emg's

[gtg10k]

i recently put a jb into the bridge of my lp. it works good for metal but good be better. i realized i want my guitar to be a pure metal guitar ( i play stuff like metallica, iron maiden, killswitch engage, and some guns n roses) so i dont really need versatility or cleans, just great powerful distortion. i dont have any exprience with the 81/85 combo or any actives for that matter. im wondering if switching to the zw combo will make a greater difference in sound.

o and i also want clearer more present pinch harmonics and meaner more agressive palm mutes.

 

[some_dude]

Re: emg's

o and i also want clearer more present pinch harmonics and meaner more agressive palm mutes.

An 85/81 combo would definatly do that.

I had a JB in my guitar...it was a great pickup but it just didn't do it for me when it came to heavy palm mutes....the 81 was a big improvement in that department IMO.

I normally recommend the 60/81 for rhythm players and 85/81 for lead players, but by the sounds of it you're looking at lead. The 81 does some pretty good pinches, but the 85 is absolutely killer in that department.

 

[poopsmith921]

Re: emg's

81s cannot be beat for metal, heavy palm mutes, etc. Thats why zakk wylde, metallica, dillinger escape plan, slayer, atreyu, madball, agnostic front, etc etc etc use them.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: emg's

If metal is what you're after, you won't be disappointed by the 81/85 combo. Make sure you try them both ways (81 bridge/85 neck & 85 bridge/81 neck) as both have definite advantages.

 

[gtg10k]

Re: emg's

can you get chrome covered emgs?

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: emg's

They do have the EMG 25 which is a anniversary edition of the 81 that has a chrome cover and some circuit looking etching on the top... pretty cool looking I think...

 

[lex666]

Re: emg's

EMG 81's should be perfect for what your looking for... For a metal sound like metallica or slayer, they can't be beat.

 

[sosomething]

Re: emg's

I have the 81/85 set in an SG, but I found in that guitar it sounds much better to switch them around with the 81 in the neck and 85 at the bridge. Palm mutes and pinch harmonics are just brutal, but surprisingly I get a nice clean tone out of the 81 as well.

 

[HarrisonDavid]

Re: emg's

About the ONLY thing I don't like about EMGs is they just don't look cool. Though it's not about the looks anyhow. With EMGS you can also get less interference from computer monitors and other electronics right? If I was getting EMGS I would go with the 85/81 with 85Bridge 81Neck also.

OFF TOPIC
I have been thinking of getting some Lawrences but I sure getting the run around with the kind of pots I got in my Les Paul. I couldn't tell you what they are....and the 500xl requires 500k pots.

That said I have never changed a Pick up before and that ZW set looks good right now as they come with all the pots and things you need to get r dun!

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: emg's

I had an EMG 60 set in my Hamer and they could get pretty brutal through my V-Twin. If you want a clear neck tone, I'd go with a 60 or 60A and pair it with an 85 or 81 at the bridge.

BTW, what kind of amp are you playing?

 

[MikeS]

Re: emg's

Hmm, I haven't had any trouble getting great palm mutes out of my JB. The JB isn't as brutal as the 81, but it is every bit as clear, IMO. Much better lead tone than the 81 as well, again, IMO.

That said, I've used the 81 in the bridge and both the 60 and 85 in the neck. The 81's metal rhythm tones are very tough to beat. Very clear, crisp, with amazing attack. In the neck I found that I prefered the 60 to the 85. It gave me a little more versatility since it cleaned up much better than the 85n cleans, which I did not find usable at all. The 60 also has a great singing lead tone. It's not as hot and brutal as the 85n, but IMO it's a much more musical pickup.