EMG question... 81 or 89??

[Metalman_666]

Which pup has more crunch in the bridge position, an EMG 81, or a humbucker mode 89? I know the 85 has more output than 81, but I think I heard it's also got less crunch, and the bucker mode of the 89 is similar to the 85........ so which pup would have more crunch and be better suited to metal (palm mutes, definition through high gain, etc)?

 

[fenderiarhs]

Re: EMG question... 81 or 89??

The 89 is the 85 pickup plus the ability to be splitted.Are you sure the 85 has more output than the 81?I have an emg 85 in my strats bridge position and every time i tried an 81 i thought it was of a higher output.The 85 is a more bassy,warmer and more natural sounding pickup than the 81.On the other hand the emg81 has more mids and highs and it is crunchier.While the emg85 can do metal i think the 81 is more suited for that.

 

[Travis]

Re: EMG question... 81 or 89??

The 89 has a slightly higher resonant peak and slightly lower output than the 81. I've got a pair of 89's in my Charvel 750xl. They are extremely versatile pickups due to the splitting capability. The 89 is has great clarity under high gain and has plenty of crunch and harmonics. It is a little fuller in the lower midrange than the 81. A lot of guys I know prefer the 85/89 in the bridge over the 81.

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: EMG question... 81 or 89??

Are you sure the 85 has more output than the 81?

This is directly off the EMG site:

EMG-85

Although the EMG-85 has more measurable output than the 81, its frequency response and string interface are different. The 85 uses two Alnico magnet loaded coils with a wide aperture to maintain a beefy lowend and a fatter top end.

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: EMG question... 81 or 89??

so which one do you guys think is crunchier without being overly bright in a mahogany/maple top guitar!!!

 

[fenderiarhs]

Re: EMG question... 81 or 89??

I don't mean to confuse you but some times even official websites are confusing....... :smack: :smack:
I'm copying again from the emg website:


What is the difference between the EMG-81 and the EMG-85?
The EMG-81 is our highest output pickup. The EMG-85 has slightly less output than the EMG-81, yet still has plenty of output to overdrive an amp. The EMG-85 has more low end and less high end then the EMG-81. The EMG-81 has less low end and is brighter than the EMG-85.

:saeek: :question: :question: :question: :question: :question: :question:

The above description fits best what my ears hear every time i have used those 2 pickups.If i were you i would go for the 81.

 

[Imp]

Re: EMG question... 81 or 89??

as an 81/89 combo user, go for the 89 :lol:

serious, the 81 does distortion and nothing else really well. your music tastes might change, the 89 opens so many more doors.
also, if you use a high gain amp, and EMG 81 will mud it out IMO. im talking anything hotter than a DSL 50

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: EMG question... 81 or 89??

alright.... well maybe I should just get 89b and see what happens... only problem is there's no EMG return policy like the glorius Seymour Duncan...

 

[jmh151]

Re: EMG question... 81 or 89??

I bought the EMG Zack Wylde set for my Les Paul Custom- 85 in the neck and 81 in the neck. I'm running it through a Marshall DSL 401 combo. I didn't like the pickups at all, I couldn't get pinch harmonics off the bridge,it was muddy, the 85 in the neck was way too bassy, and both were almost unuseable. Then one day I reversed the two, an 85 in bridge and 81 in the neck, and the tome is perfect. Massive crunch off the 85 in the bridge. I have it almost touching the strings. The I lowered the 81 in the neck position to compensate for the volume levels. The 81 is clear and articulate in the neck when overdriven, very sweet soloing, though doesn't have the greatest clean tone- a price to pay for a great overdriven axe.

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: EMG question... 81 or 89??

I bought the EMG Zack Wylde set for my Les Paul Custom- 85 in the neck and 81 in the neck. I'm running it through a Marshall DSL 401 combo. I didn't like the pickups at all, I couldn't get pinch harmonics off the bridge,it was muddy, the 85 in the neck was way too bassy, and both were almost unuseable.

you can't get pinches from the bridge?????? that's not believeable...... I've never heard complaints about THAT.

 

[y2stevo]

Re: EMG question... 81 or 89??

Mabye you should try the 18 volt mod, it brings the clipping point of the pups higher thus more headroom...

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: EMG question... 81 or 89??

Mabye you should try the 18 volt mod, it brings the clipping point of the pups higher thus more headroom...

I was already planning on that, but thanks

one more thing, can an EMG 89 rock as hard as an 81?? Would it be worth getting an 89 for more versatility? the only thing I'm worried about is the crunch... and I've already ordered the 81, but I suppose I can cancel that if the 89 will do the job.

 

[Bones]

Re: EMG question... 81 or 89??

EMG81 sounds like **** in a DSL, i feel ya brother.

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: EMG question... 81 or 89??

I bought the EMG Zack Wylde set for my Les Paul Custom- 85 in the neck and 81 in the neck.

lol something I just caught. No WONDER you couldn't get pinch harmonics in the bridge, there's no pickup there!! :32: :laugh2:

so anyway...... WILL AN 89 DO THE JOB OF AN 81???

 

[Hunter1974]

Re: EMG question... 81 or 89??

Wow there must be something wrong there!!!Because I have a Les paul classic with an 81 in the bridge and an 85 in the neck.And I'm going to tell ya these pups breathe fire.They scream and pinch harmonics are never a problem.

 

[papersoul]

Re: EMG question... 81 or 89??

I have also been considering an 85 for my LP bridge and a 60 for the neck. How is the 85 bridge claen? Does it sound thick distorted?

I am loving Zakk's tone on the recent Ozzy CD.