Passive pickup EMG 85

Rydock

Rydock

New member
Hey guys. What passive pickup sound close to the EMG 85 under gain. I did a search and found that people are saying the blackouts neck is similar to the 85 but louder, and more 'passive' sounding. That didn't help much. I'm basically looking for pickup that has similar tone characteristics as the 85, only without batteries.

So my main question is, what Duncan passive sounds closest to the 85? (other brands welcome to, but I just prefer SDs.)
 
Re: Passive pickup EMG 85

Hmmm...I wonder if the neck Dimarzio De-activator would sound like an EMG 85, as they are billed as "EMG" like with out batteries. Having played the both EMGs and BO's...I'd say the PATB-2...but its not the same sound. The PATB-2 is huge...broad...and pretty good output, but it lacks the "grind" of the BO neck or 85. I've also heard some good things about the Evolution neck in the bridge spot.
 
Re: Passive pickup EMG 85

Great replies guys. What do you guys think the Alternative 8 compares to the 85? Does it have that "grind?" Or other A8 pickups? I'd imagine the Full shred might have some of the 85's characteristics from things I've heard about it, but I don't have any experience with the FS or heard it before.
 
Re: Passive pickup EMG 85

Rydock said:
Great replies guys. What do you guys think the Alternative 8 compares to the 85? Does it have that "grind?" Or other A8 pickups? I'd imagine the Full shred might have some of the 85's characteristics from things I've heard about it, but I don't have any experience with the FS or heard it before.
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I'm trying to understand your position. So are you undecided between active and passive pickups or did you try actives and want something different? The reason I ask is because nothing is like active pickups except active pickups and the Dimarzio Activator.

Active pickups are outstanding in many ways, they sound good, they're clear & output is high. They are not noisy either. Big pluses. On the other hand I really like the sound of passive alnico pickups because it has flavor. I like ceramic pickups for high gain because they don't have that flavor to add to the distortion and they are clear and tight.

If you like how EMG pickups sound get them. Nothing wrong with actives bro. I think you should choose your pickups based on how you prefer to use them and the kind of guitar they are going into.
 
Re: Passive pickup EMG 85

Hmm. I think what I want out of a pickup is not the active sound, but just the way the 85 reacts under palm muting riffs and power chords. I think it's the Alnico 5 magnet that gives the 85 that distinct palm muted characteristic as opposed to ceramic magnets out there. I don't think the D activator is what I'm looking for.

The reason I want to use Duncans is because I have a hot rails in the neck that I don't want to change, but wished the bridge riff'd better. Also, I always run a tube screamer type of boost rather than straight to my amp, so I guess you guys can recommend pickups that tighten up infront of a boost. I don't mind using pedals to get the sound I'm looking for.

Mustaine-who described it as "grind" which is what I'm looking for. I was wondering if any of the A8 pickups had that too? Thanks guys!
 
Re: Passive pickup EMG 85

Rydock said:
Hmm. I think what I want out of a pickup is not the active sound, but just the way the 85 reacts under palm muting riffs and power chords. I think it's the Alnico 5 magnet that gives the 85 that distinct palm muted characteristic as opposed to ceramic magnets out there. I don't think the D activator is what I'm looking for.

The reason I want to use Duncans is because I have a hot rails in the neck that I don't want to change, but wished the bridge riff'd better. Also, I always run a tube screamer type of boost rather than straight to my amp, so I guess you guys can recommend pickups that tighten up infront of a boost. I don't mind using pedals to get the sound I'm looking for.

Mustaine-who described it as "grind" which is what I'm looking for. I was wondering if any of the A8 pickups had that too? Thanks guys!
Click to expand...

My conclusion is that you need the Duncan Distortion.
 
Re: Passive pickup EMG 85

Rydock said:
Mustaine-who described it as "grind" which is what I'm looking for. I was wondering if any of the A8 pickups had that too? Thanks guys!
Click to expand...


The most "grindy" I have found is the BO neck in the bridge. I would say the Alt 8 was the most grindy of the passives I have personally played (tho I did not like the Alt 8 as well). The Full Shred 8 was not grindy at all...just real angry!!

That's why I suggested the Evolution neck. I forum bro on here tried that, and he mentioned grindy.
 
Re: Passive pickup EMG 85

The Dimebucker is pretty grindy... also a Bill and Becky L-500XL would probably be a wise choice... A5, very hot, tight and great with palm mutes. Grind is kinda hard to understand... as to me an 85 to me sounds like an 81 only with a bit better balance and more lowend... which is kinda how the 500 sounds only better imho.
 
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