Alternative for EMG 85/81

[beaubrummels]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

My friend's LTD Hetfield model, but it had a 57/60 combo. Through a Krank combo, if you were going to ask.

So how do you figure the 57/60 is a comparable comparison to an 81/66 when they are completely different pickups?

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

Think of the 57 as a slightly fuller (i.e. more balanced, less scooped) version of the 81. It still has a lot of presence and attack up top, but isn't quite as strident as the 81 can seem. If you were to line everything up on a tone chart, the 57 would sit between the 81 and 85. However, it has a lot more headroom than either the 81 or 85 and the playing feel is a bit different thanks to the pole piece configuration (passive players will appreciate this). Ultimately, I think the 57 is what the 81"X" version wanted to be...more natural dynamics and increased headroom, but with the output to keep up with the original 81/85 designs.

The 60 and 66 are really just older and younger siblings from the same family. The 66 has a little less presence and perhaps a bit more breathing room to the notes (likely due, once again, to the pole piece design), but I wouldn't sell a 60 just to upgrade it with a 66.

As I mentioned earlier, I think any of those combos would do the OP well...85/60, 85/66, 57/60 or 57/66

 

[Letus]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

So how do you figure the 57/60 is a comparable comparison to an 81/66 when they are completely different pickups?

Because I was talking specifically about the change in dynamics, headroom, and organic punch while switching back and forth. The Modern Classic set is very different in that sense from EMG's other models.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

organic punch.. thats a new one... is that like.. fresh squeezed orange juice or something?

 

[Letus]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

organic punch.. thats a new one... is that like.. fresh squeezed orange juice or something?

Deep down, you know what it really is...

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

organic punch.. thats a new one... is that like.. fresh squeezed orange juice or something?

Ha ha!

 

[Mr.Doh]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

Is there any passive pick up from other brand that have similar attributes of EMG 85, and it can be pair with a bright neck pickup for solo I wonder? From what i understand it seemed like Dimarzio Tone Zone seemed to be the closest, and you can pair some bright, lower output pickup for a clear, sharp solo sound.

Or just buy the Bill Lawrence Wilde pickups really, then tweak the EQ to my liking considering it is a brand with very balance pickups.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

Your guitar is already set up for actives and you like the 85 in the bridge...why go to passives when you can get a drop-in replacement (EMG 60 or 66) for the neck that will do exactly what you want?

 

[Mr.Doh]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

It is kinda hard to get the 66 over at Australia lol (most of the things on ebay are the 57/66 brand new) and i kinda want to try passive. BUT i'm just exploring my options here (i probably just gonna stick with the 85/81 and not going to use the 81 on its own)

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

Can you find a 60? I know they aren't quite as common as the 81 and 85, but they are still very popular and pop up used all the time. Plus, a used 60 is about half the price of a 66.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

Hmm...

 

[Demanic]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

Or these.

 

[Mr.Doh]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

Can you find a 60? I know they aren't quite as common as the 81 and 85, but they are still very popular and pop up used all the time. Plus, a used 60 is about half the price of a 66.

I might be able to. But from what i've research 60 is basically a thinner 81, sound wise. Is that true?

 

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

I just picked up a Warmoth Maple Top on Mahogany Back Strat w/a Floyd and it came with the EMG James Hetfield Set. Played it for about an hour and a half and found it very different from my experiences with the Older 80's/90's EMB 85/81 Sets and the more recent ZW 85/81 Sets I've had previously. JH Set was not shrill in any way, very clean, clear and responsive to the dynamics of finger movements. I was actually impressed with them enought to do a bit of research and listen to/watch a few youtube reviews.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

I might be able to. But from what i've research 60 is basically a thinner 81, sound wise. Is that true?

Nope, not at all. The 60 is its own thing tonally. It's a killer pickup to use in the neck and will deliver that cut and clarity you want...without sounding thin.

 

[Big Flannel]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

Because I was talking specifically about the change in dynamics, headroom, and organic punch while switching back and forth. The Modern Classic set is very different in that sense from EMG's other models.

That still doesn't explain how you came to your conclusion of a set of pickups based off of playing a different set of pickups.

That's like if I wrote a review for the Black Winter based off of my experience with a '59.

Who were you on the forum before your new screen name?

 

[Letus]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

That still doesn't explain how you came to your conclusion of a set of pickups based off of playing a different set of pickups.

That's like if I wrote a review for the Black Winter based off of my experience with a '59.

Who were you on the forum before your new screen name?

First of all, the 57/66 set is different from EMG's other pickups, in that they sound more passive and punchy.

Secondly, they are a matched set, and have far more similarities than dissimilarities. What I was backing up was my statement that there is a difference in dynamics and tone in between these and the classic EMGs.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

First of all, the 57/66 set is different from EMG's other pickups, in that they sound more passive and punchy.

Secondly, they are a matched set, and have far more similarities than dissimilarities. What I was backing up was my statement that there is a difference in dynamics and tone in between these and the classic EMGs.

Where your statement doenst hold water is you've never played the pickups in question so your statement is based upon supposition rather than experience. While this forum has drifted some lately its always been something of a faux pas around here.

 

[xntrick]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

Think of the 57 as a slightly fuller (i.e. more balanced, less scooped) version of the 81. It still has a lot of presence and attack up top, but isn't quite as strident as the 81 can seem. If you were to line everything up on a tone chart, the 57 would sit between the 81 and 85. However, it has a lot more headroom than either the 81 or 85 and the playing feel is a bit different thanks to the pole piece configuration (passive players will appreciate this). Ultimately, I think the 57 is what the 81"X" version wanted to be...more natural dynamics and increased headroom, but with the output to keep up with the original 81/85 designs.

The 60 and 66 are really just older and younger siblings from the same family. The 66 has a little less presence and perhaps a bit more breathing room to the notes (likely due, once again, to the pole piece design), but I wouldn't sell a 60 just to upgrade it with a 66.

As I mentioned earlier, I think any of those combos would do the OP well...85/60, 85/66, 57/60 or 57/66

I've had the 81X for a few years and really like the passive feel that it has, very versatile pickup. I do have a feeling I might like the 57 better as it probably has a warmer sound due to the alnico magnets, haven't had a chance to try one out yet.

 

[Letus]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

Where your statement doenst hold water is you've never played the pickups in question so your statement is based upon supposition rather than experience. While this forum has drifted some lately its always been something of a faux pas around here.

I've played the 57.