X2N vs. EMG81

[Alex_In_Chains]

Re: X2N vs. EMG81

Theres still the fact here that:

81 = low bass, moderate mids, and slightly high highs.
85 = moderate bass, moderate mids, moderate highs.

Thats what it sounds like to me... So i dont know, maybe its different with every guitar. (im talking about in the bridge)

I wouldn't call it fact, people hear things differently from individual to individual, but I digress.

That which you listed above makes neither an inferior pickup, and neither ultimately superior. I own 2 EMG 81's, an EMG 85 and an EMG 707, and to me, they are all equally as good, and each has their own niche and speciality. As they say around here, 'It's horses for courses mate'.

[Mephis]

Re: X2N vs. EMG81

Well, they are totaly different, its almost as big of difference from a active to a passive between the 81 and 85, not implaying either sounds passive. I said "Thats what it sounds like to me".

[Altitudes911]

Re: X2N vs. EMG81

well i even got a better idea on the active pups now through this thread lol
anyways, i'd like to know if the X2N is gonna sound good with a small amp?
im planning to run it through: kelly->metal zone->peavey envoy 110.
i know its a tiny 40 watts amp, but my budget for this christmas is short... and i went to try it out like one month ago, using a Ibanez with stock pups, and i found it sounded pretty nice and loud. so will the X2N like overboost and distort it?

[Mephis]

Re: X2N vs. EMG81

heh, well, i have a peavey 258 trans tube with some of the hottest pickups money can buy and its totaly playable, it would sound better on a mesa boogie full stack tho....

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: X2N vs. EMG81

Zakk Wylde uses lots of sound processing? He uses a Uni-Vibe, an overdrive, a wah & chorus. Something like noise reduction hardly counts as (what you imply to be) tone altering sound processing.

I disagree about the bands sounding better in the studio than in concert. Every band I've ever seen that's worth a sh*t sounds TONS better live. Regardless of gear, it's always more "organic."

Lastly, you can't rag on a 1 hum guitar with an EMG 81 for it's lack of versatility. Any guitar with one pickup is gonna lack versatility.

[Mephis]

Re: X2N vs. EMG81

Thoes processes would change the sound of the guitar vastly, no its not going to make a P90 sound like a screaming demon, but it isnt going to sound the same.

Anyway, not worth arguing over, and it isnt that my bronze isnt versitile, its just not exactly the perfect sound from a pickup imo.

[Altitudes911]

Re: X2N vs. EMG81

hehee,, i thought that transtube 258 was a big amp. lol... now i shouldn't worry

[SABOTAGE]

Re: X2N vs. EMG81

I'm not sure what would constitute 'sound processing' in your terms, but the relatively simple rigs used by Zakk, Kerry and Jeff contradict what you're saying dude. I mean really, they're pretty much as simple as you can get without plugging straight into the amp with no effects whatsoever. As far as fancy production goes, neither Slayer or BLS go for that kind of thing. And I can tell you from personal experience, BLS and Slayer both provide excellent live tone. Maybe they get good tone as a result of nice chops and a combination of top notch gear?

By the way, the 85 is not 'bassy garbage' in the neck, I find it to have an articulate midrange quality which suits the neck slot perfectly well.

You found you didn't like the 81, and that's cool, but with all due respect, no EMG is going to sound good through a solid state Peavey amp, let alone the 81 with it's ceramic mag. Also, I'm sad to say it, but the BC Rich Bronze Warlock isn't exactly composed of nice tonewood. Overall tone is about much more than the pickup you use.

Sorry to be somewhat harsh, but you're being unfairly critical in my opinion.

yeah man ZAKK and slayer do not use any 'sound processing" ????
zakk used rack gear years ago but since then has used a JCM 800 a two pedals and a wha.
slayer uses a EQ and not much more with their jcm 800's

[SABOTAGE]

Re: X2N vs. EMG81

Well, they are totaly different, its almost as big of difference from a active to a passive between the 81 and 85, not implaying either sounds passive. I said "Thats what it sounds like to me".

from the EMG site,

EMG-85

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.