18v EMGs for wylde tone

I am interested in getting a setup similar to that of Zakk Wylde, my personal favorite guitarist. I read a few posts on other websites about changing the regular EMGs in your gibson Les Paul to Zakks signature pickups which are active humbuckers; an 81 and an 85. The post said instead of using one 9v battery you could use use and get 18v out of your EMGs to get a really accurate sound to that of Zakk and get some real serious sustain... I am confused here, do these pickups require batteries? and if so, how would you use two at a time?

Originally Posted by: jaridgageI am interested in getting a setup similar to that of Zakk Wylde, my personal favorite guitarist. I read a few posts on other websites about changing the regular EMGs in your gibson Les Paul to Zakks signature pickups which are active humbuckers; an 81 and an 85. The post said instead of using one 9v battery you could use use and get 18v out of your EMGs to get a really accurate sound to that of Zakk and get some real serious sustain... I am confused here, do these pickups require batteries? and if so, how would you use two at a time?[/QUOTE]

Here's the PDF from EMG:
http://www.emgpickups.com/pdfs/faq/EMG-FAQ-Battery-Questions.pdf

Originally Posted by: EMGCan I use multiple batteries?
Yes. If you’ve got room for multiple batteries in your guitar, you can use two batteries wired in series to power your onboard circuitry at 18 volts. The output level will not appreciably increase, but you’ll have increased headroom and crisper transients. This is especially useful for percussive/slap bass styles where you can generate enormous instantaneous power levels across the entire frequency spectrum.

You can also wire two batteries in parallel to provide a regular 9 volt supply but with much longer lifespan between battery changes.

Although most of our products are rated for 27 volts, we recommend a maximum of 18 volts. The additional benefits of 27 vs. 18 volts are negligible.

[QUOTE=EMG]Can multiple pickups/EQs run off a single battery?
Yes. All pickups and EQ units can run off a single battery with no problems. Since the current drain on all our products is very low, you should still get reasonable battery life with any reasonable combination of circuits (unreasonable combinations too!).

That gives you the tech stuff and it's good to know. I love EMG's and think they offer a good even response. I'd used EMG 89's in the past (an 85 with a coil tap). While all the equipment in the world will give you tools to sound like Zakk, remember it's how he plays and not what he plays through that makes him a monster. A great guitarist will sound like themselves through a 10w practice amp.

100% correct, about 95% of the tone comes from the fingers. Vai would still sound like Vai playing through a Epiphone and 10 watt practice amp, the gear just provides the icing on the cake.
Re the 81/85 combo, I have it on two guitars - a Dean MAB-1 and an Ibanez Prestige. Very nice set, high output which is good for lead. Not very 'heavy' for rhythm though - to get major power out of them you would probably have to go through a tube amp with monster distortion pushing at high volumes. They do help generate nice distorted tones though, good crunch but it's not very thick and seems to lack bottom end - more suitable for lead IMO. I have heard of guys swapping the 85 to the bridge as it is way boomier - havent tried it myself though. The above link gives the advice re 18v - seems to be for powering two off the one.

Originally Posted by: SuperhumanNot very 'heavy' for rhythm though - to get major power out of them you would probably have to go through a tube amp with monster distortion pushing at high volumes. They do help generate nice distorted tones though, good crunch but it's not very thick and seems to lack bottom end - more suitable for lead IMO.

EMG's are a strange animal. I think they are the snowflake of pick ups cuz no two users seem to have the same experience. Reason is, I could dial in a nice, fat but clear chunky overdrive tone. You know, the fat, beefy, 'farty' tone. I'd used everything from Duncan Distortion's to to JB's etc and never found one that gave me that driving even and deep tone I wanted until the EMG. Granted, to everyone else ear, I sounded like me but to my ear, I got the low end punch along with the seering sizzle from them.

Why I noted the the snowflake experience was that I did so most often at low volumes. In addition to a wah, the only thing I had between me and the amp was a BOSS Turbo OD.

Thought I'd note that, not to contradict but thought it was odd and whenever I read about EMG reviews, it's so all over the board as to experience. I think it's the most 'honest' pick up I've played and think it represents the output of what's being played most accurately.

Then again, I'm the converted, what do I know ;)