EMG vs EMG X comparison (audio)

[jkkkjkhk]

I got a new EMG 81 today so I decided to do a comparison of the original EMG 81 vs the new EMG 81X. There's a few videos on youtube comparing them but all of them are using the cameras mic and also using two different guitars, sometimes as different as floyded vs not, neck thru vs bolt on, and mahogany vs alder. Really awful comparisons and I don't even know why they wasted their time. I tried to be very thorough with mine. There's still more I could have done but it's more than enough to get the idea.

Currently I have dual EMG 81X's in my Jackson Rhoads Pro, so I recorded a clip of clean bridge, clean neck, heavy bridge, lead bridge, lead neck. Then I pulled the 81X and put in the 81 and did all the same tracks with same settings, just a different pickup. 2 of the tracks are double tracked rhythm. The others are all singles so you can hear what it would sound like solo'd. Also for the last track I pulled the active tone control which is required for the X series (instead of the passive that comes with the regular EMGs, also you can just pull it and then neither are needed).

Signal chain for the 6505+ tracks are the Jackson, Boss SD-1 as boost, 6505+, Boss NS2 in loop, direct out to MXR 6 band EQ, to 11R where I used a marshal 1960BV model w/v30s, SM57 on axis. For the non 6505+ tracks it's Jackson straight to 11R.

http://soundcloud.com/jkkkjkhk

Let me hear what you think.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: EMG vs EMG X comparison (audio)

I cannot get your sound clips to replay. (Probably the fault of my computer.)

IMO, the biggest difference between the regular and -X versions is in the dynamic range. I have found every -X variant that I have played has been more satisfying than the regular variant of the same name.

 

[jkkkjkhk]

Re: EMG vs EMG X comparison (audio)

I have it on a few other forums and no one else has had problems so yeah, must be your end. lol
But I found the difference to be so small that X vs non X wasn't even a big enough deal to care. The only difference I noticed was on cleans and that was only with a solo'd guitar. The regular was slightly louder with a tad more punch due to less headroom and more compression. With double tracking or a band in the mic then no one would ever hear a difference.


BUT I just did some messing around again and I hooked up the regular 81 back and forth between no tone pot and the passive tone pot. Without it the dynamic range is bigger, the frequency range is bigger, and there's quite a bit more gain. With the pot in the circuit the gain is significantly reduced. Not sure if this is normal but the tone pot between no tone, passive tone, and active tone seems to make a bigger difference than 81 vs 81X. This is just my experiences.

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: EMG vs EMG X comparison (audio)

Awesome clips, man!

The only difference I could hear is that the X just seemed a little less pushed. Dynamics didn't seem to increase. From what I heard, I prefer the 81 straight up.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[jkkkjkhk]

Re: EMG vs EMG X comparison (audio)

Yeah I didn't see a difference in dynamic range. Both clean up just fine when rolling the volume back as well. I'm pretty confused about the passive tone pot though, it sounds like there's a problem but I don't see how. Unless the tone knob itself is the problem.

 

[jkkkjkhk]

Re: EMG vs EMG X comparison (audio)

Found out my problem, just a stupid mistake. I hadn't fallen for this up till now, I accidentally had 2 wires cross on the tone pot. Now it works just fine, very little difference. Either way I'd say I prefer the regular 81 vs the X now.

 

[surface54]

Re: EMG vs EMG X comparison (audio)

def would say the 81Xs are more open in the upper mids, my ears like them alot more.

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Re: EMG vs EMG X comparison (audio)

Either way I'd say I prefer the regular 81 vs the X now.

Same here...it's more "in your face" sounding.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: EMG vs EMG X comparison (audio)

I ought to point out that, when it comes to EMG pickups, I am not the typical Metal/shred user. I tend to employ 6L6-powered valve amplifiers set with considerably less gain. (Think - boring old blues get.)