EMG 81

Pickup features: Active Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: Low

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Stratocaster Plus
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock Gold Lace Sensor
Other pickups on guitar: Stock Gold Lace Sensors (passive)
Artists using this pickup: Kirk Hammett (Metallica)
You musical style(s): Modern Rock, Blues, Just about anything
Reason for pickup change: stock pickup was brittle and basically the sound sucked in the bridge position.

Perceived output level: LOUD! can overdrive the clean channel with ease
Tone: balanced as it can be
Sonic evaluation: I am currently using this pickup in my Strat Plus directly into a Marshall JCM-900 SL-X head. It is tone heaven, I had second thoughts about active pickups (batteries) before I bought it, my only problem is that the passive pickups have a BIG volume drop when switched on but who cares, when you have this pickup? In a word this pickup is Wonderful.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Modern Rock, Classic Rock, Blues, and Metallica (no other metal) this pickup is a match made in heaven, I love it.

Comments: I would definately buy it again if destroyed (how i don't know) or stolen (that would suck). The only thing i don't like about this pickup is i had to cut a hole in my beloved strat of 2 years and I had to put the new knobs in it and basically just cut it up, looks decent but i should of had it done by a guitar tech, but the sound is there so i'm not worried.

Pickup features: active humbucking pickup
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: ESP Horizon
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock ESP
Other pickups on guitar: ESP SS-100
Artists using this pickup: Kirk Hammett
You musical style(s): Progressional metal/heavy metal
Reason for pickup change: The stock ESP was to quiet.

Perceived output level: Its in a word...loud. Its is loud and quiet at the same time.
Tone: It is composed of mostly highs and lows with no mids.
Sonic evaluation: I'm using a Marshall JCM 900 dual reverb 4x12 half stack. I'm forced to lower the guitar's volume to clean up the sound even when the amp is set to clean.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Progressional metal/heavy metal. It is a match made in heaven.

Comments: I would definitely get another one no matter what.

Pickup features: active humbucker
Impedence or other specs: very high output and low noise

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Les Paul Custom
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: stock epi's
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: me!
You musical style(s): PUNK, blues, thrash gumbo
Reason for pickup change: The stock pick-ups were very microphonic so much, that I could actually talk into my guitar and be heard quite well... very bad for high gain situations. The stock pick-ups also had shitty muddy tone that was horrible for any style of music.

Perceived output level: Incredibly versitile sound, high output yet virtually noiseless. The high output made my Peavey Delta Blues amp distort on the clean channel which worried me at first but it cleaned up quite nicely with a slight dip of the volume knob without losing any tone. It provides the most sublime thrash and metal tones as well as blues tones. The blues tones are both bell like and cutting and just incredible. All three positions (rhythm, treble and both) sound excellent and distinctly unique. For classic DK-mid-range punk it takes awhile to get the right sound but sounds very good when you get there. Works best for punk sounds akin to Black Flag, Stanford Prison Experiment, and Foo Fighters.
Tone: The tone is very balanced, maybe a little middy but yet it still works well for mid-scooped thrash. The little extra mid makes the blues sound raw ... SRV like but with humbuckers. This pick-up has its own flavor but it morphs well into sounds very easily.
Sonic evaluation: I used these pickups in my Epi. L.P. custom and the difference is incredible. I think that it sounds better than the top-of-the-line Gibby's. The amp I used was a Peavey Delta Blues (30W, 15" speaker all-tube) and I can get great blues tones all over the spectrum; from classic and clean to jon spencer raunchy (volume control is quite useful for these pickups unlike most... probably because they come with their own volume and tone controls and jack). My big muff puts me into high gain situations quite well. My amp can now go louder and yet be more well defined. I can't wait to get my Marshall JCM 2000 for ultra-high gain 100W power. Much more versitile than the texas specials in my strat.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: These seem to be a good match for any style of music since they respond so well to effects and simple tone controls of the amp (bass, mid, treble) probably because of their active nature. Although they are primarliy used by metal guys (metallica, zakk wylde et all) they have the best overdriven blues sound I have ever heard. Works well for tube and solid-state amps. I'm not much of a jazz guy (solo 1,solo 2, solo3, here a solo there a solo, everywhere a solo) but they can produce some very bell-like tones in the neck position.

Comments: If satan abducted my pickups I would deffinately buy them again. I am now considering purchasing their pickups for other guitars...active really is better. I can't imagine a better pickup and the price is even slightly cheaper than the Gibson 500t and Tony Iommi and is comparable to the Duncan's. I am completely happy with these pickups, plus I don't have to worry about using a lot of pedals and such. They are much more versitile than I had expected. Also, it's good to support local companies.

Pickup features: Active Humbucking
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson Explorer Korina
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Jackson T-5 or something
Other pickups on guitar: EMG 89
Artists using this pickup: Kirk Hammett, James Hetfield, Zakk Wylde
You musical style(s): Classic rock, Metal, rock and roll
Reason for pickup change: Cheesey Jackson Pickup made guitar sound cheap (the original owner bought it in the 80's cause jacksons were popular. Worstst pickup in the world!

Perceived output level: Hot. the leads are great.
Tone: bassy in a Metallica way, but leads are hot, even though they dont pop your ear drums!
Sonic evaluation: Explorer guitar with a Peavey Tweed Classic 100 watt head and 5150 4x12 cabinet. EQ: bass12 mid6 treble12, preamp: pre12 post12

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: any hard rock tones sound great. If you carefully play with your amp settings and turn the tone on the EMGdown, you can get SOME good clean tones, but i use the 89's for that.

Comments: destroyed, i'd get it again.
I've been playing since 3rd grade, and in 12th now
i own a Les Paul Black Beauty, a Explorer Korina and a Dean From Hell.
I love the artificial harmonics you can easily get (Zakk Wylde on OZZMOSIS you can easily copy)
THE POTS ARE JUNK, SOME OF THEM JUST DONT WORK, THEYRE TOO FLIMSY AND SMALL! never forget to unplug your cord! don't worry if you do, cause you'll learn to quick!
always have a spare9volt
I am satisfied for what i payed and saved,
pickups are STILL pickups.

Pickup features: Active Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Kramer Focus 6000
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock, whatever was in it.
Other pickups on guitar: Seymour Duncan Hotrails in the neck position
Artists using this pickup: Kirk Hammet, Zakk Wylde
You musical style(s): Blues/Jazz/Rock/Metal/Pop anything I wanna play.
Reason for pickup change: Needed a nicer, thick compressed sound.

Perceived output level: Very defined and strong, no need for a pre-amp or anything else to alter the sound before the amp.
Tone: Clear highs and Deep/thick lows. Very nice range.
Sonic evaluation: Kramer Focus 6000 w/Peavey EVH 5150 Combo. Morley wah, Boss Digital Delay
Boss Compressor sustainer, Boss Noise gate.
Finally the sound I always heard in my head....

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: For my purposes it's a very versatile pickup, a little nasal though. I wouldn't recommend it to someone who plays everything clean.

Comments: I'd definitely buy another one and another one. I'll keep coming back
for this one.

Pickup features: Active Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: Don't know

Model of guitar or bass: Handmade Guitar
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: The pickup has been on the guitar from the begining
Other pickups on guitar: EMG89
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): ROCK BLUES
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: High level more than usually
Tone: smoth midd and sharp treble, not to much. Excelent for solos
Sonic evaluation: With distortion this pickup will give you a tight sound and good sustain
It's the pickup i want for screaming solos like Garry Moore.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Not so good for clean sounds

Comments: Yes i would by it again. But i'm going to try a passive pickup on my next guitar.
I hade a marshall JTM45 (Old one) and with the EMG81 i did get a god overdrive tone with the volume all the way up,
and sustain that was the best i'v ever heard.

Pickup features: high output active humbucking
Impedence or other specs: errmm......

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson Les Paul Special
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: lousy shitty p90 style crap
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Kirk Hammett(Metallica)
You musical style(s): hard rock,alternative,metal,whatever the fuck I feel like playing
Reason for pickup change: The P90 soapbar pickups had no balls to them at all...needed
something that could give me maximum sustain and cut thru the
other instruments...and I HATED that lousy weak twang of the stupid single coils
..they sucked...also had weak distorted sound...feedback easily...noisy...I think you'd
get it by now.

Perceived output level: I would think any humbucker would gimme more edge over my previous pickups let alone active ones.
Tone: trebly with nice midrange.....screaming highs with this one.....and the lows on power chords kick ass too.
Sonic evaluation: I'd never dream of the day when I could make my lil'o'twanging Les paul Special(its supposed to sound like a Junior)snarl
up there with the big boys which have PAF's in them.Now I think it kicks their asses anyday.I played
my friend's Epi Les Paul while mine was at the workshop fitting in the EMG's and I was impressed with the
tone of the PAF's.Now that tone don't mean shit.Seriously.It gives TONS of gain and sustains like your momma's
naggin.You gotta try it to believe....I've no regrets over this one..except that I had to bring my guitar to
the Guitar Workshop to cut the pickup cavities bigger and rewire the whole damn thing...and that cost me lotsa my
moolah...something i'm always short of considering i'm 16.But it's worth it now....with that killer tone that I've
always wanted.When it says 'high output'on the box,they mean 'keep your amp below 4 or your gonna blow it'.
this os one pickup for people who want massive gain with long long long looooonnnnngggggg sustain and saturated tones.
works good for both the bridge and neck pickup....sounded especially warm in the neck and its good for blues too..not
like the problem many have stated on this page...this pickup's so hot its gonna sound dirty on the clean channel eventually
anyway.Snarling,mean,ass kicking,in your face biting high end with a nice smooth midrange.May sound a bit nasal to some but it
can be corrected if you tweak your amp properly.
Keep your neighbours banging on your door and kill the crowd deaf with this one.Its a joy to hear and play on.
Make sure you put this pickup as near the strings as possible so its LOUDER.Make sure your gain is on 10 or you won't see it shine!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: unless you play a banjo.....

Comments: I would definitely buy it again if i had another guitar.
Love everything about it....got that killa monsta ultra super phat sound and sustain
I was looking for!
Only wished it had come in soapbar size so I wouldn't have to cut up the
pickup cavities....more sizes would be welcome.

Pickup features: active humbucking
Impedence or other specs: output impedence 10kohm

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez Radius 540R
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: stock
Other pickups on guitar: 2 single coils
Artists using this pickup: kirk hammett
You musical style(s): metal
Reason for pickup change: i wanted this pickup because of its high output ability..just want the axe to scream!

Perceived output level: this pickup is mainly for high output playing..fullshred metal..
Tone: balanced
Sonic evaluation:
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: this pickup is generally an all rounder for me...usually suitable on the bridge

Comments: i'm quite pleased with the overall performance of this baby.although people say its no good for clean..which i generally think so..its perfectly normal for me..but i'm having another 2 passive single coils on my axe ..sound of the single coils are pretty lame when you compare it...so in that way it sux..its advisable to put all active pickups on your guitar

Pickup features: humbucking, active
Impedence or other specs: ?

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Stratocaster
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Crappy factory single coils
Other pickups on guitar: more crappy single coils
Artists using this pickup: Zakk Wylde, Kirk Hammet, James Hetfield, many many others!
You musical style(s): fat, screamin' metal
Reason for pickup change: When I bought this crummy little strat about 2 years ago I thought I got a great deal (it was only $180!) But when I plugged it into my effects processor, it started spewing out this horrible noise on all of my distortion settings, and it sounded awful. I didn't exactly realize how bad they sounded until I played one of my friend's ESP guitars! Anyhow he had a set of EMG-81's in there and man! They sounded SWEET! The highs were biting and the lows were extremely percussive. The midrange also just burned right through. So I went and rewired the entire electrical system in my strat with a couple of these and what a difference! The bridge pickup was so tight and best of all didn't squeal with feedback. You could actually control the pitch and intensity of the feedback with a little practice. The one in the bridge position gave me this perfect replica of Stevie Ray Vaughn's sound because it was so punchy and fat. With infinite gain from the battery powered preamp you can sustain a note forever. Provided the amp is loud enough. This one is a definite must buy for those who want an ultra phat sound. :)

Perceived output level: So hot you don't need an amp
Tone: Extremely bassy but at the same time balanced. It's got phat balls
Sonic evaluation: IT HAS MONSTER BALLS!!!!
See also above on reason for buying.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: country- that's about it

Comments: I would buy it again in a heartbeat. This one doesn't need comparing to other products because once you've heard it, that's it, your search is over. This one is a must have.

Pickup features: Active Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson LP standard (from sometime in the late 80's)
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock pickups
Other pickups on guitar: Standard stock pickups (1 other humbucker in the neck)
Artists using this pickup: See above reviews (I bought it because of Metallica)
You musical style(s): Heavy Metal and heavy rock
Reason for pickup change: The stock pickups were pussy wipy-ass creations. I knew when
I bought the guitar the pickups would need to be replaced.

Perceived output level: Really damn hot. I also have a Screamin' Deamon and the EMG is hotter.
Tone: Mid + treble boost and fat bottom end. Only muddy when tuned way down.
Sonic evaluation: This pickup is awesome for me because i am a thrash/metal/heavy rock player.
Primarily, though I am a shredder and this pickup works real well for me.
I really like the clean sound too. My setup is Marshall w/assorted crunchy
pedals and amp reverb on 50% to max, Gain at 11. The best pickup for heavy
music with lots of distortion.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: You can actually coax out just about any sound with a little tweaking.

Comments: I would buy it again in a heartbeat. It is not expensive and perfect
for metal. The clean sound is nice too. I would like to put it in my
Ibanez guitar but I dont think with the wide string spacing in the floyd
rose it would work.

Pickup features: Active Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez RBM
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock Ibanez
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup: Slayer, Metallica, Exodus
You musical style(s): Metal
Reason for pickup change: I wanted a more screaming sound for my guitar, and tested the EMG.
I liked it immediately. Great sound.
I read that some people don't like it's clean sound, But I guess it's
Allright for a good clean feel, Don't buy if you only play clean, This
baby was designed to rock!!

Perceived output level: It has a very high output. At first I used it in combination with two other stock single coils, (Parallel connection) but they sounded real weak compared to the EMG, so I disconnected them.
Tone: Screaming, Mid & High boost
Sonic evaluation: One of the best sounds ever heard from a pickup, and still NO NOISE,

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I only tried this in bridge position, so I can't really tell.

Comments: I would definately buy it again. I just LOVE the sound of it.
I only wish it wasn't active so that there was no need for a battery that can run empty.

Pickup features: Active Humbucker (ceramic magnet)
Impedence or other specs: low

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson Les Paul Custom Showcase
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: EMG 85
Other pickups on guitar: EMG 85 (neck position)
Artists using this pickup: Zakk Wylde
You musical style(s): Blues, Southern Rock, Classic Rock, Metal, Jazz
Reason for pickup change: I wanted a little more edge when using the bridge pickup for power chords.

Perceived output level: The hottest pickup I've ever used
Tone: Very midrange and treble present.
Sonic evaluation: It's mainly a metal pickup, but if used just, right is the cleanest bridge pickup I've ever heard. It sound great when mixed in with the bridge pickup for slightly dirty leads.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I can make this pickup sound good for any style of music.

Comments: I would buy it again. I found that EMG pickups make a Les Paul sound more like a Les Paul. I only wish I could splitt the coils and adjust the gain.

Pickup features: Humbucking, Active
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson Les Paul Custom
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: stock
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Testament, Damn the Machine, and Zack Wyld
You musical style(s): Rock / Metal / Industrial
Reason for pickup change: stock pickup was muddy and noisy

Perceived output level: UltraHot
Tone: very solid for high distortion
Sonic evaluation: This pickup is very unique for control of massive distortion, I like it a lot in this contex. You can tell its lack of warmth in clean settings though. If you have a guitar you can spare for a unique distroted tone use this pickup.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: rock / metal / industrial

Comments: I'd only buy it for its unique distortion ability

Pickup features: Active pickup, high output, low noise
Impedance or other specs: Low

Pickup features: active, low impedance, balanced freq. response
Impedance or other specs:

Pickup features: active, low noise, high output, more sustain
Impedance or other specs:

Pickup features: High-output active EMG humbucker
Impedance or other specs: low-impedance

Model of guitar or bass: BC Rich LA Series Model ST
Position: EMG-81 in bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock BC Rich Pickups (Unknown type)
Other pickups on guitar: Two EMG Single Coils in Neck & Mid Pos.
Artists using this pickup: Slayer, Metallica, Winger (Ugh), White
Lion, Exodus, etc.
Your musical style(s): Rock/Heavy/Thrash Metal (and sometimes Blues)
Reason for pickup change: New (louder) tone for instrument.
The stock pickups were very loud, would squeal,
and didn't have enough "balls". Once the EMG
pickups were installed, the output from the
guitar increased dramatically, as well as the
overall tone send to the amplified was improved.
Also, there was almost no noise.


Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez RG565
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Ibanez stock (V2?)
Other pickups on guitar: EMG SA single coil (neck)
Artists using this pickup:
Your musical style(s): Hard rock, fusion
Reason for pickup change: Ibanez stock pu's were wimpy, muddy, noisy ('nuff?)


Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez Radius
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Ibanez stock V2
Other pickups on guitar: Ibanez V1 custom tapped
Artists using this pickup:
Your musical style(s): Metal, funk, experimental
Reason for pickup change: shitty muddy sound from the Ibanez stock pickup.
not enough edge and thet cutting sound
little output


Model of guitar or bass: Steinberger R-Series
Position: Bridge
Pickup being replaced: Seymour Duncan Custom Custom
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Kirk Hammet ( METALLICA )
Your musical style(s): mostly blues, hard rock, metal
Reason for pickup change: because Custom Custom wasn't hot enough

Perceived output level: Very high output -- Similar to a Dimarzio
X2N level output.
Tone: In my observation, the EMG-81 has incredible high and mid range peaks.
The bass is cut a bit. The pickups really scream. They pick up
pinch and artificial harmonics beautifully. There is very little
magnetic pull from the pickup, so they are very close to the strings.
I would not say that the EMG-81 pickup has as much character as a
passive pickup. There is a definite difference comparing it to other
high-output passive models. The EMG-81 seems "sterile", yet very loud
and "hostile".
Sonic evaluation:
As mentioned above, the EMG-81 is very loud, very, VERY sterile clean
(if you're not clipping the input stages of your preamp). There are
incredible high and mid range tones, but a definite cut in bass ranges.
Overall, the pickup is good for high gain effects or amps. The pickup
is VERY quiet compared to other passive models.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:
Thrash/Metal musicians will love the EMG-81. It's loud and ballsy, and
will not sqeak easily. You will not get shocked when holding your
guitar and touching a microphone (etc) because you do not ground the
pickup. Rock or other softer music musicians may find this pickup a
little too brass or too "cold". There is tons of pure gain pouring
out of the EMG-81, but it does not have the "warm" qualities of passive
pickups.

Perceived output level: _High_; you have to lower input volume for most
signal processors to avoid overloading
Tone: Punchy lower mids, piercing highs.
Sonic evaluation:
Without distortion sounds clean but harsh on bridge position. Deadly
with overdrive and scooped eq. No noise on any settings. No
uncontrolled feedback.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:
A bit too sterile/cold for blues/Santana singin' lead tone (depends on
amp etc of course).

Perceived output level: WOW! Really high (it is the hottest of all EMGs)
much more than 'hot' (sorry) passive pickups

Uses a 9V battery (the battery lasts about half year). If you use it
along with passive pickups the EMG is much louder!
Tone: warm bass, distorted biting treble.
Sonic evaluation:
Really has that edge, cuts through for solos, not so great for clean
sounds (the thing is meant to be dirty).
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:
Use it for hard rock/all kinds of metal. Bridge position. If you want
great clean sounds, which do not 'bite' then this is not the thing.

Perceived output level: Extremely high-output, almost too harsh
Tone: Very well balanced, kind of brittle in a maple body though
Sonic evaluation:
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Sucks for clean
or blues or even moderate rock, great for metal and thrash.

Comments:




Comments:


Comments:
10 (it is not that versatile after all)


Comments: