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Hey guys,
I've finally decided to upgrade my pickups in my Epiphone Goth Flying V. That's a mahogany bodied guitar, by the way. I've already decided on an EMG 81 in the bridge, but I can't decide on a 85 or a 60 in the neck. I play distorted leads in the neck from time to time, and I also want a good clean sound. Judging by this, I think that I'm leaning towards the 85, but your opinions would be very helpful. With the 85, I could opt for the Zakk Wylde set, which brings me to my second question. I have very limited electronical skill. How much would it take putting those in (The ZW set has Quick-Connect wires)?
Thanks very much.
P.S. Hope it isn't a problem that this is the Forum...

Hello fitzyfantastic,

The 81 leans more to the treble side of the tonal spectrum as does the 60. They also have a more, for lack of a better word, 'modern' sound than that of the 85. IMO, the 81/60 combo is the most compatible pair. If you put an 85 in the neck, you'd have a huge shift in the tonal spectrum to the bassy side. Some like this extreme shift, some don't. Because the EMGs are active, they'll all clean up nicely. As to distortion, again, because the EMGs are active, they work well with any stomp boxes and the like.

I've tried many an EMG combination in many a guitar. If it were me, it would be the 81/60 combo all the way.

As to wiring them up, you MUST use the EMG supplied electronics. You cannot leave the stock stuff in the guitar and have it work properly. if you have limited wiring skills, you might want to have a tech do it. Worst case scenario for an improperly wired EMG: You could explode the battery and blow the pickup's preamp.


Originally Posted by MartianWorst case scenario for an improperly wired EMG: You could explode the battery and blow the pickup's preamp.

Have you ever installed EMGs?

I've been an authorized EMG tech since they first came on the market, back when you were quite young.


Originally Posted by MartianHello fitzyfantastic,

The 81 leans more to the treble side of the tonal spectrum as does the 60. They also have a more, for lack of a better word, 'modern' sound than that of the 85. IMO, the 81/60 combo is the most compatible pair. If you put an 85 in the neck, you'd have a huge shift in the tonal spectrum to the bassy side. Some like this extreme shift, some don't. Because the EMGs are active, they'll all clean up nicely. As to distortion, again, because the EMGs are active, they work well with any stomp boxes and the like.

I've tried many an EMG combination in many a guitar. If it were me, it would be the 81/60 combo all the way.

As to wiring them up, you MUST use the EMG supplied electronics. You cannot leave the stock stuff in the guitar and have it work properly. if you have limited wiring skills, you might want to have a tech do it. Worst case scenario for an improperly wired EMG: You could explode the battery and blow the pickup's preamp.

It's funny you mentioned that because I blew a hole in my les paul the other day........My first wiring was the ZW set 81/85 it was a breeze. That set includes all the parts needed. After being comfortable with it for awhile you could run it 18 volts which to my ears makes it sound a little less compressed. Very underated pups alot of people here are really biased because of their loyalty to .

For the record I use the 85 in the bridge I like it a tad better than the 81. The 81 also performs great in the neck as well. So the ZW set is a really good option. Great thing about the set is that you could trade the 81 or 85 here for a 60 since they use the quick connects.

quot;The 81 leans more to the treble side of the tonal spectrum as does the 60. They also have a more, for lack of a better word, 'modern' sound than that of the 85. IMO, the 81/60 combo is the most compatible pair. If you put an 85 in the neck, you'd have a huge shift in the tonal spectrum to the bassy side.quot;

Hi I think I might have a little known solution to your solution. I would definately put an 81 in the bridge and:
quot;I play distorted leads in the neck from time to time, and I also want a good clean sound.quot;

If you like that nice clean and cler quot;clean tonequot; and some pretty smoking while at the same time not muddy distorted tone then you might want to put an EMG 58 in the neck. Yes, I said 58. This is an active pickup (it does have the EMG quick-connect wireing system) with that kind of P.A.F. sound with a major and largely desireable twist to it. It has some of those more articulate quot;strattyquot; highs and mids giving you a great clean sound and a smoking hot lead sound. It almost sounds like a suped-up P-90 single coil.Here are a few site where you can get them:

from : localhost/guitarpartsdepot.com/Merchant...ory_Code=EMGCS

from : localhost/you do not like that idea, I have another solution that would be a little more complicated for wiring. (I would always take my guitar to a registered professional; the brands techs if possible; in order to have any works done on my guitars or basses.) I have found a great pickup designer named Bill Lawrence (Please refer to my signature. the website link is also in my signature. You would order your pickup directly from them). He builds a pickup called an L-500. This is a quot;bladequot; humbucker that would be great for the needs you have expressed. (I would recommend the Clean or Regular model for you.) Of course, this is a passive pickup, so you would have to get a little more complicated (and costly) installation done.

Still haven't tried any of the 500 series Bill Lawrence though alot of forum members here have.

60 all the way
my absolute favorite out of all neck pups. Crushing rhythm sound under high gain .Tight sounding and pretty unique sound when playing leads and it also does great clean tones for things like jazz and so on.

If you guys have any clips, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks alot for your input.

How about the EMG 89? Bridge? Neck?


Originally Posted by Loserchief60 all the way
my absolute favorite out of all neck pups. Crushing rhythm sound under high gain .Tight sounding and pretty unique sound when playing leads and it also does great clean tones for things like jazz and so on.

Loserchief has got it right.
The 60 is the clearest pup for the neck and is never muddy like most neck pups. It's so f**king sparkly and full sounding. Super articulate for leads.
Definitely the finest EMG for the neck. The 58 sounds interesting too but I have not used it yet.

85 vs. 60, definetely the 60.

No thoughts on the 89?

89 is just a 85 with the ability to split it so what goes for the 85 also goes for the 89.

OK... I am not going to hijack this thread... just nudge it slightly. If I were to put two EMG's in a semi-hollow (es137), which two EMG's would you recommend?

quot;Ransom-
OK... I am not going to hijack this thread... just nudge it slightly. If I were to put two EMG's in a semi-hollow (es137), which two EMG's would you recommend? quot;

Dual 60's for nice cleans, or 58's. Don't ask for the worlds greatest metal tones out of that tho.

85/60 would work nicely if you wana play harder stuff. You can go from Clean to 80's metal, all the way to death metal with an 85 in the bridge.And to the original poster... 85 bridge, 60ALINCO neck. Need I say more?


Originally Posted by Mephisquot;Ransom-
OK... I am not going to hijack this thread... just nudge it slightly. If I were to put two EMG's in a semi-hollow (es137), which two EMG's would you recommend? quot;

Dual 60's for nice cleans, or 58's. Don't ask for the worlds greatest metal tones out of that tho.

85/60 would work nicely if you wana play harder stuff. You can go from Clean to 80's metal, all the way to death metal with an 85 in the bridge.

If an 85 would be the choice for BOTH of these... why not use the 89 to have access to a few more sounds? Would either of these give a quot;Classic Rockquot; sound if needed?

I've tried a bunch of combinations, but I prefer 81/85 for leads and 81/60 for rhythm.

I like a fat, bassy pup in the neck as it sounds better for legatto type stuff IMO. But sometimes I find the 85 to be a bit too bassy for a great clean tone.

The 60 had a killer clean tone, but it just wasn't doing it for me for leads. It wasn't bad by any means, just not my bag.

I ran an 85/60 set in my LP for awhile and I hated the 85 in the bridge. Too bassy and too rounded. I prefered the 81 for it's more percussive attack and tighter sounding palm mutes.

All this is just my opionion though. You're milage may very according to your amp, technique, and what kinda tone you're after. I'm currently using the 81/85 setup.


Originally Posted by screamingdaisyI've tried a bunch of combinations, but I prefer 81/85 for leads and 81/60 for rhythm.

I like a fat, bassy pup in the neck as it sounds better for legatto type stuff IMO. But sometimes I find the 85 to be a bit too bassy for a great clean tone.

The 60 had a killer clean tone, but it just wasn't doing it for me for leads. It wasn't bad by any means, just not my bag.

I ran an 85/60 set in my LP for awhile and I hated the 85 in the bridge. Too bassy and too rounded. I prefered the 81 for it's more percussive attack and tighter sounding palm mutes.

All this is just my opionion though. You're milage may very according to your amp, technique, and what kinda tone you're after. I'm currently using the 81/85 setup.

How would this be impacted by the semi-hollow makeup of an ES-137?


Originally Posted by RansomHow would this be impacted by the semi-hollow makeup of an ES-137?What's your goal? What kinda tone are you after?