I don't know about u guys, but after all I love EMGs 4 metal

[Joeytpg]

They feel abit compressed yeah, particularly if you have the amp volume a bit low, but once you open the master up, for METAL and tight gain type of stuff, I really like how emg's feel in my hands....

some nice high output passive buckers feel really good and open too, but I don't know I guess if I was playing metal mostly I'd use EMGs

 

[chunktone]

I've got a set I'd trade ya for some good quality passives. They are not my thing.

 

[Juggernaut]

EMG85 is my go to pickup for metal.... Haven't found anything yet to replace them, and I've tried ALOT.

 

[SBlue]

I really like 81/85 and the JH set. I love passive, specially the low output ones for a lot of different styles. But for hard rock, metal, etc... EMGs are really amazing!

 

[Joeytpg]

Reza, for your style definitely low output work great

 

[Metal1977]

Loved EMG's until i discover BKP Miracle man's

 

[Les Zombie]

I love emgs for metal, half of my guitars have them.
They have a feel that i havent found in a passive, for lower gain stuff that isnt metal im not a fan or if i want a warm clean tone that doesnt break up. But for metal they are my favorite and i play metal 80% of the time.

 

[petejt]

I like playing more than just metal. And I like to roll down the volume control for a cleaner sound, no matter what the style.

Good quality high output passives do that much better.

 

[Reiep]

I still have to try some BKP pickups, but the new JH-set is really a step forward to give a passive feeling to an active pickup.

@Joey : they would look great with the black nickel hardware

 

[blackba]

The few guitars I have played with EMGs, just sound too dry for my tastes, hard to describe it. It sure would be easy to choose gear, if I just played one style of music, but I don't.

 

[metalmaniac93]

I also have a 81/85 set. I just cannot get into them. Very dry and sterile for me.

 

[Joeytpg]

I understand what you guys mean by dry or sterile. They're very surgical. I grew up with EMGs so my ear got used to the tightness and compression.

Now when I play passives, I find them a bit loose most of the time.... well, at least for tight rythm stuff..... for hard rock and rock I prefer them to EMGs

 

[Badronald]

I used EMG's for a good 15 years. I still dig them.

Different pickups for different applications.

 

[glpg80]

I like the clarity and power more than the saturation.

Bingo

 

[maddnotez]

EMG85 is my go to pickup for metal.... Haven't found anything yet to replace them, and I've tried ALOT.

Have you tried Duncan Livewire HMET's?

Destroy EMG for metal IMO......


edit: you can roll the volume down and get what you want as well, very responsive.

 

[NinjaRaf]

Yup, love me some EMGs. Also, I run an HA in the neck for some SICK fucking clean tones. Metal guitars...EMGs all the way...for other guitars, I like something a little more dynamic.

 

[scottywompas]

I have been using a guitar loaded with EMG 85/SA/SA for over 20 years. I try to match the pickups to the guitar a little more now but that guitar does the hard rock/metal thing just fine.

Scott

 

[MississippiMetal]

I got rid of anything to do with them. I like rolling the volume knob down for in between sounds and they just don't do it right. Im playing super low output pickups for metal these days. I like the clarity and power more than the saturation.

You've got a 4 channel Diezel, and a pedalboard that could operate a Boeing 757, and yet you adjust the volume knob for sounds?

 

[Juggernaut]

EMG85 is my go to pickup for metal.... Haven't found anything yet to replace them, and I've tried ALOT.

Have you tried Duncan Livewire HMET's?

Destroy EMG for metal IMO......


edit: you can roll the volume down and get what you want as well, very responsive.

I've got one, havent installed it yet, I'm picking up a BC Rich Gunslinger in July, I plan on putting it in that to see how I like it....

I have a Charvel with an Anderson H3 that I love and one of my Juggernauts has a Duncan Alternative 8 in it as well, and you guys all know I'm a metal guy through and through... those pickups are great for Metal as well, but my 85 is my go to pick up....

 

[bubbastain]

I got rid of anything to do with them. I like rolling the volume knob down for in between sounds and they just don't do it right. Im playing super low output pickups for metal these days. I like the clarity and power more than the saturation.

You've got a 4 channel Diezel, and a pedalboard that could operate a Boeing 757, and yet you adjust the volume knob for sounds?

Yeah. It's the "in between" sounds. I had a four channel preamp at one time and sold it off and kept a single channel head instead. While the preamp had 4 different channels, it didn't respond as well as my single channel head to the volume knob. I felt the single channel head was more versatile with all the in between tones. My current amp (single channel) responds better to the volume knob than any other amp i've played. Even on my EMG 81 guitar it cleans up surprisingly well. My main guitar has a low output (9.2k) humbucker in the bridge. Definitely my favorite. Then I have my JB/Jazz combo in guitar #2 for the beefiest tones and my EMG81 guitar for the tighter more compressed tones.

I guess I should mention that I would be fine with any one of the 3 that I have. No problem. I don't have a "metal" guitar or a "blues" guitar.