EMG 81 vs 81X, any difference?

EMG 81 vs 81X, any difference?

  • Yes there is a differance

    Votes: 11 100.0%

  • No there is no difference in sound, it's just a gimmick

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    11
  • Poll closed .
KINGV02

KINGV02

New member
So it's about 1:30 in the morning right now and I've had a question in the back of my head that has been nagging on me for a while... is there a real difference in tone between the EMG 81 and 81x? And if so is it worth the price of buying a totally new pickup if you already have an EMG equipped guitar? If there is any grammar mistakes it's because I'm tired and it's 1:30, well now 1:40 in the morning, thanks for the help!
 
Re: EMG 81 vs 81X, any difference?

Yes, there is a difference. The 81X has smoother mids (less icepicky) and a bit less bass. It's more sensitive to pick attack and sounds more like the Blackout version of the 81 (more organic or passive sounding).

However, before you try the 81x, I'd recommend trying the 18v mod. You'll have to Google it, but the X series was designed to recreate the 18v mod which gives the pickup more headroom. I don't know if it will sound the same as the 81, but it do know that it sounds different from the 81 without the 18v mod.

It's worth it if you want to pay it. I've considered trying the 18v mod on my seven string equipped with EMG's as they don't make an X series 57/66 set.

Hope this helps.
 
Re: EMG 81 vs 81X, any difference?

Johnny the Kid said:
81X ... more sensitive to pick attack ... more headroom.
Click to expand...

To my ears, the -81 sounds like an -81X with a dying battery. Constipated and lacking bite.

The one guitar on which I found the -81 to sound good was a Squier Affinity Strat.
 
Re: EMG 81 vs 81X, any difference?

Funkfingers said:
To my ears, the -81 sounds like an -81X with a dying battery. Constipated and lacking bite.

The one guitar on which I found the -81 to sound good was a Squier Affinity Strat.
Click to expand...

I have an 81 in a Dean VMNT, it sounds pretty good through my marshall mini stack
 
Re: EMG 81 vs 81X, any difference?

From what I have seen from videos and heard in person, the 81 with the 18v mod is like mid way between an 81 and 81x. I have an 81/60 with the 18v mod in my Schecter hellraiser and I used to have that same setup in my Dean V79 (went back to passice on that one, wanted to try something different). I'd definitely recommend trying the 18v mod before you go for the 81x. IMO the 81x doesn't have enough bite, but the 81 with the 18v mod is the perfect balance.
 
Re: EMG 81 vs 81X, any difference?

Spyder328 said:
From what I have seen from videos and heard in person, the 81 with the 18v mod is like mid way between an 81 and 81x. I have an 81/60 with the 18v mod in my Schecter hellraiser and I used to have that same setup in my Dean V79 (went back to passice on that one, wanted to try something different). I'd definitely recommend trying the 18v mod before you go for the 81x. IMO the 81x doesn't have enough bite, but the 81 with the 18v mod is the perfect balance.
Click to expand...

How do I do an 18v mod? Do you know any good guides on the internet?
 
Re: EMG 81 vs 81X, any difference?

I've had them in the same guitar even at different times. The difference is small. The 81X to me sounds like the standard 81 with the 18V mod (added headroom, slightly less mid-focused) and with the volume knob notched down a little. I don't think it's a night and day difference. I don't think the 81X is a bad pickup, but I'd rather have an 18V modded 81 for myself.
 
Last edited:
Re: EMG 81 vs 81X, any difference?

FYI it's been validated that it's the same preamp with 2 resistor values changed to drop 6dB. That affects the clipping characteristics and headroom, similarly to the 18v mod, but the 18v mod adds the headroom on the top end, while the X reduces the signal level. Each can do different things for different playing styles, but yes try the 18v mod first. It's easier and less expensive.

There's an additional resistor change that just drops the output impedance from 10k to 2k. Not really a tone changer but it does alter the way potentiometers change the volume.
 
Re: EMG 81 vs 81X, any difference?

frankfalbo said:
FYI it's been validated that it's the same preamp with 2 resistor values changed to drop 6dB. That affects the clipping characteristics and headroom, similarly to the 18v mod, but the 18v mod adds the headroom on the top end, while the X reduces the signal level. Each can do different things for different playing styles, but yes try the 18v mod first. It's easier and less expensive.

There's an additional resistor change that just drops the output impedance from 10k to 2k. Not really a tone changer but it does alter the way potentiometers change the volume.
Click to expand...

I did not know that.

Very interesting actually.
 
Re: EMG 81 vs 81X, any difference?

frankfalbo said:
FYI it's been validated that it's the same preamp with 2 resistor values changed to drop 6dB. That affects the clipping characteristics and headroom, similarly to the 18v mod, but the 18v mod adds the headroom on the top end, while the X reduces the signal level. Each can do different things for different playing styles, but yes try the 18v mod first. It's easier and less expensive.

There's an additional resistor change that just drops the output impedance from 10k to 2k. Not really a tone changer but it does alter the way potentiometers change the volume.
Click to expand...

What Frank said...

The 18V mod is the way to go and it costs close to nothing to do.

Personally, even if I was buying new, I would buy the regular 81 over the 81X (yes, I've tried both).
 
Re: EMG 81 vs 81X, any difference?

masta' c said:
What Frank said...

The 18V mod is the way to go and it costs close to nothing to do.

Personally, even if I was buying new, I would buy the regular 81 over the 81X (yes, I've tried both).
Click to expand...

Well thanks for all the help probably will try an 18v mod once my other guitar project is finished!
 
Re: EMG 81 vs 81X, any difference?

frankfalbo said:
(...) That affects the clipping characteristics and headroom (...)
Click to expand...

I know the clipping part has been mentioned before, but I can't hear it... Never had an issue with it either. :-/

I set the pickup height the same way as on my passives though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Re: EMG 81 vs 81X, any difference?

Dahla said:
I know the clipping part has been mentioned before, but I can't hear it... Never had an issue with it either. :-/

I set the pickup height the same way as on my passives though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Same. I set them just like they are passive humbuckers and I believe that is the key, even tho EMG says to set them as close as possible
 
Re: EMG 81 vs 81X, any difference?

In addition to the 18V mod, I think the EMG SPC mid boost is a major improvement for the 81. Even 1/4 turn is noticeable. The 85 or 60 at the neck doesn't really need it as much, although you can get super fat neck leads as well using the SPC.
 
Re: EMG 81 vs 81X, any difference?

I've had both at different times in my superstrat. The 81X has less output and more of a passive feel than the 81 and it seems to be a bit more dynamic. I had to try the EMG 57 as my GAS kicked in and it's a really nice pickup. It is even more dynamic and has more of that passive feel than the 81X, it's a great pickup but the 81X is no slouch.
 
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