Watch This Before You Buy EMG DG20 David Gilmour Pickups

[@corporalclegg5057]

The problem with the dragonfires compared to the dg20s are that the dragonfires DO NOT have the all Important spc controls and mids boosters. Those are important. Just get the dg20s, you'll be more satisfied with that instead of the dragonfires.

[@jonathanfrigola9121]

I own two and the do have 7 way switching, mid boost, and tone boost. All 3 knobs r push/pull. The sound amazing IMO. I really want to see a video on their 85/81 or 85/85 active humbuckers

[@IIImobiusIII]

I'm really happy with the DG20 set. Those two circuits, SPC and EXP make all the difference. Don't be fooled into thinking these are comparable.

[@keithclark486]

​@@IIImobiusIII David Holmes said he couldn't tell the difference?

[@RyanLg123]

@@keithclark486*John Holmes

[@davidpenwell3432]

You can just wire in mid boost switches with upgraded pots cheaper

[@bigjimmcmurty8693]

BUT, you also do not get the booster knob dynamics the Gilmour set includes, the SPC Presence Control, which makes all the difference.

[@SStudiopro]

Dude, I love your shows man. Glad you’re back. Be safe and keep going strong. I’ve been using Dragonfire pickups for years now and yes they are great.

[@kennisrussell]

Thanks for liking the show. This was my first video with my new “live camera switching” setup and I think it went ok. Those dragonfire pickups are just great.

[@kenmasters007]

Looks like the price went up.. but great find... The EXG and SPC controls is what the kit is all about.

[@tinystar3010]

Just for reference, I'm someone who's played live for around 26 years. Experienced with cheap stuff all the way up to Gibson, etc. I'm the kind of player who is set in my way and when I watch reviews on cheap items, I usually dismiss it as such. However, these pickups legitimately do not sound cheap. There's a defined clarity between all the notes, and it really accentuates your dynamics. I'm not saying they sound top tier but I am definitely surprised by them. I do disagree on looks, the basic covers do look cheap but music is about sound first, not looks. The full pickguard combo at $144 seems like a great deal, and if they asked 250 I'd still say it sounds worth the price. Cheap pickups always have an underlying deadness in its tone that never goes away regardless how much you adjust the tone on your guitar, amp or effects but these don't have that. I might actually look into a set of these myself soon. Also, on an unrelated subject, I'm surprised that guitar brand you used had used the name "lake placid blue" because I would have thought Fender had the rights to that color name. Even before you mentioned the camera not picking it up I had thought "that's a nice lake placid blue."

[@kennisrussell]

Good points. As far as the paint color. “Lake placid” was my discription because I have a fender bass in lake placid blue and it is identical. I cant remember how they named the color on the screen guitar. It was probably light blue or something generic.

[@tinystar3010]

Oh okay then yeah you nailed the color, it's definitely a lake placid blue. Lol.

[@PinkFloyd28394]

this is a good video, the pick ups sound good. I bought my DG-20 set 5 years ago from Sweetwater, the price then was $130 cheaper then. I love them!

[@whip689]

The guitar sounds great...but it's not the Gilmour tone I was listening for. I'd like to hear the single note boosted sustain that Gilmour's guitar solos are know for. He can hold those notes for days and they are clear as a bell.😎👍

[@tonepilot]

Yup, that’s one great sounding budget guitar.

[@kennisrussell]

Thanks. I think so too.

[@ozoneswiftak]

Active means there is a battery.. where do you put the battery? Other wise they are just hotter coils.

[@brownbreadinc127]

The battery is under the pickguard

[@austinfailz]

They sound good, Kennis, but unfortunately, Dragonfire has apparently raised the price substantially. It is kind of absurd, to be totally honest. I can spend $200 (what they want for these now) or I can spend 20-30 more for a used EMG DG20 on Reverb. What is Dragonfire smoking? Lol

[@cjamesbarnard]

I would just say that, while the products may be something you have had some luck with, they will take some time shipping. Also, if you ask the guy running the business for a timeline for shipment or express any concerns, you can expect to get some rude responses. Customer service is not the companies strong suit.

[@kennisrussell]

Interesting. I have not had any personally contact with them.

[@startrekmike]

To be honest, I have learned that if someone tells me that a much, much cheaper version of something is "just as good" as the original, I am going to be extremely skeptical. This is especially the case when it is so obvious that there is a certain subset of guitarists online who have a very strong bias towards cheaper stuff as if everything they get is some sort of misunderstood gem that only is cheaper because it doesn't have a brand name attached. That kind of thing can SOMETIMES be true but usually it isn't. I am sure the pickups are fine but unless you own both the ones you feature in the video and the David Gilmour EMG set, your assertions that it is "just as good" ring rather hollow to say the least.

[@steveroberts]

That is a very sweet sounding guitar. Great clarity.

[@kennisrussell]

Thanks

[@ThePaddedPedalroom]

Great Video! I really like your little pedal board, it sounds really nice!

[@kennisrussell]

Thanks. It’s small, but nice.

[@WhoWouldWantThisName]

If you want the pickups for the boosts in the controls then I'd say the EMG's are the way to go, but if you just want quiet and stable active Strat pickups these would be fine I'd say.

[@sayhuhhhh]

I’m not sure if it’s the guitar or rig or both, but those sound nothing like EMG SAs to me. I’ve been using them for 25 years and I actually play a strat through an HRD live as my typical rig. These pickups sound a lot more scooped in the mids (more like standard strat pickups) than SAs which have a much flatter EQ. It’s hard to recommend these over the EMGs without a side by side.

[@madmod]

KZbin adds a ton of compression to the sound too.

[@tolfred]

Besides, the price of these are closer to $300 now (with all black pickups), so I don't know what the benefits of these are now?

[@jacksonblondeau5124]

Great video. I just picked up a used set of these myself. The wiring organizing is a bit chaotic so it can be difficulty to fit the battery in the cavity. I severed a wire connection in the process. Question for you: Do you happen to have a wiring diagram or a photo of the wiring that you'd be open to sharing? I tried contacting Dragonfire but they have been unresponsive. Thanks.

[@timogrgic3693]

I don't know.... I still have my EMG Sa's with the exp boost that I installed in my '88 Strat over 30 years ago and they still sound great. Not sure you'll be able to say the same thing about these.....

[@kennisrussell]

Perhaps not.

[@mercatorjubio3804]

then again, perhaps you will

[@6strung21]

I'm ok with that, being 51 I'm not sure I'll be around in 30 but if they're good for the next 10 I'll see if I can make it that far... I'm interested in hearing more of these pickups

[@KaosII1968]

I have the same in an 83 Strat.. I love them still... I've also noticed new EMG's do not sound the same as the early ones. At least to my ears. I have this set from dragonfire but with a sa-sa-85 HSS set-up and their SPC called a BCU and their exp. They are not bad but are extremely over compressed..you can hear that in this video.

[@timogrgic3693]

@@KaosII1968 I agree. Especially if you wire them up to 18 volts. I also have some old Kramer's with the 81's wired that way and they rock.🤘

[@calebkendrick5286]

Yeah these do seem really cool, but I'm unsure if these have the tweakable mid boost and expander tone features you get with the fully loaded EMG D20 pick ups, and also because like you said you dont actually own the EMG D20's we can't compare them. Cool video but I think I'm gonna stick with the EMG D20's Keep doing what you're doing tho it was still really interesting

[@TruBluGuitar]

They do come with those features plus 7 way switching.

[@marcuslacovara6982]

Also 8th st music has a discount code you can use that you can get the DG20 for $289 and change! For the extra 70$ to upgrade to EMGs and his ACTUAL signature pickguard, I hate to do it, but dragonfire is getting too cocky. You used to get their products at a reasonable price.

[@Germinalx]

Love your channel. Take a run through your show before taping. You sound a little all over the place and it’s not necessary. You have a great presence and way.

[@kennisrussell]

Thanks.

[@davidpehrson3707]

I have a really difficult time believing that these are as good of quality or sounding as EMG sa pickups. It would be great to hear a side-by-side comparison.

[@austinfailz]

What even worse is they have increased the price $55. You can get these for $200, or get a used DG20 on Reverb (takes some doing, but still) for around $220-240.

[@billymasters11]

I’ve owned both (was a long time ago). I remember liking the dragonfires a little more.

[@IYF_Productions_SL]

Thanks Kennis! This is another example of how it doesn't matter how much your parts cost as long as it makes the noises that make you happy. Happy 4th of July everyone!

[@3rdPlaya0709]

Emgs made in the usa. DG20 Also have two different tone boost controls, identical to what david has.

[@stephenhookings1985]

My first foray into EMG was fitting Js to a Jazz bass. Quality product, and whilst £122 seemed expensive for a pair of PUs it isn't in so far as it had wiring and controls. Soldering and buying some Cats pots would have cost £15 to £30. Also.very little noise - didn't shield this guitar. £10 of tape plus time to for, star join etc etc. So given the ease of fitting, quietness, lovely tone I would say it's a decent price for the system. Well done EMG.

[@johnwelch557]

Kenneth. I too find most aftermarket pickups are just as good. Just pay attention to the details. SX guitars are terrific. They have less flaws (zero) than MIM and some American Fenders. 56 years of play, recording and gigging. 'Haven't seen it all but maybe close. Thanks for the clean play that actually allows us to hear.

[@kennisrussell]

Thanks. I also find clean playing to be helpful in demos.

[@stephenhookings1985]

Agreed - my limited experience of 4 SX is tremendous guitars, great finish. Pickups are normally decent - although the JB75s were a bit microphonic so I put some Ironstone Alnico set for £48 in and loving the tone. I prefer their thicker necks and my LPB Telecaster looks lighter blue than this. I recently tried a J & D here in UK. Half price of an SX. Some say they are.made in same factory. Paint job.was good. Internals were poor - but added some EMGs and it's all sorted now. I only got.it because it's surf green. Just missing a Daphne or sonic blue guitar or bass object in my life :-)

[@JeighNeither]

Nobody has ever made a guitar w/a flaw at SX? Are you even listening to how stupid you sound making claims like that? Humans make mistakes, whether they're gringos, Chinese or Mexican, & by making claims like this, you're just putting your blatant bias on full display while reminding everyone you drank all the Kool-Aid. Also, I'm an audio/mix engineer, & these pickups sound like trash. @7:05 you can literally hear two surges from the pickups & he's playing clean on the neck pickup. Which is dark AF btw, nothing like AX EMG's or DG20's. You can lie to yourself all you want, but when you start lying to the rest of us about things our ears can clearly hear are lies, then you deserve to be called out for your cringe.

[@TheStobb50]

I paid £30 in the UK for vanson pickups to put into my SG copy and thay are amazing

[@stephenhookings1985]

Yeah I tried some on a partscaster - Alnicos loaded pickguard fitted straight in. Then I discovered Ironstone pickups for my Telecaster - lovely. I found the did bass pickups - put a J in my Squier VM Jaguar bass - lovely tone. I have an SX Stratocaster in vintage White (looks about buttercream) for my birthday - just doing R & D whether I go for a DG20, Ironstone Gilmour loaded scratchplate or keep the stock. For ceramic pickups they are not bad.

[@dstarling61]

I just looked at the Dragonfire website and a preloaded pick guard, with similar components to the EMG goes for $339.80. The EMG goes for $329. I think I’ll go with the EMGs

[@wolverine3344]

Great video Kennis , sound great

[@VitorMachadoProf]

I’ve subscribed your channel. Thanks for presentation. Cheers.

[@blessedheavyelements8544]

I use Dragonfire humbuckers and they sound great. Creamy smooth and articulate. Best Regards!

[@chrisradzion2148]

I like what I’m hearing. Here’s a question (actually 2 questions): would these fit in a Squier Strat (most tend to be thinner than the average Fender so there’s less cavity depth; you can’t put a classic pickup selector in one, for example)? And 2: with these, or the EMGs, is it possible to do the 7 way selector mod, like Gilmour has on his Black Strat (which has more vintage, standard pickups now it)?

[@TruBluGuitar]

Visit the Dragonfire site and your questions will be answered. The DFDG prewired is available with the 7 way switching as well as other mods. It's fully customizable, it's now just over 200 bills but still worth it compared to EMG.

[@mikekellow6437]

Like the sound when u added the tube driver

[@brythecracker]

Ken, I was looking at the DG20 pups, then I saw your video. I pulled the trigger on the Dragons. I hope they work out. Thanks for the demo...I think🤔

[@kennisrussell]

Awesome. Let me know how it works out.

[@BOBANDVEG]

How are they?

[@brythecracker]

@@BOBANDVEG their okay. They do have a good tone and you can indeed dial in that Gilmour sound.

[@CarlitoM77]

@@brythecracker They're okay? So do you prefer passive pickups for your strat?

[@jimm8594]

I wouldn’t spend more for a loaded pickguard than the entire guitar however the advantage is that you could easily transfer it to a better instrument later.

[@stephenhookings1985]

On an SX I might - I have 4 now (two basses, a Tele and a Strat) and I love these a cheap platform to mod. They are usable out of the box. I just spent £122 on some EMG J pickups for a £125 J & D bass. The surf green and black pickguard with maple neck makes it look like £1000 Fender. The stock pickups were rubbish and noisy as hell. EMGs are great addition..Sure I could have got a Sire M2 4 string for same price but I wanted a surf green. J & D similar to SX ie decent value but SX internals and fretwork better. Still J & D has one of the flattest fretboards with level (ish) frets on any guitar I owned so bit shout out there.

[@BeesWaxMinder]

…so what DID Glen go with in the end?

[@pistolpete7280]

+1 to Dragonfire pickups I have had about 4 or 5 sets total. Personally LOVE the tele rails and the Phat Screamers

[@glenfougeron2823]

Thanks Kennis....That is what will be going in. Do you know if Dragonfire loaded pickguard is solderless?

[@kennisrussell]

Hey Glen. I think so, except you will have to solder the jack.

[@ryant3600]

are they solderless like the EMG's? The site says soldering required. And I have a couple sets of Dragonfire pups but after really comparing them side by side w/ Seymours, I'd rather pay the price of the Seymours. Now that my eyes aren't what they used to be I'm looking at EMG solderless. If you're on a tight budget and want actives I can see going with these.

[@jimbucket2996]

Hey Kennis, watch out for the posters that say "loved it" or "wanna be friends?" Report those guys and don't respond to them. I'd hate to see anything else happen to your channel.

[@kennisrussell]

Good call thanks.

[@littlebritain64]

What does it happen exactly?

[@ryleuty]

That bridge setup is majorly disturbing man. Are the controls the same as the DG setup?

[@mordokch]

Well a lot of people are praising the sound in the comments, but honestly I thought they sounded just 'ok' - not bad, but nothing special really. Also there was some horrid distortion going on, especially in the bridge/middle and middle positions - not desirable distortion, I mean nasty breakup like there was some fault there. I've used the DG20's and these sound absolutely nothing like that - the DG's have a punch and smoothness which is just not present in these pups. I don't know for sure, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if these dragonfire pups are just coming off a big production line somewhere and being branded whatever the customer wants, in this case dragonfire, but could be anything - some will be charging £20 and some will be claiming big things and charging 3 times the price, but they're all the exact same pickup. I could be wrong, but they sound pretty generic to me.

[@marcuslacovara6982]

Hey brother, Dragonfire charges 199 and if you get a customer color PG its 220$! Dragonfire has actually gotten more expensive lately which is a bummer. Also what's the pot sizes on the dragonfire? I was ready to dive into DF pickups and totally support them. But they are getting out of control.

[@rush2124u2]

I bought the DragonFire Area 52 Strat Single Coil Pickups, Vintage Buckers and Hexbuckers and I’m very impressed of the sound. Good stuff. The colour of your guitar rocks.

[@benjaminfowler4513]

The gate buckers that dragonfire sell are incredible alnico 2s

[@ivanduke]

Thank you for demonstrating the with clean setting. To me distorted demos tell me nothing. I would have to try them in my guitar to be for sure. But the sound harsh to me on my iPhone speakers. I have 2 sets of EMG SA . I have had one set since 89. I have had great results with EMG and would probably just pay the extra.

[@kennisrussell]

Cool. I have actually not played the EMC dg20 pickups. I am just so happy with these I have not felt the need to buy the real thing. They are really good from what I hear though.

[@MrX-tv7mh]

It's hard to compare since there's no amp/hardware/software in depth description. I have the DG20's and they sound WAY more 'glassy' and deeper sounding. It may well be youtube compression... but it sounds as tho there's a Low pass and High pass filter set at 150hz and 3khz killing the dynamic range. IE very middy sounding.

[@twowaymuir]

Not wild about the tone of these pickups, but I have 5 SX guitars and they are great and the stock pickups are decent to very good.

[@ATK10155]

The moment you started playing I knew they weren’t EMG Gilmour. I’d rather pay $320 and have the strat ready to go and sounding incredible than what ever you did to that guitar.

[@doncavanagh7243]

Sounds quite nice

[@marmaladebrah]

thanks kennis!

[@saarbrandvin7749]

Sounds great, have ever try jb jr copy?

[@revnkevin1]

What did you friend get

[@MrSpeed-lt8gr]

Kennis do you think this would fit in a Bullet Strat or is the body too thin?

[@kennisrussell]

It would fit.

[@pfander63]

These pickups doesn't sound like a typical Strat sounds, and there is nothing you can compare with the EMG DG20 pickups! You have to compare it in your video and you will see the big difference between them...

[@calebkendrick5286]

Hmm, so just wondering tho do these ones have the mid boost and expander nobs that come with the emg pick ups?

[@CarlitoM77]

Yes they do.

[@GameArtsCafe]

Your clean modes sound dirty like there is small micro rattles.

[@giuseppecali4443]

Ok it’s always good to save money and most of us it’s a priority. But you cannot compare this dragon fire with emg. Are just two different categories. This one’s that you tested sound dull compared to emg, that have expander and middle boost, giving lot of different sounds. Anyway, for the price these dragonfire are decent.

[@jimbucket2996]

Before I bought my DG's I said holy cow, on sale for $99! No pickguard though.

[@kennisrussell]

Nice! Let me know how you like them.

[@6strung21]

Where

[@runesvendsen2270]

Sounds greate

[@jamesjones-rp6cl]

I don't understand?? You say you don't remember what you did if you bought a loaded pickgaurd or if you installed them yourself?? If I do any work to any of my guitar's i always remember if i had to install them myself?? Again huh ???

[@87BruceH]

But aren’t the emg dg20 set ceramic?

[@dorksouls978]

AlNiCo V

[@jezzbass1826]

Thank you

[@sgt.grinch3299]

6:15 before he starts playing. 6:00 minutes of talking and all that was said is contradicting. Pick ups sound very nice. Dragon fire does not deserve this review. They make great stuff and he didn’t even know what he bought.

[@gavriloprincip11]

Why would anyone want David Gilmore active pickups when everything he ever recorded that sounds amazing was with 60s/70s passive fenders ?

[@msh6865]

He used active pickups in his live rigs.

[@franklinkz2451]

Bro that is 100% incorrect Sir! He recorded half the wall album with a Les Paul. The man just Auctioned off over 100 guitars, most were guitars anyways but he most certainly did use Active Pickups. Off the top of my head, his Red Strat he used in the 80's during Momentary Lapses of Reason Tour...... Ironic

[@MrSpeed-lt8gr]

He did use active pickups live in the 80’s and 90’s to eliminate the him from the dirty power often found on the road. In 2005 for Live 8, it shows David playing the passive pickups again. Power has gotten cleaner over the years and hum has decreased.

[@thephaze3]

@@franklinkz2451 Dunno where you pull half the album from one solo.. but keep thinking that lol

[@JeighNeither]

@@franklinkz2451 Yeah, he used them on that tour, & that's one of my favorite live periods of his. I guess by ironic you mean because he had good sense to use the active pickups? Haha, clever.

[@eLstratos60]

that's a great video, thanks for the tips, I'll try to find those in France

[@danbrown4772]

Problem with the EMG Sa is the hiss.... just awful

[@DaveyHg]

No longer available in store

[@CarlitoM77]

Yeah they are. I'm building my custom left- handed pickguard as we speak.

[@atl9077]

EMG every day the week😊

[@jcoulter43]

I have a couple of sets of Dragonfire pickups and love them. Vintage Buckers in an Ibanez RG and some Alnico V's in a HSS Strat set. I'm a tone hound and have several sets of Seymour Duncans and Dimarzios and these compare very favorably. Very cool looking and sounding SX Kennis! God bless and rock on 😎👍🎸

[@martgryfny]

I don't like to tell anyone that i'm not impressed, but definately i was not impressed by that sound and i would definately go for EMGs. I'm sorry...

[@gabrielefriuli141]

used emg dg20=180euro. if I get tired, I always sell them for 180 euros///dragon fire: new=200euro>USED??? i think 100 euro

[@Nomad-Rogers]

Rather have a black strat knockoff than a red knockoff.It is all in the which era of pink Floyd do you shoot for Dark side to the wall you need the black strat momentary to the endless river the red with emgs is you set up.

[@stephenhookings1985]

Excellent point. Can I use this argument to my Mrs to explain why my guitars are multiplying - I can no longer use the excuse "Shoot! I dang left the male part in the female and now there's a new baby one".

[@jameswinter1178]

There's a lot you can't remember

[@ahankararockband]

By itself clean it does not sound right to me. Does not have Stratocaster vibe and glass to it. Through boxes it is better.

[@bluwng]

I love the guitar, $100 hard to believe.

[@waymoresound4875]

Dragonfire are better than the emgs to me as well. I had the emg dg set and swapped it out for the dfdg dragonfire set with the exp and BCU controls. Dragonfire has come up considerably in price now rivaling emgs.. proof is in the pudding

[@LovelyGuitars]

EMG sounds a lot better!!!

[@StevieZero]

SX are great guitars

[@Deebz270]

THe guitar sounds pretty budget-average to me. Never heard of Dragonfire, must a Yank thing... The point is, you cannot compare the tone of your cheapy-pups and Stratoliker, with that of the EMG DG21 kit, fitted to a USA Stratocaster. And I'm a person who has generally stuck to the maxim that all planks of wood can be made to sound great, if the right combiination of hardware, onboard electronics (passive or active) and signal chain are used. . I have two Fender Strats amongst other non-Fender Stratolikers, a Deluxe with EMG DG20 pack and a Standard 'VG' Strat with basic Fender single coils. Both sound like Stratocasters should, in all settings, but the Deluxe has the edge for sure, especially when seeking that Gilmour 80's sound, with the SBC and EXG circuits giving vital control to mid range and overall boost. That is what you pay your £200 ($350) for. . You may as well compare a Ford Capri (Puma) with an 'E-Type' Jaguar... LOL!

[@rosembermorales1995]

I have played through dragon fire humbuckers and they are the bees knees.

[@bensallaboutmusicchannel4609]

Hi Folks, this is a very good review. Dragonfire sounds very interesting !! Anyway I love the EMGs and the Fishmans as well. I did a video comparison: Fishman Fluence Singlecoils vs. EMG Sa Pickups as well. This might be interesting for you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnvCl41pfJegZ5I

[@lukegoffkat]

Why is it I always have to point out that if people want their vids to be taken seriously, try tuning the guitar first. \..++../

[@BossHossStudios]

Spend the money and buy the real thing.

[@T00DEEPBLUE]

Dragonfire pickups are nothing more than cheap rebranded Artec pickups. They're not bad for cheaply made pickups but they still cut corners in key areas. If you want cheap pickups that TRULY are constructed and sound EXACTLY like Duncans or Lollars etc. Check out brands like Tonerider or BYO. Those pickups are the true bang for buck option. Dragonfires are inferior in comparison.

[@kennisrussell]

Goof to know. I’ll check them out.

[@andrewdenine1685]

Of course I want cheap but u didn't compare them to actual emgs pointless to watch a one sided comparison then tell people to not buy something you didn't test. Why send China money . Support your own countries products

[@presmasterflash7555]

Great pickups. I have an HSS in an OLP (Musicman import brand before Sterling) and two 81Cs in a Dean 7 string. Lots of versatility and simultaneously delivers a “certain” sound for less with its own twist.

[@redwolf979]

My god you take too long to get to the dam point. stop talking in circles tell us what we need to know then stop.

[@yonesmoloodi1886]

4 min in and this dude is still talking

[@johnwaterman578]

What is this.... shet, rabish...

[@damnimgood34]

🇨🇳

[@ricardoa2894]

❌❌❌👎👎👎👎👎👎👎