Alternatives to EMG 81

[The Mighty Giawulf]

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!

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Alternatives to EMG 81

Are you running your EMG's at 9 or 18 volts?

 

[Falloffthebonetone]

Re: Alternatives to EMG 81

You could check out the x series, the het set, or the new 57/66. Those all get a lot of praise and will keep you in the ballpark of tone, while giving you more versatility.

 

[The Mighty Giawulf]

Re: Alternatives to EMG 81

Are you running your EMG's at 9 or 18 volts?

Its 9 volt I believe. The guitar is built by a local luthier. I'm a little fuzzy on the specs, but I do remember that it is V-shaped, has a 24 fret ebony fretboard, neck-thru body construction with a 5pc neck (probably maple/wenge combo) and it is hardtail.

You could check out the x series, the het set, or the new 57/66. Those all get a lot of praise and will keep you in the ballpark of tone, while giving you more versatility.

The 57 actually sounds like a really cool p'up. From what I've read, its essentially EMG's take on the classic PAF tone, except "EMG'd." Right?

 

[EET_FUK]

Re: Alternatives to EMG 81

First off, what exactly don't you like about the 81? Knowing that will make it easier to recommend something to replace it.

I don't know how much volume mismatch there would be between an H/HA in the bridge and a 60 in the neck, but if you didn't like the 81 because it sounded too thin I don't think one of those will solve the problem. An 85 in the bridge would work well in that scenario.

You can mismatch Blackouts and EMGs without harming anything. Again, knowing what you play, and what you didn't like about the 81 would be a big help.

 

[EET_FUK]

Re: Alternatives to EMG 81

The 57 actually sounds like a really cool p'up. From what I've read, its essentially EMG's take on the classic PAF tone, except "EMG'd." Right?

Correct. I have the 57/66 set in and LTD, and it's a really cool set.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Alternatives to EMG 81

Its 9 volt I believe.

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.

 

[John Cambo]

Re: Alternatives to EMG 81

If you haven't tried the 85 in the bridge, I highly recommend it. Nice and meaty, quite the opposite of the 81, which I also am not fond of.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Alternatives to EMG 81

1. Would the EMG 60 overpower the H or HA in the bridge?

Yes. Even if you were to set the 60 down very low, it would overpower the H, HA, HX or HAX.

2. Can Blackouts be used with EMGs?

Yes. My favourite combination in my Ibanez RG321MH is EMG-H neck, SD Live Wire Classic II bridge, EMG-SPC mid booster.

AHB-2 might be too dark, me thinks

I do not find the AHB-2 to be overly dark at either output level.

I concur with the others who have suggested the EMG-85 for the bridge position. Better still, perhaps, the 85X. In my experience, all of the X models have better dynamic response than the earlier designs of the same name.

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Alternatives to EMG 81

If you haven't tried the 85 in the bridge, I highly recommend it.

+ another

 

[dominus]

Re: Alternatives to EMG 81

Yup. Try the 85 in the bridge.

 

[The Mighty Giawulf]

Re: Alternatives to EMG 81

It seems I should probably have been more clear about why I dislike the 81:

1. Its just too thin and "sterile" feeling to me. The 81's scooped mids and "razor-sharp" high end just dont do it for me. I like some meat to my tone.
2. It seems like practically every EMG user flies an 81 in the bridge. This is a little nitpicky, because there are some players like Zakk Wylde and Kirk Hammet who can get some awesome tones out of it, but the frank fact is I dont want a generic metal sound. atleast for the bridge.

As far as styles, I mainly play a lot of thrash metal/melodic thrash metal, like Metallica (Pre-Black Album), Skeletonwitch, Slayer, and etc. I also play a lot of Progressive Metal type stuff and Alternative. So in short, I need something that can do some awesome cleans, but still kicks ass in distortion.

The 85 sounds like it might be a good idea to try out. I've heard a few sounds clips with it in the bridge, and it sounds awesome. I've also heard some where it doesn't sound much different than the 85 though lol. I guess with that being said, it also brings up another question: Is the AHB-2 Blackouts similar to the 85 in the tonal spectrum?

 

[darthphineas]

Re: Alternatives to EMG 81

+1 on the 85 in the bridge.

The 81 worked better for me in the neck. If you want to get fancy, grab the 89 model. http://www.emgpickups.com/products/index/6


Sent from my armored space station using Tapatalk on iPad

 

[The Mighty Giawulf]

Re: Alternatives to EMG 81

57 in the bridge with a 60 in the neck? aesthetics aside, would that combo work?

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Alternatives to EMG 81

It would work. You can either have a dark 57 to resemble a black 60 or have a metal cased 60 to resemble a shiny 57.

At this point, I shall confess that I am not a fan of the 60 in the neck/Rhythm position. The 57/66 pair is what I would get.

If you already have an EMG 60 and/or a H/HA type, consider installing the 60 in the bridge position and the H in the neck position.

 

[Lucy Diamond]

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/,

 

[speed2dirt]

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.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Alternatives to EMG 81

I recommend the Het Set. It's based on the MG 81/60 combo that he used, but a little less razor sharp and more warm.

 

[Lucy Diamond]

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.

Wait....REALLY!?!?

Now I'm curious.

Thanks man.

 

[Dahla]

Re: Alternatives to EMG 81

I recommend the Het Set. It's based on the MG 81/60 combo that he used, but a little less razor sharp and more warm.

+1. The het set is awesome! Best pickup I've ever played.