EMG 81 set and SD JB/59 set

[Fiber-Optics]

How does a EMG 81 active set compare to a Seymour Duncan JB/59 set?
I read that the EMG active pickups are like the best metal pickup, but do they get decent tone on clean?

[Fiber-Optics]

Re: EMG 81 set and SD JB/59 set

[some_dude]

Re: EMG 81 set and SD JB/59 set

Do a search.

This topic has been covered a few times over the last couple of weeks. I think people are tired of discussing it right now.

[Mephis]

Re: EMG 81 set and SD JB/59 set

Depends on what sound you want, if you want a weird sounding clean, But to be able to play 80's heavy metal perfectly, the EMG is for you, If you want good versitility the S&D's are for you, personaly i like passive pickups, i have an EMG-81 guitar and i dont like it that much for anything clean.

[Gunbucker]

Re: EMG 81 set and SD JB/59 set

I had an EMG81/85 set, the Zakk Wylde set to be precise. I put it in my Ibanez RG for some crushing metal tunes. Well, the cleans do lack complexity you might find on the 59/JB, in other words, the cleans on the EMGs are "perfect cleans" if that makes any sense.

Now, where the EMGs really shine over the SDs are when you do high gain riffing. Palm mutes and pinch harmonics never sounded this good. And the sustain, awesome.

That said, I sold my EMGs. Why? Perhaps coz I'm just not a precise, accurate, perfect kinda guy. What's sitting snug in my Les Paul right now is exactly the 59/JB set. Couldn't be anymore happier with them. From Led Zep-ish tones all the way to AC/DC and even Zakk Wylde type stuff, at your finger tips, at the variation of your pick attack and tone control adjustment.

Hope this helps.

[Mephis]

Re: EMG 81 set and SD JB/59 set

Hmm, im a beginer and i never had trouble with the percision of the EMG's, i just thought the cleans were a little weird.

[Destructone]

Re: EMG 81 set and SD JB/59 set

EMG's have a more compressed tone than that of the SD's. i have 2 les pauls equipped with EMG's and the other guitarist in my band also have a les paul but with a JB in the bridge. so i've compared these PU sets apart a lot of times. i feel that the JB have more bottom and way more mids than the EMG 81. the 81's tone is a little more scooped. although the 81 do have more distortion than the JB. i also feel that the JB screams more harmonics than the 81. yes, it is true that if you want an in-your-face-wall-of-distortion metal tone, the EMG's are for you. but if you are not a metalhead and play music thats anything besides metal, i wouldn't suggest you put them on your main guitar.

also, the JB imo, has an amazing clean tone...

[some_dude]

Re: EMG 81 set and SD JB/59 set

EMG's have a more compressed tone than that of the SD's.

Add a second battery, so they're running at 18v. That'll clear up some of the compression and make them sound more open and less "metal" sounding.

The JB definatly has more bottom end than the 81, and has wicked chunk under high gain, but the 81 has more cut and clarity under the same gain.

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: EMG 81 set and SD JB/59 set

EMGs have unmatchable clarity. Play the wierdest, most dissonant chord possible under tons of gain, and each note still rings clearly.

However... I have kind of a love/hate relationship with them, and right now I'm on the hate end. I have a guitar with two 81s, and I haven't touched it in forever. I recently put an Invader in my RG570, and I'm much happier with it. I also prefer the JB in my BC Rich Exclusive. Active pickups may have a certain perfection, but I think passives have a certain amount of nuts that actives do not.

[Fiber-Optics]

Re: EMG 81 set and SD JB/59 set

I guess the SD set sounds like it is more for me, I don't want to be limited so the SDs sound more apealing. Thanks for the responses!