Detroit1973
Well-known member
Try the 24v mod.
EMG81: love/hate relationship
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Detroit1973
Well-known member
The 81x was meant to give the feel/sound of the 81 with the 18v mod.
SBlue
Well-known member
I haven't tried out the post 2017 ones yet. My ZW set is from around 2007/08, and it's already very different from the non-solder less black bottom. Can't wait to try out the tan bottom ones.
Detroit1973
Well-known member
My set of 81/85 from 1996 is the soldered version. they sound very different from even my anniversary sets i got in 2006.....before they did the chrome covers as a full time feature.
that will not change the cocked wah EQ.
Detroit1973
Well-known member
No. Because the Solderless didn't come out until the mid 2000's. I have a set of hardwired EMG's in my 1996 custom shop les paul & they destroy every other set of EMG's i have.
i didn't mean you specifically. If it's mid 90s of course it's not the "quick connectless" ones.
The earliest EMGs with the cable coming out of the Epoxy are not the "non solderless". (There where tan and then black ones). I would call them hardwired or without connector(/quickconnect)?
It's NOT clear what SBlue is refering to.
Did the solderless coming mid 2000s??? really change the sound? Will Pickups coming from 2001 sound different in a guitar wired for EMGs since 90s really sound different to Pickups from the 90s
acceptance
Well-known member
Not sure if you saw my post, but in my experience the most recent ‘22 sounds like crap, the ‘16 sounds better but not great and the ‘03 and older scream. FWIW my ‘00 is solderless.
yes, but already forgotten. I reread it:
So how different are the 00's, 03's, and 88's?
acceptance
Well-known member
I would say in broad strokes they are comparable and as a grouping much better than the later ones, but I haven't tried anything between '03 and '16. Some insist that wired or tan backs are the way to go, but others say pre-2017, or "old logo" etc.
yeah, the OP-amp obsolence is documented, so there definitely had to be a change.
I also go old logo, but haven't done direct comparisons.
You know how it is with music gear hype.
There is no real documented evidence that there are difference before that, but some guy on a forum says there is a difference and it kind of becomes public "knowledge".
But there is no real proof and it's all just hear say in most cases.
Maybe two EMGs from the same year have the same variance?
There are also quite a lot of fake EMGs out there, too...
I think it's possible, since you have the same with old and new duncans for example but it might be also all just BS
Detroit1973
Well-known member
The 80's and 90's ones are smoother, less trebly. They are a little warmer & have a slight bit more bottom end.
Detroit1973
Well-known member
EMG Confirmed they changed the Preamp. It was even on their website at one time. Google is your friend.
acceptance
Well-known member
While I can't say it's conclusive, I've found a distinct difference beyond general parts tolerances, etc., at least with what I have. So I have enough "proof" for me anyways and I will never go beyond '03 at this point unless I can confirm. I believe @SBlue got some tan backs, would love to hear his take.
yes i know that!
Can you read?:
it's more about the allegedly changes from the 80s just right before the preamp changes
hm, i don't even know if i prefer them then. Also guitar dependant.
Rex Rocker
Well-known member
I personally think an 81 with more bottom end kinda defeats the purpose of an 81 being an 81. I've always felt that if you want a fat bottom-end from your pickup, you're better off with almost anything but an 81.
That's part of why I prefer the Fishman Fluences. They've got a slightly steeper bottom-end rolloff which IMO translates into a pickup that beats the 81 at its own game. JMO, of course.
That's part of why I prefer the Fishman Fluences. They've got a slightly steeper bottom-end rolloff which IMO translates into a pickup that beats the 81 at its own game. JMO, of course.