Duncan Active vs EMG

[RockinRollur]

Can someone post a good breakdown of the Duncan actives? I have and 81/85 set in my old Luke so it's hard to imagine that anything could be better. Rather than the usual fawning fanboi drivel on the net I am more interested in hearing what they have to offer in comparison to EMG 81/85. Typical Harmony Central style comments like this is better than that or one is more organic than the other... are not helpful. My current set of EMGs are satisfying and I have no complaints except that sometimes I wish I could have a lower output, and that is not even a big issue. I want get a new set of actives for a Koa Ibanez so info on the Duncan stuff would be helpful. Thanks.

 

[noisy humbucker]

Re: Duncan Active vs EMG

Also what style(s) of music do you intend to use it for? Blackouts actually come across hotter than EMGs but they can stand to be lowered away from the strings a bit more than EMGs (effectively reducing output). They're actually pretty nice for blues in my opinion.

Just to further complicate things I also quite like the new Fishman Fluence pickups, especially the "Classic" series.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Duncan Active vs EMG

I have only tried the Duncan Blackout AHB-1b (Standard non-Metal or EMTY bridge Blackout). I prefer the 81.

The Blackout has more (and looser, IMO) lows, highs, and like twice output. Its preamp has a bit more headroom, so I guess, technically speaking, it is less compressed, but the output drives the gain much harder. Don't get me wrong, it is a good pickup, but the 81 is just all-around more refined, familar, and controllable to my taste.

 

[RockinRollur]

Re: Duncan Active vs EMG

Also what style(s) of music do you intend to use it for? Blackouts actually come across hotter than EMGs but they can stand to be lowered away from the strings a bit more than EMGs (effectively reducing output). They're actually pretty nice for blues in my opinion.

Just to further complicate things I also quite like the new Fishman Fluence pickups, especially the "Classic" series.

I thought Fishman only makes pickups for acoustic guitars, so this is interesting and I'm going to check them out. Mucho thanks.

I have only tried the Duncan Blackout AHB-1b (Standard non-Metal or EMTY bridge Blackout). I prefer the 81.

The Blackout has more (and looser, IMO) lows, highs, and like twice output. Its preamp has a bit more headroom, so I guess, technically speaking, it is less compressed, but the output drives the gain much harder. Don't get me wrong, it is a good pickup, but the 81 is just all-around more refined, familar, and controllable to my taste.

I can kind of hear what you describe on a subtle level from what I can tell on the videos about the Blackouts. I also agree about the 81. People have told me that the Blackouts are only good for metal so I was looking at the Livewire classic set.

 

[larryguitar]

Re: Duncan Active vs EMG

Comparing an 81/85 set to Blackouts in comparable guitars (I have both in Jackson DK's) I'd say:

1. EMG's are 'flatter', in that they seem more neutral in what they send the amp. Hard to describe this stuff...
2. The Blackout sound like Duncan's; they have that family resemblance most SD pickups have. I like SD's, so that's a good thing.
3. The Blackouts are a bit more 'raw' under gain; you get the feeling you could do jazz with EMG's with the right amp, but the Blackouts seem like active JB's in the sense they do one thing well.

So probably not much help.

Larry

 

[oneblackened]

Re: Duncan Active vs EMG

Blackouts are rocket hot and are kinda loose compared to EMGs. I greatly prefer the 81 to the AHB-1b, though it isn't bad.

 

[Scott Olson]

Re: Duncan Active vs EMG

AHB-1 Blackouts are hot and very organic sounding (and by that I mean they don't sound all scooped out or sterile). The AHB-3 are a good choice if you want something with more top end cut and a tighter bottom end. My favorite right now are actually the Retribution which have increased definition (and less output but still PLENTY!)

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Duncan Active vs EMG

I'd really like to try the Retributions. Too bad there won't be 6-string versions. I did enjoy the overall voicing of the standard Blackout Bridge as, like others have said, it is very Duncan-y, but the output was just way too much for my Peavey XXX to handle. I can barely have the gain around 9:00 with a JB going into that amp!

 

[Dahla]

Re: Duncan Active vs EMG

My favorite right now are actually the Retribution which have increased definition (and less output but still PLENTY!)

Yeah, rub it in, %#!&!

Now do something similar for us who still use six strings. :laugh:

(I've never understood the insane amount of output on the BOs)



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[RockinRollur]

Re: Duncan Active vs EMG

What can you guys tell me about Livewire Classics?

 

[dominus]

Re: Duncan Active vs EMG

Yeah, rub it in, %#!&!

Now do something similar for us who still use six strings. :laugh:

(I've never understood the insane amount of output on the BOs)

They need something lower output like the EMG 60. I liked all the Blackout models in the bridge but they were all a bit much in the neck.

 

[Darth Nihilus]

Re: Duncan Active vs EMG

I had the custom shop make me a six string set of Retributions...best pickups on the planet!

Yeah, rub it in, %#!&!

Now do something similar for us who still use six strings. :laugh:

(I've never understood the insane amount of output on the BOs)



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