David Gilmour DG20 EMG Wired Pickguard-- Thoughts?

[chris m.]

I'm seriously thinking about going this route. I've always had issues with Strats. If the pickups sound really wonderful and chimy played clean then they sound too thin when played dirty. If I get hotter pickups then they sound better dirty but then I lose the lovely clean tone. (For me). Anyway, I'm starting to think that the DG20 may be just what the doctor ordered. With the two tone shaping circuits-- one a mid-boost, and the other an "expander"-- raises highs and lows-- and the ability to adjust, it seems I can get best of both worlds-- clean sparkle and spank when I want it, mid-grind when I want that. The lack of noise, low impedance driving a signal chain, lack of string pull, and extra output are all just side benefits, if you will.

I know it's expensive and requires batteries. Interested in hearing especially from those that have used this pickup set coupled with the two tone shapers. My application would be in my funk band. Think spanky Nile Rodgers style rhythm playing and then John Scofield-esque lead playing.

There are other options for active pickups out there, but it seems EMG may be one of the best at this game.

 

[Grateful Ape]

I think he Expander is overkill on the treble front, but otherwise - go for it.

For my money, for funk especially, I'd go for the S over the SA. I'd also consider the new retroactive (?) ones.

 

[lupowitz]

I too prefer the S over the Sa.
VG20 over DG20.
Vince Gill versus Dave Gilmour.
The VG20 comes with a master tone, master vol, and the SPC mid boost that you find on the DG20 too.
Try to find clips of Vince Gill playing his black strat with tortoise guard, it sports the set that is named after him.
I have the S set sans the EXG or the SPC. I have a pair of SA's as well - the later being alnico instead of ceramic- and I like the S way more, especially if you are going for sparkling strat sounds. The S are one of the oldest pickups EMG makes, Larry Carlton used them in his Valley Arts strat, he also had the SPC installed. You can hear that in his tuition program he made in the early '80s.

Also, both Men at Work guitarists used S pu equipped Yamaha strats at one point, there is a live concert on youtube you can check, and one of our aussie members own Hay's guitar, he can provide more info on this subject, if that is needed. He - Hay - changed to Yamaha SG after a short while, but Ron Strykert stayed with the Super Switch or whatever his strat was officially called. I always enjoyed his sound, and found his guitar tone one of the best clean strat sounds ever recorded.

The bad thing about the preassamled pickguards, that they only come in one colour variant. The DG20 white tortoise with cream pu covers. The VG20 red tortoise with black pu covers and knobs. But if you prefer any other combo, you can buy everything you need separatelly from them, pick ups, expanders, the lot.

 

[chris m.]

I went with the DG20 after talking to folks at EMG. I’m super happy. The EXG helps get the pickups bright and funky when playing clean and the SPC gives nice tone when playing dirty. The sustain is amazing with so little string pull and there’s zero noise. I think the magic is in the full package with the two tone shapers. Without them I can see how the S instead of SAs might be more twangy.

 

[Grateful Ape]

I went with the DG20 after talking to folks at EMG. I’m super happy. The EXG helps get the pickups bright and funky when playing clean and the SPC gives nice tone when playing dirty. The sustain is amazing with so little string pull and there’s zero noise. I think the magic is in the full package with the two tone shapers. Without them I can see how the S instead of SAs might be more twangy.

Excellent! Look forward to a review in a few months after the honeymoon period is over.