So I bought the Zakk Wylde Set...

[TDevilG]

And I'm going to be placing it in my Jackson SLSMG Soloist. It's got a volume knob, a tone knob, and a five-piece switch.

The people at Guitar Center, and the general opinion of Harmonycentral.com reviewers, believe that the best setup is placing the EMG81 in the Neck and the 85 in the bridge....that makes sense.


However, over at emginc.com the general presumption is to go with Zakk Wyldes Bullseye LP setup: An 85 in the neck and an 81 in the bridge.

My Question is, in your personal opinion, which pickup should go where? Also, because it's a five piece switch, which would probably sound the best?


And finally...I know this is an incredibly stupid question, so forgive my "newbie" experience....but with a switch like this, does it mean that, when placed in the middle, the tone is that of both the 81 and the 85 together, and when you go towards the respective pickup it gains more and more of that specific pickup tone?


Thanks for the help guys.

 

[some_dude]

Re: So I bought the Zakk Wylde Set...

When I used that setup, I used an 85 in the neck and an 81 in the bridge.

I'd replace your 5-way with a 3-way if you can.

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: So I bought the Zakk Wylde Set...

Most people run the 81 in the bridge and the 85 in the neck... Though the 85 does sound good in the bridge too... I havent ever put a 81 in the neck of a guitar so that I cant really state an opinion on...

 

[Kac]

Re: So I bought the Zakk Wylde Set...

81 = Bridge
85= Neck
Rock On... hmm I also say, try to put in a 3 way switch.

 

[Xeromus]

Re: So I bought the Zakk Wylde Set...

rule #1: Employees at guitar center rarely know what they are talking about, they might as well be monkeys, never take advice from them.

rule #2: 81 in the bridge and 85 in the neck for that set. That's what I used and I liked it.

 

[TDevilG]

Re: So I bought the Zakk Wylde Set...

"rule #1: Employees at guitar center rarely know what they are talking about, they might as well be monkeys, never take advice from them. "


So true! I figure I would just throw that out because thats not the only time I heard of such a setup. I'm not THAT new to guitars to recognize their stupidity


Is it really necessary to convert it to a 3? Would it make that much of a difference?

 

[\m/(00)\m/]

Re: So I bought the Zakk Wylde Set...

81 in the bridge and 85 in neck

actually, i like 81 in enck and bridge.

 

[3'scompany]

Re: So I bought the Zakk Wylde Set...

You need a 3 way switch because you aren't able to split the coils of these emg pickups. That would be the only reason you'd want a 5 way switch, to be splitting I'm assuming. I had a prs custom 22 that I put an 81 (bridge) and 85 (neck) in and I had to remove the stock 5 way switch (for more than one reason) and put in a 3 way. Just do the 3 way, it'll make it much easier and practical.

 

[HarrisonDavid]

Re: So I bought the Zakk Wylde Set...

The current trend with the metalcore is the 85 in the bridge because it has more mids...Two bands off the top of my head Killswitch and Shadows fall use the 85 in the bridge position. You can also throw in Bjorn from In Flames. 85 in bridge and neck. More mids and also keeps a better sound in a low tuning I think....

 

[ls1ashley]

Re: So I bought the Zakk Wylde Set...

The traditional way is 85 Neck, 81 Bridge, just like everyone is saying. Although you can do whatever you want, like HarrisonDavid said, people are starting to get into the 85 more. Before it was all about the 81.

 

[Travis]

Re: So I bought the Zakk Wylde Set...

Are you sure that the SLSMG doesn't have a 3-way blade switch in it? I seem to remember that they did.

 

[jmh151]

Re: So I bought the Zakk Wylde Set...

I bought the EMG Zack Wylde set for my les Paul custom, and my preference is the 85 in the bridge. In that particular guitar the 85 neck was just too bassy, and 81 too thin for the bridge. The 81 neck is OK, but I'm looking for a good deal on an EMG 60 for the neck.

Truthfully, if you just buy the Zack Wylde set, iwth EMG's quick connectors on the pickups it's easy enough to swap the 81 and 85 arounnd in a matter of minutes- just loosen your strings, unscrew the pickup mounting rings of each, swap the 2 pickups (assuming the mounting rings are the same, or you'll have to switch the rings as well), screw them back to the body, and tune up. Since it's easy enough to do, just try it yourself and use your judgement rather than rely on what everyone else does, as I notice EMG's sound different in each guitar.

 

[ztevie]

Re: So I bought the Zakk Wylde Set...

I've got a 81 in the bridge and a 89 in the neck. The 89 is supposedly a 85 with splitting options.
I think the main reason to why people don't want to put the 81 in the bridge is because it is supposed to be too bright... I have not experienced that. Sure, it's brighter than the 89/85 but I like the bite it has in the bridge, and for me it's not too bright..
I've got a Schecter C1+ with mahogany body, it could be brighter with your guitar though, I don't know...

But as said: Try it for yourself, it's easy with the quick connect thingies. It's not that easy for me, the 89's got a different connection than the 81.

 

[some_dude]

Re: So I bought the Zakk Wylde Set...

The current trend with the metalcore is the 85 in the bridge because it has more mids...Two bands off the top of my head Killswitch and Shadows fall use the 85 in the bridge position. You can also throw in Bjorn from In Flames. 85 in bridge and neck. More mids and also keeps a better sound in a low tuning I think....

I figured they were using the 85 as it had more bass to it.

I use an 60/81 setup in my Paul, it's great all around but shines for metal. I use an 85 in my detuned Strat...it has a great heavy rhythm sound, but it's not as thrashy in my opinion....I've yet to try it in a band, but I could see it getting lost in the mix easier.

 

[some_dude]

Re: So I bought the Zakk Wylde Set...

I think the main reason to why people don't want to put the 81 in the bridge is because it is supposed to be too bright... I have not experienced that.

Brightness is nothing that can't be dealt with. I generally run my bridge tone down around 7 to calm the pickup down a bit.

 

[Leveller]

Re: So I bought the Zakk Wylde Set...

That's strange my SLSMG has a three way switch... And yes I'm positive

 

[HarrisonDavid]

Re: So I bought the Zakk Wylde Set...

I figured they were using the 85 as it had more bass to it.

I use an 60/81 setup in my Paul, it's great all around but shines for metal. I use an 85 in my detuned Strat...it has a great heavy rhythm sound, but it's not as thrashy in my opinion....I've yet to try it in a band, but I could see it getting lost in the mix easier.

I know in Guitar world Magazine June 2004. (Metal Shop Column) Donais answers the question.


Fan from Austin,
In the Vulgar Display of power piece on your setup that ran April 2004, it said that you use an EMG 85 pickup in the bridge position and an EMG 81 in the neck. Is that a typo? I've always read about players like Zakk Wylde using that pairing the other way around, the 81 in the bridge and the 85 in the neck. Please clarify. I'm confused!

Donais
No, it wasn't a typo. I do use and EMG85 in the bridge and an 81 Neck. You're right though, most guys like Zakk, for example do the exact opposite. I did this because, as you may remember from one of our earlier columns, I like to have quite a lot midrange in my tone, in contrast to some modern metal players who insist on "scooping out" all their mids. Knowing my preference for mids, my guitar tech, Willie G. suggested placing the 85 in the bridge position because it has more mids than the 81. So I tried it, and he was right it cuts through, and the 81 sounds good in the neck position, too. I've since discovered that some other players, like our friends in Killswitch engage, do the same thing too for the exact same reasons.

If you haven't heard this dude play you gotta check out his leads and tone!! I met these guys they are stand up dudes too. No egos there.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: So I bought the Zakk Wylde Set...

I'd definitely use a 85 bridge and 81 neck. The bassier pup goes to the bridge always, IMO. It's becoming the trend around where I move and people talk about emgs.

You don't need a 5-way for anything, you can't split a 81 or a 85. Only 89, IIRC.

 

[HarrisonDavid]

Re: So I bought the Zakk Wylde Set...

Cool your from Finland! My grandfather was Finnish. Where Im from we have alot of Finnish people. Mostly Fisherman, and Millworkers. Anyways I think the Finnish music scene right now is churning out some of the best bands I have ever heard. My grandfathers last name is Takko. Was shortened by his grandfather. Used to be Takkunen. I think not sure.

 

[vinterland]

Re: So I bought the Zakk Wylde Set...

Cool your from Finland! My grandfather was Finnish. Where Im from we have alot of Finnish people. Mostly Fisherman, and Millworkers. Anyways I think the Finnish music scene right now is churning out some of the best bands I have ever heard. My grandfathers last name is Takko. Was shortened by his grandfather. Used to be Takkunen. I think not sure.

Finland has so much talent coming out of it, its scary.