Neck pickup with an EMG 85 in the bridge?

[Rex_Rocker]

I'm getting a set of EMG ZW's in a trade this weekend. I think the 81 is OK in the bridge position, but I've been spoiled by the low-end chunk that I get from passives that the 81 simply does not have, so I'm probably going to be using the 85 in the bridge position for a guitar I have in mind. I know I do like the 81 in the neck for leads, but not for cleans. I also kinda want to try something new in the neck position. I like the 60 on its own, but I feel it works better with the 81 in the bridge, and it's a bit too bright and dry to work as a set with the chunky/smooth 85. Like I said, I wanna try something I haven't tried before too.

So what should I try? What are you guys' recommendations? I'm thinking about the 89R, but I don't know if I'll dislike it, since I'm usually not a fan of the 85 in the neck. I do know the 89 is slightly less bloated and not as hot in humbucker mode, though, and it has the single coil mode. I'm also thinking about the 66, but I don't have much info on it. Every review tends to focus on the 57, rather, but I don't know how the 66 compares to other EMG's in the neck. Not much info on the 58 either. The one I'm leaning towards the most is the 60A, though, because it probably has all I like about the regular 60, but makes it work a bit better with the 85 in the bridge.

Is there anything else I should be looking at?

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Neck pickup with an EMG 85 in the bridge?

My Schecter C1 Platinum came with the 81/85. I swapped them, and LOVE the results. Like you, I’m not thrilled with the 81’s neck cleans, but I think the middle position clean is awesome. Very jazzy and clear. Cleans aren’t my focus with this guitar, and the way the 81 handles heavy tones for tiffing in the neck makes it a keeper for me.

Maybe try running them at 18v and see what that does? Also, I’ve heard lots of good things about the alnico version of the 60.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Neck pickup with an EMG 85 in the bridge?

Oh, yeah, I was planning on running them on at 24V with a little harness I made for two of those tiny 12V batteries.

 

[oilpit]

Re: Neck pickup with an EMG 85 in the bridge?

My choice would be the 60a. The 85/60a is the only set of active pickups that I like, but they're killer

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Neck pickup with an EMG 85 in the bridge?

Just for fun, I swapped the 81 and 85 again. Maybe it’s all the Slayer and Exodus I’ve been listening to, but the 81 bridge was sounding awfully good tonight.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Neck pickup with an EMG 85 in the bridge?

Oh, yeah, the 81 is great for sure. I'm keeping it around because it's like the 20th 81 I've had, lol. I keep selling them and coming back to them eventually. But I think I'm more of an 85 guy these days.

Thanks for the replies, dudes.

 

[Toejam]

Re: Neck pickup with an EMG 85 in the bridge?

The only way I can use EMGs is with the 85 in the bridge and either a 60 or 81 in the neck.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Neck pickup with an EMG 85 in the bridge?

The only way I can use EMGs is with the 85 in the bridge and either a 60 or 81 in the neck.

Have you tried the 60A? Or the 89?

 

[Toejam]

Re: Neck pickup with an EMG 85 in the bridge?

I've not tried the 60A. A friend had the 89 which was really nice... just the 85 with the splitting capabilities of going to the SA single.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Neck pickup with an EMG 85 in the bridge?

Rex, have you tried the regular Blackouts? Like you, I think I’m more of an 85 guy. Would rather get feedback from another EMG fan.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Neck pickup with an EMG 85 in the bridge?

Rex, have you tried the regular Blackouts? Like you, I think I’m more of an 85 guy. Would rather get feedback from another EMG fan.

Just the AHB-1B.

The preamp has more headroom, so it doesn't clip nearly as much as the EMG's preamp. It has noticeably more output than anything EMG I've tried except for the Het Bridge. Technically, it has more output than the Het running at 9V because the preamp has more headroom, but if you 18V-mod the Het, you get in the ballpark. It has more low and high-end than anything in the EMG range at 9 or 18V, even the 85, so in that respect, it's more passive-like, but also looser. Overall, however, I wouldn't say it's extremely passive-like, because it has tons of output and it's got this "boosted" kinda feel.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Neck pickup with an EMG 85 in the bridge?

Thanks, man.

Does the fact that this discussion is revolving around EMGs answer my next obvious question?

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Neck pickup with an EMG 85 in the bridge?

I guess the question is not that obvious to me, lol. Is it if I like EMG's better? I do like EMG's better.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Neck pickup with an EMG 85 in the bridge?

Yep, that was it.

I see Blackout sets for around $100, but nothing about the General “looser and more bassy” description makes me think I’ll like them. I think I’m looking for an 85 that cuts like an 81.

But back on topic, have you ever tried any of the EMG boosters? The SPC is really cool.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Neck pickup with an EMG 85 in the bridge?

I see Blackout sets for around $100, but nothing about the General “looser and more bassy” description makes me think I’ll like them. I think I’m looking for an 85 that cuts like an 81.

But back on topic, have you ever tried any of the EMG boosters? The SPC is really cool.

It seems like you'd like the 57. The 57 is a good middle ground between the 81 and 85 both in cut and chunk, but it's a tiny bit less compressed than both. It seems like the splittable versions of the 81 and 85 (81TW and 89) are more middle-of-the-road too. I have not tried the 89, but I've read it's tighter and brighter than the 85. I have had the 81TW, and it's chunkier and fatter than the 81.

I have not tried the boosts. I'd love to try the one that comes with the Alexi set.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Neck pickup with an EMG 85 in the bridge?

Local guy is selling a 57 and Fishman Modern ceramic. Think I’m gonna grab both.

 

[Ascension]

Re: Neck pickup with an EMG 85 in the bridge?

I'm getting a set of EMG ZW's in a trade this weekend. I think the 81 is OK in the bridge position, but I've been spoiled by the low-end chunk that I get from passives that the 81 simply does not have, so I'm probably going to be using the 85 in the bridge position for a guitar I have in mind. I know I do like the 81 in the neck for leads, but not for cleans. I also kinda want to try something new in the neck position. I like the 60 on its own, but I feel it works better with the 81 in the bridge, and it's a bit too bright and dry to work as a set with the chunky/smooth 85. Like I said, I wanna try something I haven't tried before too.

So what should I try? What are you guys' recommendations? I'm thinking about the 89R, but I don't know if I'll dislike it, since I'm usually not a fan of the 85 in the neck. I do know the 89 is slightly less bloated and not as hot in humbucker mode, though, and it has the single coil mode. I'm also thinking about the 66, but I don't have much info on it. Every review tends to focus on the 57, rather, but I don't know how the 66 compares to other EMG's in the neck. Not much info on the 58 either. The one I'm leaning towards the most is the 60A, though, because it probably has all I like about the regular 60, but makes it work a bit better with the 85 in the bridge.

Is there anything else I should be looking at?

You are on the right track with the H60 A. I have one in a guitar with a 85 in the bridge and it is a really nice combo. The A stands for Alnico so both the 85 and the H60A have Alnico 5 mags they match well. I have been very pleased with this combo. The 89 is also not a bad match as would have a close to the SA tone split and is a lower out put milder 85 tone in full humbucking.

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

Re: Neck pickup with an EMG 85 in the bridge?

Just the AHB-1B.

The preamp has more headroom, so it doesn't clip nearly as much as the EMG's preamp....

That was my experience as well. And, the Blackouts had less clipping than the X series versions of the 81 and 85, in my experience.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Neck pickup with an EMG 85 in the bridge?

I didn't notice any clipping in the X series, personally. Not in the Blackout either, but the X series are supposed to have even more headroom than the 18V EMG's. I don't notice much clipping in the 18V EMG's either, personally. Except maybe in the Hets. Those suckers are pretty hot.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Neck pickup with an EMG 85 in the bridge?

I found this. I'm surprised the 60A is actually smoother than the 85. Definitely digging that 60A there.