EMG 60

Pickup features: Humbucking active
Impedence or other specs: see their website

Model of guitar or bass: ESP LTD MH-301
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: EMG-HZ H-4
Other pickups on guitar: EMG 81
Artists using this pickup: Various
You musical style(s): Any
Reason for pickup change: Single Coil sounding humbucker in the neck position

Perceived output level: Hot (not something to die for...)
Tone: Amazing full-range violin-on-guitar
Sonic evaluation: Rocktron VooDu Valve Online
BBE 362 Sonic Maximizer
2x12 combo (various)

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: any style

Comments: Trebly neck PUP with single coil sound... no sounding one, but actually putting ALL neck pickups behind...

Pickup features: Active Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: Low impedance

Model of guitar or bass: esp ltd f-200
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: emg hz-4
Other pickups on guitar: emg 85
Artists using this pickup: james hetfield, me
You musical style(s): rock, metal
Reason for pickup change: needed more variety of sound

Perceived output level: high output
Tone: pretty well balanced
Sonic evaluation: LTD F-200 85(bridge)60(neck)--->Morley Bad Horsie II---->1. Carvin MTS3200 into Behringer cab for practice and gigs 2.Zoom GFX-8 patched with Digitech Metalzone for home practice.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I mainly play metal and rock. This pickup works well with leads and cleans that the bridge normally can't handle.

Comments: The EMG-60 is an amazing neck pick-up. I am really happy with my buy and whenever I get more guitars, I'll probably consider this to be the neck pick-up for them. My only complaint with it was the installation because there was a lot of problems with wiring it(probably my fault lol) so I had to take it in and get professionaly done, but I won't complain. Use this in conjunction with an 85 in the bridge and you got a nice sounding guitar.

Pickup features: Active Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: Low Impedance resulting in low noise.

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez RG421
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Stock
Other pickups on guitar: EMG-81
Artists using this pickup: James Hetfield
You musical style(s): Melodic/Death Metal
Reason for pickup change: Since the only pickups I like is the EMG 81/60 combo and the guitar didn't come with it stock I changed it.

Perceived output level: I don't know how much more or less output it has compared to stock and don't care.
Tone: Warm and Prestine. Does not muddy up in the neck position and gives one of the best cleans I have heard.
Sonic evaluation: I'm running the Ibanez RG421 in a J-station. I also have a Gibson Gothic V stripped down to one EMG-81 and volume control.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Melodic/Death metal.

Comments: If you are looking into getting into EMG active pickups. but are worried you won't get great cleans. Don't worry the EMG-60 is phenominal for cleans. I really like it that much better for cleans than what passive pickups gave me.

Pickup features: Active Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: www.emginc.com will tell you

Model of guitar or bass: ESP F-200 (2002 model)
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: EMG-HZ 4
Other pickups on guitar: EMG-81
Artists using this pickup: I dunno, but I don't really care.
You musical style(s): Anything really, blues, jazz, various offsets of metal, classical, old rock, blah blah blah
Reason for pickup change: Stock pickups (EMG-HZ 4 set) were a bit weak and flat sounding.

Perceived output level: Higher than the HZ 4, not high enough to destroy my pedals
Tone: Very well balanced, slight boost in the mids and bass I reckon.
Sonic evaluation: I use this in an ESP F-200 (2002 model) and either straight into a Peavey Bandit 112 with a cabinet (solid-state amp, 100watt), straight into a Laney LC50 (all tube amp, 50watt) or my uber-pedalboard into either of those amps. The EMG-60 sounds fantastic. It gives a beautiful clean tone, very soft and mellow sounding. It also gives a very thick and powerful distortion, and excellant harmonics. It also compliments my EMG-81 perfectly for the perfect uber-distortion sound.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play many musical styles. It fits everything I do (email me if you really care). This pickup works very well in the neck position, didnt try it in any other positions.

Comments: If this pickup broke or something, I would buy a new one without hesitation. I have been playing guitar for around 3 years now, ask if oyu really care what other gear I have. I compaired this pickup with the EMG-85, but chose this one because its better suited to me. This pickup gives me the sound I have been searching for since I first started guitar (yeah, its not that long, but what ya gonna do about it). Only problem with it is the EMG logo on it is a rather dull grey colour :P
Email with any questions

Pickup features: Active pickups
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson Gothic Flying V
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: EMG 60 in the neck and 81 in the bridge position
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: METALLICA
You musical style(s): hard rock, southern rock, blues, everything just about
Reason for pickup change: Project to see what the EMG's had....

Perceived output level: The emg 60 is sweet for clean tones and the 81 in the bridge is really hot...you can perform tap-ons and harmonics with ease...rock on
Tone: The 60 can become a little bit muddy at times but the 81 for lead is balanced as ever and just screams any note you play...rock on
Sonic evaluation: I'm using a 2001 Gibson Gothic Flying V running it through a Digitech RP X400 pedal with recording software and then to the Marshall MG250DFX with its stereo, 50W + 50W, power amp driving 2x12" custom speakers - awesome!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play everything from Skynyrd to Metallica to The Used......these pickups suit all styles for me....EMG's just plain rock....rock it on

Comments: If destroyed i would buy a gibson sg because always wanted one and i would put the same pickups in it or something similar but an EMG product....I have been playing for about 6 years....i also own a 2002 Fender Standard Strat, Ibanez GRX 40, Epiphone Les Paul Custom, and an Alvarez acoustic (old as hell) VINTAGE!....I love these pickups and i suggest anybody looking for the "Metallica" tone or something similar to try these...also they are active pickups which require the use of a 9 volt battery to power them....i suggest gettin these installed professinally because the wiring can get quite lengthy and difficult....Also if you are thinkin about putting these pickups in the same guitar i have or another flying v model then the body cavity doesnt have enough room for all the wiring thus you have to sacrifice a volume or tone pot/knob to make room for all the parts....but a small sacrifice for a GREAT product that will shred your ears off and kicks major ass....EMG 60 and 81....one word....bad ass....excuse thats two words...one word would be just bad....yeah...

Pickup features: Active Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: You already know it

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez S 470 Hsh
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Stock Pickup
Other pickups on guitar: Emg - 85, Still Looking for an active clear single coil!
Artists using this pickup: A couple of blues dudes and J. Hetfield from Metallica
You musical style(s): Classic Rock, Blues, Heavy/Thrash Metal, Death/Black Metal, etc
Reason for pickup change: Stock pickups (Ibanez Powersounds) were kinda nosiy at high gain volumes, good clean sounds and punk distortion from them tough, but i wanted something heavier and just plainly more defined for my soloing.

Perceived output level: Hotter than most Seymours and Dimarzios, Really Awesome output!
Tone: Very defined, excellent distortion sound, Focused on the mid- lows giving u a to-die-for thickness in soloing!
Sonic evaluation: The 60 it's an incredible pickup (the guys at emg did an incredible job), the distortion is far superior than my emg 85, in the matter that it's super defined and clear, when u play a solo at high gain it's incredible how defined each note sounds. Also, it's a very heavy pickup, it gives me an awesome low end distortion that can't be replaced easily with other stuff out there (Thanks to the randall 2!. The clean sound is another story tough......... The overall sound is very active, it' doesn't have a warmth to it, but it's still clean. However, i'm having a huge problem with my pickup because it sounds vvverrrryy distorted ON clean, i can't strum chrods at all 'cause u hear it all out loud and it's just not right, i have no idea if this is with all the 60 pickups (u have to twick the settings like the mf)to get a clear sound or if it's only with mine. Also, the volume pot makes a loud noise too, very anoying so i have to leave it at max all the time, it's not right because when u wanna get a decent clean with the 60 u have to really twick ur volume and tone knobs altogether with ur amps eq to get good sounds. Very messed up in this manner!. I would really appreciate if anyone out there experienced something similar and has a suggesion to fix it up! Thanks a lot.
By the way, my gear is an Ibanez S470, through a Randall rh200 with an Ibanez angled cab, Boss me-50, crybaby 535q and all monster cables. (Always use good cables people, never compromise the tone)

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: For Blues and Metal, It's an exceptional match!

Comments: If it was stolen, i would think about it before buying it again because of the clean matter, though, i think i would since i had to make the input hole bigger so the Huge input hole of the pickups would fit!! and i guess i passive one would only fly into the hole. Don't get me wrong though It's great pickup, i really recommend it for metal distortion uses and for blues soloing 'cause it's fat and thick. Try it out! But because of the clean issue I'm in the middle ground with this pup.

Pickup features: Ceramic Magnet Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: Very hot active pickup, 9V

Model of guitar or bass: ESP EC-1000
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: EMG-81
Other pickups on guitar: EMG-81
Artists using this pickup: James Hetfield, and others
You musical style(s): Hard Rock
Reason for pickup change: I have 81's on other guitars, wanted something sweeter.

Perceived output level: Hot, louder than the 81.
Tone: Thick, yet pristine and clear. A scooped sound.
Sonic evaluation: The 60 is more suited for cleans than the 81. Thick, round sound, yet has a cerain shimy to it like the EMG-S. I play it through an all Peavey rack system. The EC-1000 it is in came with two 81's, but the neck just wasn't what I wanted. So I threw in the 60 I had from another guitar (that I rarely play).

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Best served at the neck.

Comments: After almost 10 years of guitar playing, 4 spent teaching, I firmly believe EMG makes the highest quality pickups. I've dealt with customer service only to order pots, and they were more than helpful. I urge anyone who wants a modern clean sound to get this pickup. It is also great for a thick bluesy solo sound. Bottom line is this...any guitar I buy/play will have this pickup in it.

Pickup features: Avtive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: I love the quick wireing. I can switch the 60 to a 85 in 5 minutes. I keep the 81 in the bridge and go from Metallica straight to Ozzy.

Model of guitar or bass: ESP EX-251
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Gibson 496r
Other pickups on guitar: EMG 81
Artists using this pickup: James Hetfield
You musical style(s): All Metal
Reason for pickup change: I love Metallica. I wanted to get the Metallica sound and I figured this would be the best way.

Perceived output level: This pickup has alot of output. Everyone says that the 81 is so hot. I'd say the 60 has more output.
Tone: Has a very good tone. I'd say just a little bit more bassy than i wanted. but i could care less about the difference. It wounds great with my distortion.
Sonic evaluation: I Use a ESP EX-251 to a Digitech Metal Zone, then to a DOD Death Metal Distortion, to the Dimebag CryBaby from Hell then to a Marshall MG50DFX. The pickup sounds perfect with the Metal Master. Cuts out dam near all of the noise when you turn on the distortion pedals.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play mostly Metal. I might switch over some time and play some punk. When i do that i just turn up the mids on my Death Metal Distorton Pedal.

Comments: If it were stolen I would buy it again in a heartbeat. but i don't have to worry about that cause when i am not in school i am watching my guitar like a hawk. It is my life. I have been playing for about a year. I am not that advanced but i'd say i have come along way in a year. I love everything about it. You name it I like it. I cant name a thing i don't like about it. I can only compare it to the Gibson 496r. This pickup is 20 times better. The 496 had way way too much bass to it. I didnt like it clean or on distortion. I choose this one cause it was what Hetfield uses and I got his sound perfect. I am completly satisfied with this pickup. I am giving it a 9 becuase of the little bit of too much bass. but it's only noticable on clean anyways.

Pickup features: Active Humbucking.
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Jackson USA Custom RR-1
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Seymour Duncan SH-2
Other pickups on guitar: EMG 81 (bridge), EMG Afterburner, EMG EXG Expander
Artists using this pickup: Hetfield, me, ?
You musical style(s): Hard Rock/Metal
Reason for pickup change: Needed a nice neck pickup to match my 81. The guys at EMG kept recommending the 60 like crazy. So, now it's in my guitar...lol...

Perceived output level: High Output. If you want stupid hot, then get a Duncan Live Wire Heavy Metal and add an active gain boost to that! But what's the point after a while if you're happy anyways?
Tone: Balanced.
Sonic evaluation: I run my Jackson into a Marshall JCM 900. Basically this pickup sonically balances really well with the 81...great match. There's practically no difference in volume between the two. I use the 60 in my neck position, so naturally I get a more bassier bluesy type of sound. But with this pickup, it is EQ'd in such a way that it almost balances out that "neck" tone. Makes it sound real nice! You can go ULTRA acoustic like clean with this pickup and it has a nice overdrive too. But I am a fan of bridge position overdrives so I use the 81 for that. Overdrive soloing also goes to my 81 in the bridge, but clean, melodic soloing or playing goes to the 60. It sounds beautiful and full and very balanced in the neck. With the 60 engaged or the combination of the 60/81 engaged, I can get heavenly SRV, Hendrix, and Gilmour tone. I used to wish I had a pair of single coils in my neck to play some hot texas blues. Not anymore!!! The Afterburner and EXG make it sound even more incredible!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Hard Rock/Metal. This 81/60 combination is unbelievable for anything I could ever think of.

Comments: I'm really happy with my setup. Basically I sound like an over the top hyper sensitive, harmonic monster Zakk Wylde-type on distortion solos and riffs. Then I can tone it down and do the SRV/Hendrix thing. Or get that EVH tone on my clean channel with my Afterburner on. Really, there are other choices out there to put in your guitar, but I see no need to go any further. I get the exact tone I want coupled with extreme versatility without having to continually switch pickups, fiddle with knobs, or engage pedals in the middle of songs! Does it sound processed? A little. But the pickups have all the ingredients to make you sound like a god.

Pickup features: Active humbucker
Impedence or other specs: ?

Model of guitar or bass: Esp Ltd M-100
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: stock
Other pickups on guitar: 81 at bridge
Artists using this pickup: Hetfield
You musical style(s): Metal mainly, but also clasical latin and spanish music
Reason for pickup change: Wanted good pickups

Perceived output level: Could melt your speaker
Tone: well balanced
Sonic evaluation: Trough Crate at club, Fender x-15 at home, with Zoom 505 and Dunlop Cry Baby. It's the best humbucker I've ever heard, can do everything the 81 does, plus an excellent tone for soloing, and clean tone.
Forget the noisy DiMarzio, or the Duncan distortion or invader, they?re nothing, can't compare....

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I haven?t tried at the bridge, but 81 is excellent there. It's excellent for metal, but you cuold play classic rock and even blues if you like. The best Emg humbucker......, and the best humbucker of all.......

Comments: Run to the store to buy it, if you haven't hear it, you don't know what I'm talking about. Don't stay in the past, buy EMG, are far better than Duncans, and incomparables with the noisys DiMarzio's.
The 60 is not just a metal pickup, can play anything with it, super versatile