Signature guitars?

Joined: 09 Jan 2005 Posts: 169 Location: Pawtucket RI

I found an early 90's ESP KH-2 for super cheap and couldn't pass it up. While the guitar plays great, the EMG 81 in the bridge sounds shrill compared to my other guitars. If I dial the amp in for the EMG, the rest of guitars sound like there is a blanket over the cab. Would you change pickups in a sig guitar?

Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 1:59 am

Why wouldn't you?

If you like the guitar but want a different sound, then surely it's the obvious thing to do? If I were you, I'd keep the original pickups somewhere though. If the time ever comes to pass it on, you'd probably fetch a higher price with the original pickups intact.

Joined: 30 Nov 2003 Posts: 10589 Location: Canada

You could just drop in a Duncan Blackout, without changing the pots and all going to go a passive system, though I'm not much of a fan of actives.

Joined: 09 Jan 2005 Posts: 169 Location: Pawtucket RI

If I pull the 81 I'll just replace both pickups. Maybe try some new Dimarzios. I'm usually a Duncan player, but I really like the Dimarzios in my Charvel So Cal.

Joined: 04 Jun 2012 Posts: 346 Location: South-West Ohio

You might try an AMG 85 in teh bridge - that is supposedly the magick that cures the the shrill for those who don't like the 81, or so I've read. I actually am really geting to love my 81 but if you don;t the 85 in teh bridge might be the answer?

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 13396 Location: Earth

Yeah man it's a guitar you like so you should do what you want to it. I set my Kirk Hammett V up for my tuning and had the bridge and nut slotted for the thick strings I use. Essentially modifying it from stock. I'm thinking about taking the gaffer tape off it as well. Whatever it's your guitar, do what you want with it. Just keep any parts you remove so you can put it back to stock if you want later.

Joined: 30 Nov 2003 Posts: 10589 Location: Canada

pariah2 wrote:

You might try an AMG 85 in teh bridge - that is supposedly the magick that cures the the shrill for those who don't like the 81, or so I've read. I actually am really geting to love my 81 but if you don;t the 85 in teh bridge might be the answer?

He can try just swapping the neck pickup for the bridge. If I remember corectly my ESP KH-2 has an 81 in the bridge, but a 85 in the neck.

Joined: 15 Dec 2008 Posts: 4244 Location: Derry, N Ireland

I have an LTD RL-600, a Roope Latvala sig, that had an EMG HZ in it. A few months ago I swapped out out for a Gibson Burstbucker, and it brought that guitar to life. What use is a guitar that you like the feel of, but not the sound of!

Joined: 04 Jun 2012 Posts: 346 Location: South-West Ohio

Armitage wrote:

pariah2 wrote:

You might try an AMG 85 in teh bridge - that is supposedly the magick that cures the the shrill for those who don't like the 81, or so I've read. I actually am really geting to love my 81 but if you don;t the 85 in teh bridge might be the answer?

He can try just swapping the neck pickup for the bridge. If I remember corectly my ESP KH-2 has an 81 in the bridge, but a 85 in the neck.

I'll hav to check thier website but I seem to remember hammet being all about the 81 and having the 81 in both positions.

Joined: 09 Jan 2005 Posts: 169 Location: Pawtucket RI

The KH-2 has been made with 81/81 and 81 bridge and a 60 in the neck. Mine is dual 81s.

Joined: 30 Nov 2003 Posts: 10589 Location: Canada

Right, according to the ESP web page it's a 60 in the neck, not an 85. I haven't picked mine up in ages. Lovely guitar though.

http://www.espguitars.com/guitars/signature/kh-2.html

Joined: 10 Feb 2006 Posts: 1368 Location: Lutz, Fl.

I have a Luna Andromeda that has the 85 bridge/ 60 neck combo. It's quite versitile for an active set. I would suggest that first. You should be able to find an 85 used on Ebay for a "somewhat" fair price as there are plenty on the market. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 13396 Location: Earth

85 bridge is awesome. Anytime someone has an 81/85 combo and isn't happy the first thing I recommend is a reverse swap.