EMG SEHG

Passive humbucking with low noise, light to moderate gain, and a coil-tapping option.

Select by EMG SEHG pickup replaced neck pickup on an Ibanez Artcore AFS75 hollowbody electric. Original pickups were extremely weak, the neck being too bassy to do anything other than an occassional low jazz run. Inexpensive guitar that sounds good with a new inexpensive humbucker that sounds good.

To start:

The humbucker itself is cased in a nice flat black casing with no holes or screws protruding from the casing. Very clean look and looks great on my hollowbody (red maple f-hole style, chrome hardware, black knobs on the pots). Fits like a glove and gives the guitar a gritty look to it.

The output level is extremely high next to the original hardware, which is so low you'd have to drive a Marshall stack just to get any volume out of it. That being said, if you're looking for an inexpensive alternative to a Seymour Duncan SH-6 or a Gibson Dirty Fingers, this particular humbucker is going to come up short by a long stretch. The output is very fair and balanced to sounds ranging from a blues or heavy jazz to a moderately heavy rock. Push it into a heavy rock/metal sound though and it sounds a bit too sterile and... Well, cheap. I wouldn't go past, say, AC/DC levels of gain with it.

Sustain is moderate, again being balanced for blues, jazz, softer rock, and classic rock. Good for both slow and quick solos, but not really prone to pick up nuances if the fretboard is getting shredded. More distortion makes for faster solos, and more distortion means less character in this pickup, so again, it will work great for your own personal rendition of "Freebird" but probably not "Enter Sandman."

Tone quality is absolutely excellent for a humbucker of this price. Maybe just a tad bit middy in the neck position, but you can rock and roll all over the fretboard with nary a flat spot in any range. It put a lot of character in my hollowbody, and with a small turn of the tone knob, or a tweak on the overdrive, or just a slight EQ adjustment on the amp I can pretty well get whatever particular sound I'm looking for. Excellent clean channel, with crystal clear highs and punchy lows, with neither overpowering the other. Push it into a little dirt and you get a beautiful tube-like resonance up high in the fretboard and a gritty low-end. A very experienced and talented guitarist (he also teaches one of my best friends) commented that if he did not see the price tag, he would have guessed it would have been a very expensive pickup. Since he has quite a few pricey guitars at his disposal, that's saying a pretty good about this pickup.

I am extremely satisfied with the purchase for the neck pickup, which actually satisfied me so much that I forgot to replace the bridge pickup. I would definately purchase this product again for it's clarity, bright tone, and punchy bass.

I am currently looking at finding something a tad hotter for the bridge, such as a Seymour Duncan SH-1 or possibly a P90-humbucker just for the experimentation of a hot single coil in a hollowbody, but for the price it's very tempting to walk back in and grab me another SEHG. Cheap? Yes. Artist sponsers? Nay. Excellent nonetheless? Yes, and it might just eat your stock middle-end Gibson Les Paul pickups while it's at it.

This PU is an EMG-style humbucker, but it is passive. It is a perfectly made EMG-style humbucking pickup, a completely closed black block (waterproof I believe :-) ). It has a coil-split option (two-conductor cables and shield) The resistance is about 8,5 kOhm - resembling the original P.A.F..

I installed it in 335-style guitar in neck and bridge position to replace the stock pickups. The stock neck pickup was intolerably muddy and the bridge pickup intolerably microphonic.
I do not think any artist uses these, they can afford active EMG or Duncans.

I like it in the neck position for its clean tone (very much so) and the lack of muddiness (even more so). I like in the bridge position for its clean tone and its absolute refusal to produce microphonic squeals. It works fine with overdrive sounds too, although the pu won't kick your amps butt like a DiMarzio SuperDistortion.
I used it in a 335-style guitar with a Hiwatt Custom 50 head and a 4x12" Cabinet loaded with EVoice Speakers. I put Ear protection on and turned the amp all the way up and the guitar full on. The result (bridge PU) was a great fat Crunch Sound, but no squealing at all and believe me, this combination is a loud one. The neck PU sounds great on my JazzChorus 120, warm fat, clean, hifi sounding and still sparkling if I use the plektron in the right way (especially If I use a 1mm one instead of a 2mm). I like and play Jazz and Rock.

The brand name "Select by EMG" is what attracted me. I was not disappointed and have bought them again. You really get quality here. It is perfect value for money.

Everyone with a rather cheap guitar should not waste money on real EMGs but buy these instead and get a good amp (most important thing anyway: the amp. Just imagine a 300 Dollar guitar through a 3000 Dollar amp and vice versa. The better amp will win the match.)

The PU is on the rather weak side outputwise but clear and hifi-sounding. Very balanced, not muddy at all. In my opinion it does not add a significant amount of "color" to the sound of the instrument. To me that is good news. For someone who wants a fat scorcher for metal and only metal - have a look at the carvin sd22 (a real "screaming demon"). For a jazz player who wants dark tone -> a working tone knob ust be present to roll off treble.

Pickup features: Humbucking, black case, no exposed polepieces or screws
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Les Paul Special
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: EPI OEM
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Blues, Classic Rock
Reason for pickup change: Better soune

Perceived output level: About normal
Tone:
Sonic evaluation: These pickups sound very very very much like Gibson 490 open coil humbuckers (ie without the covers). Really good. warm humbucker sound.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Blues, classic rock

Comments: These are really good pickups and a great deal for the $$. I put them on an inexpensive guitar for a friend. They sound surprisingly good, very much like my LP. I have played for (too many) decades and have worked on guitars for the same. I highly recommend these as an excellent low cost humbucker!

Pickup features: Humbucker; Passive
Impedence or other specs: Bridge 8,6 Neck 8,4

Model of guitar or bass: Steinberger Spirit GT Deluxe Spirit
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: None
Other pickups on guitar: An EMG Select SC
Artists using this pickup: Me
You musical style(s): 80s Shredding Hard Rock / Heavy Metal / Hair Metal / some Jazz and Blues
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: They have a normal Output, a bit higher than a PAF like LP PU
Tone: Very Balanced, the neck got a nice middy Shred Sound, just like Petrucci
Sonic evaluation: I use this guitar, a Zoom GFX 8, a Reu?enzehn Tube Based Poor Boy boutique Overdrive Pedal and a Hughes and Kettner Edition One with 50 Watts

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: 80s Shredding Hard Rock / Heavy Metal / Hair Metal / some Jazz and Blues => This PU Matches all kind of guitar based music

Comments: If it were destroyed or stolen, would you buy it again or get something else? ==> If I hadn't more money yes, if I could afford a package of OBL XL HBs I would probably buy these
How long have you been playing?
I play for over 11 Years now
What do you love about it? What do you hate?
I love the Shred sound...But same time I hate the a bit too low output
Anything you wish it had?
I'll soon buy a Build Inside Guitar Preamp, that make all my Output Problems go bye.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: about 8.4 k

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez Iceman
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Di Marzio Fred suprisingly enough
Other pickups on guitar: Dimarzio Tone Zone
Artists using this pickup: Not A one comes to mind
You musical style(s): Grunge, Classic Rock, Blues
Reason for pickup change: I wanted to try a different tone and its one of my other 10 pickups lying around.

Perceived output level: Very Clear Balanced Slightly Less than the fred
Tone: Balanced
Sonic evaluation: My Beringer 212 with the trusty old GT6. And my Iceman with the Tone Zone in the bridge and now the select in the neck.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play a lot - o - stuff and actually I like this pickup better in the neck It has great neck clarity.

Comments: If someone stole it I would buy another they are so cheap anywho. I still have my les paul copy with the EMG 81 85's in it. I love the clarity of this pickup much to my dismay I have decided that the select will take the freds place as my neck humbucker because of its added clarity. Its a good pickup like emgs through effects especially but unlike my actives it pulls of the clean tones so much better I think its a very warm pickup and when split with my tone zone its just creamy good. For the price its a damn good pickup and i think it was superior to my fred in a lot of ways.

Pickup features: Humbucker, read the rest of the reviews
Impedence or other specs: Read the reviews below

Model of guitar or bass: Hondo II Les Paul copy, probably mid to late 80s
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Unknown aftermarket
Other pickups on guitar: Stewmac's Golden Age HB in the neck
Artists using this pickup: No clue!
You musical style(s): Mellow groovins and early 90s alt/grunge
Reason for pickup change: The previous owner of my LP copy installed a new HB into the bridge position. It was pretty big, massive magnets, but way too muddy and middy. I had my two humbuckers (the Golden Age (mimics a '59 PAF) and the SEHG) from an older guitar project, and I installed my Golden Age some time ago. I thought it was time for a change, the old bridge HB was getting me frusturated. Anyway, I *JUST* finished installing and testing out the SEHG and must say I'm very very please, especially for the price I paid.

Perceived output level: It's definitely hotter and more ball busting in the first (or is it third?) position, when all the sound is coming from it. It's almost too quiet when used in the middle position. I honestly can't describe it to other HBs since this is my second one (the first one being the Golden Age). With distortion (I use a Boss DS-2) it's definitely an ear pleaser, and I use a shitty Crate amp too.
Tone: It's a tad middy, but very clear and warm. Overall a very good balance of tones, especially for such a budget-friendly humbucker.
Sonic evaluation: Like I said this is being used in a LP copy, through a Boss DS-2 Turbo Distortion and a 15 watt Crate practice amp. On clean it sounds as good as it can get with such a limited amp, only thing that could fix that would be a better amp (and that's just about anything). Through the DS-2 though is where it really shines, at least for me. The tone from the SEGH definitely has that sweet layered distortion sound to it, the kind that gives you goosebumps. I'm very glad I decided to swap it in.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This is an excellent match for me, any hotter I'm afraid I would be too much for myself. This pup is pretty versatile, I can see someone using it in many situtations. But I think as long as you're playing through nice distortion/overdrive/whatever this will do you and your checkbook good.

Comments: I've been playing for a couple of years now, I'm getting to that point where I'm looking for a specific sound. Being on a budget is hard, like you all know, and I'm glad I took a chance on this without even hearing it first. (I bought it online.) I think the only improvements I could make in the sound department would just be a new amp in general. Go check this shit out, it rocks.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: I dunno

Model of guitar or bass: Custom guitar built from bits and pieces I have found and liked
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar: Unidentified single coil in the bridge and unidentified humbucker in the neck
Artists using this pickup: What difference does that make?
You musical style(s): Rock, metal, blues, classical, prog
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: Pretty hot. Not nearly as hot as EMGs active pickups, but what is?
Tone: They seem to be pretty balanced.
Sonic evaluation: I am using a custom built guitar. The body is like a soloist, H/S/H, and a very nice neck by Warmoth (Explorer-style, koa neck, ebony fretboard, 22 frets). I run my guitar through a Line 6 POD to a power amp, then into an old Marshall 4x12 cab.
Overall I am very impressed with this pickup. The current pickups will be replaced shortly with EMGs active pickups (b:81 m:SA n:89) but I will keep this on hand in case I decide to build a guitar with passive pickups.
I also own a Parker Fly Deluxe, and it's custom made dimarzio pickups can't hold a candle to these. The sustain is incredible, it really cuts through, and I can get perfect chunky palmutting with this for rhythm work. My guitar at the moment doesn't have a tone knob, so I haven't been able to tell whether that will soften up the tone some, but I did notice that rolling off the volume doesn't seem to change much.

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, etc. etc. etc.) This is definately a great metal or hard rock bridge pickup, and it can pull off a great lead tone (think Gilmour's tone on Comfortably Numb). It doesn't work well with Yes and other bluesy or classical music from my experience (that is what I use the neck and mid pickups for)

Comments: I had previously heard these pickups describe as cheap and crappy, but I was very pleasently suprised. These are a tremendous value, especially since the retail price (according to EMGs website) is $45.00.

Pickup features: Humbucking passive.
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez rg170
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Ibanez Powersound(more like weak sh*t)
Other pickups on guitar: weak sh*t
Artists using this pickup: Beer core speed metal thrashers from the arctic abyss of Canada
You musical style(s): Beer core speed metal.
Reason for pickup change: The stock pickups in Ibanez RG170's are CRAP! Ya know how much
better a humbucker sounds than a single coil? This pickup sounds
about 10 times better than that switch.

Perceived output level: Hot enough for metal! Lots of Gain
Tone: I'd say overall this pickups tone is pretty balanced. Maby with a touch more bass.
Sonic evaluation: Well like I said after months of feeling weak with my stock pickups I noticed these cheap humbuckers and asked about them. At 50 bucks I could afford to try it. Anyways I'm running this through a Kustom KGA 65 and it works great. The output is super high and with the gain cranked the walls shake. Just like the should.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I'm using this pickup for speed metal in the bridge position. If you going for straight up LOUD and your only using your bridge pickup any this is a great pickup.

Comments: The one *problem* I ran into with this pick up is that it is so much hotter then the stock on my RG that I can't split it with my other pickups or the tone turns to crap. So in the rare ocation where I want to use the single coil I'm forced to use the stock one by itself.
If my pickup were stolen from my guitar. Even though I'm not sure why someone would steal the pickup and not the guitar then I'd go straight to the music store and purchase another one.

Pickup features: Passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Several different guitars, the last one is a cheap Eagle Full Throttle
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock, Seymour Duncan Custom, APC Felny X, and others
Other pickups on guitar: Stock single coil in neck position
Artists using this pickup: Don't know, probably not many
You musical style(s): Heavy metal, with this setup.
Reason for pickup change: I've tried several humbuckers on the Eagle, without getting a good result. The SEHG works very well.

Perceived output level: Not very hot
Tone: I would say balanced
Sonic evaluation: I plug the Eagle (bolt-on neck, 25.5 inch scale, top-loaded non-vibrato brigde, like a Fender hard-tail) directly into a Zoom GM-200 amp simulator. I listen in head phones and record on a PC.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Metal riffs, some Zeppelin style stuff, and it works well. I think this pickup works best in the bridge position. I've tried it in the neck position on other guitars, with pretty bad results.

Comments: I would definitely order another one if I needed one. It's cheap, but I live in Sweden and will have to pay for shipping from the US. When I bought the one I have the Swedish customs saw the package and added about $20 to the price (the bastards).
I bought it because I was curious of EMG's Select range. The funny thing is, I've tried in four or five other guitars with pretty bad results and I've tried a number of other pickups on the Eagle, also with pretty bad results. But the Select on the Eagle works very well. With other pickups, even high quality ones like Duncan, the Eagle sounded muddy. I nearly gave up on that guitar before I tried the Select. The sound is clear with good definition for riffs. I seldom play solos, so I don't have an opinion on how the Select sounds for that.
The fact that I play with a simulator, instead of an amp, may have something to do with my findings.

Pickup features: Hummer
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: From Fenders to Ibanez
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Usualy stock pickups on most lines of $800 or less guitars.
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Hometown heros on a budget
You musical style(s): A bit of everything. Ok Ok.. A LOT of everything
Reason for pickup change: I do luthier work. So many people will get a stock guitar, and realize they have microphnic or worse, cheesy pickups on what would otherwise be a workable piece. (Ibanez, Squire, Mexi Strats, ect come to mind.. You know, people chunk out good change for a guitar, and then they are broke, and find out their pickups need replaced out of the box. Single coil pasives EMG and Hummers where applicable as replacements.

Perceived output level: They are fine. Pretty neutral actualy. Which is good. As most who need them were not especialy looking for a specific tone, as just a working righ that can deliver a reasonable tone.
Tone:
Sonic evaluation: Lets just get to the point. Those who want to harp on these 20 dollar chinese made pickups, shoulda spent 70 or 80 and got some nice top of the line Semores. I will always be more critical of a 70 dollar made in USA pickup, that I would be of a 20 dollar made in China Pickup.
That being said, they aint half bad. I mean really, you could pay more and do worse, and you could put more money into your budget guitar than the guitar is worth. But bottom line, is if you are on a budget, I stand by my belief these are the best pickups in the non sale price range. They will satisfy you if what you are looking for is reasonable. Something that works. If you are demanding a particular tone, well you might come to me and spend 300 bucks for "the real thing" and still not be satisfied.
Face it, the most important part of your electric playing is you. And if what you need is the cheapest pickup you can find, that will work, not feedback unless you are trying for it, have medium to high output, and just get the job done, then go buy some EMG's and slap it in that Ibanez RG series. These Cheesy EMG's are so incredibly superior to the stock Ibanez pickups, it is not even funny.
Anyways, there ya have it. If you are on a budget, and you need something that will get the job done, you can play on stage without squeeling, then for 20 bucks, dont lose anymore sleep over it, these will work.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I dont put as much stock in Pickup-vs styles.. I use a super distortion hummer in my neck pickup of a classic Gibson for playing Jazz.. I have a Seymore Duncan Jazz model pickup in the modified bridge cavity of my strat, for playing metal. these EMG's will play what you play. Like I say, oh you could do better, but they will get the Job Done. they are 20 bucks for Christs sakes. Not everyone has a lot of money, and even if you do, you could do worse for more (classic gibson metal face reissues come to mind)

Comments: If they arew stolen, you could afford to replace them.
I have been playing since Leo Fender started making guitars, and own as much gear.
What I love about these pickups is the price, what I hate is that some folks think there pickups are going to make their crappy playing somehow sound great. So they spend 300 bucks on pickups I try and talk them out of, and then come ask me why they are not geting the tone they expected.
And yes, I have tried everypickup known to man on the market. replaced them for everyone. the advice I give someone in this EMG forum, is not the same advice I would give Clapton. But Clapton would not be financialy strapped enough to be looking in this category of pickup. that being said, he could get great tone from these pickups, and some other kid would come along and say "gee, why dont these sound like clapton" (It aint all in the pickup folks)
You can coil tap with these cheap fellers, that is a bonus.
Again, if it is budget you are after, then the EMG passive lines, are going to suit your pocketbook and your desire for beter than stock pickups on your mid to cheap guitar, very well.

Pickup features: Passive EMG Humbucker, Split coil option (3 wire)
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Abilene/Silvertone ALK35DOS
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: stock humbucker
Other pickups on guitar: stock single coils
Artists using this pickup: me!
You musical style(s): Christian, Rock
Reason for pickup change: The tone of the stock humbucker was very mid and high
with no bass really. The intresting thing is that the sound
of the pickups going from bridge to neck went from a more
high/mid compressed sound to a low-mid blues sound.

Perceived output level:
Tone: Blues somewhat. This pickup, in my guitar (Agathis body, maple neck, rosewood fret) makes the sound of the strings, amplified. A very nice acoustic sound.
Sonic evaluation: I use a nice $139 guitar, the Abilene/Silvertone ALK35DOS, an
agathis bodied (and on some, oak veneer) S/S/H strat.
Lite body, nice paint job. If you know how to correctly intonate
the guitar (mainly the bridge and truss rod) when you first get it,
It stays in tune very well. The tuning machines are standard Gotoh,
and look very good. I've seen some epiphone guitars, and this guitar
dwarfs any epiphone I've ever seen in person.
A peavey rage 158, a 15 watt British sounding amp with an 8" speaker.
Very low-end. But -- this is the first guitar I've ever had sound
good out of this amp! And before I switched the pickup out, I used
my guitar in a couple different amps, and it was really nice, imagine
what it sounds like in a better amp now!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play Christian, mainly Praise and Worship. What I try to sound like it dependent on my guitar's sound. Very acoustic sounding: good for blues. This pickup is good for any position. (Player's taste.)

Comments: If It were destroyed, I would immediately kill the person who did it,
or in my case, cry very loud and for a long time. Then I would get
$40 for the pickup and 2 day air service to get the pickup.
I've been playing for over a year, and some people say I'm very good
for only being a year. I love the fact that it sounds great.
I wish I had a coil splitter for it, because it supports it.
I'm totally satisfied with this pickup where it is in my guitar,
I will probably buy the double blade single coil EMG Select pickups
next.

Pickup features: Passive Humbuckers
Impedence or other specs: 8.4 K.ohms

Model of guitar or bass: My own guitars (K.M.)
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar: EMG Select compact dual-coils (single-coil housing)
Artists using this pickup: None I'm aware of
You musical style(s): All types of guitar-driven music (excluding '90s rock and punk)
Reason for pickup change: I used to install these stock on my Strat-style neck-through guitars.

Perceived output level: Relatively low. My guitars are louder than most when played unplugged, but when using these pickups, that inherent volume unfortunately wasn't translated into a loud amplified sound.
Tone: Flat. It's probably the single magnetic bar that causes this. With pole pieces, you get a much better tonal coloration.
Sonic evaluation: This particular model is an all-mahogany, neck-through-body Strat-shaped guitar which I designed back in 1989 and have been making ever since. I installed the SEHG in the bridge position with the Select 'single coils' rounding out the neck and middle positions. Personally, I've been playing over the years through a 1982 Acoustic 200-W head paired with a 4X12 cabinet housing Celestion speakers, a Carvin 50-W combo amp, a 100-W Dean Markley head and cabinet, and a 30-W Fender Champ.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Stylistically, all types of rock and jazz from about the mid 1960s through to about the mid '80s. This pickup is a halfway good jazz pickup---decent for any type of clean playing. It has a very flat distorted tone. Bright, with little inherent warmth.

Comments: This is not a pickup I'd install in a professional instrument. It would be a good pickup for a beginner-intermediate type player. I've been playing 20 years; an 'amateur' luthier for about 16 years. The pickups are inexpensive, and they look great. When I was learning how to build guitars, I didn't want to put the most expensive pickups in an experimental guitar. In the past, I had played through EMG 81s and the EMG H, and initially bought into EMG's good reputation when I first started buying these passive pickups. No one's ever complained about them---except one guy who bought a bass from me (using Select Hybrid pickups) who immediately had it routed out for Bartolinis.
This pickup has poor output. I have a Les Paul Custom that is a relative mute when played unplugged, but those Gibson pickups really have a lot more drive and character. Consequently, that guitar is louder through an amp than any of my hand-built guitars that used the SEHG. I don't use them anymore.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: 8.someting

Model of guitar or bass: Steinberger GU-7
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: No artist would use these
You musical style(s): classic rock
Reason for pickup change: no change

Perceived output level: output is fine to drive most amps
Tone: balanced tone
Sonic evaluation: these things are truly one dimensional and have absolutely no character. try listening to Rush's limelight (less solo) and then applying that sound to anything that you do. I like this song as much as anybody, but the sound is very limiting. on top of this, forget about soloing, because even a very funky player will be reduced to a sterile mass of indistinguishable notes. the problem is that you can't say anything bad about anything to do with steinbergers because they have a fanatical following. I personnaly, love the guitars and the stability, but these cheap korean pickups suck major ass. if you want an active pickup and all the baggage that goes with it, buy emg. . .if you want a more classic tone buy something else, but whatever you do, don't buy these

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: for Rush "Limelight" that's it!

Comments: Hopeit gets stolen, wouldn't buy again
been playing for 20 years
one dimensional piece of crap

Pickup features: Humbucking, Passive
Impedence or other specs: 8.5k. Three-wire lead for coil splitting

Model of guitar or bass: 1984 Ibanez Roadstar Carvetop Custom RG1600
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Ibanez Super 58 Humbucker
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Unk
You musical style(s): Variety, classic rock, blues, contemp jazz
Reason for pickup change: Damaged a coil winding on neck pickup and needed to replace; elected to replace bridge p/u to maintain the tonal and aesthetic balance

Perceived output level: Slightly less (but almost negligibly) than the Super 58. Have a '79 Les Paul Custom for comparison, and the EMG output was slightly under.
Tone: Relatively flat EQ and fidelity across all strings. Upper harmonics are more evident than on the Super 58 or the Gibson
Sonic evaluation: Amp is a Line 6 AX2-212 usually set for Mesa Boogie Mark II+ tones (think "Santana") and JC-120 clean tones. Pickups were adjusted for 1/16" string clearance like a traditional humbucker. After first plugging in, the amp's initial input was setup in typical fashion by strumming aggressively and adjusting the input gain until the clipping LED just went off. Then after playing a little and testing various blues and jazz tones in the neck position, the pickup seemed to do a fair job of duplicating the original humbucker, except I wasn't quite as satisfied as I'd hoped to be at first; there seemed to be these very subtle high harmonics hanging overhead that were adding a harshness to an otherwise very balanced tone (e.g.; I kept wanting to look closely at the clipping LED for an answer, but all seemed well). Then just on a hunch, I double-checked to make sure the gain was set just below clipping--and then I rolled it back an additional notch (from 7 to about 6). Voila! Not only did the guitar sound better to me, it practically "became" my Les Paul Custom--as warm and a baby's blanket. For the next several hours, I pulled out and tested all sorts of mental and tonal benchmarks--Black Magic Woman and Europa for the "meat" test; "Diamond Girl" (Seals & Croft) and "Feels So Good" (Chuck Magione) for that clean, liquid "ES-335" test, etc. The bridge pickup responded to every fat full-bodied Neil Schone or Steve Morse lick I could (pretend to) hobble through. Kicked in a bit more drive, and the pickup handled "Comfortably Numb" with all the open tone and ethereal harmonics of the album without sounding shrill in the process.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Seems a good match for all styles in either position provided the player thinks of the guitar and amp as system and not rely on the guitar to do all the work.

Comments: I'm quite happy with these pickups and feel they produce all the tone I needed them to (and then some), but have to caveat that by saying I first had to alter my mindset and think in terms that I was dealing with a "full-range" component rather than a traditional high-roll-off humbucker. Once I came to grips with this, I focused on using the amplifier's gain and tone-shaping abilities in the manner they were intended (what a novel concept!). I consider these pickups a bargain. Granted, they don't respond like a traditional humbucker right out of the box, so there's going to be a certain special intangible "something" that vintage humbucker aficionados may feel is missing. But I think an objective musician will find these passive EMGs a respectable alternative for the money.

Pickup features: Humbucking with Single coil option
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez EX series
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Ibanez stock humbucker
Other pickups on guitar: Stock single p/u in middle and EMG SES at neck position
Artists using this pickup: Me
You musical style(s): Metal and t=rock
Reason for pickup change: I wanted a better distortion than my crap stock pickup.

Perceived output level: Suprisingly low
Tone: balanced
Sonic evaluation: Im using a Marshall Valvestate 15R and a DOD FX69 (Grunge) pedal for distortion.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play heavy and this pickup is good for the bridge pistion

Comments: I would get an EMG 81 if it were stolen for higher output. Since I didn't pay that much for it, I wouldn't be too sad. I hate it's low output on my amp so It's lonly good for studio use. This is a very unique pickup. I am satisfied with it.

Pickup features: S-S-H from neck to bridge, passive
Impedence or other specs: Hi-z (specific info n/a)

Model of guitar or bass: J.B. Player Pro
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Prog, jazz etc
Reason for pickup change: I did not replace the pickups - they're original.

Perceived output level: Louder than stock pickups.
Tone: Single coils give Strat-like sounds. Humbucker gives a clear defined tone also good for harder rhythm parts. All pickups sound balanced, perhaps little middy.
Sonic evaluation: J.B. Player Pro, Rocktron VooduValve On-Line, Cry Baby, H.H. Electronics 100W Combo.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This is not my main guitar, but when I need Strat-like sounds I'll grab this one. The single coils work well in neck and middle positions and the humbucker is good in bridge position (I will possibly try it in neck position someday too). With my custom wiring I can get so many different tones that it always gives me the vibes when I start playing.

Comments: The special thing about these pickups is actually the wiring. I have a 5-way switch, vol pot, tone pot and an extra push/pull pot. I use the extra pot for running the humbucker's other coil to ground and the DPDT switch for switching the humbucker on no matter what position the 5-way switch is in. This gives me two extra options: all the pickups on and neck&bridge pickups on. The wiring for the humbucker makes it possible to use it as a single coil or as a full humbucker or anything between. Imagine how many different sounds you can create with this setup! Please contact me for wiring diagram.
As I stated before, the pickups are great for Strat-like sounds but the humbucker gives also power for heavier distorted sounds. These pickups are very versatile and they should not be expensive! I bought the guitar second hand and rewired it. The pickups are original so I don't know how easy/hard it is to get them nowadays but there is information at EMG website. They would be a good choice for a person who wants to get his/her backup guitar a little(/a lot) better but doesn't want to spend too much money for pickups.

Pickup features: Humbucker w/ a single coil option. Passive both ways.
Impedence or other specs: Bought two, one was 8.7k, the other 9.1k. Single coil mode about 4k.3

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone-ish "V" copy
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Classic rock
Reason for pickup change: Wanted more drive and clairity.

Perceived output level: Medium-low, less than stock.
Tone: Bassy, scooped mids, clear treble with no screech.
Sonic evaluation: They lacked the warmth and drive the stock PU's had. They had good clairity but the lack of mids made them sound very "sterile" and somewhat weak.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: They would be a very good "Distortion-Only" metal sound, except they lacked output.

Comments: I went back to the stock for now. They just had no warmth, no feeling. I've checked this website out, and I think I'll go with a Duncan Custom Custom in the neck with a Duncan Custom in the bridge.

Pickup features: passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: BC Rich Virgin NJ
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: hopefully none
You musical style(s): some alternative, rock, some metal and hardcore
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: medium to low
Tone: very muddy, quiet though
Sonic evaluation: I use a marshall VS100 valvestate combo amp. These pickups are TRASH!!! They sound fair on clean, but they are the worst sounding pickups I have EVER heard for overdriving. EMG makes some good stuff (try the EMG 81), but these were designed to be cheap by EMG and are actually made by some other company in China.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: For all types of music, these are a TERRIBLE match. These pickups are suitable for a garbage can.

Comments: I wish the pickups were destroyed or stolen. In any event, I am replacing them with some gibson pickups which sound a hell of a lot better.

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

Model of guitar or bass: BC Rich US Mockingbird Standard
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: DiMarzio PAF Pro and Fred?!
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup: None-for good reasons!
You musical style(s): Metal
Reason for pickup change: Someone owned this guitar before me and took out the stock Dimarzios and put in these EMG Selects..

Perceived output level: Uh.. mid-high? A tit more than my DiMarzio PAF Pros.
Tone: MUDDY everywhere. The low end breaks up and the high-end is shrill.
Sonic evaluation: I'm using a BC Rich with a Marshall Plexi and Boss Metal Zone.. This pickup sounds horrible! It breaks up once i step on my metal zone, and the neck pickup is not very warm.. No character and soul.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play metal. This pickup just sounds horrible. I think I'm gonna replace with EMG-81s.

Comments: I hate these pickups! i like the sounds of EMG-81s and DiMarzio PAFS which I have in all of my other guitars. I love this BC Rich guitar but I am seriously gonna replace these with some quality EMGs. I'm never buying these again.

Pickup features: Humbucking, Passive
Impedence or other specs: i dunno, but it's highs scream and it's lows aren't like mud. Good crunch.

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez Pro-Line and B.C. Rich Warlock (bridge position only)
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: standard and one old throw in piece of junk
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: Me
You musical style(s): Heavy Metal, Hard Rock, Gothic, Punk (Misfits only), a little classical
Reason for pickup change: Well I liked the standard neck but it had just too much bass. No high whatsoever. The neck was just a piece of crap. Probably was a refrigerator magnet with a paperclip wrapped around it. I wanted something that would crunch without haveing to be active. My friend has EMG 81's. They rock. but i like the crispness of the selects. Plus they just look cool.

Perceived output level: A litte better than normal.
Tone: Heavy clear bass, crisp highs, slightly knocked out mid-range.
Sonic evaluation: Anything i can plug in to. Basically i use a Peavy Basic 60 with some old bass pre-amp. Sometimes I use my friends Crate head/ Laney Cabinet. Most of the time, straight through my computer.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Great for Metal. If you have a good distortion you can make these things scream and growl!!! And when it's clean it sounds incredible.I like it in both positions.

Comments: I would probably buy them again. But i might look into the 81's just for the extra output. If i did get them again i would probably install a preamp in the guitar.
They're cheap, they're good. If you a beginning guitarist who loves METAL (not many left, too many grungers) get these if you pick-ups suck.

Pickup features: Passive HB, Tappable
Impedence or other specs: ?

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: it came stock
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: me
You musical style(s): metal, rock, blues, anything but country
Reason for pickup change: it came stock

Perceived output level: not super hot, but it'll scream with a little fuzz
Tone: this pickup is so clean its hard to believe its a humbucker
Sonic evaluation: this pickup rules! the tone is way cool! super clean, but never muddy.
for the price it is unbelievable. sounds better than a fender tapped.
if you play a wide variety of stuff this is for you. anything from
hendrix to cannibal corpse sounds good with these babies

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: any style, any position

Comments: overall this pickup is the best all-around pickup i have ever played