EMG 89 Split coil active humbucker

[sasha76]

My Parker Nitefly M needs new pickups, studio recording needs require minimum noise so after weeks of agonizing dilemma's i decided to go with active pups. Blackouts or LW Mustaines.
But EMG now has coil splitting options for 81 and they have the original 89 model aswell.
These would allow me to have 6 sounds on my Parker. This is my only guitar and versatility is very important in the studio.

I'm torn between these 3 choices.
Mustaines seem to be versatile and closest to passive pickups.
Blackouts seem to be better versions of EMG 81's and the EMG 81TW and 89 will give me single coil sound aswell.

What do u think i should do, whats ur opinion on the EMG's, too sterile ? What about the 89 which apparently sounds like an 85 in humbucking mode. I could do 89/89 .........
And hows the 89 for metal/harmonics/distortion compared to the 81. I read its less sterile than the 81.

I have to decide real fast and am most embarrassed that i come up with a new combo everyday but i hope u all will still give me advice.
Thanks guys

F

 

[jhale667]

Re: EMG 89 Split coil active humbucker

I used the 89 in one of my main guitars for a few years, but ultimately it was too sterile overall for my tastes (as are all EMGs in general IMO these days, lol) ...split it sounded just like an SA, and the humbucking mode was similar to the 85...

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: EMG 89 Split coil active humbucker

An 89/89 set would be great imo. Both the single coil and dual coil modes sound fantastic. I wouldn't really call it sterile or anything such. The 81 is a whole different thing. It doesn't really sound good without loads of gain.

Maybe try out the active electronics that emg offers too if you go that route.

 

[Binnerscot]

Re: EMG 89 Split coil active humbucker

See my PM - first, properly wire in that JB/Jazz set you have - then decide if you want to go active.

 

[Mark Le Comte]

Re: EMG 89 Split coil active humbucker

I have an 81TW bridge paired with an 89 neck in my explorer. Really versatile, similar to 81/85 and also has single coil options similar to S/SA, but a little too dark for the guitar I have it in. I intend to swap a jazz/jb to brigten up the guitar and put the EMGs into a super strat with a SAV in the middle.

The other thing to think about is whether you have enough space to do the 18v mod, many think this gets a better result from EMGs (and this might be the main difference between them and blackouts). I dont have space for this in my explorer without putting the second battery under the pickguard which will make battery changes far more annoying.

I say go for the 81tw/89 with the 18v mod.

 

[jhale667]

Re: EMG 89 Split coil active humbucker

An 89/89 set would be great imo. Both the single coil and dual coil modes sound fantastic. I wouldn't really call it sterile or anything such. The 81 is a whole different thing. It doesn't really sound good without loads of gain.

Maybe try out the active electronics that emg offers too if you go that route.

To be fair, I didn't have a tone control on that particular guitar to try an EXG circuit or something, which might have livened it up a bit...

And like I said, used it for years...nothing wrong with it (that and and 81, after years of DDs) just not for me these days....utahere:

 

[34029324079]

Re: EMG 89 Split coil active humbucker

I love my emg81/85 set, I did all my recordings with it. it is classic for what I play, Im not sure if ur into heavy stuff but for riffage I recommend it.