Zakk EMG 81/85 set

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Zakk EMG 81/85 set

I like the 81 thats in the Bridge, but so far i liked my SD 59' in the neck better than the 85.

The 85 sounds best with the tone knob rolled all the way off.

FWIW the Duncan SH-5 & 59 set i had in before can run with the best of them. I still have that combo in 2 other guitars.

Swap out that 85 for a 60, I think you'll like it better. The 60 is more round and bluesy, and not as sterile as the 85.

 

[Adieu]

Re: Zakk EMG 81/85 set

I bought an 18 volt harness, be here next week.

What for?

Just cut the clip to separate the (+) and (-), then buttjoin the 9v's and plug in the ends


That way if you dont like it or run out of spare batteries you can go back to 9v

 

[Bodeanicus]

Re: Zakk EMG 81/85 set

Cool. I've always wanted to sound like I'm playing through a 90's Crate Chorus half stack in the bottom of a well.

Sent from my KFGIWI using Tapatalk

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Zakk EMG 81/85 set

Cool. I've always wanted to sound like I'm playing through a 90's Crate Chorus half stack in the bottom of a well.

Please elaborate. I think it's a decent set, surely not bad enough to ruin the rest of the rig.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Zakk EMG 81/85 set

Please elaborate. I think it's a decent set, surely not bad enough to ruin the rest of the rig.

No, everybody who craps on EMG pickups for metal is right. It's not like 80 gazillion people love them, or if you step outside this bubble they're the standard for that type of music or anything.

I couldn't be less into that sound now, but way back when, the best sounding heavy tones I ever got was a Jackson with two 81s.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Zakk EMG 81/85 set

No, everybody who craps on EMG pickups for metal is right. It's not like 80 gazillion people love them, or if you step outside this bubble they're the standard for that type of music or anything.

I couldn't be less into that sound now, but way back when, the best sounding heavy tones I ever got was a Jackson with two 81s.

I never said they were great (I'm 95% sure they are identical to the standard models) but they certainly aren't bad enough to be worth digging up a several week old thread just to rag on them based off no more than speculation.

 

[JMP/HBE]

Re: Zakk EMG 81/85 set



81/85 is a heavy tone for sure. I love the Harmonic content of these pups, you can dig into notes anywhere on the neck & get pinch Harmonics.
So far im liking what i got.

 

[Bodeanicus]

Re: Zakk EMG 81/85 set

I was ragging on Wylde's sound, not EMG themselves.

Honestly, I don't have an opinion on the pickups. I don't buy guitars if I don't like they way they sound as-is, and I've never owned one that came with EMG's.

To each his own.

Please elaborate. I think it's a decent set, surely not bad enough to ruin the rest of the rig.

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[JMP/HBE]

Re: Zakk EMG 81/85 set

Ive wired my own pickup in every guitar ive bought for 40 years.

Ive never been happy with stock pups on a guitar and who would given all the crappy stock pickups floating around.

A Jackson with "duncan designed" pups ... really. "Duncan Designed" is code word for "really crappy pickups".

"EMGhz" .... thats code for "really crappy EMG".

Ibanez Inf same deal.

But wait theres more .... 40 years more.

 

[dave74]

Re: Zakk EMG 81/85 set

I still like the EMG standard sets better at 9v.
18v makes them stiffer and dryer but they lose some of the thick juicy compression and harmonics.

 

[RorySquier]

Re: Zakk EMG 81/85 set

I think the EMG 81/85 set are one of the best pick ups around and simply great sounding. I have them in my black Jackson King V guitar and they sound killer.



;>)/

 

[JMP/HBE]

Re: Zakk EMG 81/85 set

Its been a couple weeks with the 18 volts, it really opens up the set & un-compresses the sound, makes it bigger but still lots of gain. Gives the EMG's more character IMO.

Ive done it to 2 guitars now and will keep it.

Nothing wrong with 9 tho.

 

[Bodeanicus]

Re: Zakk EMG 81/85 set

I'm not saying anyone who likes EMG's is wrong, again. I just made a bad joke about Wylde's sound.

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[dave74]

Re: Zakk EMG 81/85 set

I'm not saying anyone who likes EMG's is wrong, again. I just made a bad joke about Wylde's sound.

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The ZW tone has many things going on beyond EMGs, the real thing to joke about is the pinchy abuse!

I really would like to use a 57 in something sometime. It's on my long list.

With the standard 81/85 sets I did like the 18v mod better in basswood bodies. 9v was too "soft" in basswood.

 

[mxaniac]

Re: Zakk EMG 81/85 set

I'm holding out for the Pick of Destiny

 

[Van Noord]

Re: Zakk EMG 81/85 set

 

[Adieu]

Re: Zakk EMG 81/85 set

Sometimes really hard to tell - fond nostalgic memory, sarcasm, or both???