EMG 89

Humbucker / Single (switchable) Active

I put this in my MIJ Strat to replace the OEM bridge humbucker. I wanted the ability to have both single coil and bucker sounds from the bridge position. I already had EMG model S pups in the neck & middle positions.

Output level seems to be higher than be OEM bucker, which was expected with an active pickup. It's not hot enough to overdrive the amp when rolling back the volume like you're going for clean tone. The clean sound is gorgeously pristine and has a lot of presence. You'd think you had a blanket over your amp before popping in this p'up. I play jazz, blues, and classic rock. Since I have the jazz tones well covered with the EMG single S p'ups in the neck/middle, this pickup was to help dial in the bluesy rock tones I felt were lacking in the original. For thicker tones, you just need a bucker. The 89 gets those FAT sounds and still stays articulate. Pull out the volume knob (included in the kit) and roll the volume up a bit to compensate for the level drop-off...and you get a single coil that delivers the traditional Strat single coil sound: Bright, airy, and chimey! Got a fat strat that you wanna get a more traditional tone from the bridge? The 89 is the ticket, letting you go easily between bucker and single coil. The installation instructions come with directions that are flexible for the switching. You can also set the single to be active while the knob is in and go to bucker when the knob gets pulled out.

I was totally pleased with this pickup swap. EMGs are extremely quiet when at idle. The low impedance output makes the length of guitar cable a non-issue. It will drive a long distance w/o the cable capacitance becoming a low-pass filter. Having to remember to always unplug after playing to conserve battery life is one downside, besides needing a battery in the first place. But hey, it's a small price to pay for delivering outstanding tones and virtually inaudible noise. The wiring is somewhat more complicated than that of a normal pickup due to the hum/sing switch, but the diagrams are easy enough to follow. I plug into a Fender Twin and a POD XT Live. I'd break out the soldering iron and replace it for sure if it ever disappeared.

Dual mode, push pull volume knob switches between humbucking & single coil mode.

Ibanez jetking 1, neck position, also hav an EMG 81 in the bridge position.

Higher output than most humbuckers in humbucking mode, except the 81 ofcourse, and relatively high output in the single mode (but not too much for a single coil, it should not have too much output i think)
Used with a zoom g9.2tt, and it works like a charm! Rich, warm,bassy tone, but with a lot of clarity, it doesn't get muddy, and in the single mode it is beautifully balanced. (comment to "darcy chubbs": is it possible you've gotten a bad battery installed? Thats probably the reason why your 89 doesnt work that well, believe you me, it should beat the crap out of most passive pickups what comes to output and clarity!)
I mostly play rock style music, and it suits me very well, seems that it would fit very well in the bridge position too. Very versatile!:)

I would buy this one again if it was stolen from my guitar for sure (haha).
I've been playing for about 12 years or so, i'm a semi pro and play gigs on a regular basis.
I love this pickup, and it's actually not that hard to install if you hav a tiny bit of experience with soldering and basic electronics, i installed the 81 without any problems, but i had to mill a bit in the guitarbody too get the 89's push/pull pot to fit, it's pretty deep, took me about 4 hours from the first screw was loosended to the last one was in place, but that's only because my guitar was a bit short of space under the pickguard.
Everyone: Remember to unplug your guitar to prevent battery drainage!:)

Pickup features: Active humbucker, dual mode
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson Les Paul Studio
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: factory pickups in Les Paul
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Many use EMG (Metallica, etc..) but not sure about the 89
You musical style(s): hardcore, hatecore, metal, punk
Reason for pickup change: Wanted something heavy but with good tones

Perceived output level: great...very hot
Tone: balanced to trebly
Sonic evaluation: I'm using this pickup/guitar combination with a Mesa Boogie Dual rectifier going into a Marshal cabinet with celestion speakers. Awesome setup! I couldn't ask for a better combination. The sound is so heavy and powerful, but still very clear. The notes jump out, and the crunches are clean and heavy. I've been playing for almost 20 years, and this is the best I've gotten so far.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: For clean, heavy hardcore or metal, these pickups are great. There is no muddy-ness or loss of tone at all.

Comments: Definitly buy EMG over and over for my Les Paul. However, they didn't see to fair well in my SG. It could have just been some wiring mistakes on my part, or it really could have been the pickups. The EMG 89s are a dual mode pickup, and therefore need special switches. The switches didn't fit in my SG, so I tried to bypass them. It didn't work. So, I had to pull them out of the SG and go with some passive pickups. However, in my Les Paul, everything fits great, and it's the best setup I've had. Loud, clear, heavy, everything I could ask for from a pickup

Pickup features: active humbucker and single coil
Impedence or other specs: additional electronics EMG RPC presence control

Model of guitar or bass: Heritage H-535 semi hollowbody electric guitar
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: neck and bridge Schaller stock humbucking pickups
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Smooth jazz, funk, and rock
Reason for pickup change: I wanted to have a wide variety of tones available and use various stomp boxes without tone loss. I also wanted to run wireless without loosing my sound.

Perceived output level: These pickups were too hot in the humbucking mode and I called the manufacturer. They sent me a schematic that lowered th output of the humbucker so that it would be closer to the output of a EMG single coil.I am pleased that I can run through stomp boxes without overdriving their input.
Tone: I also added a RPC control to increase the high end which gave me a great humbucking tone with more bite and clarity.
Sonic evaluation: Iplay a Heritage H-535 guitar through the following pedals:Jim Dunlop 535Q wah wah, Boss cs 3 compression sustainer, Ibanez tube screamer ts 909 reissue, Tone bone classic MXR micro flanger, Boss DD-5 delay, and a Boss volume pedal. The amp is a Mesa/Boogie MK 3, an early model with an EV 12L speaker.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play smooth jazz, funk, rhythm and blues, Motown and rock and all pickup positions work the best of any pickup I have tried.I have tried various passive designs and none of them are as good as these EMGs.

Comments: The setup I describe here is absolutely versatile and I can cover all the styles I mentioned and more. I have been playing professionally for 26 years and I only play music for a living. I have found my sound with this setup and I must share a tip. I have searchrd for this sound for a long time, 2 years and spent a lot of money trying many brands of pickups and effects. The music that you play should dictate the sound. What I mean is that when you start playing a song, be it original music or a cover, your instrument will eighther sound right or not. I knew what I wanted to achieve and I kept trying to get it right until it fell into place. One more thing, It takes time to learn how to work equpment and get the best out of each piece of gear so be patient.

Pickup features: Dual Mode Active (Hum and Single switchable)
Impedence or other specs: Low impedance active

Model of guitar or bass: Maison Custom
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Stock single coil
Other pickups on guitar: EMG 85
Artists using this pickup: Don't know
You musical style(s): Pop-Rock
Reason for pickup change: Lousy tone on my neck pickup..

Perceived output level: High in humbucker mode (around 1.0V RMS), moderate in Single coil mode (0.6V RMS)
Tone: Very subtle, but dynamic..
Sonic evaluation: I'm playing mostly pop-rock songs ands lotsa 80s stuff. I play my guitar with amplitube at home, and on stage I use a Behtinger V-amp pro, and it satisfies me in both conditions.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pickup is suitable for all positions and for all styles of music. Since it can be a humbucker and a single coil with a single switch, there is no music style that pickup cannot perfrom well..

Comments: Absoultely perfect.

Pickup features: Tappable active HB
Impedence or other specs: quite sensible considering its an EMG HB; nowhere near 81 levels

Model of guitar or bass: '98 squier stagemaster, 'slightly modified'
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: busted stock pickup
Other pickups on guitar: emg 81
Artists using this pickup: dunno bout 89, 81's are used everywhere though
You musical style(s): funk, disco, rock, blues, and the occasional metal moment :D
Reason for pickup change: broken coils in stock pickup, just had EMG 81 fitted, fancied a mellower edge for the neck

Perceived output level: much less bite than EMG 81, more akin to a burstbucker or atomic
Tone: mostly bass and mid bass, with a nice bid of hi-mid n treble
Sonic evaluation: squier stagemaster (with 2 emgs) --> boss HM2 --> big muff --> crybaby --> fender frontman combo
excellent clean sound, wired the pair so that theres just the individual volume controls. the 2 pickups sound much better blended together, a switch creates too much difference in sounds. plus 2 pickups running from one battery sounds better IMO anyway.
*very* *very* versatile and tweakable, since the 81 out-guns the 89. in humbucker mode, theyre about balanced, but the 89 'fills in' the mid scoop the 81 creates. good stuff, i say.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: funk, rock, metal, blues are all good, there isnt really a specific weakness or strength

Comments: the way i have wired them (which needs a degree in engineering to work out 8-) ), leaves just about any musical style within arms reach. jazz tones are surprisingly good, considering the reputation of the company as a creator of manic shred machines!
only dodgy point - the price. but once you have it, you'll use it forever.

Pickup features: active dual coil pickup with coil tapping switches
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: fender tele japanese early '90's
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: original cheap fenders
Other pickups on guitar: emg sa
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): everything
Reason for pickup change: the guitar was going down hill and needed a shitload of work done to it, so i had these pickups put in too

Perceived output level: Let's put it this way, I have been playing a Gibson Les Paul Standard which I bought in fall '99 and I've been gigging with that guitar since that time every weekend, roughly 3-4 nights each weekend, about 6 hours a night each night in all that time. Needless to say, I'm very used to the tone of that guitar in clean, dirty, whatever. When I sent my beloved tele in to get work done on it, which was more for the sake of the sentimental value of it since it was my first real electric guitar, i asked for the pickups with the widest range of sound, and for somethng which would put out as close to a les paul tone a spossible. The guy who did the work on my guitar assured me that my tele would definitely sound like a les paul, although i was skeptical about that. Well Folks, let me tell ya for starters, this DOES NOT sound like a Les Paul, and it comes nowhere close, no matter what any salesman tries to push!
Tone: Muddy and sterile, no "balls" if you would pardon my language
Sonic evaluation: I have been using a Peavey Studio Pro 112 which I bought at the same time as I bought my Les Paul and I've been using it ever since that point. Many people on here have continously put down this amp saying it has absolutely no tone; well maybe I am infact "tonedeaf", but I feel that half of these people simply don't know how to play, and even a marshall stack won't make up for that. Anyways, this has been my set-up and I was quite happy. Just this week I got my tele back with all her modifications and I immediately plugged her into my amp with the same settings as were set for my Les Paul and hit a chord. Man, it just sounded dead! there was none of that familiar crunch, at first I thought that the strings on my tele were maybe a dead set of new strings, which by fluke I've had before. But no. Infact I find the bridge humbucker mode totally unuasable. Mind you, the clean tele and strat sound is as clean and transparent sounding as any $400 mexican strat out there, but there just seems to be no body to the sound. I know, I know, it's only been a week, but I just can't fool myself into believing I like these pickups. I thought I could the day I opened the case and plugged my guitar in, but thats where it ends. With the money i invested into this guitar, including all other mods I had done, I could have bought a Gibson sg standard, and I am very disappointed that I didn't invest my money in that direction, although its too late for that now. But don't be fooled by the hype of these pickups. If you have played single coils all your life, maybe you'll loves these pickups, but if you're a metalhead whos played gibsons and PRS guitars, don't buy these pieces of crap!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play mostly covers, everyting from CCR to AC/DC and back again. I've found the only satisfactory position that these pickups are fit to be used in is the traditional bridge/middle position in single coil mode. the humbucker mode suck big time and the single coils don't have any body at all, as I said above "no balls"

Comments: I would never buy these again for anything I own and I don't recommend them.I am 21 years old, been playing since I was 7 years old, and have been playing fulltime, semi-professionally since i was 13, believe it or not. I've owned a few twin style fender amps, a couople of peavey amps, the gibson les paul standard, two fender jap strats, a fender jap tele (the guitar these pickups are in) a couple of ovation 12 striings and 2 6 strings, a tak 12 string and a fender mexican precision bass, along with quite a bit of p.a. gear. I can't say I like these pickups enough to be able to use this guitar fulltime as I did at one time. I can't compare them mind you to any other brand because I haven't used many, but these are roughly the same as a carvin start pickguard kit i bought at one time, which I also wasn't very impressed with. it just seems like dual mode pickups such as these are impossible to get to work as they shuld, wonderful concept, but the results aren't worth much. All I wish these pickups had would be character, and what i mean by that is more of a rougher harder edged, full bodied sound such as my Paul. I can't say that I am still searching for "that sound" because I already had it with my les paul, but I got "greedy" for more tonal variety and took the chance on buying these. I think that all it comes down to is you have to make a sacrifice; if you crave a single coil sound more than humbuckers, stick to a really fine single coil, and vice versa if you'd rather a humbucker, and if you do infact want both sounds, and you're made of money, bring two guitars to a gig with you with both types of pickups. I hate to put these guys down for trying to get a balance between both types of pickups in one, but these suck, and if you're used to a Les Paul, DON'T BUY THESE!

Pickup features: Dual mode humbucker/single coil
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Custom guitar built from bits and pieces I have found and liked
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: unidentified humbucker
Other pickups on guitar: EMG 81 (bridge) and EMG SA (middle)
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): hard rock, metal, prog-rock, neo-classical
Reason for pickup change: The neck pickup that was in the body was not wired correctly and did not work at all. When I bought the body, I intended from the beginning to replace the passive pickups with EMGs

Perceived output level: In humbucker mode it is not as hot as the 81, but hotter than the EMG select that was in the bridge. It's also hotter than the custom Dimarzio pickups that were in the Parker Fly Deluxe I owned before this. In single coil mode the output is less, but still above most passive single coils.
Tone: Warm, but with a decent amount of bass as well. The single coil sound seems pretty balanced though.
Sonic evaluation: I'm running my custom guitar through a Line 6 PODxt then into a Kustom1x12 at home and directly through the PA when playing live.
I can truly get some amazing sounds with this pickup, especially when I use it with the 81 in the bridge and the tone rolled off some (I'm using 3 mini toggles instead of a 5-way switch) for those warm smooth leads. For some settings the 89 doesn't have quite enough treble and the 81 doesn't have quite enough bass, but the two together just make me want to scream with joy!
I can get all sorts of good Gilmour tones out of the single coil mode and at sounds great clean too. In humbucker mode I think there is just a little too much bass to play clean.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play a lot of stuff (Pink Floyd, Metallica, Rush, Yes, Alice in Chains, Radiohead, GNR, Yngwie Malmsteen, Iron Maiden, etc. etc. etc.) and between this and the 81 and SA, I can get any sound imaginable, especially with the versetility of the PODxt. I have only tried this pickup in the neck so I can't comment on how well it works in other positions.

Comments: The only reason this pickup isn't getting a 10 is because it was a pain to wire up and it took a couple of e-mails to EMG's excellent tech support (thanks Rick!) to get everything wired correctly. This was also my first time wiring pickups so if I had more experience it would have gone smoother.
I truly believe EMG makes the best pickups around. Between the 81, SA, and 89 I can get any sound imaginable, from almost accustic cleans to crushing rhythms and everything in between.

Pickup features: humbucker- single switchable active
Impedence or other specs: dunno

Model of guitar or bass: home made strat type..
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: late 60's fender single coil
Other pickups on guitar: emg 81
Artists using this pickup: metalliboppers, lots and lots of heavy bands!!
You musical style(s): rock, jazz, pinkeske
Reason for pickup change: the previous one was noisy, and i have always loved emg's

Perceived output level: a lot more than passives.. about 20%
Tone: middy-bassy
Sonic evaluation: Traynor 20 watter all tubes
also a rocktron velocity 120 with mesa boogie v-twin pedal
one or the other in a cabinet with a 35 watts celestion

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: when used this one, jazzy rock .. great match

Comments: if the guitar was stolen, i wouldn't hesitate to buy/build another guitar with
emg's ..
as a matter of fact, most of my guitars since 1984 have been equipped
with emg's.. its my favorite pickup because of it's low noise, it's minimal
string magnetic pull , it's balance, ease of installation..it can often make
a weak guitar a good one..

Pickup features: humbucker switchable to single coil sound
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson solidbody
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: 490R
Other pickups on guitar: another 490R
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock
Reason for pickup change: Get good single and humbucker sounds.

Perceived output level: Humbucking--moderate for an active PU, Single coil--same, but hotter than a passive PU
Tone: Humbucker--muddy/trebly, Single coil--balanced
Sonic evaluation: I tried this thing on a beefed up tele, an SG and a Hawk, with my hotrodded Super reverb and a 50 Watt Marshall. I also have an EMG 85, which has a very nice deep and rich sound. The 89 in humbucker mode is not as pleasing as the 85--not as fat and not as musical. The single coil mode, however, is superb, definitely duplicating the sound of their great strat PUs.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play a broad range of stuff from 50's onward, from spanky clean to near-metal crush-o. EMG pickups are not the warmest, so you decide on their applicability.

Comments: I would not care too much if it were stolen. I have tried many passive pickups with coil splits (Gibsons, Dimarzios, Duncans) and claims aside, the single coil mode does not come close to a Fender single coil, either tele or strat. Now this EMG nails the single coil sound perfectly, but perversely enough, the humbucking sound is not the greatest. I have also used both an EMG 81 and an 85 with an EMG tone switch (cuts off lows depending on capacitors selected giving a psuedo single coil sound), so I have some familiarity with their products. The bottom line with the 89 is great single coil, so-so humbucking. The tone switch thingie I mention above is not particularly musical, but reasonable if you prefer to start with an 85 or 81 for great humbucking and so-so single coil sound. The choice is yours, but so far, no EMG (or any other pickup I have found) gets excellent humbucker and single coil sound. Also, the wiring on this pickup is a complicated pain in the ass. EMG products are extremely dependable and rugged; they are a good company and should be able to produce something better.

Pickup features: humbucker active
Impedence or other specs: .

Model of guitar or bass: parker p-38
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: generic korean (but originally stock)
Other pickups on guitar: blue lace sensor in neck, stock in bridge
Artists using this pickup: .
You musical style(s): .
Reason for pickup change: the stock broke, then took it into a tech, who put a generic korean in. i then asked for the EMG.

Perceived output level: more than my other pickups. very unbalanced, but my other pickups are passive
Tone: .
Sonic evaluation: i originally didn't like it that much. it was very bright, and slightly piercing at first.
i was originally using all solid state stuff, but i got a tube distortion pedal, and they work together like nothing i've ever heard before.
i strongly suggest that if you have solid state stuff, then don't buy this. tubes work wonders.
this is a very nice pickup for heavy distortion and lead, but can be a little shaky on clean (although acceptable).
i usually use the humbucker for distortion, then the single for clean.

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

Comments: well, the tech had to do ALOT. none of the original electrics are in my guitar.
the problem was my piezo. you see, the piezo was active, and the pickups were passive. the original preamp for the piezo had to be taken out and an EMG put in, along with some complicated wiring stuff i modified my guitar with.
apparently, it took 2 days to fit the pickup.
7. not too shabby, but a little work. i suggest if you want to make the passive/active changeover, take it into your tech.

Pickup features: Dual-mode active humbucker
Impedence or other specs: see www.emginc.com

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson Explorer'76
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Gibson 500T
Other pickups on guitar: EMG 60
Artists using this pickup: Don't know
You musical style(s): Pop-rock-metal
Reason for pickup change: Stock pickup has way too much mids

Perceived output level: in humbuckin mode more than stock PU but in SC mode it is a little weak
Tone: Bassy wirh plenty of mids and highs, cuts trough
Sonic evaluation: Explorer into Tube Screamer into Yamaha DG-stomp

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play all kinds of music. In humbucking mode I only use it with medium to full distortion, in SC mode it sounds great clean to full distortion. I use the TS as a clean boost.

Comments: I like this PU but if it broke or were stolen I would try the 60 instead.

Pickup features: Active humbucker, 4 conductor split to single coil SA
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: 79 Gibson "the paul" Mahoganey body, ebony fret board
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Schaeller golden 50's
Other pickups on guitar: Stock gibsons
Artists using this pickup: Zack Wild, idunno
You musical style(s): Everything but country
Reason for pickup change: Golden 50's sucked. Loved the SA's in my strat. Went for the 89's expecting the same kind of love fest.

Perceived output level: Higher output than a stock PAF.
Tone: Too clean. No color. Almost impossible to keep from being punchy.
Sonic evaluation: Marshall artist 3203, 69 Fender bassman. At first I liked them. then the more I played my other guitars. (73 les paul custom, DeArmond X155, strat) the more sterile the pickups sounded. Tone is a strange thing. One guys perfect tone is another guys white noise. I don't like EMG's humbuckers. I guess I'm just a PAF kind of guy.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: It's not a good match for me.

Comments: I'll be selling these puppies.

Pickup features: Humbucking with coil split
Impedence or other specs: Uhhhhhh...

Model of guitar or bass: Jackson DR3
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Garbage Duncan Designed
Other pickups on guitar: Emg 89
Artists using this pickup: No idea
You musical style(s): A little bit of everything mostly rock and metal
Reason for pickup change: The Duncan designed pickups were really cheap and thin sounding. I wanted some different tones and more flexability in my sound.

Perceived output level: They have a warm sound and a nice powerful response not too overpowering.
Tone: Bassy in the humbucker mode but with enough mid and treble to keep things interesting. In the Single coil mode a really singing bright sound that's sharp but not too much.
Sonic evaluation: I use a Crate GX 212 and they really compliment it. These things are incredible! I can go from and really raunchy cruncy tone to a nice big fat warm Les Paul sound. I would highly recommend these to people like me who want a lot of differen't sounds in one guitar. I can get Iron Maiden/Heavy Metal tones to Stevie Ray Vaughn/Blues tone. These pickups have it all. The only thing I've noticed is that in humbucker mode on clean its a big to big for strumming chords, but pop it into single coil and that problem is solved.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Like I said I play all kinds of music and these fit damn near everything. I really can't think of anything they would be unsuitable for.

Comments: If it was stolen I'd cry then go get more. I have played for 5 years and have not found better pickups. I put EMGs in my ESP Explorer as well and I have a Jackson KV3 that has real Duncans although I haven't played that one much since I got into EMGs these are the best out there period. I had a friend and my tech talk me into active pickups because I could not find what I was looking for. Well lucky for me they did because I can find no problem with these or any other EMG product.

Pickup features: active humbucker, splitable to active single coil
Impedence or other specs: I dunno

Model of guitar or bass: Epi Sheriton II
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock Epi's
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Ranges from rock to jazz. Play mostly modal based leads and very few power chords (no country, sorry)
Reason for pickup change: Stock pickups were reputed to suck, as well as being muddy on the neck and shrill on bridge.

Perceived output level: Higher than stock epi's. (Stock epi's impedance is around 8 ohms.)
Tone: Little mid. All highs and lows Balance between neck and bridge is OK.
Sonic evaluation: Using Marshall 3203 Artist half stack and 69 Fender bassman.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Play originals mostly. Style is fusion of everything I can absorb. Latley focusing on Jazz

Comments: I've had these pickups for years now. Bought them originally for a Ibanez roadstar II that I routed out for two pickups. Originally I was determined to love these pickups, as I have been happy with EMG SA's in my frankenstien strat. As time passed, so did my love for these picups. When compared to the stock PAF's in my 73 Les Paul Custom they seem sterile. Recently I ripped out the epi stock pseudo PAF's in my Sheraton II and strung the guitar with flat wound 10's. Yuck! Only lots of Highs and Lows. These pick ups have also lived for a long time in a 79 Gibson "The Paul". They sounded better there than in the semi-hollow Epi, but I'm convinced that overcoming my cheapskate nature and springing for Gibson pickups would make me much happier. Sorry guys, but I don't like the EMG buckers. I tend to agree with the folks that say that they sound too similiar regardless of what guitar they are in. Now I wonder if I should re-think the SA's in my strat???

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

Model of guitar or bass: 83 USA Kramer Pacer
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Came on my guitar
Other pickups on guitar: EMG single Coils
Artists using this pickup: Does it really matter
You musical style(s): Progressive Rock, Floyd, Rush, Dreamtheater
Reason for pickup change: no change, came with guitar

Perceived output level: Average output level, on par with my duncan 59, much less than both my Tone Zone and my Duncan Distortion, less output than my Screamin Deamon. For single coil mode, the output is a lot lower than humbucker mode. Probably on par with any Fender single coil in terms of output. DO NOT BUY THIS P/U EXPECTING HIGH OUTPUT, its actually pretty modest for an active pickup.
Tone: Balanced tone in the humbucker mode, like a PAF. Single coil mode is crisp and snappy, with good bass output for a single coil.
Sonic evaluation: Use it in my Old Kramer USA made Pacer. Play through a Carvin 50 watt tube amp and a 5150 cab.
Humbucker sounds like a duncan 59. maybe slightly more stale sounding. My 59 seems to project more mids and resonant bass. Notes seem to jump out. With the EMG, I have to give it more pick attack to get that mid and bass presence. Basically it responds to how you play better than any of my pickups. Dig in and spank those notes and it responds, back off with a light touch and it mellows out. This is a good thing IMHO, and it makes this pickup very unique in todays era of high output shred machines.
Combined with my two active EMG single coils, makes one extremely versatile setup. Through a cranked set of tubes I can get close to a brian may tone, and Eric Johnson. I can nail david gilmour tones with the 89 in single coil mode in conjunction with my neck single coil. Alex lifeson overdrive is easy with the 89 activated by itself.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Progressive rock. Rush, pink floyd, dreamtheater. Classic rock. Perfect match for this. This is the best "Hybrid" pickup I have ever used... Fender Strat and Gibson Les Paul in one!!! I probably could care less for it mounted in the middle position.

Comments: If stolen, would Demo an EMG81 first and then pick between the two of them.
Been playing since 85. All my guitars have pickup modifications except the Hamer.
86' Ibanez Roadstar II
92' Fender Prodigy
98' Hamer Duo-tone
99' Ibanez RG 220
I love its tone and versatility. Love its low noise. Hate the need for batteries.
Did not compare, came with my Kramer Pacer, previous owner swapped out the stock Duncans.
Tone wise, I'm satisfied 100%, it does humbucker and single coil tones equally well. But, I'm still searching for a way to get Brian May's tone... without forking over $1200 for a VOX AC30.
again.. DO NOT BUY THIS EXPECTING HIGH OUTPUT. My Duncan Dist, Screamin Deamon, and Dimarzio Tone Zone all are passive and have higher output. High output is not this P/U's thing.. get an EMG 81 for the Kirk Hammet vibe.
Since I did have to pay for it, I cant possibly give it a 10, and it requires a battery to get its tone without hum or buzz... major inconvenience having to unplug all the time... -1, so I'll give it an 8.

Pickup features: dual mode active humbicker
Impedence or other specs: yes i would

Model of guitar or bass: Squier Affinity Strat, Gibson Gothic SG both tuned CGCFAD low to high
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stocks
Other pickups on guitar: EMG-81 in the SG, 2 SA's in the Strat
Artists using this pickup: Mudvayne
You musical style(s): Melodic Metal with so much low chunk it would rip your ass off
Reason for pickup change: The stocks had almost no output. single coils in the bridge get no chunk.

Perceived output level: This thing has the perfect amount of output. It slams the signal into the tubes with a VENGENCE
Tone: Real bassy. great low midrange rumble. the highs are precise and not overly harsh. great for that good 'ol ROAR. my bass player kept commenting on how this was the first SG he ever heard that got a really really deep tone.
Sonic evaluation: right now im using a Marshall JCM-900 run to a crate 4x12. the only effect i use is a vox wah

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: The easiest way to descirbe my style is Pantera meets Tool meets Prodigy. the pickup is awesome in the bridge but i havent tried it in the neck. it mathces great with the SA's

Comments: i havent definetly found MY sound, and these pickups were the key. i would not change one thing about these guys. if my SG was ever stolen i would go punisher on the pussy-ass peice 'o shit that thought he could get away with it. ive been playing since i was 7 and these are without a doubt the PINNACLE of pickup perfection. i cant say enough but im sure your gettin sick of my ranting. well done EMG.

Pickup features: Active Dual Mode Pickup (both hum and single)
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez S-series 470 FM CUSTOM, Les Paul Custom, also on my "Bastard" Custom axe
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stockers
Other pickups on guitar: EMG 81 in neck, an SA on the ibanez, and a 60 on the Les Paul
Artists using this pickup: Hetfield has one in his guitar, but I woulden't go so far as to say he can use the damn thing...
You musical style(s): Progressive Technical Rock/Metal
Reason for pickup change: All guitars I play are carefully customized to my satisfaction

Perceived output level: Very high output, blew away stock pickups, goes well with 81, but slightly overpowers EMG 60
Tone: Great rhythm tone, also distinctive and edgy enough for single note riffs or leads, despite what you hear, PLEASE try this in the bridge, when put in the neck, it's bass is overwhelming and muddies things up. Solos sound a little bit too brittle, I solo using the neck pickup for a fatter, fuller sound.
Sonic evaluation: I use 2 ams simultaneously, my signal first enters a VOX wah, then goes into a whirlwind A/B box. One side goes directly into a JCM 2000 TSL head (only on crunch channel)and into a 1960a cab. This side is used to double my sound or add rhythm. My main sound goes through an Ernie Ball Volume peadal, a Tube Screamer, and then into a Mesa Boogie Formula Pre amp. That signal is ran via mono into a rocktron Intellifex which is controled by an X-15 (Awesome controller) midibitch. It exits stereo and is fed into a Mesa Boogie Dual Stimul 2:90 Power amp into another 1960a Marshall cab.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pickup perfectly suits the style of music I play, and when tapped and combined with an SA in the middle position, you get EMG's replication of a strat which is very convincible, especially if you add a touch of mid via an EMG expander knob.

Comments: I have several high-quality guitars and put the 89 in the brige on all of them. I would give this a pickup a 10 in the bridge position, but only a 7 in the neck. It sounds best when tapped for clean, imitating the SA, and in humbucker mode it is an 85. I highly recomend this pickup for anyone, regardless of your style of music.

Pickup features: humbucker/single active
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: carvin
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: carvin c22
Other pickups on guitar: emg 81
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s): metal, rock
Reason for pickup change: went active, 81 was awesome for the bridge but just to harsh
for clean stuff. It's a little difficult to have an active emg
and a passive pickup in the same guitar although it is possible.

Perceived output level: pretty hot humbucker mode, single coil less comparable to SA.
Tone: humbucker bassy, warm, although little to hot, single coil clean and warm not as thin as most single coils.
Sonic evaluation: Carvin 127 through H&K triamp. actually has two individual pickups in it. originally had humbucker toward neck, to much bass, turned it around now the single coil is bassier which I prefer. alnico magnets, nice warm sound in both modes, although not much color. The single coil doesn't match the HB's output so a end up playing with volume nobs a little. Also the HB distorts a little to early for my tastes, again it's fix by playing with the volume.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Rock, metal, others ? I'd be interesed to see it in a bridge pos.

Comments: Nice pickup. Great idea combining an SA and an 85 in one pickup. HB sounds great backing my 81 bridge pu. for phatter metal sound. I'm satisfied for now. My only gripe is having to adust volumes and switches to get various clean tones which gets a little frustrating during live performances. It has the tones I want I just have to tinker to get them. Maybe when I'm famous I'll have them balance this pickup to my tastes.

Pickup features: Dual Mode Active Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez RG-350
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Crappy Ibanez stock pickup
Other pickups on guitar: EMG-81(bridge), stock single coil(middle)
Artists using this pickup: I don?t remember anyone, altought Zak Wylde uses an 85 on the neck, which this thing sounds like when it?s on humbucker mode.
You musical style(s): Metal
Reason for pickup change: Stock pickup was crap, and I loved the sound of my 81, so I give more money to the guys of EMG, coz I knew I wouldn?t be dissapointed.

Perceived output level:
Tone: Relatibly more bassy than the 81.
Sonic evaluation: I?m using it through a Marshal VS-230r(which I?m selling soon if someone in santiago, chile is interested) and my ibanez RG-350. The sound of this thing is great, just what you need to heavy metal, and the possibility to turn it into a single coil just pulling a knob it?s fuckin great, it gives you a lot of versality on sounds. I wish the guys of EMG could develop a pickup that sounded like the EMG-81 on humbucker mode and like an EMG-S on single mode, that would really make my day. (especially for my other guitar, a Fender Strat).
The pickup is noiseless, and has excellent control of gain.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Heavy Metal. This pickup is great for this. I really can?t think for what this thing is unsuitable, for the bridge must be great on a strat, altought i read another guy?s review on a single coil EMG and said he found them too trebly for the Chili Peppers sound. Well, try to play one to make up your mind, but i would reccomend it to anyone.

Comments: I?ve read all kind of jokes in this section about gear being stealed and the owner reactions (replace gear, cry, hire a PI to track it down, homicide, suicide, etc.) so I am only going to say that I would do any of those to get mine back, It?s just a fuckin great pickup. Like I Said, EMG(are you listening guys?) should make a dual mode PU that sounds like an 81 and a SA or S.

Pickup features: Active Singelcoil and Humbucker (Dual mode)
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Handmade guitar
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: From the birth of the guitar
Other pickups on guitar: EMG 81
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): 70 Rock ....
Reason for pickup change: I had it on another guitar that I was rebuilding, so I took this pickups to the new guitar

Perceived output level: HOT. My JTM45 combo (Bluesbreaker) start to distort real early with this pickups
Tone: Balanced
Sonic evaluation: Guitar: Body- Mahogany with a top of Oak. Neck Mahogany with a fretboard of Ebony.
Amp: JTM45 combo (Bluesbreaker) and a Marshall Powerbrake
Effects: TS9 and a Marshall Guv'Nor

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

Comments: I have heard that this pickups (Active Pickups) sounds the same whatever guitar they are in, it dosen't matter how the guitar sound whitout an amp. This is not thrue, when I moved this pickups to the new guitar (The guitar has nearly the same sound as an LesPaul if you compared it without an amp) it sound different than on the other guitar

Pickup features: Dual Mode: Single/Humbucking, Active, Powered Preamp (LOUD)
Impedence or other specs: Check it out at www.emgpickups.com

Model of guitar or bass: 1985/86? Kramer Focus 1000
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock Kramer
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup: Metallica!!!
You musical style(s): Rock, Heavy Rock, mostly I am still learning
Reason for pickup change: Guy who pawned it said he liked the stock pickups but had some money to burn so he picked up an EMG.

Perceived output level: Output? We're talkin major; You know those little Johnson 8watt practice amps? Boom! One lick and it was through with
Tone: Whatever you want!
Sonic evaluation: No comment - my amp sux; Friend's amp is huge though - bigtime noise

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This is a good match for my music style... the neck positions are not a good idea for this growling beast

Comments: If my EMG were destroyed or stolen, I would KILL and RAPE the offender - all that needs to be said.

Pickup features: Active Single/Humbucking Pickup
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Am Std Strat
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock Fender Single Coil
Other pickups on guitar: EMG-SA Single Coils
Artists using this pickup: I think Steve Lukather
You musical style(s): Hard Rock & Acoustic Style Rock
Reason for pickup change: I needed something with a lot more growl than stock Fender
single coils.

Perceived output level: I would say about twice as loud, if not more, than the single coils
Tone: Very Balanced, you can get a wide variety of tones
Sonic evaluation: Right now, I am running it through a Johnson Millenium 250 head for
the hard rock stuff. This pickup just cuts through everything. I have this pickup in 2 of my Strats, and they are the only guitars I play most of the time. From monstrous power chords to singing leads to crystal clear clean sound (with the single engaged), this pickup does it all

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play hard rock and acoustic style rock.

Comments: I was introduced to EMG's a few years ago, and I am hooked. I just recently came across the 89 a little over a year ago, and what a difference! I love it so much that I put another one in another strat that I just bought. My bass player said he never thought he would hear that huge sound coming out of a Strat. It is a very quiet pickup, compared to others that I have heard. All I can say if you are looking for versatility, this is the pickup for you. You have the single and humbucker all in one!. The one thing I don't like is that you lose a little gain if you just use the single coil by itself. But if you use it together with the middle pickup (my favorite!), it really compensates. I have been playing for about 12 years, and i play a lot of different types of music. Having 2 guitars fitted with the 89, I think I have all my bases covered!

Pickup features: Dual-mode active humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Standard Stratocaster
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Seymour Duncan Hot Stack
Other pickups on guitar: EMG SA neck, mid
Artists using this pickup: Well, Steve Lukather uses 85
You musical style(s): Blues, rock, Gospel
Reason for pickup change: Wanted a humbucking in the bridge for lead. Single-coils just aren't fat enough for this job, and I have heard great reports of the 89s. The single-coil mode is just like an EMG-SA and I wanted this function to retain a single-coil mode for my bridge.

Perceived output level: tons more than stock, nearly 3 times
Tone: Very balanced
Sonic evaluation: Running a MIM Strat into BOSS ME-8 then into Marshall DSL-401. Read my SA review for details on the SA mode. It is a little weak in single-coil mode but I use the position 4. When I use bridge alone I push down the pot and turn the humbucker on. Since my Strat has one master tone control, I can use it on this pickup. Rolling off the tone makes this pickup sound more mellow and middy, just like an 81. Turning up the tone will make it quite trebly and at 10, this boy is like a soprano singer. Not the right way to use it! For lead work it is fat enough and you can turn up the tone a little and down the volume a bit to use it for rock rhythm.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This is definitely the pickup for every style. I think it can even manage heavy metal!

Comments: Destroyed? You must be kidding. I won't allow that to happen. If God forbid that comes my way, I will not hesitate to go to the lad at the shop and ask for an exact installation of what I had. Even if I am going to get a new guitar I will get the 89 on it unless I want to make a vintage kind of axe.

Pickup features: Active 3-Coil pickup, 1 single and a humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: epiphone les paul standard
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Stock
Other pickups on guitar: Emg 81
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): various kinds of metal, some hard rock and blues
Reason for pickup change: Stock neck pickup in the epi les paul was the biggest piece of shit I've ever heard. Completely unusable. Wanted a good clean sound.

Perceived output level: More than stock
Tone: Somewhat bassy in humbucker mode. Balanced in single coil mode.
Sonic evaluation: I love this pickup. The single coil sounds great for playing clean, although the volume level is lower than in humbucking mode, but its not enough to bother me. Im humbucking mode(which is actually like an emg 85) its a little too bassy and not clear enough for me when played clean. The humbucking mode is great with distortion when wanting to fatten up a solo. This pickup sounds great when split with an emg 81.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Good match for my style. Doubt this would sound too good in the bridge.

Comments: I would definitely buy this again. It's just what I wanted. I've been playing for around 11 years. I did a lot of research before buying this and read a lot of reviews. It paid off. Wish it wasn't quite so bassy in humbucking mode. Overall, an excellent pickup though.

Pickup features: Active humbucker
Impedence or other specs: ?

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez RG470
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock
Other pickups on guitar: Dimarzio Duel tone
Artists using this pickup: Reb Beach..... Me
You musical style(s): Hard Rock, Jazz, Funk, just about anything...
Reason for pickup change: Stock pickup suched!

Perceived output level: Hotter the regular passive pickups. About average for an active.
Tone: BALANCED! Nice bottom end and mids, high end rolls off just a bit.
Sonic evaluation: I have a Mesa/Boogie Studio Pre amp and a PV mono block 60 tube power amp. I push a 4X12 cad loaded with Celestion GK1285 speakers.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I think that you could use this pickup in either bridge or neck. I mostly play hard rock and jazz with my band. I've never had a problem getting the sound I wanted.

Comments: If it were stolen....? I might buy another one. However I also like the Duncan Live Wires. They are alittle hotter. But this pickup is very good for my playing style. I really like that fact that the highs don't bite your head off.

Pickup features: Both Single and humbucking
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: ESP custom M-II
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar: EMG 81
Artist