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Hey guys,
I finally got to spend some quality time with a guitar loaded with EMG 81's. In the past i had only had a minute or so. As far as the rythmn sound goes i was really impressed, aggressive and fat, but well defined and balanced. Then i went to play lead, it had a blistering, clear, lead sound with lots of sustain and i saw why so many shredders love them. But despite its great lead qualities i found it to be a kinda sterile sounding and a bit one dimensional. I felt kind of torn on them, it was quite refreshing to have all that output, clarity, and presence, but still. Then i remembered the EMG 85, which doesnt really seem to get the press the 81 does, i hear it more natural sounding and warmer, which is fine with me, but the real question is does it have more quot;lifequot; than the 81? Or is this quot;problemquot; in all active humbucking pickups?

I find the 85 to be a little more natural. The 81 really has no bottom end, which is what I think gives it that quot;clinicalquot; feel. The 85 has a little more low end grunt, which I feel makes it sound more like most other pickups.

The thing is though, EMG designed their pickups to have a ultra-clear, hi-fi sound, so if that's not your thing.....


Originally Posted by screamingdaisyI find the 85 to be a little more natural. The 81 really has no bottom end, which is what I think gives it that quot;clinicalquot; feel. The 85 has a little more low end grunt, which I feel makes it sound more like most other pickups.

The thing is though, EMG designed their pickups to have a ultra-clear, hi-fi sound, so if that's not your thing.....

I have a set of EMG 85's and they are very balanced and natural sounding with plenty of output to drive any amp. They are much more articulate and accurate than the 81's.


Originally Posted by FaradayThey are much more articulate and accurate than the 81's.

Does the 81 make a bunch of sloppy, wrong notes come out? j/k

OH man the 85 is a great pup. Its more versitile than the 81 definately. It has some good low mids that make it sound a little darker but theres still plenty of clarity to be had. Its not just for metal. You can get some good pushed blues tones out of the 85.


Originally Posted by vinterlandIts not just for metal.

Maybe not more traditional metal, but it'll do modern metal. Some of the NWOAHM, or Metalcore, or whatever the genre's called today are using bridge mounted 85s for their sound (I think it's Lamb of God and Shadows Fall, but I could be wrong).


Originally Posted by screamingdaisyMaybe not more traditional metal, but it'll do modern metal. Some of the NWOAHM, or Metalcore, or whatever the genre's called today are using bridge mounted 85s for their sound (I think it's Lamb of God and Shadows Fall, but I could be wrong).

That would be Killswitch Engage and the lead guitarist from Shadows Fall (LOG use Duncans).


Originally Posted by JB_From_HellDoes the 81 make a bunch of sloppy, wrong notes come out? j/k

Yea, I play Jazz fusion with 85's in the bridge and it corrects the sloppy wrong notes that I would have played if using an 81.

I have an EMG 85 in my Yamaha Pacifica. It's a very clear pickup. Pretty hot. Very quiet. It's fairly balanced, but with the highs rolled off pretty good. It's ugly and sorta sterile compared to passives. I'm eventually gonna change it.


Originally Posted by FaradayYea, I play Jazz fusion with 85's in the bridge and it corrects the sloppy wrong notes that I would have played if using an 81.

Sign me up for a couple more 85s then!


Originally Posted by JB_From_HellThat would be Killswitch Engage and the lead guitarist from Shadows Fall (LOG use Duncans).

^^^^^^^
all that's correct. Both guys from killswitch use 85's in the bridge. The other guitarist from SF uses an 81 in the bridge.


Originally Posted by screamingdaisyMaybe not more traditional metal, but it'll do modern metal. Some of the NWOAHM, or Metalcore, or whatever the genre's called today are using bridge mounted 85s for their sound (I think it's Lamb of God and Shadows Fall, but I could be wrong).

Adam Dutkiewicz of Killswitch Engage and Matthew Bachand of Shadows Fall use an 85 in the bridge and their partners use the 81. Lamb of God uses Duncans, the Invader (Morton) and the Custom (Adler) respectively.


Originally Posted by DestructoneAdam Dutkiewicz of Killswitch Engage and Matthew Bachand of Shadows Fall use an 85 in the bridge and their partners use the 81. Lamb of God uses Duncans, the Invader (Morton) and the Custom (Adler) respectively.

Jon Donais (SF) uses an 85b/81n combo. Matt Bachand uses an 81b/60n.


Originally Posted by JB_From_HellJon Donais (SF) uses an 85b/81n combo. Matt Bachand uses an 81b/60n.

yep, ur right!

close enough...

FWIW, Matt also uses an Ibanez Tube Screamer (turbo model, set on normal, volume dimed, gain all the way down) as a boost.


Originally Posted by DestructoneAdam Dutkiewicz of Killswitch Engage and Matthew Bachand of Shadows Fall use an 85 in the bridge and their partners use the 81. Lamb of God uses Duncans, the Invader (Morton) and the Custom (Adler) respectively.Adler uses a JB Bridge .

Personally I love the 85 over the 81 for both neck and bridge positions. It's fuller, which when combined with the extra clarity rocks my world, and it has that 'cool' alnico vibe to it. I don't know of any other way describing that vibe other than how I refer to it, 'the blue vibe'. It just really reminds me of the Colony album by In Flames, 85's all the way baby.

The 81 definitley has the upper hand in clarity but the 85 just flat out sounds better in my humble opinion. It's full, articulate, and big sounding. I've gotten some cool crunchy tones from an 81 but more often than not I've got the 85 in mind when I decide I want to use the emg axe.

The emg85 is my No1 pickup after dealing with various actives and passives. It has a more natural tone than the 81, the same good sustain and slightly less output, much warmer low mids, much better bass responce. I must say that i do NOT play metal as everybody seems to think that EMGS=metal..............i use it for everything going from blues to hard rock.............. Here's a clip i have recorded using the emg85..............

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Originally Posted by FaradayYea, I play Jazz fusion with 85's in the bridge and it corrects the sloppy wrong notes that I would have played if using an 81.

I was thinking about investing in some EMGs. I think you've made my decision for me.