EMG 81

Active Humbucker, ceramic magnet - high output I guess.

Installed in a BC Rich Warlock in the bridge to begin with, but I moved it to the neck... swapping the 85 to the bridge.
Replaces stock BC RICH BDSM Bucker.
A great number of artists endorse this thing, Im a metal player and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. I wanted some ******* tone out of my new crimbo pressie from my girl!

High output, when used with my ENGL in a live situation it sounded OK, but not life changing... when used with my ADA it seemed to clean up a little more... a little less mushy (not muddy). When I recorded with it, it sounded sucky, so I swapped out the pickups and switched 'em round! BOYAH!
It's quite trebly... not to much mids going on which suck because thats where the tone is and the bass is quite artificial sounding Overall i'd guess it sat B/6-M/3-T/7, quite scooped so live it sounds ok thru the monitors but in the crowd it would probably sound like a big pile of old nappys.
I play thrash metal mainly... many people said Id love this pup... but it was just, average... not bad though! The 85 is a better fit for me, it's got some more balls to it, id go for Double Whammy or an X2N any day!

STILL GO DIMARZIO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Overpriced... i've payed ??60 for pickups which have walked all over this, plus you've got to wire these hombr??'s up which is somewhat annoying at first because if you're playing for long periods at a time, the battery does tend to die... unexpectedly a couple of months down the line. LAME.

Overall, id go passive. I've kept the EMG's in my Warlock because it's simple to keep em there... i wouldn't use duncan's because their metal pups are pipes. Dimarzio or Bare Knuckle... thats what you want!

This is the **** with a brand new battery but only for the first few hours of play, after that it looses the added active heat and sounds just like a high output passive, which isnt in itself a problem, but the fact that they are much more expensive than passives makes it a complete scam. I want to replace this some another acitve, maybe a SD Blackout or a high output passive. I think if you can afford to change the battery everytime you play then you will get a killer and consistent sound but as the battery dies, the sound changes, my guitar has an entirely different sound each time i pick it up so i have to constantly tune my amp settings. I would not really reccomend this pickup as i think you could get close to or the same ammount of output from a passive which would respect the tone of the wood much more instead of putting out a lifeless, although awsomely brutal, sound that would make a guitar made from high quality wood sound the same as some cheap plywood thing

Normal EMG 81 bucker

I have these in a Jackson JTX and a guitar I built from an old Charvette modding the hell outta it - conversion to hardtail etc.

The 81 is very hot and powerful, brings amps to OD easily.
I'd say they are definitely on the bright side though; rather clear and articulate yet pack a punch; great for chording and rock. They make playing with less distortion much easier as they do pack a punch; you'll notice you need less drive and they still sound powerful indeed.

Because they are a bit bright, I'd bet they would work the best in Les Pauls etc. my Jackson-style strat-like light guitars that don't have a lot of low end anyway can sound easily rather thin, but I still prefer them to my other PU's like Duncan JB's or Jackson's own ones for they are pretty noiseless and - can't stress this enough - very articulate and easy to get a huge crunch from. I suppose in a darker axe they'd get a ten; now they get an eight just for needing some added warmth dialed from the amp. But I won't change them to any passives any time soon.

Gotta remember that once you go active, it changes the sound and response of your entire rig, so once you dial these in well, passives will sound weak and dark with the same settings. The problem being that your backup guitar needs the same pickups too...changing to a passive guitar on a gig is just too much difference in sound. Can't mix the use with passives on same settings.

Yep, I like 'em and will be using EMG's from now on. What they lack in the warmth and 'organic' department is well made for in their clarity, punch and noiselessness.

If I only played studio gigs, I'd rather use a selection of passive pickups, but live I find these cut thru so clearly and so punchily there's no comparison.

I also used an EMG active preamp (PS2?) in my Les Paul and that was somewhat similar, but a bit more noisier along with the original gibson buckers. A good match, though, when you have EMG guitars and need bakcups brought to same level, I'd recommend adding that.

Pretty much the standard in modern active pickup technology.

Came stock in ESP-MH400NT and KH-602. In the MH400 it's in the bridge and the KH it's in both bridge and neck positions. The MH-400 has a EMG 60 in the neck. Just about everyone using EMG's in heavy music uses this pickup.

The output on this is through the roof in stock configuration, run it at 18 volts instead of 9 and it's twice as loud and responsive as before. I'm running these guitars through a peavey valveking 212 and a crate vtx 212 with a bad monkey in front. The tone is pretty well balanced but can be really bassy or sometime have to much scratch treble but it is overall pretty well balanced. I play heavy metal, death metal, metalcore, thrash, and hard rock and this pickup delivers in all areas from the heavy riffing to the shredding. I think it's best in the bridge but it's decent in the neck just not as warm as I like a neck pickup to be. Never have used it in a guitar with a middle humbucker position so I don't know about that.

I'd probably buy it again if it broke but I doubt someone would steal the pickup and leave the guitars but I might want to try some more of EMG's humbucker line and see if there is one that suits me better. I've been playing 7 years. I've already mentioned all my gear except my ESP LTD EX-260, Fender Standard and American Strat, two washburns, Dunlop 535Q wah, and my Line 6 POD XT. I love the super high output and clarity of this pickup. I hate the fact that I have to replace two batteries everytime they need changed but you give more you get more and that is true in this case. Well it was either a guitar with these or seymour duncans and I've never had actives before so I thought I should try them out and I'm really glad I did. I don't wish it had anything else I could think of except maybe if it could block feedback more which cause it already blocks most of it really well already except when really loud in smaller areas. I think I've found my sound with this pickup for now but I'm always developing my sound more with different tubes and effects. If you want to get the tone that you commonly hear in modern day metal check these out cause they're not for everyone.

Active EMG-81 humbucker

Installed in my Jackson DKMG in the bridge position. This is the only pickup in the guitar. Replacing the stock EMG-HZ H3 and the turbocharger circuit. I may yet reinstall the turbocharger or go the route of the 18v mod.

A high output pickup, no question-but far from the highest output pickup I have come across. Currently in use with a Line6 Spider 2X12 combo and a Crate PowerBlock run thru a Genz-Benz G-Flex.
What strikes me first and foremost, is the incredible balance of this pickup-no string overshadows any other. I play everything from Incubus and Counting Crows to Venom and Death Angel-as far as I can tell, it's a perfect match for all musical styles of these and more.

If stolen, I would almost certainly buy another. In fact, I'm liking this so much in my alder bodied Jackson that I may well purchase another for my Washburn 332. Further, I was mightily impressed with what came with the pickup itself. EMG makes your pickup replacement experience quite easy by providing a volume and tone pot, and a stereo output jack. All solder joints that could be performed in advance are already done for you-a very nice touch.

I've gone thru a great number of pickups in a great number of guitars and I must say that my first experience with the EMG line has been a very positive one.

High output active pickup.

I have used this pickup extensively in BC Rich guitars, Fender guitars, Jackson and Ibanez. This is a review of my opinions on these guitars.

Just to start off, this pickup despite others claims will not magically "replace" the tone of any guitar. This pickup will react to body and neck woods the same as any passive pickup. I play rock/metal.

For basswood Ibanez guitars, this has got to be the best upgrade. The riff tones are uncomprimising, rich, full and most of all dynamic. It does not over-compress when reacting with bassier sounding guitars.

I had mine in several strats also. Some fared better than others. If you're looking for a good upgrade to your squier, or to a cheaper fender line, this is ideally where you should be looking. However, the American strats I have always found to not be too happy with the EMG pickups. My old Standard Deluxe was a good contender, however the straight standard was a no go. Over bright and a bit buzzy.

The most foul sounding guitar it was in was an old 80s Jackson Stealth XL. Ash body, maple neck, rosewood board: The EMG 81 was harsh, sterile, and everything bad that I've ever read about this pickup. However, in my Jackson DX10, it produced quite the opposite result: Brutal, melodic and very toneful.

So what is the conclusion?

Well, if you own a guitar that is overly bassy, warm and generally hard to get any articulation from, this is well worth considering. If you have a typically bright guitar (And I have found most guitars made of ash to be the case) I would look elsewhere.

The EMGs still have a residance in my Ibanez, however the Jackson got an DiMarzio Air Norton and its tone and playability improved 1000%.

Similarly, you need to think about what amplifier you are using as well. I wouldn't recommend this pickup to anyone using a high gain amplifier - you just don't need it. My Jackson now sings with my VHT CL. However, its a little wimpy with the JCM800. However, the Ibanez is much nicer with the JCM800 given the extra output from the active electronics.

So think about your hardware setup before you buy!

Good in the right places. Don't expect to sound like Metallica or whoever just because you have an EMG81 and let me just reiterate that this pickup will not magically "replace" the tone of your guitar. Everything still matters from your guitar to your amp to your cabinet!

I love it in my darker guitars, ones that I have had issues trying to clean up, however in my naturally middy and trebly guitars, its been one to avoid like the plague.

I also think its that without this knowledge lead many players to completely dismiss this technology as some buzzy POS form metal players.

I have been playing for a little over 19 years and have been a technician and repairer for 10 and a luthier for 7. I have toured with big-name acts and had my fair share of television and session work.

Sure the EMG has appeared at times but as I said, you need to evaluate your setup before you buy this pickup - or indeed any pickup.

Active humbucker.

Came installed as a bridge pickup in my Fernandes Vortex Elite. This guitar has a Fernandes Sustainer in the neck position. Plenty of artists are using EMG-81s. I wanted to have much sustain and a heavy tone.

The output level is the highest I've ever heard, it's simply amazing. Pinch harmonics are very easy to do, even at lower distortion levels, and the pickup has a great sustain.

I use it with a PODxt and a Fender FM65R combo amp.

And now for all the haters of the EMG-81's trebly sound: you have to tune your guitar down to C for example to have that bassy sound this pickup can deliver. In E tuning it will sound too trebly. Clean sounds cut through almost everything, but it will never sound "smooth". It's just sharp.

I mostly play hard rock, and metal (not death and black). This pickup does its best as a high-gain metal pickup.

If it was destroyed or stolen, I think I'd buy something else. Not because the EMG-81 is not good (it's amazing), it's simply too much for me. I've been playing for 1,5 years now, I had lots of different guitars with different pickups (I play very good for my 1,5 yrs...anyways), and I have to say this pickup is the best if you want to make heavy and sharp sounds out of cheap amps/effects. The incredible sustain is simply amazing, and it works even at bedroom levels.

I'm still searching for my sound, what is something like YJM's (a half year ago when I bought this guitar, I was into heavier music, my style is changing so fast...).

Anyways, I'd recommened this pickup to everyone who REALLY needs that VERY high-gain, death or black metal sound. You'll not regret buying it!

Active humbucker

Bridge, mahogany Fokus JCK 52 (v-shaped). I used DiMarzio Evolution 2 and it was too muddy for me. I took out the neck pickup and replaced it with plastic cover. Didn't use it anyways...

Balanced tone, strong output (but I've had stronger passive pickups).
Excellent for metal, but for other styles too I guess.
I use Rocktron Piranha -> Boss VF1 -> Marshall 9200 -> Framus 2??12 Vintage 30

No point in describing this superb pickup again. I just wanted to add a few answers and tips:
1) Someone mentioned this pickup has an awful feedback. Yes it has, if set badly in the guitar. If it's too tight in there, it catches vibrations and makes a strong howling. It also happened to me at first. Just dig a bigger hole in your guitar, so that it sits freely on the springs and the howling is gone completely!
2) I found a notice at EMG website that you can get even better sound from this pickup when powering it with 18V. And works really! Try to add another 9V battery and you'll see the difference! Much fuller sound!

Its a active humbucker as i'm sure most people know by now. Not a lot of features, its a pickup...

I put this in the bridge position of my Fender Blackout set neck tele. I have a 85 in the neck. I replaced the stock pickups which were a Duncan 59 in the neck, and a pearly gates in the bridge. They were nice pickups but i wanted a different sound.

They do have a lot of output, but not as much as people like to think they do. I've played passives before with the same or more output. I like to play heavier stuff sometimes tuned down to C or C# so i really like their clarity and tight definition. The harmonics of these are great and a cinch to pull off, and their virtually noiseless. The sound is very distinct, mid scooped with tight bass and focused on the higher freqs of the treble. At first i didn't really care for their sound but after tweaking for a while i found it. Their pretty much a one trick pony though, they don't do clean well because their too compressed, and the mid gain rock tones just sound dead flat. High gain metal riffs is where they Shine. Oh yeah, i'm playing on a Engl Thunder amp, with some various pedals.

if something happened and i had to replace them i would get them again. I think their the ideal pickup for the lower heavier tones. for drop D and standard i like a passive, but below that i go for the EMG's. You just can't get the clarity and string definition anywhere else.

active humbucking pickup

ESP-LTD deluxe EC1000VB
stock pickup in neck position, paired with an EMG60

the output isn't high as most people say, at least in terms of volume... compared with other passive-equipped guitars i own EMGs don't scream as much as i expected, wich isn't a bad thing at all, i love swapping guitars onstage and there's not need to turn volume down to balance the overall volume. they're very quiet too. In terms of saturation YES, the EMGs DO definitely scream...
- the 81 in bridge position has very definite and bright clean sounds, although it lacks the classic crystalline tone of a Strat single coil, of course... it sounds more metallic but it's still a nice and usable sound even for arpeggios. plenty of treble and some bass, but it cuts EVERY mid from the sound. as I said before this pickup can saturate the dirt channel (or the dirt settings, i usually play through a PODxt) much more than other pickups i'm used too, with interesting results. you can play rock and get sharp attacks full of clarity and definition (absolutely not muddy!), like a distorted Strat - without loosing any of the saturation that just humbuckers can give - and just by turning a bit down your guitar volume you can have bluesy dirts with no loss of volume.
And here come the bad news, at least for me...
if the 81 works well with dirty sounds it's almost completely useless when it comes to heavy distortions. i know, maybe i'm the only person in this world who dislikes the way this classic METAL pickup behaves in metal! it could be a question of personal tastes, but i simply hate the distorted sound of this thing... it remains very definite and never buzzes, even with HEAVY metalzone distortions, but it completely lacks sustain... it cuts like a knife on the treble range but kills even more mids than in clear settings. the only thing i was able to do with my 81 were palm muted rhythms, a thing i don't do very often... i play many different things, but my own style is based on gothic rock/metal. i'm basically a lead guitarist, and i found this pickup completely unusable for solos and smooth lead riffs... i love mids (LOTS of them!) and the 81 has got none. It completely killed the warmth and personality of my Eclipse (that is basically a mahoganey built Les Paul-style model), and gave me the kind of tones thet should appeal much more to brutal-death rhythm guitarists... it could sound well (although a bit too cold) in thrash metal too, but definitely not in melodic death metal and similar genres...
should a pop-rock guitarist buy it? to be true i was quite impressed with the powerful bite of its dirty sound, so i'd say yes, but it sounds way too clinical for my tastes even in rock... i love vintage PAF sounds, after all!
i don't dare to imagine it in neck position... i would be curious to try it but i've got no expectation...

for sure i'll never buy an 81 anymore (i'm still a bit perplexed on what to do with the one i still own!), and to be sincere i removed it from my guitar after 10 days of extensive play... i replaced it with an EMG85 (that thing has got great singing mids, at last!) and i have to say, after 8 months, that i've done the right thing!