EMG Het Set vs. Duncan AHB-3 Blackouts (Video)

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fluff191

fluff191

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Check it out. Sound VERY similar, but the Het Set has a punch and attack that is amazing. The EMG's will be staying!!

 
Both sounded really good. EMGs sounded a bit beefier though. Really enjoyed the tune too :thumbsup:
 
Were the pickups set to the same height? The height of these pickups can make a huge difference.

I recently replaced the EMG 81/85 set of my Schecter Hellraiser with a pair of AHB-1 Blackouts. I'm digging the Blackouts a lot more. They have a more natural, warmer, passive-esque tone than the EMGs which sounded artificial and just... digital.
 
leib10":2xuej2e1 said:
Were the pickups set to the same height? The height of these pickups can make a huge difference.

I recently replaced the EMG 81/85 set of my Schecter Hellraiser with a pair of AHB-1 Blackouts. I'm digging the Blackouts a lot more. They have a more natural, warmer, passive-esque tone than the EMGs which sounded artificial and just... digital.
Click to expand...

Yes they were set to the same height.

And I totally agree with you about the EMG's. Stale and lifeless. However the Hetfields are not in that category. They are even more organic than the Duncan's (The Blackouts being one of my all-time favorite pickups).
 
Yeah, EMG did a pretty good job with that pickup set. They sound really punchy and tight.
 
Really interesting shoot out! Although they seemed to have similarities and as much as I love the Blackouts, the HET-set is definitely the winner here.

Thanks for the vid! It makes my choice alot easier!
 
I know right? I HATED EMG's until now.

Thanks for watching!
 
Cool video. I've been trying out the AHB-3B, AHB-3N and the Hetfields for a while now. Right now my fave of the 3 overall is the AHB-3N (the neck used in the bridge position) because it is has the Alnico magnet which to me has more warmth. Then again it really depends on what guitar and what your rig consists of. People who pigeonhole actives to sound the same in all guitars really are naive. The attack or feel to me is quite similar but the tone can absolutely vary. I've had the JH in a basswood Ibanez and it sounded pretty pedestrian. It currently presides in a heavy mahogany Ibanez and sounds more balanced and some of the bite has returned. I wish EMG made a Alnico version of the JH bridge.
 
The AHB-3 like all Blackouts are a little over the top gain wise but all I do is turn down the gain and all is fine. The JH's are basically refined EMG 81/60........beefier bottom still have the bite but not as fuzzy as the 81. The AHB-3 as well as all Blackouts have more mids than stock EMG's and are a tighter version of the AHB-1. Both sound less compressed in my experience at least.
 
You are absolutely right. The Het Set and Blackouts really thrive in a Mahogany-bodies guitar. Anything I think would sound a bit thin.
 
Neck pickup up sounds just like if you put an 81 in the neck, but a little warmer and cleaner.
 
Nice work, and thanks for putting it up! :rock:


Guess i need to listen on headphones, on the laptop it's a tossup. Seems like the Blackouts may be better on the chug, and EMG better on the brighter stuff? :confused:
 
really? the neck one is like an 81? weird, James used a 60 before.....
 
Yes he did but if he wanted his pup to sound like a 60 he probably would have just stuck with the 60. :D
 
Thanks for a great comparison. :thumbsup:

It does seem like the Het EMGs are a little clearer and cutting. I love my AHB-3s, but I'm definitely interested now in trying out the Het EMGs with my gear to see how they feel and sound. It's nice to be able to just swap these things in and out the guitar.
 
fluff191":25a49rp2 said:
You are absolutely right. The Het Set and Blackouts really thrive in a Mahogany-bodies guitar. Anything I think would sound a bit thin.
Click to expand...

Yeah that is exactly what happened. I put a Duncan custom in that basswood Ibanez and problem solved,,,,,,,
 
Killer tune, nice playing, loved it!

The EMGS kicked ass INO... But from what I have seen so far on videos, I will take an 81/85 over the Het set
 
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