afu wrote:
Height is a main contributor to distortion. EMG recommends that a person puts the pup as close as possible to the strings. This works fine, but it also overdrives easily. I currently only have the Het Set, but I have to back it off a little to make it clean up. The difference is 1/8" or so lower than normal, but I can play classic rock with it when I drop the volume and clean it up when it goes down further.
Get a screwdriver and turn it one full rotation at a time until you're happy. If you keep count, you can always put it right back where it was. The 18 volt mod for the 81/85 works wonders, too. The op amp that amplifies them distorts and compresses heavily at 9 volts, but does not at 18 volts. It'll still distort an amplifier, but the pickup itself will be clean and sound more "open".
Thanks afu for the reply, it never occurred to me that P/U height could have such a profound effect on active pups. When I bought this guitar they almost touched the strings and I was told, that was the proper set up. Backing them down not only allows them to clean up but to me they sound better overall. So thank you again afu for the tip, I had already taken photos for Craigslist this thing was almost a goner.