Neck pickup with an EMG 85 in the bridge?

[JB_From_Hell]

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

Just swapped the Schecter around again, now it's 81/81. My first decent guitar when I was like 18 was a MIJ Jackson with two 81s, and I forgot how sick this combo is. When I have the 85 in the neck, the 81 seems lacking in the bridge. When it's a pair of 81s, I can't quit flipping the switch back and forth because both positions sound so great for everything.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

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

I do like the 85B/81N combo a lot, actually. The 81 is probably my favorite neck pickup for leads. It's so clear and focused yet liquid-y and relatively smooth. I just want to try something new, lol. I'm thinking something alnico would compliment the 85 in the bridge better.

I actually really like the 81 in the bridge too... as long as I don't compare it to anything else. Then, I realize it's REALLY tight almost to a flaw. I like a little bit more bottom-end from my bridge pickup. Then again, it works in a mix really well.

 

[Jack_TriPpEr]

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.

The clipping might not be noticed when doing dirt/distortion tones. I noticed the clipping when trying to dial in super clean tones with the X series and normal series.

 

[Techy Beccy]

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

My boyfriend plays moslty all EMG.. Ive tried most of the ones you mention, the 60/81 is pretty popular. I was using the 57/66 set too! I think their pickups all sound good!

 

[Rex_Rocker]

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

At long last I got the 85 and 81 installed in my guitar. I'm running the 81 in the neck for now, and while I do like it, I wouldn't mind something a bit smoother and with a better clean tone. It's got a great lead tone, but I feel something a bit warmer might pair with the 85 a bit better. I like the complete lack of mud in the lows with the 81, though.

 

[oilpit]

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

I wouldn't mind something a bit smoother and with a better clean tone. It's got a great lead tone, but I feel something a bit warmer might pair with the 85 a bit better. I like the complete lack of mud in the lows with the 81, though.

The regular 60 has got a similar clarity to the 81 but way, way, less aggressive, it's almost got the EQ of a Jazz neck.

The 60A is exactly what you are describing, and pairs perfectly with the 85b, and is the best sounding set of EMGs :lmao:

 

[JB_From_Hell]

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

What do you think of the 85/81 together for cleans?

I’ve been tweaking the hell out of my metal tones, and realized the 81 sounds awesome with all of them. While I really like the DiMarzios in my Ibanez 7 and 8, I just scored an 81-7/707 set on Reverb for $75. Gonna route out the 7, and if it sounds as good as the Schecter with the 81, I’ll be getting the 8 string version as well.

And then, of course, I’ll have to get the 808, and the 7 and 8 string versions of the 85...

 

[ColeJustesen]

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

I have tried all the standard EMGs and was always a fan of the 81/60 setup. The 60A is a great pickup, but I personally prefer the ceramic model for the neck position more. I love the 60 and it was my go to for the neck with any EMG in the bridge (85 included). However recently I took a chance on the 58 and it is now my favorite neck model from EMG. It is warm, but really clear. I figured that it would complement an 81 thanks to its alnico magnet and steel rails, which it does. I love it so much I reached out to EMG to inquire about a 7 string version. They don't have one, but I was informed there could possibly be a chance to have one custom made. If so, I am totally going to buy it.

Cole

 

[Rex_Rocker]

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

Thanks a lot for the replies!

I found this comparison video. Definitely not digging how the 66 sounds in it, so I guess that rules that pickup out. Way too Duncan Jazz-ish for my taste.

I have tried all the standard EMGs and was always a fan of the 81/60 setup. The 60A is a great pickup, but I personally prefer the ceramic model for the neck position more. I love the 60 and it was my go to for the neck with any EMG in the bridge (85 included). However recently I took a chance on the 58 and it is now my favorite neck model from EMG. It is warm, but really clear. I figured that it would complement an 81 thanks to its alnico magnet and steel rails, which it does. I love it so much I reached out to EMG to inquire about a 7 string version. They don't have one, but I was informed there could possibly be a chance to have one custom made. If so, I am totally going to buy it.

Interesting. How would you describe the 58? I'm very curious about that pickup. I wonder, does it have more low-end than the 81? I definitely don't want more low-end than the 81 right now, which is what I love about it, hence why I'm not looking at the 85/85 set. How would you compare the 58 and the 60A?

What do you think of the 85/81 together for cleans?

It's a cool tone. It's a bit wiry, but I like it. Honestly, I'm not in a hurry to get rid of the 81. It has a cool tone. I just wish there was something a bit warmer and more alnico-sounding for both leads and cleans in the neck. I absolutely love how tight and controlled the low-end is with this combo compared to the passives which I was running, especially with my Krank. I don't have to have the low-end control rolled down to like 2 anymore, lol.

 

[ColeJustesen]

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

I have only had the 58 in one tuning, Drop B, and only in the neck. It replaced the 60 which sounded great in that tuning too. I wouldn't call it darker than the 81, but it probably has deeper lows due to the resonant frequency (1.53 kHz). For reference the 81 has a resonant frequency of 1.63 kHz, the 60 at 2.20 kHz, and the 60A at 1.80 kHz. While it might be the lowest resonant frequency, I think the combination of the Alnico magnet and steel rails lends itself to have deeper lows with a certain clarity and openness that the 60 and 60A can't achieve. I feel the 60 and 60A are a bit tighter in response, where the 58 is a bit more dynamic. According to EMG, the 58 was supposed to have some P90 flavor to it - that I couldn't tell you (as I have only played humbucker sized P90s), however it responds like the humbucker sized P90s in my Yamaha Revstar RSP20CR I put in it. I can't really compare the 58 to the 60A, because I had a 60A awhile ago. That said, I compared it to the 60 at the time and I remember feeling a bit underwhelmed with the 60A. Not that it was bad, but the 60 just worked better in the neck of my guitar at the time. I hope that helps, and isn't clear as mud.

Cole

 

[Rex_Rocker]

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

Just thought I'd give you guys an update rather than making another thread.

So far, I like the 81 in the neck the best paired with the 85 in the bridge... but I'm not 100% sold.

I really dig the 60's openness and sparkle. It's the perfect neck pickup to pair with an 81 in the bridge, IMO. It's sparkly, yet focused. It's bright but not overly thin. But paired with the 85... nah. It's the lowest output EMG I have at hand. I feel it's almost on the edge of being a bit underpowered, and I have a similar problem as I do with the JB/Jazz set (but to a much lesser extent): The JB is too strong for the Jazz (IMO). The 60 isn't quite as low output as the Jazz, obviously, but I prefer something a bit stronger with my high output bridge pickups, especially considering the 85 in the bridge seems more powerful than the 81. I'm more of a Black Winter Neck than an SH-1N/SH-2N kinda guy.

I dig the 85's power and smoothness in the neck, but I find it's a bit bloated when playing stuff down low in the fretboard. It's not muddy, mind you, just a bit too chunky and slightly dark, which is great high up the fretboard, I won't lie. I see why people like it, but it's not the right pickup for me. It almost is, and I like it better than the 60, but not quite. I was actually surprised with its clean tone, TBH. It's strong and warm, but not as muddy as I thought it was going to be.

I dig the 81's power, which is not as strong as the 85's, but it's definitely more than the 60's. The EQ curve is a good compromise between the 85 and 60. It's not quite as sparkly as the 60, but it's way less boomy than the 85. I must say, though, clean, it's my least favorite, TBH. It almost feels like it *wants* to be overdriven. But for leads, it's a good compromise, and I play high-gain leads more than I play cleans.

I really wanted to give the 60A a try, but seeing as the 60 is *almost* on the edge of being slightly weak, I fear the 60A could be a little weaker even with the Alnico magnet.

I guess the 89 should be the next stop. I've read it's brighter and less fat than the 85, and it has the single coil mode which I'm sure would make it a great clean neck pickup.

 

[InbredJunk]

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

Try a 66. Kind of a mix between an 85 and 60. Dont let videos discourage you from trying this one out.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

 

[Rex_Rocker]

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

Try a 66. Kind of a mix between an 85 and 60. Dont let videos discourage you from trying this one out.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

How powerful is the 66? I hope it's a bit more powerful than the 60.

 

[InbredJunk]

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

It is a bit hotter than a 60. Almost as hot as an 81

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

 

[Rex_Rocker]

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

Interesting. Thanks!