How to install EMG 81/85 (zakk wylde set) pickups on a Jackson Rhoads guitar Instagram: @jake_the_fate_ Apple Music & Spotify: distrokid.com/hyperfollow/jak...
Thank you guys glad I could help! www.emgpickups.com/parts/wiring-components/output-cable.html they sell the output jack in Longer length if you guys are interested in doin that if you guys haven’t already lol
Thank you for your video. I watched many but yours was so detailed. I was able to wire my guitar with EMG Zakk Wylde pick ups, I’m very grateful we have you !!!
Jake.. you’ve convinced me .. I just ordered the 81/85s . I’m gana install them into my Jackson js32 dinky .. can’t wait… this wouldn’t been possible without all this amazing info you’ve provided. Thank you
Yeah dude! Iv done that to a few of my js32 dinky’s they turns them from a good playing guitar to a great playing guitar. People think it’s waist of money putting expensive pickups on an affordable guitar, but I think it’s awesome because yiur not dropping hundreds all at once on an expensive guitar plus you get more satisfaction from actually doing and installing them your self. Thank you for watching man
@@jakethefate that is exactly what I’m saying. Turning something that’s already awesome into something that will become your own. Absolutely agree. Take care brother. Thank you.
That’s neat man, I’m getting my Jackson JS32 Warrior next week, can’t wait to get these pickups installed. First time ever doing this and I’m nervous asFK
Question, can I do this with just a volume pot without the tone pot? If so would I just take the connection from the output jack and just put it on the two remaining connections on the volume pot? Thanks!
Great video, I want to install the Het Set in my Gibson Flying V. It will be my first set of active pickups. I’ve always been worried about battery life since I’ll need to remove the pick guard to replace it. This video was very helpful.
Thank you, Jake...this was very helpful. I have installed lots of pickups, but never active ones, yet. I just bought a pair of EMG 81/85 to drop into a cheap Chinese made guitar, and this video was all I needed to know how to install them; and just like you said, it looks super easy (once you know how). Once I give this guitar a fret level and polish, a new FRS bridge, and this set of EMGs, it's going to be awesome... I appreciate you taking the time to take your guitar apart and make this video! Whatsoever you do, do all for the glory of God. ~Clinton
Glad I could help my Brotha! Yeah I figured some ppl would be confused with just having a mater volume master tone, which honestly it’s a lot more simpler the. The 2x2 lol but hopefully it worked dude.
Jake, great video. I'm thinking of getting the EMG Het Set. But not sure what I'm gonna put them in. They would be amazing in a FGN NLC10, but a $1500 guitar doesn't really need upgrading. Maybe a Firefly LP or an MIM Strat. Strat would be easier to un-install if I ever decide to move on from the guitar. Hope all's well. Great video.
Hey man! Awesome video, im thinking about doing the exact same upgrade! Im wondering tho, how exactly did you splice the cables? Im not a real expert in that department and could use a little bit of help😅
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?
I like your channel, you do a great explaining things. I'm wanting to build my own guitar, I'm a lefty so limited options any suggestions on where to look should I look for a used guitar or look for a kit.
He man sorry for the late reply but I’m sure on the Facebook market you can find one, I actually bought a lefty on there so I can learn lefty and it’s like starting all over again lol it’s extremely hard but I found one there in sure you can too
Hey brother, I bought that selector switch apart. Ran me about 30 bucks it’s real hood if your looking to just connect everything without figuring out what wire goes Where if you don’t know much about wiring
That’s a good question! Like the EMG HZ? I might just make a video on how to install that because you can either solder them or use the clips on the pots.
I did a lot of searches and watched a bunch of vids. This is the best start to finish EMG installation video I have found. Thanks for taking the time to post this. I want to do an 81 bridge and 89R in this same model guitar (agree the neck is fantastic). Does it matter which pot I make the push pull for the 89R? I am having trouble finding a resource for how to have a push pull on a guitar with only 2 pots, most show 3rd pot being used as the push pull. Thanks!
Thanks dude! Glad I was able to help man. Yeah I was having trouble with that too because I did that same configuration 81, 89R. But are you using the quick connects or soldering them on? Because if you solder them in you need a 25k push pull, all parts sells them for like 6 bucks. I might be able to to do a video on that because that is something I wish I knew before spending months tryinto to figure out how to do it lol.
I put it together EXACTLY as you did and I only have the bridge pickup working and it’s cutting out intermittently…middle toggle nothing and neck nothing. This is actually the 6th time I took it apart and replugged everything in just to prove to myself I’m paying attention. Really aggravating
Hey man I’m sorry to hear bro, if you did everything how I did Check to see if all your clips have the arrow facing up if that’s all good check to see if your battery is good because iv had that happens where the volume drops dramatically and there’s no sound. Check those first
@@jakethefate I got both pickups to work last night in the correct toggle positions and now today only the bridge will work in bridge position…I don’t know wtf is going on but it’s a pain in the ass..lol
Also even though the bridge is working it is cutting out a lot… sounds like I’m pressing a kill switch on it repeatedly. I also have brand new battery on and all arrows facing away like in the video
Hey sorry for the late reply, and no I bought the selector switch separately for $30 I think but it’s worth it if you don’t wanna solder anything at all
If I don't want the tone knob for tone, but use it for the volume instead, do I just put what would be for the volume knob, on the tone? (I hope that makes sense.)
@jake the fate it would still have both pickups, with the selector switch. But I looking to not have the tone controls. Sometimes people will use that knob for the volume instead, so it's away from the strings.
How did you get the battery cable to the output jack, did u also splice it? I just ordered the long output cable didnt know i had to order a long battery cable too... fuck man
Yeah I spliced it i added a 3rd wire to make a long side the other wires but I’d say it’s a little better that you ordered it just because you won’t have to worry about bad solder joints or anything. Yeah it was unnecessary to get but at this point you already are ganna have it lol
Yeah man that’s a common problem iv had too a simple way to fix that is to widen the hole and what I use is a “step drill bit” You can find it on Amazon for like $10 a 3 piece set or if your impatient like me check your local hardware store like Home Depot, harbor freight, ace they all should carry them. You could use a drill but I just do it with a screwdriver so I don’t make it too big and it should fit I’ll be making a video on covering that soon 💪🏼
One i bought for originally was 15 to 15 .5 inches that was little short once i realized that it couldn't get to control cavity im getting ready to order 22 inch n 22.5 inch wires
No I didn’t to do any drilling or routing into the guitar but to be honest, I think routing out a little inside the cavity for the battery will be a bit better just because it’s ganna be a tight squeeze and you can risk maybe disconnecting some of the connections but you really don’t have to. I did it just like that and it all fit just how it is.
@@jakethefate awesome man thanks for the reply, great video too got the same guitar coming in and plan on putting in the same pickups. Super helpful especially since I’ve never put pickups in myself.
@@nathangray242 yeah dude!! Oh and btw in the video I spliced the connection for the output jack but I seen it recently that emg sell the connections for that and the battery if your not trying to solder at all I guess you can order that to save some headaches. www.emgpickups.com/parts/wiring-components/output-cable.html
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I’m planning on putting these exact pick ups in this exact guitar so this tutorial is exactly what I needed big up bro
I just did it on same guitar today love it.
Thank you guys glad I could help! www.emgpickups.com/parts/wiring-components/output-cable.html they sell the output jack in Longer length if you guys are interested in doin that if you guys haven’t already lol
I have a question. I have a 5 position switch in my Ibanez RG. How do you wire that?
Thank you for your video. I watched many but yours was so detailed. I was able to wire my guitar with EMG Zakk Wylde pick ups, I’m very grateful we have you !!!
I was thinking about getting this guitar and putting EMG's in it. my main thing was where did you put the 9V??
Thnx for the insightful instructions now I have some clues into wiring up my EMGs on my DIY guitar. 👍🤘🤘.
Jake.. you’ve convinced me .. I just ordered the 81/85s . I’m gana install them into my Jackson js32 dinky .. can’t wait… this wouldn’t been possible without all this amazing info you’ve provided. Thank you
Yeah dude! Iv done that to a few of my js32 dinky’s they turns them from a good playing guitar to a great playing guitar. People think it’s waist of money putting expensive pickups on an affordable guitar, but I think it’s awesome because yiur not dropping hundreds all at once on an expensive guitar plus you get more satisfaction from actually doing and installing them your self. Thank you for watching man
@@jakethefate that is exactly what I’m saying. Turning something that’s already awesome into something that will become your own. Absolutely agree. Take care brother. Thank you.
That’s neat man, I’m getting my Jackson JS32 Warrior next week, can’t wait to get these pickups installed. First time ever doing this and I’m nervous asFK
Awesome video. Just put these pickups into my Jackson following this video and works great. I appreciate your content, keep it up!
Question, can I do this with just a volume pot without the tone pot? If so would I just take the connection from the output jack and just put it on the two remaining connections on the volume pot? Thanks!
Great video, I want to install the Het Set in my Gibson Flying V. It will be my first set of active pickups. I’ve always been worried about battery life since I’ll need to remove the pick guard to replace it. This video was very helpful.
Thx man,I am getting the Jim Root signature model EMGs and want to install in my Charvel DK24 and this video is perfect to help me do it🤘
Glad I was able to help my brother!
Thank you, Jake...this was very helpful. I have installed lots of pickups, but never active ones, yet. I just bought a pair of EMG 81/85 to drop into a cheap Chinese made guitar, and this video was all I needed to know how to install them; and just like you said, it looks super easy (once you know how).
Once I give this guitar a fret level and polish, a new FRS bridge, and this set of EMGs, it's going to be awesome...
I appreciate you taking the time to take your guitar apart and make this video!
Whatsoever you do, do all for the glory of God.
~Clinton
I’m glad I was able to help my brother! I just made a part 2 video a few weeks ago if it’s helpful for you
Thanks bro.. that thing sounds amazing
I couldn't find EMG's official diagram for this configuration. Thanks man!
man, you are a lifesaver man!!!! thank you so much man for sharing...
Of course my brother!! I just posted a a brand new one with different types of wiring if your looking for more kinds of wiring
Amazing video, bro!
I was very confused with not having the 4 pots configuration on my guitar.
Thanks!
Glad I could help my Brotha! Yeah I figured some ppl would be confused with just having a mater volume master tone, which honestly it’s a lot more simpler the. The 2x2 lol but hopefully it worked dude.
Jake, great video. I'm thinking of getting the EMG Het Set. But not sure what I'm gonna put them in. They would be amazing in a FGN NLC10, but a $1500 guitar doesn't really need upgrading. Maybe a Firefly LP or an MIM Strat. Strat would be easier to un-install if I ever decide to move on from the guitar. Hope all's well. Great video.
Appreciate the vid man. Very helpful 👍 Im just wondering how to do this with a 5 way pickup switch. But again, very helpful vid
thx for this man!
Great Job !
Hey man! Awesome video, im thinking about doing the exact same upgrade! Im wondering tho, how exactly did you splice the cables? Im not a real expert in that department and could use a little bit of help😅
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?
I need this on my Jackson warrior.
Guys, that's what she said.
I like your channel, you do a great explaining things. I'm wanting to build my own guitar, I'm a lefty so limited options any suggestions on where to look should I look for a used guitar or look for a kit.
He man sorry for the late reply but I’m sure on the Facebook market you can find one, I actually bought a lefty on there so I can learn lefty and it’s like starting all over again lol it’s extremely hard but I found one there in sure you can too
@@jakethefate Thanks, my brother, looking forward to more videos.
Hey man great video just one question did the wire that you put into the selector switch come with the emg pack or did you buy or make it seperate?
Hey brother, I bought that selector switch apart. Ran me about 30 bucks it’s real hood if your looking to just connect everything without figuring out what wire goes Where if you don’t know much about wiring
What if I want to connect two volumes instead of volume/tone?thanks for the awesome video..🤘
Thanks man!!! You man as in 1 master volume for the neck and 1 master volume for the bridge? No tone pot ?
Awesome man, thanks! Just bought this exact guitar and want to put bone crushers in it🤘😎🤘
For passive pickups is the setup up the same just without the battery pack? Thanks!
That’s a good question! Like the EMG HZ? I might just make a video on how to install that because you can either solder them or use the clips on the pots.
I did a lot of searches and watched a bunch of vids. This is the best start to finish EMG installation video I have found. Thanks for taking the time to post this. I want to do an 81 bridge and 89R in this same model guitar (agree the neck is fantastic). Does it matter which pot I make the push pull for the 89R? I am having trouble finding a resource for how to have a push pull on a guitar with only 2 pots, most show 3rd pot being used as the push pull. Thanks!
Thanks dude! Glad I was able to help man. Yeah I was having trouble with that too because I did that same configuration 81, 89R. But are you using the quick connects or soldering them on? Because if you solder them in you need a 25k push pull, all parts sells them for like 6 bucks. I might be able to to do a video on that because that is something I wish I knew before spending months tryinto to figure out how to do it lol.
I put it together EXACTLY as you did and I only have the bridge pickup working and it’s cutting out intermittently…middle toggle nothing and neck nothing. This is actually the 6th time I took it apart and replugged everything in just to prove to myself I’m paying attention. Really aggravating
I also am using the solderless toggle switch
Hey man I’m sorry to hear bro, if you did everything how I did Check to see if all your clips have the arrow facing up if that’s all good check to see if your battery is good because iv had that happens where the volume drops dramatically and there’s no sound. Check those first
@@jakethefate I got both pickups to work last night in the correct toggle positions and now today only the bridge will work in bridge position…I don’t know wtf is going on but it’s a pain in the ass..lol
Also even though the bridge is working it is cutting out a lot… sounds like I’m pressing a kill switch on it repeatedly. I also have brand new battery on and all arrows facing away like in the video
Does the pickup selector come with the wire to plug it into the buss? 5:42
Hey sorry for the late reply, and no I bought the selector switch separately for $30 I think but it’s worth it if you don’t wanna solder anything at all
Where did you get the pickup surround for the EMG's?
The pickup rings ?
If I don't want the tone knob for tone, but use it for the volume instead, do I just put what would be for the volume knob, on the tone? (I hope that makes sense.)
As in like you want 1 master volume for the neck pickup and 1 master volume for the bridge pickup and no tone?
@jake the fate I guess the setup I'm looking for, is as if the guitar only had 1 knob, the volume knob, and no tone knob.
But with both pickups? Or like an EVH wiring? Like with no pickup selector switch ?
@jake the fate it would still have both pickups, with the selector switch. But I looking to not have the tone controls. Sometimes people will use that knob for the volume instead, so it's away from the strings.
so for the pick up selector how does it work? can u maybe describe it through text ?
Hey man, for which one the quick connect or the standard that’s in every guitar ?
@@jakethefate standard
How did you get the battery cable to the output jack, did u also splice it?
I just ordered the long output cable didnt know i had to order a long battery cable too... fuck man
Yeah I spliced it i added a 3rd wire to make a long side the other wires but I’d say it’s a little better that you ordered it just because you won’t have to worry about bad solder joints or anything. Yeah it was unnecessary to get but at this point you already are ganna have it lol
@@jakethefate could i splice together the shorter cables that came with the set into 1 long cable?
@@kddifdj4305 yeah that’s how I did mine
@@jakethefate great, thanks man
Hey, where did you get the set from? I would love to do this.
I got mine from guitar center, they usually just have this set in stock so I think if you go to one you’ll find one 💪🏼
@@jakethefate awesome, thank you
Are you able to do it with any switch
Yes you can use any switch just as long as you know what’s the ground, out and pickup leads
My output jack that my emg came with didn't fit the output jack platethats the only problem othe then the hole being small for the wire goes through
Yeah man that’s a common problem iv had too a simple way to fix that is to widen the hole and what I use is a “step drill bit” You can find it on Amazon for like $10 a 3 piece set or if your impatient like me check your local hardware store like Home Depot, harbor freight, ace they all should carry them. You could use a drill but I just do it with a screwdriver so I don’t make it too big and it should fit I’ll be making a video on covering that soon 💪🏼
@@jakethefate ok what was the battery and. Output wire length from tail fin to the control cavity
@@jamieevans2666 10-12 inches and that’s a lil extra so you can have enough wire to strip back and solder
@@jakethefate 22 inches should due
One i bought for originally was 15 to 15 .5 inches that was little short once i realized that it couldn't get to control cavity im getting ready to order 22 inch n 22.5 inch wires
No soldering.. emg thinking things cuz i dont have soldering iron
Did you have to do any drilling on the guitar itself?
No I didn’t to do any drilling or routing into the guitar but to be honest, I think routing out a little inside the cavity for the battery will be a bit better just because it’s ganna be a tight squeeze and you can risk maybe disconnecting some of the connections but you really don’t have to. I did it just like that and it all fit just how it is.
@@jakethefate awesome man thanks for the reply, great video too got the same guitar coming in and plan on putting in the same pickups. Super helpful especially since I’ve never put pickups in myself.
@@nathangray242 yeah dude!! Oh and btw in the video I spliced the connection for the output jack but I seen it recently that emg sell the connections for that and the battery if your not trying to solder at all I guess you can order that to save some headaches. www.emgpickups.com/parts/wiring-components/output-cable.html
@@jakethefate Very nice! Kinda read my mind man I was hoping when I got to it I could find a way around it but thats perfect appreciate the link!