EMG 81

Pickup features: Correction of my earlier submission...
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass:
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level:
Tone:
Sonic evaluation:
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:

Comments: I can?t belive I gave this pu a 10 before. It?s too sterile with no real personality. Ok, you get killer crunch but no color and if you play it clean it sounds like you?re playing with 10 year old strings... plonk plonk...

Pickup features: active humbucker
Impedence or other specs: dont know

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez RG 320 DX
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: stock Ibanez
Other pickups on guitar: EMG 85
Artists using this pickup: Slayer! others too numerous to list
You musical style(s): Metal only
Reason for pickup change: Stock Ibanez pickups are always too low and muddy. Can't realisticly play metal w/o EMGs anyway in my opinion

Perceived output level: active so they have a small bit of preamp, lots of volume, nice gain output
Tone: nice bite, good clear high end, not TOO much crunch but its not designed to. with an 85 the tone is perfect
Sonic evaluation: Im using a Crate GFX-212 (120 watts solid state, two 12 inch speakers, built in chorus, delay, flange, reverb, and chorus/reverb settings) the sound is f*****g hot! there is just no reason to ever buy any other brand of pickups. with a touch of chorus, the perfect metal tone is achieved.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Metal is the perfect style for this pickup. if your a folk guitarist or into fuzzy lame grunge tone its not for you

Comments: EMG is THE metal pickup. killer tone, killer overdrive, crushing palm mutes, clean peircing solos, and hair raising harmonics. I will always use EMG on any guitar I own

Pickup features: Active Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: 25K pots, .01mF capacitor, 3.25 Output Voltage

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone 1998 Limited Edition Les Paul
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock Pickup
Other pickups on guitar: Stock Neck Pickup
Artists using this pickup: Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield, Slayer, and others.
You musical style(s): Metal!!, Jazz, Blues, Classic Rock, Rockabilly, and even Country
Reason for pickup change: I just wanted more gain for a metal onslaught.

Perceived output level: Pretty damned hot, but other people overstate it.
Tone: Trebly, defined mids, just the right amount of bass.
Sonic evaluation: With a Marshall Valvestate 30R and a Boss Metal Zone, the sound is phenomenal. Treble and mid are refined and well preportioned. Bass is heavy, but without a big bass thump. Notes ring clear and true with the gain pushed to the max. You can really hear all the notes in a bar chord. Distortion and tone stay consistent when you turn down the volume knob. It doesn't do clean very well, but it can pass, however, it sounds a little too sterile on a clean setting.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: For METAL, it's a match made in Heaven... or is it Hell? Don't play country with it, though!

Comments: Well, after 4 MONTHS of waiting for a pickup that WASN'T EVEN ORDERED!!!!, I finally pulled the strings and got it for free. I exchanged the crappy little Epiphone amp that came with the cool guiatr for the EMG-81. The stock pickup was pretty good, but the EMG-81 is much better; however, it's not like it's the best pickup in the world. But it still is better than almost all high gain pickups out there. Maybe with a MESA/BOOGIE will I be able to get a great metal sound, but my setup now is very satisfactory.

Pickup features: Humbucking Active
Impedence or other specs: Uh, yeah.

Model of guitar or bass: Jackson RR-1 Rhoads
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: EMG-85
Artists using this pickup: Hetfield, Hammett, Kerry King, Jeff Hanneman, Timo Tolkki, Zakk Wylde, Etc
You musical style(s): Metal! British/Prog
Reason for pickup change: They came stock.

Perceived output level: Pretty hot, but not super duper hot.. About a bit more than a Dimarzio Super Distortion.
Tone: Nice bass definition, not much midrange, lotsa treble.
Sonic evaluation: This rhoads into a Peavey Ultra Plus stack..it sounds really nice, I boost up my mids and bass a lot, and this really balances the sound off.. lotsa bass definition, bright, enhances my amp's natural tube-ness, INCREDIBLE harmonics.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play metal, it sounds great.. it would be a good match for metal or hard rock, not much else.

Comments: I'd definately buy it again, i love it.. awesome. Got my sound, fuck yeah. Came with the guitar, I was happy.

Pickup features: active humbucker
Impedence or other specs: READ MY WHOLE REVIEW!!! HAS INFO THAT OTHER PEOPLE'S DOSE NOT!!!

Model of guitar or bass: ESP Hoizon
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: ESP H-200 (stock pickup)
Other pickups on guitar: same
Artists using this pickup: the wise people
You musical style(s): all kinds of metal, they have too many types, so, i'll say all.
Reason for pickup change: i had a dimarzio super distortion in the bridge for a while but when i saw the EMGs half off due to a mistake in advertising, i couldnt resist. the super distortion was good but the EMG has good reviews and i'v played it before to prove it to myself.

Perceived output level: GREAT!!! if you have a good amplifier and effects setup, this pickup will realy come alive. when i play it on my old practice combo, it stinks. on a good setup, this pickup realy defines notes and reduces noise.
Tone: with the right setup, this will make a custom tone for anyone.
Sonic evaluation: my ESP horizon goes great with my digitech rp-7 and peavy classic 50 combo. (all tube amp)

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: i play lots-o-metal, so the 81 is the best compared to the other EMG models. the higher the pickup number, the higher the output. but the 81 has something that the 85 dosen't that lets you get more crunch.

Comments: if this pickup was destoyed or stolen, i would definatrely replace it. i have been playing for nearly 3 years. the great things about this pickup is that it can be unconnected from the wiring in the guitar, so you can switch it with another model. (no re-wiring needed) a bad thing about the EMG active pickups is that it dosent have a very high output like most people say or think. the noise gate on my pedal blocked it too much do i had to change it so it wasnt as strong. if you have any info in relation to this small problem, contact me. i am very satisfied with this pickup. BUT WARN YOU, DO NOT BUY IT IF INTENDED FOR USE ON A SMALL AMPLIFIER.

Pickup features: Humbuckeing/Active What else?
Impedence or other specs: Dont remember impedance, but i know you have to change you pots to 25k (and add a batt)

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson Explorer '76 Reissue
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock Gibsons (496R and 500T)
Other pickups on guitar: Nope only EMG 81, was thinking of a 60 or 85, but the 81 are the highest output.
Artists using this pickup: James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett- Metallica Me- Binge & Purge
You musical style(s): Metal, the good kind with tons of bass, plenty of treble, and no mids at all!
Reason for pickup change: I like the stock pickups, but i knew that the EMG 81's would sound much better. AND THEY DID! Much higher output, less noise, better frequencie response, and many other great things. THE BEST PICKUP IN THE WORLD!

Perceived output level: More gain than passive (duh) with more bass, less mid, and about the same treble. They also sound great clean (well if you also have a low gain input on your amp) But you know they were made for amp melting distortion!
Tone: Bassy, no mids, enough treble, balanced I wired them so they are in phase (i dont trust techs at music stores)
Sonic evaluation: I use as i said a '76 Gibson explorer, i rarely use pedals, but i got a ton of them (like 17) But i mostly use my amps distortion, i have a peavey Transtube bandit (great distortion) that i run into a marshall 4x12. the impeadance had to be matched to make it sound good though. and it does it sounds damn good, for practice and for gigs!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play metal (metallica, own songs, whatever sounds good.) And i think these pickups suit everything well.

Comments: if they were stolen i would have to kill the person who took them, and i doubt they will be destroyed (unless im hit by lightning) I have been playing for three years, but have progresse very well. i own a ton of other equipment that i wont even get into (if you realy want to know, just mail me at MetaLL4723@aol.com)i love everything about these pickups, but hate that i have to unplug it when im done playing, and have to change the battery every once in a while. I compared it to other EMG models, and decided the are great for me. the only thing i wish it had, and some day might add is a system to cut mids even more, and i know EMG makes one.Ive found the perfect sound (guitar wise) with these pickups and my explorer. now i just want an other one (lol)

Pickup features: Active Humbucker.
Impedence or other specs: Check the web site. I get dizzy just looking at all the tech stuff...

Model of guitar or bass: ESP EXPLORER 200
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Seymour Duncan Designed Humbucker
Other pickups on guitar: another Duncan Desinged
Artists using this pickup: James Hetfield(My idle!) and Kirk Hammet form MetallicA, Max Cavalera from Soufly...
You musical style(s): Trash Metal ect.... anything with Loads'O'Distortion.
Reason for pickup change: The stck humbuckers provide an OK crunch, but not enough.

Perceived output level: Sh*t! Beats the Hell out of my stock humbuckers! I'll probably get another for the neck.
Tone: Not too bassy, I have Mid, so this does a good job at helping me eliminate mid.
Sonic evaluation: I'm Running my Explorer 200 thru a Peavey Bandit 112S.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play metal, and this pick-ups were born to KICK ASS.

Comments: I give this pickups the highest score. Too bad they aren't alive or i'll marry them.

Pickup features: Active Humbucker (is that redundant?)
Impedence or other specs: Check their website

Model of guitar or bass: Kramer Focus 3000
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock
Other pickups on guitar: EMG s & EMG SA
Artists using this pickup: Does it matter?
You musical style(s): Hard Rock to Metal, some Blues
Reason for pickup change: Stock PU's were really bad.

Perceived output level: High output but not over-the-top or anything.
Tone: Nice midrange with a little too much treble. This PU has great punch and attack but not a lot of bass. This PU does not have a "fat" sound, so when overdriven and EQ'd you can have the bass response without the mud.
Sonic evaluation: Play it through a 100W Mesa/Boogie Mk III into an old Marshall 4x10 cab. Use a Boss GE-7 graphic EQ in the effects loop (improvement over the the 5-band that is on the Boogie)

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Great match for the styles I play. Use this PU in bridge position only.

Comments: I've been playing for about 24 years or so. I would buy it again, if stolen; but if I could find a passive PU that had a comparable tone and quietness I would buy it instead. Changing batteries is not that big of a deal but every time my tone changes even a little, I wonder "Is it the batteries?"

Pickup features: humbucking. active.
Impedence or other specs: duh, i don't know

Model of guitar or bass: b.c. rich nj warlock
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: b.c. rich stock humbucker
Other pickups on guitar: other b.c. rich stock humbucker which is not even being used.
Artists using this pickup: from what i've heard, slayer, death, vader, metallica, etc.
You musical style(s): grindcore/death metal/black metal
Reason for pickup change: stock pickups sucked wicked bad. heard these were awesome. i heard right.

Perceived output level: alot more. extremely hot, it might be common to say but it's true.
Tone: full sound, mid range comes through well, i can tell the notes apart easily. awesome crunch. incredible sustain.
Sonic evaluation: i'm using it with a b.c. rich nj warlock through a marshall jcm800 head and marshall 1960a cab and fender 1x15 cab. it sounds awesome, it's hot as hell, with an amazing crunch for palm muting, and the notes are all clear even on blurr/blast parts.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: i play grindcore and yes this is an amazing match. i only have this pickup at the bridge position so i don't know what position it is unsuitable for because i haven't tried it out in any other position yet.

Comments: if it were stolen i would want another one yes. i have been playing for 11 years. i also have a fender american standard stratocaster. i love everything about it i hate nothing. i compared it to the stock pickups which sucked so the emg wins hands down. i wish it came with an emg-85 for free that i could throw in the neck position. i am satisfied with this pickup.

Pickup features: Active humbucker
Impedence or other specs: ehh...?

Model of guitar or bass: ESP Eclipse Custom
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar: Another EMG, I don?t know what model but it can be splitted and it kicks ass!!
Artists using this pickup: Metallica, well anyone in their right mind....
You musical style(s): Hard rock to metal to blues....
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: Every other guitar whith other pickups are soooo lame compared to this one. You bearly need to touch the voume knob on your amp (don?t take this too seriously).
Tone: Due to the geat bassy wood in my guitar I would say that its pretty balanced.... but I don?t really know... it just sounds great.
Sonic evaluation: In my apartment I use my ESP thru a Boss Metalzone pedal into a 25w Fender Frontman.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: For metal this pu works great, when i play clean i just use the neck pu instead cause the 81 is a bit sterile. Not really unsuitable for anything... exept campfire doodling...

Comments: Actually its being repaired right now, due to som weired powerloss thing. But there will never be any other pu on any axe in my arsenal unless i go totally broke.