Alternatives to EMG 81

[Grindspine]

Re: Alternatives to EMG 81

If you havent tried 18 volts its way more than worth it also considering it costs 3 bucks for the batter clip and 4 dollars for another 9 volt battery. It will make a significant difference. For how cheap and easy it is it should be the first thing you try. If you decide you dont like it your out 3 bucks for the battery clip and you have a new spare battery but its rare to hear of anyone preferring 9 volts instead of 18.

The 18 volt mod made a huge difference for me. I have a mini-toggle switch so I can A/B compare 9 and 18 volts. The 9 volt mode sounds anemic and fizzy to me. At 18 volts, the compression is greatly reduced and the pickup has a much clearer overall sound with more dynamic bass response.

If you like the 18 volt mod sound, but do not have enough room for the 2nd battery in the control cavity, the EMG 81x or the Duncan Blackout are probably the best alternatives.

If you're looking for something different (but still active) check out the EMG 57/66 set. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA2b5KIpC78 I greatly prefer the sound of the 57 and 66 to the 85. Granted, I think that Andy James uses quite a bit of compression in this video.

One word will solve all your problems.

Black F#^king Winter.

Throw your batteries away my friend because $h!t just got REAL.

\m/,

I am kindof on the fence with what to do with my old B.C. Rich Virgin. I am torn between replacing those with the 81x/60x set or the Black Winter set. I have been having problems stuffing both batteries in the control cavity. I was sold on the 81x/60x, but the more I hear the Black Winters, the more I am considering them as a very good passive alternative with similar tonality.

 

[vinta9e]

Re: Alternatives to EMG 81

Problem is, I absolutely HATE the 81-in both tone and feel.

The 81 can be a finicky beast, ime. It just does not want to fit some guitar/amp/player combinations. Getting used to it for the first time took me months and a lot of swearing but ultimately I managed to tame it and was rewarded with some nice tones.
Now I've got another 81 in a different guitar and this time, it's a complete disaster: the guitar sounds really dry, screechy and flat. I guess it's the same features that earned the 81 'the tightest bottom in the business' award, trying to fix what ain't broke about my guitar.

While I do like an 85-bridge in the right axe, I'd go Blackouts if I were in your shoes, just because they are totally unlike EMGs.

 

[allstarrme]

Re: Alternatives to EMG 81

I have several guitars with the 81/60 combo or 85/81 combo. I tried the Ahb-1 set and wasn't sold on them, they were louder and more organic but not what wanted, I tried the Ahb-3 set and they were about the same, a little tighter but not different enough to be right. When I got the Ahb-2 in the bridge though it was finally just right. I even had to turn my volume/gain & tones all down a little bit because it just had so much more everything.

Best part was I kept the wiring in the guitar as it was and sold the Emg's with some of the new wiring & it mostly covered the cost of the blackouts.

 

[The Mighty Giawulf]

Re: Alternatives to EMG 81

Dude, someone needs to put a Livewire Mustaine and EMG Hetfield in the same guitar. It'd probably be the most angry tone ever! haha!

You'd need to have too guitars: One with a Mustaine neck and Het bridge, and the other vice versa. The HET Set is based off the 81 & 60, and the Mustaine is based off of the Jb & Jazz or 59 (don't remembr which one.) Better yet, have a double neck guitar with the HET Set on one and the Mustaine on the other. Or one axe with all four lol. Better yet, Take the one coil from the neck and bridge pickups of each setter and solder them to the respective coil of the other set's equivalent (might need to slice through the pickup cover) lol
I think I went too far X-D

 

[Dark Order Lord]

Re: Alternatives to EMG 81

One word will solve all your problems.

Black F#^king Winter.

Throw your batteries away my friend because $h!t just got REAL.

\m/,

PLUS FREAKING 10000! Chuck out the 81 and get a BLACK WINTER!!!! You'll NEVER look back!

 

[Lucy Diamond]

Re: Alternatives to EMG 81

The 18 volt mod made a huge difference for me. I have a mini-toggle switch so I can A/B compare 9 and 18 volts. The 9 volt mode sounds anemic and fizzy to me. At 18 volts, the compression is greatly reduced and the pickup has a much clearer overall sound with more dynamic bass response.

If you like the 18 volt mod sound, but do not have enough room for the 2nd battery in the control cavity, the EMG 81x or the Duncan Blackout are probably the best alternatives.

If you're looking for something different (but still active) check out the EMG 57/66 set. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA2b5KIpC78 I greatly prefer the sound of the 57 and 66 to the 85. Granted, I think that Andy James uses quite a bit of compression in this video.



I am kindof on the fence with what to do with my old B.C. Rich Virgin. I am torn between replacing those with the 81x/60x set or the Black Winter set. I have been having problems stuffing both batteries in the control cavity. I was sold on the 81x/60x, but the more I hear the Black Winters, the more I am considering them as a very good passive alternative with similar tonality.

Hahahah...yes...technically...a passive pickup as in they need no batteries.

My friend...philosophically and psychologically, there is nothing passive about the Black Winters. They are completely aggressive in every way and will swallow a set of EMGs whole and $h!t out their bones.

\m/,

 

[MkIII Renegade]

Re: Alternatives to EMG 81

Title says it all. In short, I'm looking at getting a guitar set up with an EMG 60 in the neck and 81 in the bridge. just a master volume and PU selector-nice and simple.
Problem is, I absolutely HATE the 81-in both tone and feel. So I'm looking into other alternatives to the 81.
Two questions off the bat:

1. Would the EMG 60 overpower the H or HA in the bridge? the H/HA are "humbucker-sized single coils" so would there be a problem with output?
2. Can Blackouts be used with EMGs? Might be sacrilege, but I'm curious if I can throw an AHB-1 or AHB-3, or maybe even a Mustaine Livewire (AHB-2 might be too dark, me thinks) in the bridge with an EMG 60 in the neck?

The only EMGs I've used are said 60 and 81, and I haven't used Blackouts personally. So any experience and advice you guys have with the other EMGs and the Blackouts (or other active pickups for that matter) is welcome!

When I bought my Charvel 650, it had a 81 at the bridge. Couldn't get into (although I tried). I understand why people like it for what it does, especially fast downtuned riffing, but it is a narrow focus pickup. It is like a drill sgt to whip a flabby bodied guitar into shape, but if you already have a Superstrat, it's far too thin for my taste.

So I took someone's advice and tried the 85. Problem solved. A much bigger sound, but with the positive EMG traits. You still have to learn to tweak your amp slightly and tweak your recording gear to get the most out of EMG pickups, but the 85 cooks! The louder I crank my amp, the more it leaves my other guitars behind for clarity and militaristic control, it's a cyborg. That means it won't do the classic '70s things as well, but that's why you can have other guitars.

 

[DeathMetalRob]

Re: Alternatives to EMG 81

Dude, someone needs to put a Livewire Mustaine and EMG Hetfield in the same guitar. It'd probably be the most angry tone ever! haha!

In all seriousness, I recommend the P-Rails Hot in the bridge and regular P-Rails in the neck, if you're going passive. It is extremely versatile, but seriously rocks at thrash metal.

Good call mate - try it.

 

[xntrick]

Re: Alternatives to EMG 81

I went from the '81 to a '60 and then on to the Blackouts. The AHB2 is a great metal/chugging pickup but does not have a useable clean tone. The AHB1 is a very hot pickup with no picking dynamics what so ever, it sounds like it is on 11 even when I turn it down. I tried the 81X and i have sold all the rest, it is very versatile as it has a great clean tone and does high gain quite well. It has the benefits of actives with a nice passive feel. I'm tempted to try the 57B as they claim it has a warmer tone due to the alnico magnets but I don't see many of these used and I don't want to buy new.

 

[jtougas]

Re: Alternatives to EMG 81

Okay... if I can mildly diverge the thread - I've seen quite a few comments regarding how you have to set your amp up differently to get the best sound out of EMGs.

In what way? Crank the mids? Drop the treble?

PM me if you'd prefer, just thought this'd be a good thread to ask in. The reason I ask is I've recently acquired a pretty good compliment of EMGs, and want to give them a fair shake. Thanks...