Ok so quick back story. I have a Silo I traded fromt he guitarist from Pillar. It has 2 hums. I havent seen any other from the factory like this so I cant find any diagrams. I have a Les Paul with EMGs in it and I want to put them in my Silo but I dont wanna mess up the wiring and Im no pro at this kinda thing. I have installed a few passive pickups but never actives. I know I have to swap the pots to the EMG pots but my Silo has a piezo so just so many wires!! Any insight would be great!
- Thread starter Lukesilo
- Start date
walleye
Well-known member
you can order pickguards with all the wirings done from EMG themselves
your silo has a pickguard right?
your silo has a pickguard right?
Roubster
Well-known member
I would email customer service for a wiring diagram for a LUKE with piezo. That might give you a good starting point with EMGs. I dont know how you want to wire it up, so it all depends. You can also PM NorM, as he installs EMGs in almost all his Silos and they have piezo as well. I'm sure he'll chime in at some point.
Yes I have taken the time to do it myself (with parental supervision of course) and that was a llloooonnnnnggggg all day process. the wiring diagram you need is from EMG not EB and they are available on EMG's website. From the LP to the SiLO you want to loose the other volume and tone knobs yes? Otherwise you are routing the guitar so there will be pot soldering.
Where I have enjoyed the most success was taking the guitar to a tech that I trust and paying what they ask.
For the power to the EMG's I just found the power lead on the piezo board and took it from there. Never had an issue.
Remember that the active coil for EMGs is under the logo so figure out where you want it. I "think" I am happiest with the logos toward the neck for both HB pups. Your mileage will vary.
To me the thing that sucks the most about EMGs is that after you play them nothing else will do. Well except for Morse and Pet pups but that's a different story.
Done right I think you will love the result.
Looking forward to the pictures.
Where I have enjoyed the most success was taking the guitar to a tech that I trust and paying what they ask.
For the power to the EMG's I just found the power lead on the piezo board and took it from there. Never had an issue.
Remember that the active coil for EMGs is under the logo so figure out where you want it. I "think" I am happiest with the logos toward the neck for both HB pups. Your mileage will vary.
To me the thing that sucks the most about EMGs is that after you play them nothing else will do. Well except for Morse and Pet pups but that's a different story.
Done right I think you will love the result.
Looking forward to the pictures.
Sorry been absent a while. I decided I am going to go ahead with the install hopefully next week on my day off. I will look up on EMG for a diagram. I am doing it myself for sure. While I have never done EMGs Im not a pickup noob and used to work at a guitar store and installed many passive pickups, just never a set of actives. Ive had the EMGs in my Paul for like 2 years now so I know how they will sound and what I like about them. I know I will have to switch the EMG pots into the Silo and thats a whole big deal really. Im just glad its a pickguard install and dont have to route wires through the body. Ill take pics and let you all know how it goes.
Take a look here:
http://www.emginc.com/pdfs/faq/EMG-FAQ-Wiring-Questions.pdf
http://www.emginc.com/content/wiringdiagrams/EMG-H-60-81-85_r0230-0014a.pdf
or search for your specific pickup here:
Electric Guitar Pickups & Accessories - EMG Pickups
http://www.emginc.com/pdfs/faq/EMG-FAQ-Wiring-Questions.pdf
http://www.emginc.com/content/wiringdiagrams/EMG-H-60-81-85_r0230-0014a.pdf
or search for your specific pickup here:
Electric Guitar Pickups & Accessories - EMG Pickups
threeminutesboy
Well-known member
good luck and don't forget to post some pics 
Thanks for the help and links. I might try and tackle it next wednesday. Im also considering going a MUCH easier route and just put a Seymour Duncan Full Shred out of my Heartfield into it. If you cant tell Im a high gain metal type guy so going for the heavy tone. If I go that route I can leave my stock neck pickup and still get some nice cleans. My EMGs are 81/60 so the 60 gets a good neck clean sound but still isnt a passive. We will see.
