Alternative for EMG 85/81

[Mr.Doh]

Hi all
So I have a Charvel Desolation DX-1 with FR. It is a mahogany body with maple neck and rosewood fretboard. It come with EMG 81/85, but i swapped it, 85 to the bridge and 81 to the neck. Rhythm wise, the 85 really growl on the neck, I get a really nice chunky rhythm sound, but on the other hand the EMG 81 on the neck whenever I try to solo is a bit...sterile. Can't really put my hand on it, but the high notes doesn't sound as sharp as it should be. So my question is that is there any alternative to the EMG 85/81 combo? My preferable guitar sound is a combination of throaty mid, huge but tight low end while the high is razor edge sharp. I've been research for some other high output pickups but nothing seemed to be a pair of good replacement to the EMG combo.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

The EMG 57/66 set will give you a throaty bridge with good crunch under gain and a singing neck with super-clear highs. The 57 sort of sits between the 81 and 85, while the 66 is more balanced and has more chime than the 81 in the neck. Best of all, they are a drop in replacement to the 81/85 as long as yours have the 3-pin connectors on bottom (most do).

EMG 57/66:

 

[Mr.Doh]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

Would an 85/66 works instead? More high with the 66 while retain the chunky sound of the 85

 

[darthphineas]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

Have you considered trying the Fishman Fluence?


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[Mr.Doh]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

I only just found out about the brand just now. Look interesting, but don't know how i will wire it lol.

 

[darthphineas]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

I only just found out about the brand just now. Look interesting, but don't know how i will wire it lol.

Most places are pretty good about including schematics. [emoji6]





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[Mr.Doh]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

My guitar only have a 3 ways switch and a volume knob. So i won't be able to take advantage of all of its features. My ESP LTD V300 had 2 volume knobs, 1 tone and 3 way switch, now that's enough to take advantage of all the voicing and split coil features of the pickup.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

If you like the 85, you can certainly pair it with a 66. Or, if you're on a budget, look for an EMG 60, those are more common to find used and in the same ballpark tonally.

DARTH - I didn't realize the Fishmans were out! I'll be looking into those myself. Have you had a chance to try any of them?

 

[darthphineas]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

If you like the 85, you can certainly pair it with a 66. Or, if you're on a budget, look for an EMG 60, those are more common to find used and in the same ballpark tonally.

DARTH - I didn't realize the Fishmans were out! I'll be looking into those myself. Have you had a chance to try any of them?

Not laid hands on any. Much for the same reason I didn't grab the 6-string Sentient and Pegasus. Too many pickups sitting around in need of places to put them...and that's with grabbing a few new fiddles in the past few months. lol!


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[Mr.Doh]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

Bump this thread. Actually, does anyone know any passive pickups with similar sound profile like EMG 85 (Mid and low mid) and a bright pickup to go along well with it? Might try passive for once

 

[Brian Griffin]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

Restore the pickups where they are supposed to be, Mr. Dooh...

 

[Letus]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

The 57/66 seem very different from EMG's usual lineup of pickups, in that they are very dynamic and organic. Pairing one of them with one of the older EMGs will create a noticeable difference in tonal quality when switching back and forth in between them, from what I've heard. Go with the 57/66.

 

[Mr.Doh]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

I loved my 85 on the bridge. Don't need to crank up the gain or mid scooped to get that chunky rhythm sound. I guess i will try to tweak my pedals to see if i can get the 81 to singing a bit better for now.

 

[TimmyPage]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

I still think a 66 in the neck would be what you need. I've never heard anything about them not matching with the older models at all, there are a bunch of guys using 81/66 now to get that old high gain crunch and a creamier, livelier neck tone.

 

[MkIII Renegade]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

I still think a 66 in the neck would be what you need. I've never heard anything about them not matching with the older models at all, there are a bunch of guys using 81/66 now to get that old high gain crunch and a creamier, livelier neck tone.

I can vouch for the 81/60 combo, which has been more common on stock guitars lately. The 60 is warmer and more like a passive than earlier EMGs, better cleans, too. I've always preferred the 85 bridge for Strat bodied guitars, and the 81 for LPs.

For the Charvel, I would consider 85/60.

 

[Letus]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

I still think a 66 in the neck would be what you need. I've never heard anything about them not matching with the older models at all, there are a bunch of guys using 81/66 now to get that old high gain crunch and a creamier, livelier neck tone.

The difference in dynamics and 'organic' feel switching back and forth in between them is not something I could personally put up with. But it works if you don't care about that.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

The difference in dynamics and 'organic' feel switching back and forth in between them is not something I could personally put up with. But it works if you don't care about that.

So what guitar did you use the 81/66 combo in?

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

You can just use another 85 in the neck. I've liked 89s as well, they're a pickup that can get both SA and 85 type tones.

The 60 is also a good pickup.

 

[Mad-Max]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

The EMG 55/66 doesn't have enough videos or enough guitars that come with them stock for me to justify whether I like them or not. I'd like to give Actives more chances, and they seem intriguing, but at the same time, there aren't too many good demonstrations of them. Somebody around here should fix that if they happen to have a set.

 

[Letus]

Re: Alternative for EMG 85/81

So what guitar did you use the 81/66 combo in?

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