What are the tonal differences between emg 60 and 60a?

AmirH · Mar 12, 2006

Considering trading my 81 for one of these two in the neck position of my sg. I've found the 85 basically covers almost everything the 81 can but sounds bigger and more musical doing it. I did a search but couldn't find very much info on the 60a- though many have said the 60 has a great clean and shred tone. Could some of you chime in and compare/contrast the two?

AmirH · Mar 13, 2006

Re: What are the tonal differences between emg 60 and 60a?

Nobody? Even if you've only had experience with one maybe you could describe it for me. That way I can compare the descriptions. All I've really been able to find about the 60a so far is that it's got a smooth lead sound, and according to the only harmony-central review it's warmer...

daemon barbeque · Mar 13, 2006

Re: What are the tonal differences between emg 60 and 60a?

60 has a ceramic magnet and the 60 a an alnico 5 magnet.if you like to buy for the neck position ,buy the 60a.it will be warmer and more musical.For the bridge position i prefer the 60.More aggresiv still clear and musical!!!

daemon barbeque · Mar 13, 2006

Re: What are the tonal differences between emg 60 and 60a?

i did not hear a big difference in high gain settings.But with lower gain ,or with half way volume/tone knob is a big difference.60a is not good for shredding anyway.less focused and tight.But better blues/jazz tone .Warmer clean ,an alittle bit "full"er than 60.
If i go with emg . i would buy 60 bridge and 60a for the neck.

AmirH · Mar 14, 2006

Re: What are the tonal differences between emg 60 and 60a?

Ah ok, so basically the 60 is tighter but has a less desirable jazz/blues tone? If they sound that similar under gain wouldn't they both have a bad shred tone? Or do they react differently- like they sound similar but the 60 is just way more articulate under gain.

I guess if the 60a sounds that much better clean I could use the neck position for strictly lower gain- the 85 is plenty articulate for high gain on its own. hmm...Anyone else wanna chime in?

sufferinrewind · Mar 14, 2006

Re: What are the tonal differences between emg 60 and 60a?

I'm not exactly sure, because I don't use them myself (yet). But, if you like Metallica, then you should listen for James Hetfield's neck pickup. He uses the 60. If you don't like it, then you probably won't like either. If you do like it, go for it. If you feel it's lacking in some areas that the 60a could do better in from what's been described to you, then maybe you should go for that instead.

I hope this helps. I'll try to get some more information on artists using that particular pickup for reference.

Here's what I found. I hope this'll help you at least a little bit:

Joe Fraulob - Danzig (85/60)
Greg Tribbett - Mudvayne (81/60)
Jim Root and Mick Thompson - Slipknot (81/60)
Dave Kushner - Velvet Revolver (60/81)

ranalli · Mar 14, 2006

Re: What are the tonal differences between emg 60 and 60a?

I haven't tried the 60A but the 60 is my favorite neck pickup ever....period. I find that it has the best cleans because it has some of the chimey-ness of a single-coil but the warmth and beef of a humbucker. While neither being shrill like a single coil nor boomy like a full-on humbuker. It also handles lower gain tones very well as well has high gain ones. There's no reason this pickup couldn't do shred in the neck. It's very warm yet clear. I always hesitate to say this or that pickup is *perfect* but this one is the closest I've had so far.

I can't comment on the 60A but I find I have enough warm in my 60 and wouldn't want to lose any clarity( if that's the case ). But I'd still give it a shot at some point anyway.

Benjy_26 · Mar 14, 2006

Re: What are the tonal differences between emg 60 and 60a?

60 was pretty cool in the neck of my Hamer. It's clean, clear, and has plenty of balls for metal and heavy rock.

AmirH · Mar 14, 2006

Re: What are the tonal differences between emg 60 and 60a?

Cool. I found some clips of the 60a on someone's band page last night. Just comparing to the cleans on Master of Puppets- it sounded a little less focused, and more open to my ears. I liked his overdrive tone a *lot.* Sounds like the 60 is the safe choice though. Only thing I'm still kinda debating is how my guitar will affect it. It's fairly cold sounding, which is why I waaay preferred the 85 in the bridge I think. Maybe I should see about getting both and then returning whichever sounds worse.

sufferinrewind · Mar 14, 2006