EMG Question

[Beyond Black]

I’ve just scored a Sean Long Sig Charvel. I’ve never been an active guy, but I’m digging this EMG 57 more than an 81, which is the only other EMG I have experience with. How do the 57 and 85 compare in the bridge? I like the grind and aggression of the 57, but I’d prefer more girth in the lows, especially for palm muting. Also, what exactly do the 18/24 volt mods do?

 

[creep66]

Thev18/24 volt makes the pickup sounds more open and removes the compression. Think headroom type feel.

 

[RaceU4her]

The Duncan blackouts I’ve read are like beefier emg’s, I want to give them a try.

 

[creep66]

The Duncan blackouts I’ve read are like beefier emg’s, I want to give them a try.

I've had the blackouts. They were meatier and thicker but I prefer emg every time. An Emg has that grind to it.

 

[RaceU4her]

I've had the blackouts. They were meatier and thicker but I prefer emg every time. An Emg has that grind to it.

Did you have the mick thompsons?? I think those are supposed to have more grind? Isn’t the het set supposed to be a beefier 81?

 

[glpg80]

I don’t like the 18/24V mod on EMG 81s. They just lose that classic sound I like from them in the first place.

 

[JackBootedThug]

I prefer the 85 in the bridge and 60 in the neck. Did the 24v mod to my greco with an 81/85 and love it. I bet the 85/60 combo would kill with the 24v mod.

 

[Brandonrz]

Have a 57/66 set, 81/85, 81/60, and a het set. They’re really not all that much different. All have that emg sound and grind. Some are more open than others. Some have mild eq tweaks. If you want more low end and face punching palm mutes I’d go more the route of eq ing your head differently or switching a cab. I typically just stick with a Mesa oversized and switch speakers out because the cabs low end is naturally beefy.

 

[Tone Monster]

Done em all. Always come back around to the 18V 81. Opens it up 10-15%. Perfect!

 

[creep66]

Did you have the mick thompsons?? I think those are supposed to have more grind? Isn’t the het set supposed to be a beefier 81?

No they were the original ones when they first came out. I changed back to emgs after a week or so. They weren't bad but I'm used to emgs.

 

[Rex Rocker]

The 85 doesn't really have more girth in the lows than the 57. None of the classic EMG's do, TBH. It does have more low mids, though. I'm personally not a fan since I feel it can get stuffy-sounding fast, especially with an amp in the vein of a Recto or 5150. But then again, NONE of the standard or X series EMG's have more lows than ANY passive, IME.
I actually find it kinda funny that people describe the 57 as "more dynamic". You just have to look at a DI. A 57 is hotter than an 81. So once it hits the preamp (which is the exact same as the standard 81), it clips more.
I do like the 57, personally. But sometimes people hear what they want to hear.

 

[kurtsstuff2003]

I've always used 85's in the bridge position on every guitar..

 

[ultimatemetalguitartones]

I’ve just scored a Sean Long Sig Charvel. I’ve never been an active guy, but I’m digging this EMG 57 more than an 81, which is the only other EMG I have experience with. How do the 57 and 85 compare in the bridge? I like the grind and aggression of the 57, but I’d prefer more girth in the lows, especially for palm muting. Also, what exactly do the 18/24 volt mods do?

How do u like the guitar? I love mine

 

[anomaly]

The 85 doesn't really have more girth in the lows than the 57. None of the classic EMG's do, TBH. It does have more low mids, though. I'm personally not a fan since I feel it can get stuffy-sounding fast, especially with an amp in the vein of a Recto or 5150. But then again, NONE of the standard or X series EMG's have more lows than ANY passive, IME.
I actually find it kinda funny that people describe the 57 as "more dynamic". You just have to look at a DI. A 57 is hotter than an 81. So once it hits the preamp (which is the exact same as the standard 81), it clips more.
I do like the 57, personally. But sometimes people hear what they want to hear.

Active EMG's definitely have more lows than some passives. I find they are very similar in EQ to a duncan distortion... very balanced. They need to be close to the strings for that bass response though.

 

[PDC]

I went through a ‘57 phase when I had them in all of my guitars. I had played 81s religiously during my playing out years and was a die hard EMG guy. When I had the opportunity to step into into a little 3-4 gigs a year project several years ago, I discovered the ‘57 while getting my old neglected guitars back into gig-worthy condition. I absolutely loved the ‘57 compared to the 81 and 85. I also found it to feel and sound less compressed and more articulate - more string separation and identifiable pick attack, where playing speedy picked runs with the 81 almost came off like strong legato.

I have since transitioned to passives and have really enjoyed falling through the magnet / wind rabbit hole. But I kept one guitar loaded with a ‘57 and I still dig playing that guitar.

PS - I cycled an EMG Fat 55 through a couple of my builds along the way and that is a fantastic pickup that has the punch of an active with true passive sound qualities and feel. Perfect for a player who needs a bit more signal to overcome long cable runs without resorting to a buffer.

 

[Beyond Black]

How do u like the guitar? I love mine

I digging it! It plays and sounds great. Ya gotta love a nice maple Charvel neck. Factory string height is a little high at the nut for my taste. I’m gonna file it down a little, but that’s my only gripe about it.

 

[ultimatemetalguitartones]

I digging it! It plays and sounds great. Ya gotta love a nice maple Charvel neck. Factory string height is a little high at the nut for my taste. I’m gonna file it down a little, but that’s my only gripe about it.

same here bro