EMG 81 vs. JB/59

[musemaniac]

Friends at SD forum:

I want to see if you can help me out. I am thinking of buying an ESP EC400, and, as you might know, they have two different models. One comes with two EMG 81`s and the other with SD JB/59. I play different kinds of music, ranging from Metallica to Muse, Pearl Jam, Radiohead. So, I was wondering, could you please advice me the pickup that suits me the best? BTW, I play rythym guitar.

 

[nrvana8775]

Re: EMG 81 vs. JB/59

How much metallica are you doing? I myself would go with the jb/59 since it's such a versatile and well known pickup combo. Your style might need something different though if you are trying to go really heavy. I don't think I could make the leap to active pickups, doesn't seem natural.

 

[musemaniac]

Re: EMG 81 vs. JB/59

Thanks. I began learning Metallica when I started playing guitar. So it is a big deal to me, and we play Metallica a lot. But, since we also play a lot of different things, like Muse, for example, I want pickups that can have a broad range of tone, and not just metal pickups. If the EMG`s are that, metal pickups, then I guess I`ll go for the JB/59.

 

[DiminisheD-7th]

Re: EMG 81 vs. JB/59

welcome to the forum, musemaniac

first off, i dig those LTD's
there is a HUGE difference between EMG's and Duncans, they're pretty much worlds apart in their tonal characteristics, their output and whatnot. the best way to realy see what you like better is to try them both out prior to your buy and decide with your ears and not by gossip or brand name or whatever.
both combo's are great IMO.

however, i'd like to point something out, alot of people tend to tag metal to EMG's (which is sort of like tagging blues to Gibson) and thinking the EMG 81 is a death metal rhythm pickup.
EMG's do metal great because of their character and high output, but they also have alot of qualities that duncans dont have. if i can play fusion jazz and blues on EMG's you can too
the flaw in that dual 81 combo is that you'll have to realy clean up your amp to get a decent clean tone. but that axe will be hard to beat in the dirty sound area.
i for one would take the EMG's.

my point is, listen for yourself.

 

[DeadSkinSlayer3]

Re: EMG 81 vs. JB/59

I believe the EC400 is just EMG's, the EC1000 comes with either depending on the finish. In any case, the JB/59 would be better, or better yet, a distortion or invader/59 combo. Before switching to EMG's, Kirk used a Distortion, and James an Invader.

 

[DiminisheD-7th]

Re: EMG 81 vs. JB/59

if Kirk and James used Duncans then Duncans are definatly superior!

 

[musemaniac]

Re: EMG 81 vs. JB/59

Thanks everyone for your help and support. I really don`t know much about pickups, since I just own a Fender Fat Strat and a Washburn BT-2 (which is the guitar I started playing with). As stated before, I love playing Metallica, but also different genres. I learnt about ESP and EMG through Metallica, that`s why I automatically link EMG to metal. However, I became aware of SD by other bands that I like (Muse, specially- thus my login name) and play, so I was wondering what could be better for me.

Anyhow, hope to get more feedback. Thanks specially to DiminisheD-7th for clearing out some things, and I will follow your advice: "Listen to the pickups"

 

[some_dude]

Re: EMG 81 vs. JB/59

Pickups are like icecream. There about at least 1000 different flavors, and not everyone likes them all the same.

Personally, I find it harder to clean up my JB than my 81 (bridge), but that's because the JB looses tone as I turn it down, whereas the 81 doesn't. I can play all the same music with either my JB, Super Distortion, or 81 equiped guitars. It's all in how you play, and your amp settings.

That said, try both, and see which you like more. BUT, EMG's will bring out the best and worst in your gear. (I don't know how to say this nicely....) If you're using beginner and/or cheaper gear, they will bring out more bad than good.

 

[DiminisheD-7th]

Re: EMG 81 vs. JB/59

ditto that screamingdaisy

thats a good point to mention that EMG's react differently to the volume knob, not loosing their character and volume but loosing gain.
you can clean up the 81 pretty easily, but still the heavey ceramic style of this pickup doesnt sound good in clean.
that said the JB cleans up pretty damn well.

 

[fenderiarhs]

Re: EMG 81 vs. JB/59

for what you play i would choose emg's but i am not very confident on the emg81 in the neck position......maybe a emg60 or emg85 would be better

 

[musemaniac]

Re: EMG 81 vs. JB/59

Thanks everyone. I really don[t know what you mean when you say you can *clean up* a pickup. Furthermore, the body of the guitar Im planning on buying is made of mahogany, which is rather good, so Ive been told.

I play through a Tube Fusion 200 W Laney, with Boss MetalZone, Delay and Flanger pedals. Advice anyone, now that Ive stated my gear?

 

[presa_tito]

Re: EMG 81 vs. JB/59

Yes, go for some variation in the emg. 81,85 or 81, 60 etc.

 

[some_dude]

Re: EMG 81 vs. JB/59

ditto that screamingdaisy

thats a good point to mention that EMG's react differently to the volume knob, not loosing their character and volume but loosing gain.
you can clean up the 81 pretty easily, but still the heavey ceramic style of this pickup doesnt sound good in clean.

For cleans, I use an 85 in the neck. Much better sound. I don't use alot of cleans, but if I did, I'd probably use a 60 or 89.

 

[some_dude]

Re: EMG 81 vs. JB/59

Thanks everyone. I really don[t know what you mean when you say you can *clean up* a pickup. Furthermore, the body of the guitar Im planning on buying is made of mahogany, which is rather good, so Ive been told.

The higher the pickups output, the more it overdrives the tubes in your amp. As you turn down the volume, it lowers the output, and reduces the overdrive within your tubes until it eventually sounds clean.

So, a pickup that cleans up nicely, sounds good both a full output, and at a volume where it doesn't overdrive the amp.

I have an EMG 85/81 loaded in my mostly mahogany Les Paul, and it sounds great.

 

[Nate]

Re: EMG 81 vs. JB/59

I'm using the 81/85 combo as well, and I'm incredibly satisfied with it. I can't say anything about Duncans since I haven't had a chance to try them out yet. I'd like to, just to see what I could be missing out on.

 

[Artie]

Re: EMG 81 vs. JB/59

Since no one else has mentioned it, I'll just remind you that you are comparing a guitar that runs on batteries, to one that doesn't.

That alone would sway me to the Duncans. YMMV.

 

[Vincent]

Re: EMG 81 vs. JB/59

I'd say go for the Duncan set instead of the EMGs. The Duncans will tend to be more versatile if you do decide to sway away from metal in the future. That being said, some of the best rock/metal tones were recorded on Duncan pickups. For example Megadeth's Dave Mustaine used JBs in his siganture Jacksons.

If you ask me, there is a lot of hype nowadays about EMG pickups, but that's exactly what it is, just hype. A lot of nu-metal guitarists who have been playing for a few years favour these EMGs cos they make playing more effortless through a cranked-out Mesa due to the high output nature of the pickup.

Real players use Duncans!!!!

 

[some_dude]

Re: EMG 81 vs. JB/59

If you ask me, there is a lot of hype nowadays about EMG pickups, but that's exactly what it is, just hype. A lot of nu-metal guitarists who have been playing for a few years favour these EMGs cos they make playing more effortless through a cranked-out Mesa due to the high output nature of the pickup.

:bsflag:

Have you ever even used EMG's?

Active pickups accentuate every little mistake you make. They actually make playing alot harder because you can't be anywhere near as sloppy without them picking up your mistakes and making them scream through the amp for all to hear.

Good to know you're not talking out your ass.....

 

[Kevin@BlackRose]

Re: EMG 81 vs. JB/59

Just wanting to know if anybody has used Symour Duncans Active Pickups like the Metal Humbucker, Bridge. I was wondering because I do not hear them mentioned much.

 

[Vincent]

Re: EMG 81 vs. JB/59

:fing25: Of course I've used EMG's before. I don't like them, its just a matter of personal taste. Yes, and I do know that higher output pickups, especially actives, tend to be unforgiving in nature when it comes to sloppy playing. I've played through Dimarzio Evolutions before and they're the same thing - unforgiving as hell.

Ok, so I don't like EMGs; they're marketed towards the nu-metal crowd, which also doesn't catch my fancy. So what? Take that B.S banner you raised and shove it. :fing25: :fing25: :fing25: