RaceU4her
Well-known member
heres a quick clip, first part is 81, second is the 57
https://app.box.com/embed/s/dyh02wzzza27o1boq0hh3nkt3epahobj
https://app.box.com/embed/s/dyh02wzzza27o1boq0hh3nkt3epahobj
EMG 60 vs 81?
- Thread starter Soundstorm
- Start date
Soundstorm
Well-known member
Thanks for doing that! It pretty much confirmed what I was hearing in YouTube videos, the 57 is rounder and has more lows. Not what I'm looking for. I went ahead and ordered a 60, so we'll see. Thanks again bro!
Rex Rocker
Well-known member
I wouldn't say the 60 is lower output than the 81. I'd say they're around the same.
Techincally, all of them are the same output because the 9V the preamp runs at limits how much they can put out. But some of them feel/sound hotter because the pickup part itself is hotter before it hits preamp. The 85 is hotter than either 81 or 60, and the 57 is hotter than the 85 slightly. The Het Bridge is the hottest from the classic series (81,85, 60, 60A, 57, 66, etc.).
The 81 is not THAT high output, even by passive standards anyway. A Duncan Distortion, for example, is noticeably hotter.
EMG's are funny. Somehow the 81/85 combo became super popular, but the 85 is actually the louder of the two pickups.
Techincally, all of them are the same output because the 9V the preamp runs at limits how much they can put out. But some of them feel/sound hotter because the pickup part itself is hotter before it hits preamp. The 85 is hotter than either 81 or 60, and the 57 is hotter than the 85 slightly. The Het Bridge is the hottest from the classic series (81,85, 60, 60A, 57, 66, etc.).
The 81 is not THAT high output, even by passive standards anyway. A Duncan Distortion, for example, is noticeably hotter.
EMG's are funny. Somehow the 81/85 combo became super popular, but the 85 is actually the louder of the two pickups.