Which EMG similar to '59 ??

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pookey

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I have a steinberger guitar with stock EMG "select" pickups that is rather bright sounding. I like the sound of the SD '59 humbuckers and I like the classic look of EMGs in the Steiny. Could someone suggest a "passive" EMG model that is similar to the SD '59 ??
 
Re: Which EMG similar to '59 ??

i have no experience with emg hzs. but i guess the 85 should sound closest to the 59 but with more output.
 
Re: Which EMG similar to '59 ??

What about an EMG '89? That is described as an EMG 85 and Single-Coil in one.
PAF and vintage single-coil.
 
Re: Which EMG similar to '59 ??

Inge Malmstein said:
What about an EMG '89? That is described as an EMG 85 and Single-Coil in one.
PAF and vintage single-coil.

Not passive, same with the 85.

My recommendation would be SD ´59s with black plastic covers for like a buck fifty each. Why compromise when you can have both ;)
 
Re: Which EMG similar to '59 ??

SD '59 with black plastic covers? Is that a custom order item from SD? I never saw one before.
 
Re: Which EMG similar to '59 ??

Zerberus said:
Not passive, same with the 85.

My recommendation would be SD ´59s with black plastic covers for like a buck fifty each. Why compromise when you can have both ;)

Good call :)
 
Re: Which EMG similar to '59 ??

Inge Malmstein said:
What about an EMG '89? That is described as an EMG 85 and Single-Coil in one.
PAF and vintage single-coil.

The 85 (or 89 in humbucker mode) is not PAF, but it's more traditional sounding than the 81. 60 would be closer IMO. Also the 89 in single mode is not at all vintage, it's an "SA" model and is pretty hi-fi sounding (same as used in the Gilmour DG20 set).

IMO HZ's blow, if you're going to go with passives why not get the real deal?
 
Re: Which EMG similar to '59 ??

Do a google search for "EMG Covers."

You can buy black covers to go over passive pickups.
 
Re: Which EMG similar to '59 ??

TattooedCarrot said:
The 85 (or 89 in humbucker mode) is not PAF, but it's more traditional sounding than the 81. 60 would be closer IMO. Also the 89 in single mode is not at all vintage, it's an "SA" model and is pretty hi-fi sounding (same as used in the Gilmour DG20 set).

IMO HZ's blow, if you're going to go with passives why not get the real deal?


I have a pair of 60's in my hamer and they do sound pretty good, but they're kind of hi-fi when compared to say, the Pearly Gates in my LP. With EMG's, everything sounds "clean" even the distortions (to my ear). It's not a bad sound, but it is different.
 
Re: Which EMG similar to '59 ??

i don't think you can find among the emg range something quite similar to the '59. Emg 85 has about.......three times the output of the '59........you'd better get a duncan '59 plus a plastic cover
 
Re: Which EMG similar to '59 ??

I would suggest the EMG 60A (alnico mag). It's a very nice and warm sounding pickup.

Regarding the black covers, that's a good idea too. I do the same thing with my guitars that have passive pickups (unless they are zebra pups :D). Here's a pic of my flying v with a 59 in both positions:
Dsc05792.jpg

Dsc05799.jpg
 
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