EMG 81 and EMG 60

  • Thread starter Thread starter ttosh
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Yes - I have friends who do not care for medal much who want to hate my guitars with thoose pick-ups in them. Once they tried them that tune changed. People seem to have these ideas about what is what. It is a matter of taste.
 
I have 81s in 2 of my guitars and a 60 in another, and I'm really happy with them. They are not only for metal. The 81 is a really punchy pickup that has a fair amount of output, but coupled with a 85 or a 60A in the neck it sounds awesome.

My favorite HH setup is a 85 in the bridge and a 60A in the neck. The 60A is an amazing pickup. Probably one of my favorite pickups I've ever played.

Eric
 
aeroic":71cmx25n said:
My favorite HH setup is a 85 in the bridge and a 60A in the neck. The 60A is an amazing pickup. Probably one of my favorite pickups I've ever played.

Eric
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I agree :thumbsup:
 
ttosh":1coxeeq6 said:
Are these pickups good for any music other than metal?
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EMG 81 is brighter and sharper then the 85 which is more open and organic while being a touch looser. 60 sounds good for cleans as it has a little bit of a single coil vibe to it but much more output. The EMG single coils are really nice as well. Sound excellent for clean stuff and have a great chime to them while being super quiet. Compared to passives I have found that they have less bass and attack is a little different. The feel is different that is for sure. Seems like the EMG's have a flater response.. . doesn't mean they sound bad just the amp has to compensate for that. Would you say that Ozzy stuff with Zakk is metal or rock?
 
I love my EMGs, I have a guitar with and 85 a guitar with 81 and a guitar with S single coils, and I love them! specially the single coils for rock/blues/clean stuff......VERY nice!
 
I havent heard the 60, but I have guitars with 81's, 85's, and a strat with SA's. The SA's are pretty versatile, The 85 does a few things well, but the 81 I think leans towards heavy stuff. You can force it to do other stuff, but I think there are a lot of better choices out there. I say that, and at one time I thought the 81's were the cats ass, I guess over the years I've started leaning more towards passive stuff - Jim
 
I still have a set of a 81 and 89 (85 and SA in a humbucker size) around here some place. I have had the David Gilmour (3 - SA, SPC,EXG) set up in my main Strat for years.

Anyone try the 81W ?
 
I did the 81/89 combo a while back and couldn't get used to it. Everyone else that I was jamming with loved them. I shoulda put the 89 in the bridge before dumping them. I suppose I am just a passive pickup person. ...and I play metal.
 
The Jeff Beck pickup is my favorite. I stayed away from active for 8 years. Then I realized both have a place.
 
aeroic":3crtfp7l said:
I have 81s in 2 of my guitars and a 60 in another, and I'm really happy with them. They are not only for metal. The 81 is a really punchy pickup that has a fair amount of output, but coupled with a 85 or a 60A in the neck it sounds awesome.

My favorite HH setup is a 85 in the bridge and a 60A in the neck. The 60A is an amazing pickup. Probably one of my favorite pickups I've ever played.

Eric
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Do you find a big difference between the 60A and regular 60 ?
 
thegame":2gv90h29 said:
aeroic":2gv90h29 said:
I have 81s in 2 of my guitars and a 60 in another, and I'm really happy with them. They are not only for metal. The 81 is a really punchy pickup that has a fair amount of output, but coupled with a 85 or a 60A in the neck it sounds awesome.

My favorite HH setup is a 85 in the bridge and a 60A in the neck. The 60A is an amazing pickup. Probably one of my favorite pickups I've ever played.

Eric
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Do you find a big difference between the 60A and regular 60 ?
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yes there is a big difference. it's the difference between alnico magnets and ceramic magnets. The ceramic magnet (60) is brighter, tight, and very focused in the upper mids. The 60A w/ Alnico magnets are warmer, a little smooth, juicy, and flowing. They match up extremely well w/ the 85 in the bridge. I put this setup in two guitars of mine, and I couldn't be happier. Great growling, deep punchy tone in the bridge, with a buttery, smooth, liquidy lead tone. Has a feel of a neck single coil, yet still having the deep rich lush tone of a humbucker.

Eric
 
i found the 81/85 set run together had a great blues sound..(i'm my les paul)...great sustain,...responded realy well to volume changes,...but like someone else stated,..i am old and set in my ways,...and being the bass loving fool i am..couldnt adjust to the lack of bass "feel"...that i like...

i actuALly have a 81/85 set..less than 2 weeks old..with the 18v mod..complete with pots (long shaft for a lp) for sale realy cheap!...

$125. frog skins...

merry christmas
 
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