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jkesselTight crunchy, but stale tone
Published on 04/30/12 at 10:02I tried to avoid active pickups for the longest time, just didn't want to have to deal with batteries and all the negative views on them. Eventually I just bought one and was pleasantly surprised. They do have a different sound from passive pickups but it's in no way a negative difference. They are very tight sounding, low noise, and have a great crunch to them. They are pretty bright so that's all personal taste, but I like it. Hard to describe the stale sound but it's like they're so tight and clean sounding it's almost unnatural, but in a good way. There's no fizziness or any annoying spiked frequencies to these, just overall a great pickup. On cleans they really excel IMO. I like a...…
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I tried to avoid active pickups for the longest time, just didn't want to have to deal with batteries and all the negative views on them. Eventually I just bought one and was pleasantly surprised. They do have a different sound from passive pickups but it's in no way a negative difference. They are very tight sounding, low noise, and have a great crunch to them. They are pretty bright so that's all personal taste, but I like it. Hard to describe the stale sound but it's like they're so tight and clean sounding it's almost unnatural, but in a good way. There's no fizziness or any annoying spiked frequencies to these, just overall a great pickup. On cleans they really excel IMO. I like a very bright, sparkly, chimey clean tone and these just nail it. Perfect example is the clean tone off MetallicA's And Justice For All album. They used EMG 81's in the neck into a Roland JC120 for that album and the EMG 81 is a huge part of that tone. Later they switched to using the EMG 60 in the neck but that album is all 81.
Anyways there’s a 18 volt mod that some people are doing, it increases the headroom. The new X series are designed to be like the 18 volt mod but more dramatic, and only run on a single 9 volt. I tried the mod and wasn’t really impressed. I didn’t notice much of a difference at all. It was slight, the overall tone was quieter and thinner, but nothing you’d ever notice in a band setting or multitracking. I’d prefer to stick with 9 volts to save batteries.
I own 3 along with some of the X series and various other EMG pickups, this one is by far my favorite. Check out my 81x review for a little more in depth comparison.
Anyways there’s a 18 volt mod that some people are doing, it increases the headroom. The new X series are designed to be like the 18 volt mod but more dramatic, and only run on a single 9 volt. I tried the mod and wasn’t really impressed. I didn’t notice much of a difference at all. It was slight, the overall tone was quieter and thinner, but nothing you’d ever notice in a band setting or multitracking. I’d prefer to stick with 9 volts to save batteries.
I own 3 along with some of the X series and various other EMG pickups, this one is by far my favorite. Check out my 81x review for a little more in depth comparison.
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James...Try 18 volt for extra awesome
Published on 12/28/11 at 17:55I tried my first 81 model probably a decade ago in an ESP guitar. At the time it blew my mind. It was super aggressive and super hot. It always cut through and seems to slice through every amp I used with it. It had killer bass response too. Sure the cleans don't sound too hot with it but isn't that what the EMG 60 is for? I really think this pickup only lends itself to heavy metal type players. It's way too overdriven for light rock or anything like that. It's hard to get a sound out of it that's not blistering distortion.
These are active pickups of course and so your EQ will be a bit more responsive. One problem I always had with my 81 was a lack of dynamic response. ...…
These are active pickups of course and so your EQ will be a bit more responsive. One problem I always had with my 81 was a lack of dynamic response. ...…
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I tried my first 81 model probably a decade ago in an ESP guitar. At the time it blew my mind. It was super aggressive and super hot. It always cut through and seems to slice through every amp I used with it. It had killer bass response too. Sure the cleans don't sound too hot with it but isn't that what the EMG 60 is for? I really think this pickup only lends itself to heavy metal type players. It's way too overdriven for light rock or anything like that. It's hard to get a sound out of it that's not blistering distortion.
These are active pickups of course and so your EQ will be a bit more responsive. One problem I always had with my 81 was a lack of dynamic response. Rolling down on the volume knob never seems to do too much to clean it up (god forbid when you want a little less DISTORTION) from it. A friend of mine suggested a mod he heard about where you wire another battery in the loop to make it an effective 18 volt pickup. I figured heck why not and gave it a go. The result is a very responsive and dynamic pickup with tons of headroom. It almost turns it into a passive pickup in some ways. It makes the 81 sound more organic and less machinelike if that makes any sense at all.
I don't really recommend this to anyone but hard rock and heavy metal type players. I have tried it for other genres and it's just not fit for it, even with mods. Still, for my prog metal playing it can't be beat. I love it. The clarity is just so much better than passive pickups. notes really pop. It's really a love or hate kind of pickup.
These are active pickups of course and so your EQ will be a bit more responsive. One problem I always had with my 81 was a lack of dynamic response. Rolling down on the volume knob never seems to do too much to clean it up (god forbid when you want a little less DISTORTION) from it. A friend of mine suggested a mod he heard about where you wire another battery in the loop to make it an effective 18 volt pickup. I figured heck why not and gave it a go. The result is a very responsive and dynamic pickup with tons of headroom. It almost turns it into a passive pickup in some ways. It makes the 81 sound more organic and less machinelike if that makes any sense at all.
I don't really recommend this to anyone but hard rock and heavy metal type players. I have tried it for other genres and it's just not fit for it, even with mods. Still, for my prog metal playing it can't be beat. I love it. The clarity is just so much better than passive pickups. notes really pop. It's really a love or hate kind of pickup.
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ejendresGreat pickup but not my thing
Published on 11/10/11 at 10:09The thing I like most about EMG pickups in general is the absurd amount of clarity. The note separation is awesome and there is absolutely no mud. Its also dead quite due to the active preamp.
What I like least about the EMG81 is the low end response. Its very very punchy, which is good, but its also tight to the point of stifled in my opinion. I have a very tight rig to start with, so that combined with the tightness of the EMGs pretty much takes away the low end from my rig. That said, the EMG 81 would work really well with a looser rig.
Also, the EMG 81 is really bright, which adds to the clarity, but also needs to be compensated for with eqing on the amp or it can be too bright.
What I like least about the EMG81 is the low end response. Its very very punchy, which is good, but its also tight to the point of stifled in my opinion. I have a very tight rig to start with, so that combined with the tightness of the EMGs pretty much takes away the low end from my rig. That said, the EMG 81 would work really well with a looser rig.
Also, the EMG 81 is really bright, which adds to the clarity, but also needs to be compensated for with eqing on the amp or it can be too bright.
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The thing I like most about EMG pickups in general is the absurd amount of clarity. The note separation is awesome and there is absolutely no mud. Its also dead quite due to the active preamp.
What I like least about the EMG81 is the low end response. Its very very punchy, which is good, but its also tight to the point of stifled in my opinion. I have a very tight rig to start with, so that combined with the tightness of the EMGs pretty much takes away the low end from my rig. That said, the EMG 81 would work really well with a looser rig.
Also, the EMG 81 is really bright, which adds to the clarity, but also needs to be compensated for with eqing on the amp or it can be too bright.
A lot of people give say the EMG81 is a one trick pony, I don't agree with that. It definitely has more output than most passive pickups, but if you expect that and setup the gain on your amp with respect to it you can get great crunch and clean tones out of this pickup.
I think the real trick to getting excellent tones out of EMGs is knowing that you'll have to eq your amp differently than you would for passives. Personally, I don't like them, but that doesn't mean they're bad. I've heard a lot of guys get amazing tone out of them.
What I like least about the EMG81 is the low end response. Its very very punchy, which is good, but its also tight to the point of stifled in my opinion. I have a very tight rig to start with, so that combined with the tightness of the EMGs pretty much takes away the low end from my rig. That said, the EMG 81 would work really well with a looser rig.
Also, the EMG 81 is really bright, which adds to the clarity, but also needs to be compensated for with eqing on the amp or it can be too bright.
A lot of people give say the EMG81 is a one trick pony, I don't agree with that. It definitely has more output than most passive pickups, but if you expect that and setup the gain on your amp with respect to it you can get great crunch and clean tones out of this pickup.
I think the real trick to getting excellent tones out of EMGs is knowing that you'll have to eq your amp differently than you would for passives. Personally, I don't like them, but that doesn't mean they're bad. I've heard a lot of guys get amazing tone out of them.
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Pm.Published on 09/18/05 at 06:04
JellyBellY came to me with his Schecter C1 Fr, it was able to test the two teams dun guitar EMG 81 in acute on the same amp
Well for those who doubted: The sound is DIFFERENT between the two guitars!
THE EMG therefore pass the LUTHERIE!
Guitars:
The Schecter has a handle screwed it in Rabl (beautifully ond the rest), a mahogany body and therefore EMG 89 in a serious and a EMG 81 in acute!
My Vigier MODEL is a former driver with a handle Fully carbon, a key in Phenowood which is actually a matrial close to the woods! The wings are normally alder. She is in serious quipedun EMG 85 and EMG 81 in acute dun.
Sound:
Vigier on the sound is more synthetic, more than anything...…
Well for those who doubted: The sound is DIFFERENT between the two guitars!
THE EMG therefore pass the LUTHERIE!
Guitars:
The Schecter has a handle screwed it in Rabl (beautifully ond the rest), a mahogany body and therefore EMG 89 in a serious and a EMG 81 in acute!
My Vigier MODEL is a former driver with a handle Fully carbon, a key in Phenowood which is actually a matrial close to the woods! The wings are normally alder. She is in serious quipedun EMG 85 and EMG 81 in acute dun.
Sound:
Vigier on the sound is more synthetic, more than anything...…
Read more
JellyBellY came to me with his Schecter C1 Fr, it was able to test the two teams dun guitar EMG 81 in acute on the same amp
Well for those who doubted: The sound is DIFFERENT between the two guitars!
THE EMG therefore pass the LUTHERIE!
Guitars:
The Schecter has a handle screwed it in Rabl (beautifully ond the rest), a mahogany body and therefore EMG 89 in a serious and a EMG 81 in acute!
My Vigier MODEL is a former driver with a handle Fully carbon, a key in Phenowood which is actually a matrial close to the woods! The wings are normally alder. She is in serious quipedun EMG 85 and EMG 81 in acute dun.
Sound:
Vigier on the sound is more synthetic, more than anything Dimebag Darrell, It is the fact the neck-carbon! For the Schecter sound is warmer and finally close trs DiMarzio has dun like raisin bread!
Indeed, the EMG 81 is a micro high output (405 mV) and magnets raisin bread! So you have to compare what is comparable, if we compare the EMG 81 Seymour Duncan has a 59 that has 2 times less output level and basic deer Alnico EST sr that nest over the m me!
Jadore for this micro distos videmmentmais I found myself doing with funk! Indeed there is a espce of stuff on the guitar, you know something often black plastic or mtal vicinity of the bridge: It sappel a volume knob
Well, it is lower the volume, so if there is a little sen instead of putting all the time donf makes it less aggressive EMG 81 because the volume is on the bottom cruncher nimporte what clear sound
Jai also test some time ago EMG81 the position of a serious Vigier Excalibur Ultra Dioneae and I agree: the 81 is in serious carrment warmer quen position Acute whether well cest a 81!
Also Igor O Mount of EMG on his Gibson Les Paul Studio and a PRS CE24 and said on the forum that his silent guitar lautre diffrent dune that the microphones are the same !
In passing with my config rack but with no effect Cables quality I have absolutely no breath
And I prcise all EMG pickups are sold with accessories (http://www.emginc.com/productimages/Hcontrol.jpg): Tone & volume knob, medium pile, jack socket and the recess c wheat. EMG actually need knobs diffrent value of those used for passive pickups and the jack starts the active Systm: Cest why that if you leave the branch stack jack s' use! Just think adbrancher the jack when you do not play (as an active low actually)
Buying a short EMG you to change all the guitar llectronique except slecteur microphone, so that the ratio quality price is good trs: same price as a Seymour Duncan or DiMarzio but the electronic (pre-wired and more
Dtail friendly: the cable that goes micro dtach thanks to a plug (http://www.emginc.com/productimages/T3pin.jpg) Which means that once the install cblage on your guitar you dont no welds do to change pickups, you have a 85 in a severe and acute in 81 so you can easily reverse them!
Here I just wanted to wring his neck DEFINITIONS prtendent rumors that the EMG does not comply with the violin! Alalala people who speak without knowledge and / or which allow dmettre an opinion on a micro without washing test on at least two guitars violin making diffrent ...
I invite you to read the other reviews for more details and sound techniques, I recommend including that of Draghixa which is always good advice
My FAQs EMG guitar accessories ( )
PM
Well for those who doubted: The sound is DIFFERENT between the two guitars!
THE EMG therefore pass the LUTHERIE!
Guitars:
The Schecter has a handle screwed it in Rabl (beautifully ond the rest), a mahogany body and therefore EMG 89 in a serious and a EMG 81 in acute!
My Vigier MODEL is a former driver with a handle Fully carbon, a key in Phenowood which is actually a matrial close to the woods! The wings are normally alder. She is in serious quipedun EMG 85 and EMG 81 in acute dun.
Sound:
Vigier on the sound is more synthetic, more than anything Dimebag Darrell, It is the fact the neck-carbon! For the Schecter sound is warmer and finally close trs DiMarzio has dun like raisin bread!
Indeed, the EMG 81 is a micro high output (405 mV) and magnets raisin bread! So you have to compare what is comparable, if we compare the EMG 81 Seymour Duncan has a 59 that has 2 times less output level and basic deer Alnico EST sr that nest over the m me!
Jadore for this micro distos videmmentmais I found myself doing with funk! Indeed there is a espce of stuff on the guitar, you know something often black plastic or mtal vicinity of the bridge: It sappel a volume knob
Well, it is lower the volume, so if there is a little sen instead of putting all the time donf makes it less aggressive EMG 81 because the volume is on the bottom cruncher nimporte what clear sound
Jai also test some time ago EMG81 the position of a serious Vigier Excalibur Ultra Dioneae and I agree: the 81 is in serious carrment warmer quen position Acute whether well cest a 81!
Also Igor O Mount of EMG on his Gibson Les Paul Studio and a PRS CE24 and said on the forum that his silent guitar lautre diffrent dune that the microphones are the same !
In passing with my config rack but with no effect Cables quality I have absolutely no breath
And I prcise all EMG pickups are sold with accessories (http://www.emginc.com/productimages/Hcontrol.jpg): Tone & volume knob, medium pile, jack socket and the recess c wheat. EMG actually need knobs diffrent value of those used for passive pickups and the jack starts the active Systm: Cest why that if you leave the branch stack jack s' use! Just think adbrancher the jack when you do not play (as an active low actually)
Buying a short EMG you to change all the guitar llectronique except slecteur microphone, so that the ratio quality price is good trs: same price as a Seymour Duncan or DiMarzio but the electronic (pre-wired and more
Dtail friendly: the cable that goes micro dtach thanks to a plug (http://www.emginc.com/productimages/T3pin.jpg) Which means that once the install cblage on your guitar you dont no welds do to change pickups, you have a 85 in a severe and acute in 81 so you can easily reverse them!
Here I just wanted to wring his neck DEFINITIONS prtendent rumors that the EMG does not comply with the violin! Alalala people who speak without knowledge and / or which allow dmettre an opinion on a micro without washing test on at least two guitars violin making diffrent ...
I invite you to read the other reviews for more details and sound techniques, I recommend including that of Draghixa which is always good advice
My FAQs EMG guitar accessories
( ) PM
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»
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Tech. sheet
- Manufacturer: EMG
- Model: 81
- Series: Active
- Category: Humbucker guitar pickups
- Package weight:270 g
- Added in our database on: 07/30/2002
We have no technical specifications for this product
but your help will be much welcomed
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Other names: 81 black, 81black, 81 black