Old EMG VS New EMG

[Gsxrbusa]

I have an EMG 81 from, I believe, 1987. It sounds better than any of my newer 81's. The only one that comes close is my USA DK1. This one is on par with the 87'. Are the specs altered a bit for different manufacters? It seems that it has less of that high end ice pick thing going on. Almost sounds like an 85/89 only smoother. No matter what guitar I put it in they improve tonaly. Have a Jackson Rhoads that was way too bright for me. Installed nickel strings, that helped a bit. Put this old 81 in it and holy crap! Smooth, with no more stabbing your ears with harshness.

So are the older ones made different? Different materials? Quality of materials? What gives?

 

[EXPcustom]

Yes they are better, look on the back, should be cream colored, no quick change wire.

I think this will be the next big thing in pickup collecting, vintage EMG pickups.

 

[Tawlks]

Actually.. Now that You mention it, I have an 81 from ~1985 and it's much smoother and more rounded than my 2004

I thought it was the guitar, but then researched the tonal charictoristics of Alder vs Mahogany and it's the pickup.

Seeing as I have 2 81s in my LTD and thinking of swapping the neck one out for an 85 or 60, I may swap out my 85 EMG 81 for it.

 

[JTyson]

Agreed, I like the older ones a little better too.

 

[Gsxrbusa]

Yes they are better, look on the back, should be cream colored, no quick change wire.

I think this will be the next big thing in pickup collecting, vintage EMG pickups.

Now that I know I'm not crazy, I will start looking for older ones. Thanks for the input EXP.

Actually.. Now that You mention it, I have an 81 from ~1985 and it's much smoother and more rounded than my 2004

I thought it was the guitar, but then researched the tonal charictoristics of Alder vs Mahogany and it's the pickup.

Seeing as I have 2 81s in my LTD and thinking of swapping the neck one out for an 85 or 60, I may swap out my 85 EMG 81 for it.

I got dibs on the older ones! Hands off...............You wanna sell me yours?

Agreed, I like the older ones a little better too.

Another vote for old. Thanks man.

 

[Gsxrbusa]

I wonder what year they started to affect tone? What year did EMG switch over to the plug in harness?

 

[some dude]

I thought this'd be a thread about EMG vs EMG-X.

 

[Tawlks]

Actually.. Now that You mention it, I have an 81 from ~1985 and it's much smoother and more rounded than my 2004

I thought it was the guitar, but then researched the tonal charictoristics of Alder vs Mahogany and it's the pickup.

Seeing as I have 2 81s in my LTD and thinking of swapping the neck one out for an 85 or 60, I may swap out my 85 EMG 81 for it.

I got dibs on the older ones! Hands off...............You wanna sell me yours?

Nah but I'll trade you for an 85 or a 60?

 

[Gsxrbusa]

Actually.. Now that You mention it, I have an 81 from ~1985 and it's much smoother and more rounded than my 2004

I thought it was the guitar, but then researched the tonal charictoristics of Alder vs Mahogany and it's the pickup.

Seeing as I have 2 81s in my LTD and thinking of swapping the neck one out for an 85 or 60, I may swap out my 85 EMG 81 for it.

I got dibs on the older ones! Hands off...............You wanna sell me yours?

Nah but I'll trade you for an 85 or a 60?

Trade what? You mean trade me your 1985 81 for an 85 or a 60? Or you trade me an 85 or 60 for an 81?

 

[Tawlks]

Actually.. Now that You mention it, I have an 81 from ~1985 and it's much smoother and more rounded than my 2004

I thought it was the guitar, but then researched the tonal charictoristics of Alder vs Mahogany and it's the pickup.

Seeing as I have 2 81s in my LTD and thinking of swapping the neck one out for an 85 or 60, I may swap out my 85 EMG 81 for it.

I got dibs on the older ones! Hands off...............You wanna sell me yours?

Nah but I'll trade you for an 85 or a 60?

Trade what? You mean trade me your 1985 81 for an 85 or a 60? Or you trade me an 85 or 60 for an 81?

I'll trade you my 1985 81 for your 85/60.

 

[mrp5150]

People always seem to think older Duncan JB's sound better, so I wouldn't be surprised if it's the same with a number of other pickups.

 

[Rogueleader]

Pickups are known to sound "rounder" as they age. Theres some threads about it on other forums (or you could probably ask anyone who manufactures pickups), that discuss the aging process, specifically the jb.

People think its a change in how they were manufactured or materials (which may be the case to an extent), but it is in large part do to the pickup aging for 25 years.

 

[Big Rich]

People always seem to think older Duncan JB's sound better, so I wouldn't be surprised if it's the same with a number of other pickups.

i had an older jb in one of my oldschool esps and it did sound alot thicker and not as fuzzy....i still ripped it out and put in emgs thou



i wish i didnt just read this about the older emgs...ther was a dude selling a shitload of used ones near me on craigslist for practically nothing....


i passed on them cuz i had a feeling the quick connect ones are the same shit and were actually better cuz you could swap them around without having to solder and all that fun stuff

damn knit

 

[Gsxrbusa]

Actually.. Now that You mention it, I have an 81 from ~1985 and it's much smoother and more rounded than my 2004

I thought it was the guitar, but then researched the tonal charictoristics of Alder vs Mahogany and it's the pickup.

Seeing as I have 2 81s in my LTD and thinking of swapping the neck one out for an 85 or 60, I may swap out my 85 EMG 81 for it.

I got dibs on the older ones! Hands off...............You wanna sell me yours?

Nah but I'll trade you for an 85 or a 60?

Trade what? You mean trade me your 1985 81 for an 85 or a 60? Or you trade me an 85 or 60 for an 81?

I'll trade you my 1985 81 for your 85/60.

Maybe we can work something out.

People always seem to think older Duncan JB's sound better, so I wouldn't be surprised if it's the same with a number of other pickups.

Man, I have an older JB. Wonder if it's worth more?

Pickups are known to sound "rounder" as they age. Theres some threads about it on other forums (or you could probably ask anyone who manufactures pickups), that discuss the aging process, specifically the jb.

People think its a change in how they were manufactured or materials (which may be the case to an extent), but it is in large part do to the pickup aging for 25 years.

Interesting. It seems to be the case the way your are describing.

People always seem to think older Duncan JB's sound better, so I wouldn't be surprised if it's the same with a number of other pickups.

i had an older jb in one of my oldschool esps and it did sound alot thicker and not as fuzzy....i still ripped it out and put in emgs thou



i wish i didnt just read this about the older emgs...ther was a dude selling a shitload of used ones near me on craigslist for practically nothing....


i passed on them cuz i had a feeling the quick connect ones are the same shit and were actually better cuz you could swap them around without having to solder and all that fun stuff

damn knit

Crap!