EMG 85 vs EMG 81
- Thread starter Svs696
- Start date
TattooedCarrot
New member
Re: EMG 85 vs EMG 81
81 has slightly scooped mids, is tighter, more articulate, and more percussive. Its also the pickup most people have in mind when referring to the EMG sound being sterile.
The 85 has a (lower) mid spike, its thicker, chewier, rounder, and a little more forgiving. Its also a little more natural sounding than the 81.
IMO the 85 is mistakenly thought of as a neck pickup (I blame Zakk), when in fact its a very good and underrated bridge pickup.
81 has slightly scooped mids, is tighter, more articulate, and more percussive. Its also the pickup most people have in mind when referring to the EMG sound being sterile.
The 85 has a (lower) mid spike, its thicker, chewier, rounder, and a little more forgiving. Its also a little more natural sounding than the 81.
IMO the 85 is mistakenly thought of as a neck pickup (I blame Zakk), when in fact its a very good and underrated bridge pickup.
Re: EMG 85 vs EMG 81
Took the words right out of my mouth.
I never could get down with 81's. 85's seem less stiff and more lively to me, and make fantastic bridge pickups.
Took the words right out of my mouth.
I never could get down with 81's. 85's seem less stiff and more lively to me, and make fantastic bridge pickups.
Petrovsk Mizinski
New member
Re: EMG 85 vs EMG 81
Killswitch Engage's tone is enough proof the 85 is an AMAZING bridge pickup
Killswitch Engage's tone is enough proof the 85 is an AMAZING bridge pickup
mustaine-who?
New member
Re: EMG 85 vs EMG 81
+1 to everything written above me. 81 is really nice for say C standard and lower, but the 85 is just right for anything above that.
+1 to everything written above me. 81 is really nice for say C standard and lower, but the 85 is just right for anything above that.
FrankyBoy
New member
Re: EMG 85 vs EMG 81
I just switched the 85 and the 81 (The 85 now's in the bridge and 81 in the neck) Of my girlfriend's Jackson DKMG.
Result : I definitly hear that the 85 has more balls. It has lower mid spike like TattooedCarrot said. The 81 never has been perfect to me. I feel like it is compressed a lot. Tho, my girlfriend now prefers the 81 in the neck Vs. the 85... And yeah when she was playing it definitly sounded really cool.
I just switched the 85 and the 81 (The 85 now's in the bridge and 81 in the neck) Of my girlfriend's Jackson DKMG.
Result : I definitly hear that the 85 has more balls. It has lower mid spike like TattooedCarrot said. The 81 never has been perfect to me. I feel like it is compressed a lot. Tho, my girlfriend now prefers the 81 in the neck Vs. the 85... And yeah when she was playing it definitly sounded really cool.
Johtosotku
New member
Re: EMG 85 vs EMG 81
I prefer the 85 in the bridge as it's thicker and warmer. The 81 makes a good lead pickup in the neck.
I prefer the 85 in the bridge as it's thicker and warmer. The 81 makes a good lead pickup in the neck.
ACHIEVE PERFECTION
New member
Re: EMG 85 vs EMG 81
I have been straggling with the emgs for a couple of years now. Firstly, i absolutely hated them in basswood - even after the 18v mod, so i sold the body and got a nice lively alder piece. Much better. The 18v also is worthy. As TattoedCarrot said, Zakk is responsible for the 85 being regarded as a neck pup. It is NOT a neck pup. Both in basswood and alder sounded way high output for a neck pup and muffled/bass-heavy. Can't even imagine it in mahogany.. So, last week i got a used 60 in the neck. Problem solved for me. Crystal clear cleans - not as good in distorted lead neck sounds but i preferred a really good clean sound.
I tried the 85 in the bridge for a couple of months as well but got tired of it soon - keep in mind though that i like the tight and edgy sound of the 81. Even with the 18v mod, i don't expect the emg's to respond like passives and that is why i don't mind their sterile sound. The 85 is a bit more organic in that aspect but also a little looser, a bit rounder and high output. Anyway, i have kept it in case i change my mind again.
I have been straggling with the emgs for a couple of years now. Firstly, i absolutely hated them in basswood - even after the 18v mod, so i sold the body and got a nice lively alder piece. Much better. The 18v also is worthy. As TattoedCarrot said, Zakk is responsible for the 85 being regarded as a neck pup. It is NOT a neck pup. Both in basswood and alder sounded way high output for a neck pup and muffled/bass-heavy. Can't even imagine it in mahogany.. So, last week i got a used 60 in the neck. Problem solved for me. Crystal clear cleans - not as good in distorted lead neck sounds but i preferred a really good clean sound.
I tried the 85 in the bridge for a couple of months as well but got tired of it soon - keep in mind though that i like the tight and edgy sound of the 81. Even with the 18v mod, i don't expect the emg's to respond like passives and that is why i don't mind their sterile sound. The 85 is a bit more organic in that aspect but also a little looser, a bit rounder and high output. Anyway, i have kept it in case i change my mind again.
Burk
New member
Re: EMG 85 vs EMG 81
I had an 81 in bridge & 85 in the neck of several LP's. I was always trying to tame the treble.....the 81 was the problem. I is/was a lot more trebley than I realized. I later got a pair of duncan distortions and thought, "wow, I should have made this move a long time ago".....looking back I had them backwards. I'll never put an 81 in the bridge ever again. 85 possibly (I also have an 89 -an 85 with the spilt tap coil option) in the bridge. Now a days i find my self moving in the other direction....lower gain pickups, they make up for it in TONE.....I let the amp work a little more now...........
I had an 81 in bridge & 85 in the neck of several LP's. I was always trying to tame the treble.....the 81 was the problem. I is/was a lot more trebley than I realized. I later got a pair of duncan distortions and thought, "wow, I should have made this move a long time ago".....looking back I had them backwards. I'll never put an 81 in the bridge ever again. 85 possibly (I also have an 89 -an 85 with the spilt tap coil option) in the bridge. Now a days i find my self moving in the other direction....lower gain pickups, they make up for it in TONE.....I let the amp work a little more now...........
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: EMG 85 vs EMG 81
I have a love/hate relationship with the EMG-81 in the bridge position on my modified Ibanez RG321MH. On this guitar, the neck PU is an EMG-H. (The EMG-S in a HB housing.) I love the Strattiness of the -H. I set things up to favour the -H. Hence, the -81 tends to sound wrong. Even with the SPC mid boost turned up, the -81 isn't quite what I desire.
I suspect that an -89 would be closer to my requirements but the 3-pin Quik Connect loom disallows it. Next stop, EMG-58 or SD Live Wire Classic II, I suspect. :naughty:
I have a love/hate relationship with the EMG-81 in the bridge position on my modified Ibanez RG321MH. On this guitar, the neck PU is an EMG-H. (The EMG-S in a HB housing.) I love the Strattiness of the -H. I set things up to favour the -H. Hence, the -81 tends to sound wrong. Even with the SPC mid boost turned up, the -81 isn't quite what I desire.
I suspect that an -89 would be closer to my requirements but the 3-pin Quik Connect loom disallows it. Next stop, EMG-58 or SD Live Wire Classic II, I suspect. :naughty:
Svs696
New member
Virtual Kevorkian
New member
Re: EMG 85 vs EMG 81
I will say that the 85, to me, is a bit muddy on the lower registers.
The 89 remedies this perfectly, though. My favorite bridge pickup in a brighter guitar, for sure.
The 81 is great in the neck or in really dark guitars; all of my EMG loaded axes have an 81 or 81TW in the neck slot.
Common misconception... the 89 is actually two pickups in one housing, so it can't be identical to the 85. It sounds very close, just with a tighter low end and less of a low midrange hump/cloudiness.
I will say that the 85, to me, is a bit muddy on the lower registers.
The 89 remedies this perfectly, though. My favorite bridge pickup in a brighter guitar, for sure.
The 81 is great in the neck or in really dark guitars; all of my EMG loaded axes have an 81 or 81TW in the neck slot.
Common misconception... the 89 is actually two pickups in one housing, so it can't be identical to the 85. It sounds very close, just with a tighter low end and less of a low midrange hump/cloudiness.
Jerky Chid
New member
Re: EMG 85 vs EMG 81
Blackouts; either model.
Blackouts; either model.
Similar threads
