EMG DG20 v Fender Eric Clapton setup

[OlinMusic]

Which is better, more versatile, and more toneful?

Anyone know where to by the Fender Eric Clapton stuff? I have seen the TBX control for sale here and there.

I always found EMG's a tad sterile even compared to the Lace Sensor
I didn't like the "Noiseless" version quite as much, though it has a more vintage sound.

[frankfalbo]

If you've never tried the Bartolini System 111B, maybe now's the time. It would be "more" of everything you're asking for IMO.

[ErikH]

Well, the Eric Clapton wiring uses the stock pickups, whether they're the Fender Noiseless or the Gold Lace Sensors. Regardless of pickups, it has an active mid-boost control on the lower tone control and the TBX Tone Control is in the middle control spot.

IMO, that is more versatile and toneful than any EMG setup.

You can get the kit here: Linky

I've heard in the DIY world that the EMG SPC booster is practically identical to the mid-boost in the Clapton Strat. Differences being EMG uses an opamp and Fended uses 3 transistors configured as an opamp.

[Shredhead7]

Honestly there is not much truth to the statement that EMGs are sterile and lifeless sounding. I think that certainly an 81 in the bridge is gonna sound fairly thin and extremely clean when clean. But to me that aint a bad thing. However not most EMGs are like the 81 and that is the only pickup that people refer to when they say it sounds sterile. The 85 is a fat sounding pickup and the 60 is very nice. As for single coils, they wouldn't make a sterile or bad sounding single coil for cleans, cuz that is the entire reason why people use single coils, if they made such a product it would get shoved off the market because it sucks and hence no one would wish to buy it. I would daresay the EMGs will sound cleaner than Lace sensors, as well as handle gain better, but hey i have come to appreciate EMGs only recently, it is up to you to see if you can hear the difference.

[Benjy_26]

[QUOTE=ErikH]

IMO, that is more versatile and toneful than any EMG setup.

[QUOTE]




Not really. IMHO, the DG20 blows away the Clapton system with Laces (haven't tried it with the VN's). When set flat, the SA's are warmer and strattier than the Lace Golds. The SPC basically boosts the high mids and rolls off some of the treble, which give a great singing tone on the neck pickup for soloing, and incidentally gives your 2 & 4 psoitions some more cluck. Aside from the SPC, you get the EXG, which boost the highs and lows. This is pretty cool for deep, sparkly clean tones and crushing rythms under high gain.

As a bonus, the EMG's are quieter than the VN's and much quieter than the Laces.

[ErikH]

The EMG's are going to be quieter naturally, because they are active. The VNs and Laces are passive. I like the VNs better in the EC Strat than the Laces. The have more of a lively sound to me, more true to a single coil.

[frankfalbo]

...and just in case no one has tried the Bartolini system 111B, I want to clarify that I have converted people from all of the above (Lace, TBX, EMG, and various stacks, but not the VN specifically) to the system 111B and no one, not from any walk of life, has ever gone back. Sure you would have other guitars with other pickups, but no one has been dissatisfied. Its three singles with a dialup mid boost (Q seems to change with boost amount) and its the only system I have heard that combines noiseless with an active preamp that still has all the dynamics and juice of a passive single, plus the clarity and punch of the EMG style boost controls. Its better than putting DGs EMG controls with stacks, but besides the system 111B, that would be my recomendation, to buy the DG controls and put them with stacks.

[theodie]

Where is a good place to buy the 111B system and to find out more info about them?

Bro, you dont work for bartolini do you??? When doing a google search I saw almost the same post on another forum. Just curious.

[frankfalbo]

No I dont work for them, they are in CA and I am in IL. I have the Bartolini discussion every once in awhile when I see someone looking for more than what the mass market offers. They are friends of mine from way back, but I only say stuff about them when its totally appropriate and honest.

Coincidentally, I did just become a dealer but I PROMISE you guys that has nothing to do with this thread. Its more for my guitar building than reselling. Between here and a couple other forums, I have been complimenting Bartolini forever, but its been at least 6-7 years since I have sold them. Then a month or so back I ordered a shipment of stuff. I needed some product for some guitars I am building, mostly 7 strings. I think they make the best 7s on the planet.

I tell you what, there really is no place to get a good description of their stuff. They need a Duncan/Dimarzio style creative description for their pickups. One consistent trait across all the Bartolinis is their string-to-string clarity. Its second to none. They are probably not the best for someone stuck on the vintage/antiquity teat, but anyone who thinks the DG or Lace/TBX is a cool setup would do better with the 111B.