EMG 89

Pickup features: Active dual coil and single coil
Impedence or other specs: i really don't know

Model of guitar or bass: Aria Pro 2
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: crappy screaming stock pickups
Other pickups on guitar: just to EMG 89's
Artists using this pickup: anyone who is smart should use this one.
You musical style(s): Blues, Rock, Jazz, Melodic Heavy Metal
Reason for pickup change: Stock pickups really sucked, they screamed when i have the volume up a little.

Perceived output level: HUGE! Single copil is very high also, but lower than the humbucking
Tone: Bassy, Middy, clean as hell. Sounds beautiful with distortion, and very organic and beautiful when played clean.
Sonic evaluation: Im using an aria pro 2 with a 15 watt peavy at home and my friend's 100 watt laney for gigs and practice, it sounds beautiful on both.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: for any music in any position, try different tone settings as well as using the single coil sounds and these pickups will give you incredible diversity.

Comments: I WOULD RIP APART ANYONE WHO STOLE THESE FROM ME!!! I would step over a hot girl to have them. I have been playing 2 years, and am pretty damn good(i better be, i pracice 6 hours a day) i explained my gear above, i also use a delay pedal. I love everything about it, i have a slight problem with the volume difference when switching to single coail, but other than that they kick major ass. They are the best pickups on the market.

Pickup features: Active humbucker
Impedence or other specs: I forget at the moment ( sorry )

Model of guitar or bass: BC Rich Warlock guitar ( platnum series ).
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock BC Rich.
Other pickups on guitar: EMG-81.
Artists using this pickup: I think that Zack wyled uses this one.
You musical style(s): Everything.
Reason for pickup change: The stock pickups sounded great for stock pickups but I wanted more gain and response basically.

Perceived output level: I knew that I was going to get more gain but I was blowen away by how much more gain I got. ( The stock pickups was 10 years old and did not put out alot ). Yes you DO need a amp.
Tone: The tone of this pickup on the bridge position is very balenced, not glassy ( I hate glassy ) yet It is not mud ( just as bad for treble fans )
Sonic evaluation: I have read that the 81 has more output than the 85 but I got a metal object and lightly tapped on each pickup and I never noticed much difference so with the 81 being of higher treble output I put that one on the neck ( before you say one word, I love thick heavy distortion but I like a treble based clean, and with distortion, the 81 blows away alot of bridge position passives I`ve heard but it is not as good as the 85 when it comes to bottem end response and I like even responces from the two of my pickups so I dont have to redial my amp when I go from bridge to neck ). I am using a 20 year old Traynor stack and A Boss HM-3 along with a DOD DFX-94 ( great combo ) and the 85 is absoulutly a perfect match if you like thick and heavy ( the 81 is great in the neck with this combo too )

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This is not a good pickup if you like glassy, trebly,single coil type sound but for the rest of us, it is to good to put in words. Exellent.

Comments: If I had 20 stolen on me, I would buy 21 more. I have compared ( these pickups ) to everything under the sun and there is no one who would pay me enough by the minute to ever use passive pickups again/ The only prob with this particuler pickup ( same applys to the 81 ) is that if you hit the strings too hard when playing clean, you will get too much gain and distortion BUT if you relax, you will get a very surprising clean sound wich no other humbucker will match in terms of quality. I have found my pickup for my sound, finally

Pickup features: Dual Mode Active
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Samick
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Bridge and Neck
Other pickups on guitar: EMG-SA
Artists using this pickup: not sure
You musical style(s): almost any
Reason for pickup change: samick pickups are far too weak
and there's some problem with the wiring
so might as well change everything

Perceived output level: quite high for HB mode, as expected of active pickups
Tone: balanced, electronic,
Sonic evaluation: I played using my computer speakers most of the time.
Maybe that's why i feel that the level is a bit high
when it is in HB mode. No doubt it sounds electronic.
But that's the way I like it, or else I could use an ovation axe.
In HB mode with distortion and chorus,
the sound is extremely professional, like those u hear on CDs.
In SC mode, the axe sounds sharp enough but you could get bassy tones
if u are not careful about the position of the pickups.
A fender lace will sound more natural than this one.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Rock, Light Metal, I believe both brigde and neck are suitable

Comments: I will definitely buy again.
I have been using EMG 89s for almost half a year.
I complement it with a Boss metal zone and super chorus.
Its distortion mode was superb, no doubt, and it's very warm indeed.
But sometimes,when u need a more natural sound, it is somewhat lacking.
Overall, I would say it 's a good buy for those going for high output
and warm sounds.

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

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Fat Stratocaster
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Crappy Stock Pickups
Other pickups on guitar: EMG SA/SA
Artists using this pickup: Many
You musical style(s): Rock
Reason for pickup change: Too much buzz, not enough output with old pickups.

Perceived output level: Only slightly less hotter than the bilstering 81..Still extremely hot in HB mode, very clean in Single Coil mode, but still sounds good distorted either way.
Tone: Has a lot of upper midrange, but not necessarily thin.
Sonic evaluation: I used it with a Marshall tube amp (not sure of model) with high gain and in clean modes.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Good for any type of rock at all.

Comments: I would definately buy it again, but the next time I'd have someone else put in the pickups for me. It was a real pain in the ass to wire 8 small wires to this one little switch. I have heard some of the Seymore Duncan pickups, and I liked this one better, because of the flexibility it provides.

Pickup features: Active; dual-mode (humbucker/single coil)
Impedence or other specs: Say what?

Model of guitar or bass: Jackson King V Pro
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: stock Jackson
Other pickups on guitar: EMG 81 (bridge)
Artists using this pickup: I hear James Hetfield uses one of these (not sure, though...)
You musical style(s): Heavy metal
Reason for pickup change: Stock Jacksons too noisy, and also looking for better tone.

Perceived output level: Lots o' power; about 20% more than stock (in humbucking mode)
Tone: In a word: FAT!! Makes the tone seem like it weighs several tons.
Sonic evaluation: See my review of the EMG 81 for setup details. This pickup is in the neck position of the my Jackson King V Pro. It can be played in humbucking mode or single coil mode by pulling/pushing on the volume knob which also functions as a selector between both modes. In humbucking mode, a distorted tone will sound like it's eight miles wide... Fat as hell! As for the single-coil mode, it sounds best clean, or with a little chorus or flange added to the mix. I don't exactly know how best to put it, but played this way, it makes my amp sound like the cabinet is made of glass. Truly a haunting sound which needs to heard to be believed.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: The 89 is VERY flexible; any style played through it will rock.

Comments: If you're looking for the pickup that can do it all, go for the 89. It's exactly like an 85 when played in humbucking mode (just slightly less powerful than the uranium-laden 81), yet makes your guitar setup sound like it's entirely made of crystal when played in single-coil mode. I haven't heard what it sounds like in the bridge position, but I'd surely opt for it if I were replacing a pickup in a guitar which only had one humbucker in combination with single coils (e.g., Charvel and ESP strats). Look into this one ESPECIALLY if you play many different styles of music; it flexes into infinity.

Pickup features: active-dual mode -humbucking & single coil
Impedence or other specs: not sure

Model of guitar or bass: fender strat plus
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: fender gold lace sencors
Other pickups on guitar: 2 emg- sa's
Artists using this pickup: kirk hammet. tom morello
You musical style(s): metallica, stevie ray vaughn, pink floyd
Reason for pickup change: lace sencors didn't create enough kick when overdriven, they're just not made to do that.

Perceived output level: very balanced- hot or purring sweet
Tone: these pickups can do whatever you want them to- any style you wish
Sonic evaluation: these things rock! I was playing around on my first day with them and I thought that these things aren't as loud as I thought they'd be. Until I realized that you pull up on the tone control to activate the humbucker . It damn near blew me out of my seat.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: play hard rock, classic rock, and electric blues these pickups(sa-sa-89)do it all

Comments: Buy again in a hearbeat. This is my first time playing with EMG pickups and I'm more than impressed, I'm astonished. Installation was a pain in the ass, but it's the price you pay for having kick ass sound. I RECOMMEND THESE PICKUPS TO EVERYBODY!!!

Pickup features: an active HB
Impedence or other specs: 'm too lazy to look into the manual

Model of guitar or bass: home made (H-H, double locking fixed bridge, solidbody)
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: Steve Lukather, many of my friends You probably don't know :-)
You musical style(s): modern heavy rock, a lot of soloing
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: I had a DiMarzio Super Distortion in the bridge position of my previous guitar and the fact that the 89 puts out the higher voltage is one of those I buied it for.
Tone: When I'm forced to write here something then middy.
Sonic evaluation: I play through a stomp box nobody will probably know. It's name is PM-4 Black Box (a Czech made transistor multieffects box) and a transistor amplifier (Don't think valves has something to show up with in the 90's of the 20th century.). For the single mode: In neck position the pickup produces the nicest clean sound I've heared till these days. By the bridge I use it with distortion to play riffs because the notes feel more distinguishably(isolated) then humbucker (Doesn't mean I don't use the H mode too(and actually even more)). With this bridge single playing I get sounds similar to Pull Me Under (a song by Dream Theater) rythm guitar sound. From the paralelly connected singles You can get a Nuno style sound when just a little overdriven. For the humbucker mode the pickup behaves like a very hot HB - a mellow, full bodied sound from the neck position and screaming, wild sound from the bridge. I think the pickups in the HB mode can deliver some beautiful solo sounds You can hear around in the area of the rock pros (not just Mr. Lukather). Idon't use both HBs at the same time at all.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: As described somewhere above I like singing lead work and powerful but concrete rythm sound. For me these little apliances seem excellent. It's the only part of my signal path I'm sure about.

Comments: It goes without saying I'd buy the magic called EMG-89 again.
(By the way : I don't like too big bass response 'cos I think it makes mess in the sound, so don't expect heaps of bass.(Any amp has it anyway.))

Pickup features: Two modes , single coil and humbucker (Active)
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Guitar
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar: EMG 81 Bridge
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Roc k, Blues
Reason for pickup change: I wanted a active Pickup with Dual mode

Perceived output level: More level than a passive pickups
Tone: Less middy than EMG 81
Sonic evaluation: The EMG-89 Has two modes , single coil and humbucker. The single coil has a nice glassy sound. The Humbucker sounds like the singelcoil but with more output and a little bit more bass.
The modes are switched via push-pull volume pot. The harmonics and sustain are remarkable. It's perfect to use with the EMG 81. It's a perfect ballance between this pickups

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: All sort's of music

Comments: Yes i would by it again maybe to put in the Bridge position

Pickup features: Dual (humbucking and single coil) / Active
Impedence or other specs: low

Model of guitar or bass: Washburn N4 Signature model
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Bill Lawrence
Other pickups on guitar: EMG-81 (neck)
Artists using this pickup: not sure
You musical style(s): Rock, Blues, Jazz, Metal, Country, Funk, Experimental - you name it!
Reason for pickup change: Upgrading to better tones and flexibility.

Perceived output level: Normal
Tone: BBB (Balanced Beyond Belief)
Sonic evaluation: Can we talk? It's like pure BUTTAH, baby! Seriously though, I have
used EMGs for many years now, and there is no better balanced or more
quieter units on the market--hands down! The 89 in humbucker mode is
sweeter and crunchier the a bowl of "Capt'n Crunch's Crunchberries".
Lots of "Beef Noodle Heartiness" as well. (Can you tell I watched too
much TV as a youth?) In single coil mode, it is a slightly fuller-
sounding version of their Alnico single coil unit, the EMG-SA, which
is the warmest, most balanced and quietest single coil on the market!

To the guy who posted, "I can't get my single coil mode to work...",
don't be a dufus--call or Email the folks at EMG and they will be
more than happy to help. Hey, if *I* can wire the damn thing up to
work, so can *ANYBODY*! And to the poster who cited the big diff in
gain between the humbucking and single coil modes, that can be alieviated
by either purchasing a preamp boost circuit from EMG (which boosts the
single coil side's output to that of the 'bucker), or you can take the
"poor man's" version and simply add another volume pot [don't panic]
between your pickup and the volume control in where it somehow decreases
the humbucker mode's gain to match that of the single coil mode. Sounds
like a big pain I know, but the EMG folks guided me through it with
ease, and the damn thing sounds just as good in both modes! :-)

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pickup can be used for ANY style. It's not too hot, so anyone from Chicken Pickers to Shred Kings can literally get any tone they want from it. It mainly depends on the amp and what kind of outboard effects you use, but the unit simply can't be beat!

Comments: Yes, I'd buy it again! [In fact, it's my FAVE 'bucker that EMG makes!]
The tone is too kill for, and my only qualm is the gain difference
between the two modes (which as I stated above, I was able to remedy).
I went for this one because I had already been using the EMG-81 in an
older axe, and the EMG-SA single coils in my Strat, so I had been well
aware of the EMG tone and reliability. A few years ago I got into the
whole "Tapped Coil" thing, and lucky for me EMG had already developed
this unit with specifically for doing just that! It was the logical
choice. My only regret is that there aren't more options in the
pickup covers dept. I just bought a great Epi Les Paul std., and
I want to replace the stock microphonic hunks of junk with nickel-
covered EMG-89's, but I fear that my only choices are either black
or white covers. [I'm looking into this right now, and will get
back to you if I find out they can indeed do it.] Satisfied?!?
For the most part "Yes!", but I will always be searching--just
like most of us out there, we'll ALWAYS be searching. Last thing:
the folks at EMG are terrific! Their Tech Support and all-around
great guy, Paul Gnat (pronounced "Ga-not"), is just the BEST! He's
done some custom work for me on my Strat, and it is now a tonally
flexible beast like none other you've ever heard! [Check out my
full review on the EMG-SA's for the skinny on that.] The others
there as well: Gordy, Doug, Rob... they don't get much better than
them in this Biz.

Pickup features: Active humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Les Paul Standard
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Stock Les Paul
Other pickups on guitar: EMG 81
Artists using this pickup: ???
You musical style(s): Blues, Hendrix and Alternative
Reason for pickup change: Stock Epi's sounded good but would squeal when volume was turned up

Perceived output level: More than stock. Clip lights on my amp turn on at 6 insted of 8
Tone: Full bodied. Lots of mids and bass but this could also be atrributed to the placement in the neck position
Sonic evaluation: The only thing that pisses me off is that I can't the single coil tap to work.
It comes with a push pull volume pot and a tone pot. with the pot up
it supposedly becomes a single coil. I wired it exactly like the instructions
and I still can't get it working!
The humbucker mode sounds real good though. Very full bodied. Good for
distortion as well as clean. With the volume turned down and playing with
the clean channel you can get a nice ringing tone. Distortion is fat
but can get muddy because of all the bass and mids.

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

Comments: Yes I would.
I like the tone a lot. I wish I could get it to work in single coil mode
though.
I thought about getting duncans but chose these for the pure technology
factor. I mean you get pots a battery clip and a new output jack. With
duncans you just get a pickup. It was desinged to be split as a single coil too.
I am satisified with the sound. I just wanted to get rid of that squeal from
my stock pickups. These are one of the quietest out there. I'm giving
it a 7 cause I can't get it to work right. But it is a definite 10 in
sound quality in the humbucker mode!