fingers on either mid, tone knob and the static noise completely disappeared, I was like wth!?....I removed my fingers and the static noise returned, I was completely confused. I don't know anymore....

[@DevilAndSons]

I would suggest as a next stage you could actually try reconnecting the ground to the bridge. I don't know if that would help but it's worth a shotm

[@oRBz_NZ]

@DevilAndSons I would definitely try that way, but it'll be weird If It actually fix the problem. Instructions clearly says "Do not connect the bridge ground, EMG pickups are shielded internally". Might sound like a lie now smh, but will do it that way thanks

[@DevilAndSons]

@user-dp8dg2id7f exactly. But that shielding seems to be causing a hum.

[@kingvkelly2313]

i bought a 81 and a 60 but can't get sound from the 81 but i'm only using 1 vol no tone not sure what to do

[@DevilAndSons]

First up, what happens if you change the 81 and the 60 around, I.e. wire the 81 where the 60 goes? If you don't get sound then it could be a faulty pickup.

[@all5stars]

I dont understand where does the grounds connect to the switch. The wire on my switch do not have a ground in them.

[@DevilAndSons]

Switches only have a ground if you are grounding the metal casing of the switch.

[@alexshevchenko7568]

Hi, could you give me a piece of advice? I have two EMG 89s, and I would like to use one of them as the 89R in the neck position. Which means that it needs to be installed upside down. Can it be done this way? Will the upside-down position make any difference to the sound (either in the humbucker mode or the single coil mode?

[@DevilAndSons]

Why dies it need to be upside down? Depending on how it's wired normally when you split a humbucker so it's just a single coil you might choose the outer coil as the one remaining live, if it's upside own it would be the inner one and you'd have a very slight difference in sound because of the position being slightly different (you nay not even notice it). Unless I have misunderstood you.

[@DevilAndSons]

It wouldn't effect the humbucker mode.

[@alexshevchenko7568]

@@DevilAndSons If one might choose which coil of the two will be active in the split mode, why would they issue the 89R? It's exactly the same as the 89, except for the fact that the active coils are the opposite.

[@DevilAndSons]

In that case it's wired so you can't choose. Sorry, I don't know that pickup well enough. On some pickups you can choose.

[@Egosumdeu]

I accidentlly cut all the cables that go to the toggle switch. What do i do then???

[@DevilAndSons]

Are you using the switch like I had, where you attached it to the bus with a screwdriver? Or is it one of their switches with special terminals? If it's like mine it's a really simple fix, you can reuse the wires you cut off. Basically you just need to make sure that attach wires to the bus with the screw and match those wires to the correct place on the switch. However they need to be soldered back on to the switch. The EMG website with diagrams for this system has great drawings of how the wires attach to the switch. If that doesn't help let me know.

[@Egosumdeu]

Thank you

[@rodrigogears]

Help Please, Without PCB board the EMGs 81/85 works fine strait to the output and Battery as you did! But When I assemble it on PCB, I just hear noises buzz, it seems a short circuit in this PCB, defect .. am I doing something wrong ? I rewired the circuit multiple times but results same problem with PCB, apparently I have a problem on It …

[@DevilAndSons]

That does sound like there is a problem with the board. If you have done it multiple times and it still isn't working. There is a great group on Facebook called EMG pickup users (or something like that) who are good at solving problems. Also I think EMG customer support are meant to be good. If it's a new pcb they may be able to replace it.

[@rodrigogears]

@@DevilAndSons I bought a spare PCB 245D to change, meanwhile I am using only the bridge pick-up strait as you taught in the vídeo, thanks a lot, your tutorial is perfect!

[@DevilAndSons]

It's a pleasure, and sorry to hear of your frustrating. Hopefully the new one will work fine.

[@Don_of_the_Dad]

I have a 90s Les Paul studio with an H/P90. The original p90 is mounted by 2 screws in the center. I’m dumb, and I can’t figure how to mount the emg soapbar, as the rout for the toggle switch is in right where one of the screws needs to go. It’s waaaay too deep for any screws. I’m unsure of a proper way around this. Anyone know where I can look for ideas?

[@DevilAndSons]

I can actually picture this, but happy to try and help. If you can send me a couple of photos to [e-mail] I'll try and suggest a solution for you.

[@GartheKnightReturns]

Hi there, I recently picked up a pair of EMG 81/85s and I'm going to be installing them into an Explorer. If I'm understanding correctly, I'm only going to be using two volume knobs one for each pickup and one tone that works between the two pickups. Everything should connect to the hub like normal, correct? Thanks

[@DevilAndSons]

If you look at the EMG website they actually have diagrams for different set up options. Even of the set up you are using is slightly different it's more or less the procedure I show here. I believe I've posted the link previously in the comments, otherwise it should be easily searchable. Does that help?

[@GartheKnightReturns]

@@DevilAndSons Yep, it does. I ended up going to EMGs site and pulling up a PDF of the different installation diagrams. Thanks.

[@DevilAndSons]

@UberBman enjoy your new pickups

[@bustercampfiresongs]

Great thanks.

[@DevilAndSons]

It's a pleasure.

[@NEO_RKX]

I have a Gibson explorer. 2016 year. I finally Decided I wanted to put my passive emg h4 and h4a into it….. It’s my first time, but not my first time doing any type of mechanical work. Anything I should know before I start ?

[@DevilAndSons]

I hear they are great but haven't tried them myself. I would say if you have any worries then do a set up outside of the guitar like I did first, you can check everything there. I have been very impressed with how the EMGs fit together and their written instructions are pretty clear so I am sure you will be fine. Without the active element I'm sure any pre-drilled holes and cavities will let the wires through and contain them fine.

[@DevilAndSons]

Good luck, and do let me know how it goes.

[@lanceflanagan]

Really struggling to find a solderless kit in the UK :/

[@DevilAndSons]

Really. I can only imagine stock is currently short due to the current international shipping problems. It may be worth calling or emailing somewhere like GAK or Gear4Music to see if they know when they will have stock. I'm sure both normally do. Also Thomann prices I think now include tax so you won't have to pay the normal import duties from EU as they cover it - so perhaps worth checking their site and also their current shipping policies.

[@Jeb4100]

what do i do if i dont have space for the battery?

[@DevilAndSons]

That's tough. Sometimes tou'll have to rout out a new hole in the guitar to fit a battery compartment. What guitar do you have? Normally the battery can fit in the cavity. A lot of the time you can wrap it in a thin foam and it can squash in without damaging the components in there.

[@Jeb4100]

@@DevilAndSons Pango Explorer kit guitar

[@JosephS352]

How can ı install it to a single pick up guitar ı am worried about removing the old pickup

[@DevilAndSons]

What specifically are you worried about? If you're using a complete esp kit then you can remove the whole of the existing pickup and controls without desoldering them, so can then put it all back if you don't like the esp.

[@JosephS352]

@@DevilAndSons thank you should ı fasten the battery in guitar or ı just can put in? if it shakes does it damage to wires

[@JosephS352]

I am worried about cuting the wrong wire but ı have 1 volume and 1 pick up so ı can just cut and remove every old things

[@DevilAndSons]

@JosephS352 I can't remember if the kit comes with a clip. Most people would fasten it either in the guitar or to the back of the cavity cover but it's also common just to wrap it in a thin foam case/strip and leave it sandwiched in amount the wires. Personally I prefer ot held in place to be OK the safe side. If the pack didn't come with a clip I think you could easily find a variety of pp3 battery clips and holders on amazon or Ebay.

[@DevilAndSons]

@JosephS352 hey, also thanks for joining the channel. If you are worried please send me a couple of photos of the current cavity and perhaps the emg set you have and I would be happy to give you some more direct advice. [e-mail]

[@IanJess-bz1un]

Hi, if fitting these to a left handed guitar, do I need the EMG front logo on the low E or High E??

[@DevilAndSons]

It doesn't make a difference, but normally I would expect the EMG logo to be the right way around when the guitar is standing with the neck facing up. If that makes sense.

[@DevilAndSons]

Actually, I'm 99% sure it won't make a difference but if you are having any type of coil split you would probably want the active side of the humbucker to be the one on the outer side of the pickup.

[@tru3nz]

awww no 😱 I placed the white wire where the black wire of the battery goes and vice versa for the battery....I need help, I can't remove them. They're literally stuck on there....awww fudge!!

[@DevilAndSons]

I'm sorry to hear that. I don't have any advice on how to get them out, I'm surprised they got stuck. Normally the pop in and out of that bus quite easily, although you may have to pull the plastic part a bit harder than you expect.

[@tru3nz]

​@DevilAndSons It's ok, took me awhile but it came off. Now everything works fine now. 😅

[@DevilAndSons]

Excellent. I hate that feeling where you're not sure if you're going to break something or not.

[@jakebutler4404]

Is it possible to use the springs from the old P90’s underneath the screw holes of the new pickups?

[@DevilAndSons]

Absolutely. I have a small box of springs I've collected from different pickups and often swap. Basically sometimes the springs are too long and I can't get the pickups high enough, or vice versa. So essentially and spring can do as long as it allows you to adjust the pickup as you like it, and it's nit guaranteed that the springs a pickup cones with will be right (often new springs are long and sometimes I even cut them). Good luck with your new set up.

[@kvprod1]

I am using the EMG Het Set on an Epiphone Goth Explorer and have issues with the volume "leaking" when I roll down the volume knob all the way down. E.g. Select neck pickup, roll down volume 100%, but still hear output when strumming. I used a new wiring kit with new pots and a new toggle switch, so the only item remaining is the wire feed for the toggle switch. Have you faced a similar issue?

[@DevilAndSons]

That sounds annoying. Does the volume actually decrease when you turn the volume down or does it stay the same? I'm surprised with the full change you have made that you still have the problem. I think it would be worth changing the wire feed to the toggle just to ensure that everything is new. I have heard of similar problems caused by a faulty bus. One way to trouble shoot this may be to swap the wires in the bus around so it thinks the neck and bridge pickups are the other way around and see if it's still the actual neck pickup causing the problem or now the bridge (which it thinks is the neck). I can't remember reading if anyone had a solution for this problem other than swapping the bus. If you are on a Facebook there is a great emg pickup group which is where I have read about this problem before, the hive mind there will probably include people who have had this exact problem and have a solution. Sorry not to have an immediate answer.

[@joshuasayler201]

So I have a guitar I want to do this with but it's only ported for 1 volume and 1 tone control (shared by both of the current passive pickups.) Is this possible with this set up, to have both pickups sharing the same volume/tone knobs?

[@DevilAndSons]

Thanks for watching. Here's the page of wiring diagrams, hopefully they have what you want - there's definitely one for a strat style pickup selector but it should be the same if you have a toggle. www.emgpickups.com/top-wiring-diagrams

[@joshuasayler201]

@@DevilAndSons Bang! There it is. Thanks man! Great vid!

[@DevilAndSons]

It's a pleasure. Enjoy the new set up when you do it.

[@JP-pf1nj]

I like the EMG 81's. Can they go bad? Mine seems noisy when my palm covers it. The other pickups don't sound noisy. It's grounded and the original one from 1985.lol

[@DevilAndSons]

Hmm, I honestly don't know the answer. I would first be double checking the grounding, which it sounds like you have, that's what you would expect if the grounding has a problem. I would normally resolder the joint just in case. Does this pickup have it's own volune and/or tone? I wonder if there is a grounding issue or problem with one of those pots? I would also clean the pickup with antistatic spray, or electronics part cleaner spray.

[@JP-pf1nj]

@@DevilAndSons thanks for commenting. It is one volume and one tone and one 5 way switch for dual bridge humbucker and two single humbucker. I had guitar set up so pots got cleaned, but I think it might be my plug in jack...when I touch, like I am grounding it the noise goes away.lol....thanks

[@JP-pf1nj]

I mean when I touch the jack casing on my guitar and put my palm over the pickup the noise goes away.

[@DevilAndSons]

That does sound like a wire or solder joint is loose. Sorry not to be able to directly help you resolve the issue.

[@JP-pf1nj]

@@DevilAndSons thanks again... I just subscribed!!

[@angelmariogarciagarcia3845]

Is it possible to use the solderless kit with a different active pickups? Like fishmans?

[@DevilAndSons]

I would have thought so. You could strip the adaptor off of the end of the wire that attaches to the emg pickups and identify each wire to solder to another pickup. I haven't tried this, and don't have a set here to look closely at, but I wouldn't be surprised if you could find someone easily on the internet who has.

[@devagarwal2222]

Hey just saw your comment could you make it work?

[@DevilAndSons]

Sorry. I meant find someone that has done it and has put an explanation up online. I'd happily look at the parts and give it a go, but reckon it must have been done and documented somewhere.

[@Megadeth7811]

I ran into an issue while installing a set of 81/85 pickups on my Epiphone Goth Explorer. The (red) neck wire from the toggle switch is too short for me to connect to the bus. Is there a way to fix this, or am I screwed?

[@DevilAndSons]

Thanks for commenting. I'll try and help. Just to clarify, is this a toggle switch from the existing guitar wiring that goes into one of the screw inputs on the bus? If so it's easy to replace or extend that wire.

[@Megadeth7811]

@@DevilAndSons Yes, it's the existing switch and wiring that's coming off of it. One solution I thought of is to move the switch from the pickguard to one of the volume pots and just have one volume and one tone pot instead. That way all the existing wires will be able to reach the bus.

[@DevilAndSons]

You can easily extend the wire, even if you don't have a soldering iron. You can buy some wire and twist the bare end of the new bit up with the bare end of the wire that is too short, then wrap it in electrical tape. The other end of the new wire going into the bus. If you do have a soldering iron then just solder a new longer wire to the switch in the same place. It would be a shame to loose any of the existing controls.

[@DevilAndSons]

You could even cut a bit of the wire you have left on the old pickups (just don't cut too close to the pickup so you can always still use the pickup in the future) and use sellotape if you want to keep it easy and cheap.

[@krystianraul791]

Hello, i have a little problem - i have a les paul style guitar, the emg 81/60 combination (standard, not P as Yours) and when i have my pickup selector on middle i can't play one pickup - both pickups volumes must be on to play, can't play on one pickup in middle selector. When it's on bridge or neck it works perfectly, only a problem with middle selection, what i got wrong?

[@DevilAndSons]

I have read that swapping the prong the hot lead is on for the volume can fix. I think I have also heard that someone who had this problem had a faulty bus - if you have two (I assume one came with each pickup) you could try swapping them. If either of these don't work I would need to see some photos.

[@DevilAndSons]

Let me know.

[@bhoney187]

I'm very confused where the tremolo ground wire goes. I have the EMG 3 way solderless switch with 1 volume pot and 1 tone pot. I just don't understand how the tremolo ground wire attaches to the switch sense its supposed to be solderless. Do I just not use it? I'm a newbie to this haha, thanks!

[@DevilAndSons]

Emg solderless do not need string grounding so you should be fine.

[@bhoney187]

@@DevilAndSons The only wire I left in the guitar is the ground coming from the tremolo. Just wasn't sure if I needed to use it still or not and where it would go.

[@DevilAndSons]

Normally in the instructions it would confirm thar the solder pickups don't need string grounding, so that's the wire from the bridge. If you have the wire coming into the cavity you could just coil it up, or snip the very end (the exposed bit off) so it is still there should you change to a different system.

[@bhoney187]

@@DevilAndSons Awesome thank you so much!

[@DevilAndSons]

Anytime. Good luck with your installation.

[@eliezerrivera8764]

I'm confused 85 for neck and 81 for bridge 😳!!!?

[@DevilAndSons]

That's the popular choice.

[@DevilAndSons]

Not that you should believe everything you read on Wikipedia (or watch on KZbin for that matter) but here is what wiki says about the 85 The EMG 85 is a popular active humbucker guitar pickup manufactured by EMG, Inc. It is paired with the 81 in the Zakk Wylde signature EMG set. It was originally designed to be used in the bridge position but is typically installed in the neck position by modern guitar producers

[@eliezerrivera8764]

@@DevilAndSons Thank you, so that's why is a Zack's signature to balance the thickness in upper and lower registers on fretboard!!? interesting

[@DevilAndSons]

I'm not an expert on hos set up and why he wanted that, but it's seems to be very popular because of him.

[@vedrancolak3890]

After watching this video I see Zebras anywhere I look.

[@DevilAndSons]

After reading that comment I see trolls anywhere I look.

[@Am_I_really_not_really_I_AM]

16:50 LMAO!

[@DevilAndSons]

????

[@DevilAndSons]

Screws on the bus?