EMG 81 vs. Seymour Duncan JB
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Guitarist
Mesa-ologist
Re: EMG 81 vs. Seymour Duncan JB
I'm going to go with the JB because it's just so smooth and sweet! Can't beat it. The 81 is a great metal pickup but it's not like the JB can't handle metal...so why not get the best of two worlds and roll with the Jazz Blues.
Hey, you'll also get the rich open sound that actives never seem to capture.
I'm going to go with the JB because it's just so smooth and sweet! Can't beat it. The 81 is a great metal pickup but it's not like the JB can't handle metal...so why not get the best of two worlds and roll with the Jazz Blues.
Hey, you'll also get the rich open sound that actives never seem to capture.
MikeS
Bengalsologist
Re: EMG 81 vs. Seymour Duncan JB
Tough question. I'm going to refrain from voting because I like both pickups, and I've never A/B'ed them in the same guitar.
The JB seems to have a more open, richer tone than the 81. It's cleans in the bridge position are usable, though not desirable, but let's face it, I didn't buy it to play clean all the time. The sound is fuller and richer, not quite as hot, but still rips. Harmonics are a breeze. The JB is a great pup, and does many genres of rock very well (not just the 80s metal everyone associates it with constantly).
The 81 seems a bit thinner than the JB. It's hotter and far more aggressive than the JB, and high gain palm mutes are beautifully percussive. IMO, for modern high gain metal, the 81 beats the JB hands down. But, I do feel that the 81 lacks the richness of character needed to back the gain down.
For balls-to-the-wall metal, it's the 81 by a hair. For anything else, I'll take the JB hands down.
Tough question. I'm going to refrain from voting because I like both pickups, and I've never A/B'ed them in the same guitar.
The JB seems to have a more open, richer tone than the 81. It's cleans in the bridge position are usable, though not desirable, but let's face it, I didn't buy it to play clean all the time. The sound is fuller and richer, not quite as hot, but still rips. Harmonics are a breeze. The JB is a great pup, and does many genres of rock very well (not just the 80s metal everyone associates it with constantly).
The 81 seems a bit thinner than the JB. It's hotter and far more aggressive than the JB, and high gain palm mutes are beautifully percussive. IMO, for modern high gain metal, the 81 beats the JB hands down. But, I do feel that the 81 lacks the richness of character needed to back the gain down.
For balls-to-the-wall metal, it's the 81 by a hair. For anything else, I'll take the JB hands down.
RGN
New member
Re: EMG 81 vs. Seymour Duncan JB
I used an EMG81 in my main guitar for over 15 years. After 15 years I switched to a JB. I now use mainly a Custom Custom or C5. I still have 2 guitars with the JB and still like them. The EMG81 is a great pickup for rock/metal. BUT, an EMG81 makes a $200 guitar and a $2000 guitar sound the same. The EMG81 takes away whatever traits the wood of the guitar would contribute to the overall sound. For leads, there is no question the JB is better IMO. The EMG81 is great for harmonics but you lose a lot of subtle things that non-active pickups offer for lead playing.
Now days I'd find it hard to use an EMG81 for much of anything. For one CD I used an EMG81 for crunch rythym (sp?) stuff and JB for leads. Now, it is CC and C5 for most stuff. It is wonderful using EMGs and having complete silence when recording though.
I used an EMG81 in my main guitar for over 15 years. After 15 years I switched to a JB. I now use mainly a Custom Custom or C5. I still have 2 guitars with the JB and still like them. The EMG81 is a great pickup for rock/metal. BUT, an EMG81 makes a $200 guitar and a $2000 guitar sound the same. The EMG81 takes away whatever traits the wood of the guitar would contribute to the overall sound. For leads, there is no question the JB is better IMO. The EMG81 is great for harmonics but you lose a lot of subtle things that non-active pickups offer for lead playing.
Now days I'd find it hard to use an EMG81 for much of anything. For one CD I used an EMG81 for crunch rythym (sp?) stuff and JB for leads. Now, it is CC and C5 for most stuff. It is wonderful using EMGs and having complete silence when recording though.
HarrisonDavid
New member
Re: EMG 81 vs. Seymour Duncan JB
Off Topic....
Can you just loosen your strings and switch these around really easy using the connects....or are you pretty much restringing your guitar to do this?
Anyways I bought the ZW set for my Les paul studio. I was trying do avoid the set because everyone seems to be doing it. If the above mentioned is true that would be cool. Also with my Flex III I have hooked up Midi to my comp for easy preset download and configuring, tweaking, it's more convenient. Also I noticed I would get some interference from my 490/498t to the point where I turn off my monitor. This won't happen with the actives.
Also everyone seems to be crying about the 81/85 being sterile. Im betting the same people say that and stomp on an army of effects pedals and the like! Come on everything effects your tone! Distortion/gain pedals if you are using any of these you got no room to talk about sterile.
Lastly you should be comparing the 85 as well, many guitar players prefer it over the 81. Bjorn, Jonathan&Matt Adam&Joel Of shadows fall and Killswitch engage use the 85 in the bridge. Im pretty sure Doc Coyle(God Forbid) uses an 85. It works well tuning down and not mudding out, supposedly has a little more mids/percussive attack. The 81 is more bright/having a percussive attack as well, hence the Scoop assumption everyone gives it. It's far from scooped! Comparing it to other pups out there.
I think the comparison is moot. The JB is a good sounding pickup as well. I guess it just depends on what your after. Myself I am looking for alot of gain without stomping on an Gain/Distortion to do it. I like to just plug straight in then again I am using a modeler. No need for any of the effects pedals.
my two cents.
Like comparing green apples to red apples.
screamingdaisy said:
Off Topic....
Can you just loosen your strings and switch these around really easy using the connects....or are you pretty much restringing your guitar to do this?
Anyways I bought the ZW set for my Les paul studio. I was trying do avoid the set because everyone seems to be doing it. If the above mentioned is true that would be cool. Also with my Flex III I have hooked up Midi to my comp for easy preset download and configuring, tweaking, it's more convenient. Also I noticed I would get some interference from my 490/498t to the point where I turn off my monitor. This won't happen with the actives.
Also everyone seems to be crying about the 81/85 being sterile. Im betting the same people say that and stomp on an army of effects pedals and the like! Come on everything effects your tone! Distortion/gain pedals if you are using any of these you got no room to talk about sterile.
Lastly you should be comparing the 85 as well, many guitar players prefer it over the 81. Bjorn, Jonathan&Matt Adam&Joel Of shadows fall and Killswitch engage use the 85 in the bridge. Im pretty sure Doc Coyle(God Forbid) uses an 85. It works well tuning down and not mudding out, supposedly has a little more mids/percussive attack. The 81 is more bright/having a percussive attack as well, hence the Scoop assumption everyone gives it. It's far from scooped! Comparing it to other pups out there.
I think the comparison is moot. The JB is a good sounding pickup as well. I guess it just depends on what your after. Myself I am looking for alot of gain without stomping on an Gain/Distortion to do it. I like to just plug straight in then again I am using a modeler. No need for any of the effects pedals.
my two cents.
Like comparing green apples to red apples.
HarrisonDavid
New member
Re: EMG 81 vs. Seymour Duncan JB
Told you so...Told you so :nana:
screamingdaisy said:
Told you so...Told you so :nana:
Metalman_666
Well-known member
Re: EMG 81 vs. Seymour Duncan JB
hmmm... I see I have 2 takers already lol. It's not a definite thing, it all depends on my mom *screams*. She wouldn't shut up when I originally said I wanted to change my pickups from the crappy stock Ibanez to the EMG's. I'm sure she won't be happy when I say "I want to change out my birthday present from last year for something of less value... oh and by the way, it'll cost more money for a luthier to remove and replace the old and new pickups." She doesn't feel too nuts about me spending money in my OWN bank account for some reason.. it IS MY money.
If I were to get these pickups removed (prob by a luthier), I would have to put the old pots from my stock Ibanez pickups back, and get the input jack changed back as well right?
screamingdaisy said:
\m/(OO)\m/ said:if you sell the EMGs, i'll buy them
hmmm... I see I have 2 takers already lol. It's not a definite thing, it all depends on my mom *screams*. She wouldn't shut up when I originally said I wanted to change my pickups from the crappy stock Ibanez to the EMG's. I'm sure she won't be happy when I say "I want to change out my birthday present from last year for something of less value... oh and by the way, it'll cost more money for a luthier to remove and replace the old and new pickups." She doesn't feel too nuts about me spending money in my OWN bank account for some reason.. it IS MY money.
If I were to get these pickups removed (prob by a luthier), I would have to put the old pots from my stock Ibanez pickups back, and get the input jack changed back as well right?
Re: EMG 81 vs. Seymour Duncan JB
Well, ive been playing through my 60 and 89 combo for awhile now, and i can barely stand the 81 in my other guitar now.
81 is not a good example of what EMG can do......
I have no idea how good an JB sounds, but it has to sound better than an 81.
Well, ive been playing through my 60 and 89 combo for awhile now, and i can barely stand the 81 in my other guitar now.
81 is not a good example of what EMG can do......
I have no idea how good an JB sounds, but it has to sound better than an 81.
Jag513
New member
Re: EMG 81 vs. Seymour Duncan JB
You would have to put the old pots back, unless you want an extremely muddy guitar. (EMG's do come with 25k, right?) Is the input jack any different? I suspect you wouldn't have to get it changed, but I really don't know.
Oh and I love the JB. Not that much experience with the 81's though, and I've only used them through a pretty cheap solid state amp, so my comparison wouldn't really be fair.
:laugh2: Don't worry my parents are the same way. That's why I make them listen to blind soundclips and tell me what they like.Metalman_666 said:
You would have to put the old pots back, unless you want an extremely muddy guitar. (EMG's do come with 25k, right?) Is the input jack any different? I suspect you wouldn't have to get it changed, but I really don't know.
Oh and I love the JB.
Not that much experience with the 81's though, and I've only used them through a pretty cheap solid state amp, so my comparison wouldn't really be fair.Re: EMG 81 vs. Seymour Duncan JB
Well, i too had my EMG 89/60 combo for a B-Day present.
Must say ive never heard a guitar like mine, its a metal strat
.
But only the neck does cleans perfect.
and spliting the 89 results in a weaker 81 sounding pup, so its overall do it all.
Im going to be getting a squire soon to try out some SD's, i cant wait.
Btw, are you sure you want a JB? cause a dime/full shread sounds great.
You havent really made it clear what sound you're looking for.
Well, i too had my EMG 89/60 combo for a B-Day present.
Must say ive never heard a guitar like mine, its a metal strat
.But only the neck does cleans perfect.
and spliting the 89 results in a weaker 81 sounding pup, so its overall do it all.
Im going to be getting a squire soon to try out some SD's, i cant wait.
Btw, are you sure you want a JB? cause a dime/full shread sounds great.
You havent really made it clear what sound you're looking for.
S
Skarekrough
Guest
Re: EMG 81 vs. Seymour Duncan JB
I can't say enough bad things about EMGs....
For some folks they do fine with them and they certainly seem to be the pickup du jour to drop into whatevers around and instantly become a metal axe. And I understand the appeal of a tighter low-end for drop tuning and live players loving how they don't hum.
But to me they just lack the tone and soul of passive pickups. They sound more like an approximation of what the guitar should sound like rather than the actual instrument.
The best move I ever made was unloading an EMG set in my Telecaster and went with a SD set. Boom....instantly the guitar became this amazing sounding tone monster. With the EMGs in it the guitar just sounded really thin, as Telecasters with cheap pickups do tend to sound.
But again...what works for me may not work for others.
RGN said:
I can't say enough bad things about EMGs....
For some folks they do fine with them and they certainly seem to be the pickup du jour to drop into whatevers around and instantly become a metal axe. And I understand the appeal of a tighter low-end for drop tuning and live players loving how they don't hum.
But to me they just lack the tone and soul of passive pickups. They sound more like an approximation of what the guitar should sound like rather than the actual instrument.
The best move I ever made was unloading an EMG set in my Telecaster and went with a SD set. Boom....instantly the guitar became this amazing sounding tone monster. With the EMGs in it the guitar just sounded really thin, as Telecasters with cheap pickups do tend to sound.
But again...what works for me may not work for others.
Destructone
New member
Re: EMG 81 vs. Seymour Duncan JB
EMG kicks ass... if you want a straightforward, in-your-face metal tone. also, you may not need an expensive, toneful guitar to make it sound its best. just a piece of 2x4 would do.
the JB on the other hand would put SOUL and CHARACTER into any guitar you put it in. the JB is hot enough to be a metal pup, and at the same time, an all-around pup.
JB rules!
EMG kicks ass... if you want a straightforward, in-your-face metal tone. also, you may not need an expensive, toneful guitar to make it sound its best. just a piece of 2x4 would do.
the JB on the other hand would put SOUL and CHARACTER into any guitar you put it in. the JB is hot enough to be a metal pup, and at the same time, an all-around pup.
JB rules!
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: EMG 81 vs. Seymour Duncan JB
Sure it's true... my friend's guitar teacher told me that EMGs make all guitars sound the same, so it must be true!
screamingdaisy said:
Sure it's true... my friend's guitar teacher told me that EMGs make all guitars sound the same, so it must be true!
some_dude
Raging BB Gunologist
Re: EMG 81 vs. Seymour Duncan JB
I stuck one in my Strat and it now sounds JU8T L|KE MY LES PAUL LOLOL!!1!1!!!1!1
SERIOUSLY....anyone who wants a Les Paul but can't afford one should just go and buy a beat up Squire Bullet and put an 81 in there, cause it makes ALL GUITARS SOUND THE SAME.
It magically fixes bad intonation, lack of sustain, uneven frets, slipping tuners, poorly cut nuts, and those buzzy bridge saddles that come in cheap Strat bridges.....It'll make your $200 guitar w/EMGs SOUND JUST LIKE A $2000 GUITAR W/EMGS!!!!!11!1!1!!!11
EDIT -
JB_From_Hell said:Sure it's true... my friend's guitar teacher told me that EMGs make all guitars sound the same, so it must be true!
I stuck one in my Strat and it now sounds JU8T L|KE MY LES PAUL LOLOL!!1!1!!!1!1
SERIOUSLY....anyone who wants a Les Paul but can't afford one should just go and buy a beat up Squire Bullet and put an 81 in there, cause it makes ALL GUITARS SOUND THE SAME.
It magically fixes bad intonation, lack of sustain, uneven frets, slipping tuners, poorly cut nuts, and those buzzy bridge saddles that come in cheap Strat bridges.....It'll make your $200 guitar w/EMGs SOUND JUST LIKE A $2000 GUITAR W/EMGS!!!!!11!1!1!!!11
EDIT -
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WICKED LESTER
New member
Re: EMG 81 vs. Seymour Duncan JB
both have their place, the JB can do metal but other things as well.
the 81 is more of a "i will sneak up behind you and hit you on the head with a sledgehammer"
gotta love that! :laugh2: :laugh2:
Metalman_666 said:
both have their place, the JB can do metal but other things as well.
the 81 is more of a "i will sneak up behind you and hit you on the head with a sledgehammer"
gotta love that! :laugh2: :laugh2:
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Re: EMG 81 vs. Seymour Duncan JB
No offense but playing through a metal zone.....I'd doubt you'd even hear the difference between a JB and an 81.
The 81 does other stuff than metal too.....people that say it doesn't are full of it.
The JB is a bit fuller sounding in the upper mids and a bit less compressed sounding but honestly....playing through a metal zone I doubt you'd even notice.
I'd save money for a new amp instead of messing around with pickups...that's going to make much more of a difference in your tone.
Metalman_666 said:
No offense but playing through a metal zone.....I'd doubt you'd even hear the difference between a JB and an 81.
The 81 does other stuff than metal too.....people that say it doesn't are full of it.
The JB is a bit fuller sounding in the upper mids and a bit less compressed sounding but honestly....playing through a metal zone I doubt you'd even notice.
I'd save money for a new amp instead of messing around with pickups...that's going to make much more of a difference in your tone.
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