Question For Metal Guitarists that Use Active P'ups......

[bagouser]

Can anyone tell me the tonal/gain differences between an EMG 81/85 set and a Duncan Blackout set? I've never messed with active pickups and I usually like less aggressive HBs, but I like to have a pallette of different sounds and I'm considering trying some actives in a new "metal" styled guitar..........

You see, I tried some EMGs a few years back and I absolutley hated them. I want to make sure that the Duncan Blackouts arent the same.
I drop tune CGCFAD and use a 100 watt Marshall head thru a 4X12 and either a Boss Blues Driver or Boss Mega Distortion pedal......
Can anyone compare the EMGs and Blackouts?
thanks dudes..........

 

[metalmachine]

Re: Question For Metal Guitarists that Use Active P'ups......

blackouts = higher output, thicker, less compressed, less sterile emg. i hate the emg 81 and i love the blackouts. especially with the neck in the bridge position

 

[SrDeMaFp]

Re: Question For Metal Guitarists that Use Active P'ups......

Blackouts sound more "open" to my ears. Kinda like a passive but, dead silent. I love both Blackouts and EMG's. I don't get all the active hate. Then again I'm not using them to play jazz or anything like that. :lol:

 

[dominus]

Re: Question For Metal Guitarists that Use Active P'ups......

I like the EMG-81, Blackout AHB2, and both the Dimarzio D-Activators. I do hear slight differences in all of them, but they're all *metal* pickups.

 

[apj]

Re: Question For Metal Guitarists that Use Active P'ups......

blackouts = higher output, thicker, less compressed, less sterile emg. i hate the emg 81 and i love the blackouts. especially with the neck in the bridge position

I'd really like to try that (Blackout neck in the bridge). To me actives really do sound good based on how you are using them. Yes they may not sound as warm or dynamic as passives but I've never heard anything hold clarity under gain like the 81. Similarly, the 85 can do moderate gain quite well where the 81 can't so they both really have a variety of uses.

 

[Petrovsk Mizinski]

Re: Question For Metal Guitarists that Use Active P'ups......

Blackouts aren't as tight sounding, at least not the 6 string versions.
Personally, I love mine (7 string BOs). Great cleans and great high gain.
They do sound quite EMG-ish.
Some people that hated EMGs love BOs, others, like myself, wanted them because they wanted essentially a less compressed EMG.
I play everything from pop rock to modern technical death metal, and the Blackouts can cut it for everything I do.

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: Question For Metal Guitarists that Use Active P'ups......

I'll chime in and say that I love EMG's and hate the Blackouts - muddy, overgained, overhyped, harsh things, at best.

If I want passive qualities, I get a passive pickup.

That said, the only passive humbucker I really like in the bridge is the Alt8... every other passive I'm into is a single coil.

 

[metalmachine]

Re: Question For Metal Guitarists that Use Active P'ups......

i dont hate actives i hate the emg 81. just like like passives but some i hate

 

[bagouser]

Re: Question For Metal Guitarists that Use Active P'ups......

So are you guys saying that the Blackouts are not as "fake sounding" as EMGs?

 

[metalmachine]

Re: Question For Metal Guitarists that Use Active P'ups......

yes i am..... they still sound like actives but not as digital i guess. in comparison to..... emgs are like a multi effects floor unit and the blackouts are like a high end modeler amp with pre amp tubes

 

[D-EJ915]

Re: Question For Metal Guitarists that Use Active P'ups......

They are just like EMGs but with more highs, bass and output. Whether or not they sound fake to you or not I dunno but EMGs just sound dry to me and these are less dry sounding.

 

[The_Sentry]

Re: Question For Metal Guitarists that Use Active P'ups......

Hahaha....I don't even play metal and I like the Blackouts....(so much I dumped them into 2 of my guitars.)

The EMGs just sounded...flat compared to the Blackouts. Not as much midrange, and I never felt I could get the same amount of dynamics out of those. This is important for me because I am NOT a metal player at all...(more akin to raunchy rock and roll.) I always liked the active pickups because of the presence and sustain they have when it comes to playing cleanly.

I really like the Blackouts. Granted, I think there's room for improvement on the product, but they're still great pickups...and probably the best active pickups on the market right now.

 

[Curt]

Re: Question For Metal Guitarists that Use Active P'ups......

the EMG X series beats the blackouts and the classic EMG's by far, in my experience.

 

[The_Sentry]

Re: Question For Metal Guitarists that Use Active P'ups......

the EMG X series beats the blackouts and the classic EMG's by far, in my experience.

:thanks:

Question, if I may: What kind of style do you play (for the most part) Curt?

 

[Curt]

Re: Question For Metal Guitarists that Use Active P'ups......

:thanks:

Question, if I may: What kind of style do you play (for the most part) Curt?

for the most part, i play metal.

think In Flames and that kind of style.

but I often play jazz, blues, classic rock, and alt rock as well.

they've got the open, more "passive like" sound of the blackouts, but with a tighter more clear low end, less harsh treble and all that. but the midrange is lowered just a little bit from the blackouts. but still sufficient.

I have the 81x/60x set and the 60x is great for cleans. it's my favorite pickup for cleans.

I also have an 85x/81x (b/n)
and 85x/85x

the 85x/60x would be the most versatile.

 

[The_Sentry]

Re: Question For Metal Guitarists that Use Active P'ups......

Thanks. That sounds nice, but tbh I like having more midrange punch and less compression in my overall tone. I'm also using them in Les Pauls so too much low end doesn't really do much for me.

They do seem to be a nice alternative to the Blackouts, though...and I will give EMG this (in spades)...

No knock against Seymour Duncan, but as far as their prefabricated harnesses and solderless system they make the installation and upgrades a snap. I really hope SD follows suit....and I hope it ain't costing you guys some potential sales.....

:scratchch: