EMG 81 typically mid scooped and dark?

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Bankrupted A Casino

Bankrupted A Casino

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So I got the Epi Bjorn Gelotte LP Custom a little while ago and it's the first guitar I've had with the 81/85 combo and my first guitar with active pickups. With the 81 I've had to turn the mids and treble way up on my amp to get clarity. I've never had to do that. I think the hottest bridge pup I've had was a Suhr SSH+. Never had to adjust the eq at all for those. Is this typical with the 81 pup or just EMG's in general? Or maybe it's a dark guitar, although the neck pickup doesn't seem to need as much EQ adjustment. Should I be looking at replacing them with hot passives? Playing mostly metal (Killswitch, In Flames, Celine Dion, Periphery etc). Thanks
 
Try swapping them round - I'm a big fan of the 85 in the bridge..
 
I have a mid 80s Jackson that had an 81in the bridge..I wouldn't call it scooped but it was kinda flat all around, maybe a bit sterile. Not bad but when I switched to MCP Detroiters it improved to my ears. Much more definition IMO.
 
Another vote for the 85 in the bridge. All the guitars I use in my Ozzy tribute band have 85's in the bridge and 81's in the neck. The 85 has a nice chunk to it in the bridge position and the 81 in the neck gives a nice cut and bite in the neck position.
 
I like the 85 and 81 in both positions depending on the tone I'm going for, but it really shouldn't be muddy and dark in either spot. If anything the 85 is a considerably darker sounding pickup.
 
I had an EMG 85 in the bridge of my Ibanez RGA for years, I always found the 81 way to "thin" sounding in the bridge and the 85 really gave it a beefier feel. I think the James Hetfield set also addressed this issue.
 
85 crushes the 81 in bridge. Check battery, wiring and try at 18 volts.
 
Celine Dion? :lol: :LOL:

Anyway, I prefer 85's for any position. As others have suggested, they're "thicker" sounding. I use mostly lower output passive pickups nowadays though-I like the dynamic range and the fact that I don't need batteries to play my guitar.
 
I have the B.I.G. Epi LP Custom also and yes it sounds scooped on the 81. I just don't want to alter the guitar thus I'm much like you having to boost mids on the amp. I rarely play it, I got it on a whim and leave it tuned in Drop D and just chug with it and do a bunch of Zakk rips I like my PAF's much better.
 
Always gonna have to EQ differently with actives vs passives, that preamp push makes a big difference. I can't do both, I've gone back and forth over the years and all my guitars atm have passives.
 


I have a 1999' EMG 81 in a MIJ 80's Charvel with a Basswood body and its anything but dark.

Very balanced, set & forget, just a rip snorting pup. :thumbsup:
 
Starman22":17axftt7 said:
I have the B.I.G. Epi LP Custom also and yes it sounds scooped on the 81. I just don't want to alter the guitar thus I'm much like you having to boost mids on the amp. I rarely play it, I got it on a whim and leave it tuned in Drop D and just chug with it and do a bunch of Zakk rips I like my PAF's much better.
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That's a shame. It's a great guitar for hard rock and down tuned metal IMO. Plays like butter.
 
I've never heard a EMG 81 that sounded what I would consider dark. They are usually IMO bright, clear and articulate. Not really scooped sounding IMO unless you set the amp up to sound scooped.

Definitely check the battery. With active pickups when you have the guitar cable plugged into the guitar it's using the battery. Never leave the cable plugged in when not playing. It will kill the battery and make the guitar sound poorly. You can also mess with the pickup heights.

IMO you don't need super hot pickups for metal tone if you go another route. What amp are you using?
 
How close to the strings is it set? My 81s always sounded on the bright side. As others have mentioned check the battery, then bring it super close to the strings and see how that sounds.
 
Oblivion DC":2dodpjgo said:
How close to the strings is it set? My 81s always sounded on the bright side. As others have mentioned check the battery, then bring it super close to the strings and see how that sounds.
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Just put a new battery in. No change. I'll try messing with the pickup height tho. Maybe it's not optimal since the guitar was manufactured in China. Thanks!
 
jlb32":35o0gi8t said:
I've never heard a EMG 81 that sounded what I would consider dark. They are usually IMO bright, clear and articulate. Not really scooped sounding IMO unless you set the amp up to sound scooped.

Definitely check the battery. With active pickups when you have the guitar cable plugged into the guitar it's using the battery. Never leave the cable plugged in when not playing. It will kill the battery and make the guitar sound poorly. You can also mess with the pickup heights.

IMO you don't need super hot pickups for metal tone if you go another route. What amp are you using?
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Peavey Classic 30 combo. Not the best for metal. Considering getting the Friedman BE OD to run thru the clean channel or a BB Pre, SD-1, or Green Rhino to boost the drive side....... until I can afford a dedicated metal amp. I'm fairly new to dialing in metal tones...

Edit - just realised I've had the amp for 7 or 8 years and have never changed the tubes. They're all still glowing but I get a weird volume issue with the FX loop. Should I get the tubes tested or something?
 
Bankrupted A Casino":2kksd7ml said:
jlb32":2kksd7ml said:
I've never heard a EMG 81 that sounded what I would consider dark. They are usually IMO bright, clear and articulate. Not really scooped sounding IMO unless you set the amp up to sound scooped.

Definitely check the battery. With active pickups when you have the guitar cable plugged into the guitar it's using the battery. Never leave the cable plugged in when not playing. It will kill the battery and make the guitar sound poorly. You can also mess with the pickup heights.

IMO you don't need super hot pickups for metal tone if you go another route. What amp are you using?
Click to expand...

Peavey Classic 30 combo. Not the best for metal. Considering getting the Friedman BE OD to run thru the clean channel or a BB Pre, SD-1, or Green Rhino to boost the drive side....... until I can afford a dedicated metal amp. I'm fairly new to dialing in metal tones...

Edit - just realised I've had the amp for 7 or 8 years and have never changed the tubes. They're all still glowing but I get a weird volume issue with the FX loop. Should I get the tubes tested or something?
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A OD pedal will definitely help. If your tubes are 7-8 years old and you are having volume issues that could be the big part of your problem. I'd have them tested (pre and power) and replaced if needed.
 
Better amp & guitar would help.

Not being a dick, just speaking from experience.
 
Chester Nimitz":t8wk5i6y said:
Better amp & guitar would help.

Not being a dick, just speaking from experience.
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Why would I need a better guitar? This one's great and I've owned a lot of boutique and high end guitars (Suhr, Anderson, K-Line, Fender, Gibson, etc...)
 
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