EMG 81

Active, high output, ceramic pickup; cannot be split.

ESP Eclipse

Compact, thight, with transparent mids and tight bass. Works especially well with highgain; clean sounds are flat and lifeless and it could use more warmth.

Use this if you want superior definition and transparency for highgain. Do not use it if you want an organic and warm tone.

It's a standard for highgain pickups, yes, but there are meanwhile more pickups that do it at least as good and have more warmth and a more natural sound.

Active. Very low noise. EMG logo in silver on black casing. Vacuum sealed.

The 81 came stock in the bridge position of my Jackson DK1 USA. In the neck stock was an EMG 85. Judas Preist, Metallica, and Kerry King of Slayer are among heavyweights playing the 81 in the bridge.

The output level is high and allows extreme gain, but still feels rather conformed. I'm playing it through an MXR Smart Gate into a Marshall MG50DFX- which sounds very good, but I'd prefer a different speaker maybe, but the EMG 81 still sounds very good clean and distorted.

The 81's tone has a sharp metallic sounding top end with all the frequencies sounding compressed and fat. The pickup sounds balanced but with highs being the most present, followed by crunchy and chunky mids, and lastly a small amount of bass. This pickup was designed for lead guitar so it seems these fequencies mentioned are as alloted for exceptional lead guitar qualites. For Heavy Metal leads this pickup excels. For other styles, which I've heard it can be used for, I never used them for besides clean a distorted heavy rock style.

I play high-gain hard rock and this pickup makes my slinky lead lines sound solid, loud and clear consistently. Allowing extended sustain, transparent articulation, and unbeleiveable crunch. This pickup took me by suprise and effectively ended my pickup search. I am stunned. The 81 I'm sure would sound as good in the neck as it does bridge. The 85 sounds very clear and unmuddied in the neck unlike some pickups. The 81 is great for my playing nuances and needs: clear, solid, articulate, consistent, and clean/distorted lead lines and the ultimate in crunchy,crushing power.

My Jackson is very balanced in sounds and has a biting midrange, fat, clear highs, and equally good lows. Very balanced like the 81.

This is my pickup of choice now and don't see any changes in the forseeable future. I've been playing for 13 years and love the pro factor of the EMG 81 and it's ability to reciprocate my experience level. I don't hate anything about it- it's would kinda be hard to.

I say this pickup excellent under high gain to the point of compresssion. I didn't compare to any other pickup as I would relly be hard to.

Pickup features: humbucking
Impedence or other specs: low impedance active

Model of guitar or bass: B.C. Rich Gunslinger
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: many
You musical style(s): rock, especially 80s stuff
Reason for pickup change: came with guitar

Perceived output level: Loud and clear high output .
Tone: Clear, round, crunchy, and sweet balanced sound.
Sonic evaluation: I'm playing my B.C. Rich Gunslinger with the EMG-81 staight into my Marshall TSL 602 into a Marshall 1960A cabinet. It's an awesome sound. Besides having a great crunchy low end without any mud, these pickups have a great singing round lead guitar tone. Maybe the best I've ever heard. I just love it. I bought another one even though I don't have a guitar to put it in yet. I just wanted to have another. These pickups sound so good. And they have such a high output. That I don't think you need any effects pedals to enhance your tone. I mean I don't think it can get any better than this. The pickup I'm reviewing is about 16 years old. I hope the specifications are the same. They sound great with tube amps. This may be the best pickup ever made.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play rock and shred. And it's great for that. I'm using it in the bridge. It's slanted like a Baretta' s pickup is.

Comments: Sure I'd buy it again. I already have. I've been playing about 29 years. I own three Marshall amps, seven guitars, various pedals, etc.. I love the tone. I don't dislike anything about it. I also have a DiMarzio X2N. It also has a lot of overdrive. But it seems to lack bass. The EMG seems to have a wider frequency range. This pickup has a very crunchy rhythm tone and a round sweet lead guitar tone all at the same time. It doesn't have any sssssssssss noise that some pickps have in the higher frequencies. The lead guitar solos almost sound like an organ. But better. It's a very musical pickup.

Pickup features: Active humbucker
Impedence or other specs: Dont know

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez SZ520
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Ibanez SZ pickup
Other pickups on guitar: Ibanez SZ pickup
Artists using this pickup: Zakk wylde, ME
You musical style(s): alternative rock, a lil bit numetal, pop rock
Reason for pickup change: THe original pickup didnt have enough gain that I want and didnt have enough bass. I want BASS, lots of bass ...

Perceived output level: Way more than Ibanez SZ pickup
Tone: Bassy but very clear on the high notes
Sonic evaluation: I use this pickup with Ibanez SZ520. THis guitar is heavy solid like Les paul Gibson. After I changed this thing screams, growl, cry .... very good. I use marshall MGseries head n box

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play alternative rock, metal, pop sometimes ... definately bridge position but some people say neck id like to try that sometime

Comments: If it were stolen or damaged ... man who would steal pickup, anyway if this happens definately ill get it again. Ive been playing for 12 years or so. I have Ibanez SZ520, Yamaha AES620 and Godin freeway classic marshall amp mgseries, boss gt8 fx processor.
Im very satisfied with this product ... only if i could get it cheaper would be good

Pickup features: HUMBUCKING
Impedence or other specs: OUTPUT IMPEDANCE ( Kohm) : 10

Model of guitar or bass: CUSTOM GUITAR
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar: EMG 89 NECK HUMBUCKER
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): THRASH-POWER METAL
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: I THINK EMG 81 IS THE BEST PICKUP FOR METAL GUITARISTS.
Tone: GREAT SUSTAIN, HIGH OUTPUT,VERSATILITY
Sonic evaluation: I USE A MESA BOOGIE TRI-AXIS 2.0, A MESA BOOGIE RECTIFIER STEREO 2 : ONE HUNDRED,MESA RECTIFIER 4x12 CABS (CELESTION V30),EVENTIDE DSP 7500,SPECTRAFLEX CABLES, DBX 266 XL,CUSTOM AUDIO ELECTRONICS 2 x 4 AUDIO CONTROLLER+RS 10 MK 2. I HAVE A CUSTOM GUITAR WITH EMG 81 BRIDGE,EMG 89 NECK, ACTIVE CIRCUITS : PA2,EXG,SPC,DMSK(FOR EMG 81).KAHLER 2300 TREMOLO,GROVER MACHINE HEADS.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: THRASH-POWER METAL .

Comments: I WOULD BUY MY EMG PICKUPS AGAIN AND AGAIN, THESE ACTIVE PICKUPS
HAVE A SOUND THAT SETS THEM APART.I THINK DI MARZIO,SEYMOUR DUNCAN DON'T HAVE A GOOD SOUND LIKE EMG.AN ADVICE FOR ALL METAL GUITARISTS :
USE MESA BOOGIE AMPS AND GUITARS WITH EMG PICKUPS,IT'S THE BEST .

Pickup features: Active Humbucjer
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Multi ESP LTD'S, F-200,F400,KH202,EX400BD
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: EMG HZ Passive
Other pickups on guitar: EMG 81's or EMG 60's
Artists using this pickup: Metallica!!!!!!!!, and loads of other metal bands
You musical style(s): Metal,Rock,Blues
Reason for pickup change: They are great pick-ups

Perceived output level: Great,slightly heavier then HZ's
Tone: Very bassy and Crunchy, some times palm muted courses a bit of too bassy effect,so you just have to fiddle with the amp settings
Sonic evaluation: Playing throught a very large pedal board into a Marshall AVT275 With 6 speakers connected up "Loud"

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: metal, perfect match, its not brilliant if you're playing varied styles with it,but luckily i have PRS Soapbars to do that!

Comments: Great i'd always choose them over HZ but if HZ's are all you got and u cant afford an upgrade they are a perfeclty good subtitute to use.

Pickup features: active Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: Resonant Frequency (kHz) 2.25;Output Noise (dBV) -91; Output Impedance (Kohm) 10

Model of guitar or bass: ESP KH602
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: -------
Other pickups on guitar: EMG 60
Artists using this pickup: me^^/ kirk hammet/ james hetfield/ zakk wylde...but who the fuck cares
You musical style(s): some clean stuff, Rock and Metal babeee
Reason for pickup change: i didn't change them ^^

Perceived output level: really HOT (yeah it's an EMG81 and they are HOT ;) )
Tone: too bassy in neck, but really nice balanced in bridge maybe a little bit trebly but i LOVE that
Sonic evaluation: ESP KH602----> KORG AX1500G -----> ENGL 50 screamer tube amp

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: it's unsuitable for LOUD clean stuff! if you want to play clean stuff which is TOTALLY clean use the EMG60 in the neck (which i do)! the emg81 is everytime a little bit overdriven when you play loud (neck or bridge)! but it's fuckin' perfekt for distortion, solo and overdrive sounds in the bridge!

Comments: i would definitely buy it again for the bridge! in my opinion a EMG 81 in the neck SUCKS! but in the bridge this baby rules :)! perfekt for fuckin' awesome solos, metal and rock sounds! i love the loooong substain (neckthru :P) the tone, and the brightness of the sound! and i think active pickups DON'T sound sterile! when you play it the right way theres a looot of feeling in this sound which makes you wanna cry ;)!
(my rating is for the EMG 81 ind the bridge position! in the neck i would give it a 4 :P)

Pickup features: Humbucker, Active
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson Les Paul Classic
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Gibson 500T
Other pickups on guitar: EMG 60
Artists using this pickup: Metallica, Zakk Wylde, Slayer, metalheads...
You musical style(s): Metal, Rock, a lil blues, learnin some jazz hopefully
Reason for pickup change: 500T are PERFECT for rock n' roll in my opinion, but i needed heavier sounds because I play metal mostly

Perceived output level: First of all I HAVE to recommend having a 7 band equalizer with this pickup, it makes it much easier to tone down the treble and turn up the lower midrange. Other than that, the pick up in my LP sounds like the distortion off of Master Of Puppets. The sound is a bit trebbly but with the EQ u can really balance it out. Its good for speed playing and such, but those who are into really downtuned nu-metal may feel its a bit too bright for their tastes...try an 85 maybe for that. I was really hung up on whether or not to get an 85 or this but I think I made the right choice. For rock they are still a bit overthe top and its harder to get that "pushed" sound out of them (as if the distortion is naturally breaking up). For metal though they are great.
Tone: With the EQ mine is beefy with a good amount of low mid and treble. Without the EQ tho it is a bit too trebly
Sonic evaluation: Gibson LP Classic with 81 bridge, 60 neck into marshall avt 50...soudns great..too all of who are reading this, check out the emg 60 for ur necks..teh sound is really glassy adn also warm, through a tube amp it sounded great...to me sounded like a cross between fender and gibson cleans, if u can imagine that. Been playin for about 6 years and am really picky about my sounds. def check out the 60 though. For those lookin at the Zakk wylde set, i think teh 60 is better than the 85 as teh 85 is a bit dull and muddy in the neck. Dont take it from me thouhg, try to find a guitar in the store with some of these pickups (81 is more common) in them

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Metal..yea great match

Comments:

Pickup features: active humbucking
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Scecter v-1 plus
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: duncan designed 101 n&b
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): all types
Reason for pickup change: Had all types except for active; wanted to add to my collection

Perceived output level: Hot
Tone: balanced
Sonic evaluation: Schecter V-1 plus w/ Crate GFX 120 & 1967 Sears Silvertone twin 12

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: tweakable for all types and styles

Comments: Been playing over 30 yrs, some say use 85's in the neck. I disagree.
The 81 in the neck is voiced right; any deeper would be too bassy.
The 81 in the bridge is perfect! It gives my distortions a smooth yet cutting grind like none other did. It sounds good clean & with chorus, phasers, flangers, etc; I can "pinch" easier, I'm in hog heaven!! It's hot (not mega hot) not too trebly, no muddiness!

Pickup features: active humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: samick artis series LP
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: stock pups
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: kirk hammett, kerry king, hanneman, jon donais, mick thomson
You musical style(s): metal, shredd, rock
Reason for pickup change: not enough gain with stock pups

Perceived output level: the sound is so hot!!! very sharp, like a rezor blade into your ears!!! the clean sound is amazing
Tone: the sound it trebly, not so bassy
Sonic evaluation: i use samick les paul, not the low end one. with roland cube 15 and line6 POD, this pups will kill anything that stand infront of him!!!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: yep, suits my style.

Comments: well, if you like sharp sound, this pups is for you. if you want well balanced pups, go for dimarzio's X2N