software

which set do you think is the best for metal to classic rock tones. i'm planning to put it on a Gibson SG.

EMG 60/81
EMG 85/81
or
EMG 81/81

thats a tough question...

Zakk wylde uses the 81/85 set
Claudio Sanchez uses the 81/81 set
And Metallica uses the 81/60 set

Have you thought about an 85 bridge/60 neck? That would be hella-versatile.


Originally Posted by JB_From_HellHave you thought about an 85 bridge/60 neck? That would be hella-versatile.

I was thinking the same thing.

but they get the job done......dont be hating!


Originally Posted by bryvincentwhich set do you think is the best for metal to classic rock tones. i'm planning to put it on a Gibson SG.

EMG 60/81
EMG 85/81
or
EMG 81/81EMG 60/81 - Great rhythm setup that'll give you excellent cleans, but the 60 doesn't do leads like the 85.

EMG 85/81 - Great lead setup that'll give you a screaming neck tone, but I found the 85 a little to bassy for great cleans.

EMG 81/81 - I don't like the 81 in the neck.....

Also, the 81 in the bridge will give you great definition under high gain, and crunches like mad. When blended with the neck pickup it'll give you a fat as hell rhythm tone. When you roll the gain off on the 81 it really gets thin and clangy.....great for some stuff, not so great for others, but it can be thickened up by running both the bridge and neck pickups together.

The 85 in the bridge doesn't have as much definition under high gain, but has a thicker sound that doesn't thin out like the 81 as you roll the gain off into rock amp; roll territory. It's also a killer pickup for detuning due to the thick-yet-tight bass responce.

thanks for the replies guys.

what about a 85/85 ?

I use the 85 in the bridge in a Les Paul Studio Sounds great....though I only used the 81 in the bridge briefly...I cannot compare. I will on a string change though.

Im gonna add something here too..... DO NOT LISTEN TO THE STERILE HYPE!

First of all There are a GANG of guitar players that use these....The sterilness probably is attributed to the sheer fact of the players alone! After all if everyone had the same rigs wouldn't that not sound sterile?

O.k break it down......

Down den na na na na n Hammertime!
Had to do it......

The 85 uses an alnico 2 mag..
The 81 is ceramic....correct me if im wrong boys?

For a comparison and it's probably not that great guage to use...but maybe you will see a pattern.

Look at the different magnets in the tone chart used by duncan....and you will notice a pattern.

from : localhost//website.../tonechart.pdf

The alnico 2 mags are consistent with a dark mid sound.
The Ceramic were consistent to HIGH output stuff.

So depending on what you like most I would just go with the 81-85 combo....and switch them around to your liking.

BTW.....the 81 isn't the greatest in the neck, but it does get clean if you roll back the volume knob. I really don't have to fight it because I have a great amp too.

Again the 85-81 is a great option if you don't like one or the other in the neck position trade it here for a 60!

i'd say go for 60/81. I personally love this setup and it can handle nearly everything.

89, anyone? I have it in the bridge, nowadays.. I could try it in the neck, if I had something for the bridge.. an 81, perhaps? The 89 does geezer metal quite well..

I think 85 in bridge 60 in neck would be better of course thats my taste for a SG..

but if you were thinkin to go passive pup you would find better/more choices with Duncan..

JB/59
SH5/PG
JB/JAZZ
DIME/59-JAZZ-PG


Originally Posted by Istanbulbut if you were thinkin to go passive pup you would find better/more choices with Duncan..

Better how? If the EMG tone is what he's after, there's nothing that's gonna be better. If somebody told you they wanted a vintage amp, and was looking at a Fender, would you say quot;No, buy a Vox. They're so much betterquot;? No, because they're different.

BTW, Harrison, the 85 is Alnico 5, not A2.


Originally Posted by JB_From_HellBetter how? If the EMG tone is what he's after, there's nothing that's gonna be better. If somebody told you they wanted a vintage amp, and was looking at a Fender, would you say quot;No, buy a Vox. They're so much betterquot;? No, because they're different.

BTW, Harrison, the 85 is Alnico 5, not A2.Ahh!! I was just going by EMGS specs on the 85 maybe I read it wrong..Im gonna recheck that.

Correct indeed...I transposed some words it says.....

Although the EMG-85 has more measurable output than the 81, its frequency response and string interface are different. The 85 uses two Alnico magnet loaded coils with a wide aperture to maintain a beefy lowend and a fatter top end. Because of a more natural tone, it works great as a rhythm and blues pickup because it has loads of output but isn't muddy. Itís a perfect choice as a rhythm pickup in combination with an 81 in the bridge, which is the same pickup combination used by Zakk Wylde.

Still uses the Same mag as:

JB
Jazz
Full Shred
Screamin Demon
Custom 5
59

Anyways......anybody here think they could compare the 85 to one of these PUPS? I know it's a big active brother... im guessing its similiar to a JB actively.

So far im noticing with this 85 in the bridge of my Les Paul im still getting that vintage tone but to the 10th power...maybe thats why I don't hear the sterileness people talk about...Could be the mags of the 85.

Man, i ´m ****ing eager to see WHEN I ´ll install my set of emgs and give you all my review.. and the hot rails neck too, and the hfh paf pro.

J.P


Originally Posted by HarrisonDavidAnyways......anybody here think they could compare the 85 to one of these PUPS? I know it's a big active brother... im guessing its similiar to a JB actively.

It's not really very much like the JB, or any passive pickup for that matter. I've heard people say it's similar to the Custom, but I didn't own the 85 amp; Custom at the same time.


Originally Posted by Breaking the law89, anyone? I have it in the bridge, nowadays.. I could try it in the neck, if I had something for the bridge.. an 81, perhaps? The 89 does geezer metal quite well..

I've got an 81bridge/89neck, it's probably the most versatile setup you can get with EMG actives...

Yeah I have been gassing for the 89 suppose to be like a better 85 and splittable! Hmm.....Is this hard to wire?


Originally Posted by JB_From_HellBetter how? If the EMG tone is what he's after, there's nothing that's gonna be better. If somebody told you they wanted a vintage amp, and was looking at a Fender, would you say quot;No, buy a Vox. They're so much betterquot;? No, because they're different.

BTW, Harrison, the 85 is Alnico 5, not A2.

Its something personal of course, i find (for example) SH-5 better than all EMG magnets..(for heavy metal) although its passive, for me its better.

I forgot to write quot;for mequot; i think thats the problem.. But as i am the one who writes the post, i dont think that i should add everytime quot;for mequot; or quot;in my opinionquot;

I use EMG also, my main idea was has much more selective models when i compare with EMG (thats also in my opinion)