EMG 85 vs. 89

[Johtosotku]

Sorry for the new EMG thread (blame it on the scotch!), but this has been boggling on my mind for quite some time. The EMG website explains that the other half of an 89 is "a pickup similar to the EMG-85". My question therefore is:

How close is it to an 85? What's the difference between the humbucking modes of an 89 to a standard 85?

Tell me all about it, please!

 

[Loserchief]

Re: EMG 85 vs. 89

I can't really tell a difference between the humbucking-mode of the 89 and the standard 85. They sound the same, too my ears. Maybe there's a little difference but it's inaudible for me. Can't compare the same with the SA part of the (9 since i don't own a SA standard. In any case i prefer the 89 since it's greater versaitillity greatley outweighs it's a bit higher costs(10Euro)

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: EMG 85 vs. 89

I can say that the SA mode sounds extremely close to a standard SA, the same to my ears (and memory, it's been a while. )

 

[SwedeNuck]

Re: EMG 85 vs. 89

It's basically a two in one pickup, an 85 and a SA, sure you can split hairs to find differences, but all in all the two modes are virtually the same as the pickups they emulate.

 

[Mephis]

Re: EMG 85 vs. 89

Yay, you're commenting on my favorite pickup!


Yes, its a TRUE 2 trick poney.


Probably the most single coil like sound I've ever heard from a split bucker. And it sounds like a hotrodded PAF in humbucking mode.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: EMG 85 vs. 89

I can't really tell a difference between the humbucking-mode of the 89 and the standard 85. They sound the same, too my ears. Maybe there's a little difference but it's inaudible for me. Can't compare the same with the SA part of the (9 since i don't own a SA standard. In any case i prefer the 89 since it's greater versaitillity greatley outweighs it's a bit higher costs(10Euro)

I agree 100%.. and "split" it really does sound exactly like the SA...

I dunno how they did it, but it worked

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: EMG 85 vs. 89

Okay, thanks, guys! I'll look at the 89 if I need a more meaty neck bucker!

 

[Loserchief]

Re: EMG 85 vs. 89

if you want a powerfull and ballsy neckbucker go for the 60. It's just a killer neck-pup for rhythm work.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: EMG 85 vs. 89

if you want a powerfull and ballsy neckbucker go for the 60. It's just a killer neck-pup for rhythm work.

What kind of rhythm you mean? Surely not our typical run-of-the-mill metal rhythm work?

 

[Loserchief]

Re: EMG 85 vs. 89

Since hetfield uses the 60 in the neck his rhythm tone would be a good example. In my experience the 60 has lots of Single coil feeling(a little drag on fast plaing and bright attack) and punch while still retaining the power and output of a bucker. Listen to the emg sound smaples on their page to get what i mean. It's just great for metal rhythm work and it is pretty distinctive sounding imo.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: EMG 85 vs. 89

Since hetfield uses the 60 in the neck his rhythm tone would be a good example. In my experience the 60 has lots of Single coil feeling(a little drag on fast plaing and bright attack) and punch while still retaining the power and output of a bucker. Listen to the emg sound smaples on their page to get what i mean. It's just great for metal rhythm work and it is pretty distinctive sounding imo.

He really uses the 60 while playing their standard rhyhtm parts? On which records? I'll have to check it out.

 

[WICKED LESTER]

Re: EMG 85 vs. 89

EMG's suck!!!! :eek2:




















nah man just messin! LOL!
i prefer the 81 in the bridge but that is becuase i play LP's mostly

 

[Loserchief]

Re: EMG 85 vs. 89

As far as i know Metallica's been using EMGs since MoP and i guess hetfield used the 81b/60n set since then(correct me if i'm wrong).

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: EMG 85 vs. 89

As far as i know Metallica's been using EMGs since MoP and i guess hetfield used the 81b/60n set since then(correct me if i'm wrong).

According to http://www.montyjay.com/montyjayframes.html Hetfield first started using emgs when he got his first esp guitar during RTL times. It's loaded with 81s and it's his #1 guitar still. The site also says that Hetfield tried other pickups out and settled on an 81/60 combo on most guitars at Metallica album times. But I think that the #1 guitar still may host the 81/81 combo, which we probably hear mostly on their records. Nowhere does it say that he uses the neck pup for rhythm, though it may naturally be so. Maybe I'll have to have a look at one of their dvds if I can see the pup selector to find out more.

I have to say that I'd do a lot of things to get Load tone. It's simply, well, beyond words.

 

[Mephis]

Re: EMG 85 vs. 89

I think the 60 is quite possibly the best neck pickup for speed shredding. It sounds so badass once you start getting into the higher register, tons and tons of charactor. Very very unique tone to it, I'd describe it as almost single coil like.


Probably because its a mini bucker.


And hetfields 1st guitar was an alpine white epiphone flying V with an invader in the bridge and a distortion in the neck. He currently uses an 81/60 combo.

 

[itbepopples]

Re: EMG 85 vs. 89

I think the 60 is quite possibly the best neck pickup for speed shredding. It sounds so badass once you start getting into the higher register, tons and tons of charactor. Very very unique tone to it, I'd describe it as almost single coil like.


Probably because its a mini bucker.


And hetfields 1st guitar was an alpine white epiphone flying V with an invader in the bridge and a distortion in the neck. He currently uses an 81/60 combo.

Is that the one he uses on a few songs on the cliff em all dvd? That's an epi?

 

[Mephis]

Re: EMG 85 vs. 89

Is that the one he uses on a few songs on the cliff em all dvd? That's an epi?

I think he got a real gibson by then, but it's still the same pickups.