EMG 81s vs.Tesla vs. Seymour Blackouts AHB-1 to 3s?

[CaptainCrunch]

I play metal and am used to and like the 81s. I haven't tried the 81x's or 18V. Before I was going to buy another 81 set, I listened to a couple of the 81 vs. AHB-1 to 3s. I have never played any of the AHB-1s to 3s. Anyone have any experience with both and preferences why one over the other. Also, if the would recommend the AHB's for example the 1,2 or 3 and if you have experience with the 81x and 18v mods.

Thx.

 

[HRC51]

Tone is so subjective...

I have a Les Paul Custom with 81/85 running at 18V. For metal, this is my favorite.

I also have a Jackson (alder/maple) with Blackouts (#1). Nice metal tone, but I prefer the EMG's. They have better note definition and mid-range, to my ears anyway.

Look around here or sevenstring.org for some used one's.

 

[CaptainCrunch]

bump

 

[CaptainCrunch]

Tone is so subjective...

I have a Les Paul Custom with 81/85 running at 18V. For metal, this is my favorite.

I also have a Jackson (alder/maple) with Blackouts (#1). Nice metal tone, but I prefer the EMG's. They have better note definition and mid-range, to my ears anyway.

Look around here or sevenstring.org for some used one's.

I hear ya and agree subjective. To each their own. Your comments seem consistent to my ears and what I hear on youtube comparisons. Again, would depend on different guitar makes and builds as well. To my ear, I hear the ahb-1s being more output and more bass, more distortion but more muddy. The emgs i hear more defined and separation between strings and mid. less muddy, less low end, less distorted.

 

[p4vl]

AHB-1's are much more organic and responds to different types of wood whereas the 81 sounds the same no matter what guitar you put it in (the 81 sounds like a synth sampling a high gain guitar, just artificial). If I had a single humbucker guitar, I might try the AHB-1 bridge again.

The problem I had with actives is that I like mellow-PAF style neck pickups and both companies make neck pickups that are almost as hot as their bridge counterparts.

 

[CaptainCrunch]

any opinions on the 3 ahb's 1, 2 and 3s? haven't tried any?

 

[Tone Monster]

AHB-1's are much more organic and responds to different types of wood whereas the 81 sounds the same no matter what guitar you put it in (the 81 sounds like a synth sampling a high gain guitar, just artificial). If I had a single humbucker guitar, I might try the AHB-1 bridge again.

The problem I had with actives is that I like mellow-PAF style neck pickups and both companies make neck pickups that are almost as hot as their bridge counterparts.

Not sure about the blackouts, but the EMG 81s don't sound the same in every guitar. I currently have two guitars loaded with them and the tones are quite a bit different. Just a popular internet rumor IMO.