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Not worth the extra $10 over the regular 81
Published on 04/30/12 at 10:09The active tone pot made the biggest difference, at 10 both pots were the same, but the active pot was more reactive than the passive. You...…
The active tone pot made the biggest difference, at 10 both pots were the same, but the active pot was more reactive than the passive. You could hear the treble roll off a lot more on the active. The 81x with the passive pot the difference was so small that I actually had to sit and listen to the recording over and over just to hear a difference. With the active pot the X sounded slightly thinner, quieter, and smaller, but not by much. With the passive pot instead the difference pretty much went away. Now I tried the 18v mod as well and it was the same thing. The X series was designed to be like the 18V but even more headroom, but without a second 9v battery. The extra headroom is what made the thinner sound, uncompressed clean tones sound weak and thin. That's why most guitarists run a compression pedal when playing clean.
On high gain the difference was pretty much unnoticeable. So my review is basically on cleans, cause that showed the biggest difference. I still have my A/B recordings if anyone wants to hear them. Feel free to PM me for the link to it. I think most of the hype around this was from people hearing so much about them and wanting to hear a difference so bad that they just believe it's bigger than it is.

A more organic 81
Published on 06/01/11 at 07:54
More open EMG 81
Published on 04/12/11 at 14:28Recently, people on forums have been experimenting with running pickups at 18V to get more headroom out of their pickups. This helps them sound more organic and less linear and compressed. The newly revised X series preamp basically takes the concept of running at 18 volts to a new level.
The EMG 81X still sounds very much like the original EMG 81. It has that aggressive and clear bite to it...…
Recently, people on forums have been experimenting with running pickups at 18V to get more headroom out of their pickups. This helps them sound more organic and less linear and compressed. The newly revised X series preamp basically takes the concept of running at 18 volts to a new level.
The EMG 81X still sounds very much like the original EMG 81. It has that aggressive and clear bite to it that cuts through any mix. It’s extremely tight and precise, but this time around, it’s less compressed and more open. During more complex chords, it seems to be less “digital” and more organic sounding. Single notes lose that heavy compression, but you gain that more passive feel when playing. Basically, the preamp isn’t clipping as much as it used to before.
The EMG 81X works in any wood you throw at it, but I find that EMGs typically sound best when they’re in mahogany. Some people argue about EMGs having a signature tone that takes over the guitar, and this is true to an extent, but wood still plays a very important factor. I’m not a huge fan of EMGs in basswood, but they can work with the correct EQ.
If you ever wished your EMG 81 sounded more open and more like a passive pickup, check out the EMG 81X. The EMG 81 is still my favorite pickup, but the 81X is great for those who used to run their 81 at 18 volts. If you find that the 81 is too bright, check out the 85 or 85X instead.

Yay!
Published on 01/20/13 at 07:59 (This content has been automatically translated from French)Talk about clean: clean the EMG is NOT UGLY. The new X series in EMG preamp, which gives more headroom (the rest clean clean) compared to EMG "normal." It is accurate, I use it mainly for imitation sounds country, or funk (although it lacks OOUR slamming the illusion is perfect). Arpeggios it appears rather neutral, it is not its strong point for sure.
OD: A bit dry for my taste, for more rhythmic than...…
Talk about clean: clean the EMG is NOT UGLY. The new X series in EMG preamp, which gives more headroom (the rest clean clean) compared to EMG "normal." It is accurate, I use it mainly for imitation sounds country, or funk (although it lacks OOUR slamming the illusion is perfect). Arpeggios it appears rather neutral, it is not its strong point for sure.
OD: A bit dry for my taste, for more rhythmic than the solos.
Distortion: So there ... The reputation of the EMG is more to do at this level, and the 81X is no exception to the rule: ultra precise bass very "tight" pinched harmonics that come without any worry, mediums present. In short, a monstrous power, playing in all courts metalleuses, the Black / Death to the Maiden's heavy. In solos, same accuracy, same reactivity, it slams ...
The +:
-Precision!
Power-
-Versatility
The -:
-A little "dry" in overdrive / crunch moderate
Rather clean-neutral
9, as his friend the 60X.
Tech. sheet
- Manufacturer: EMG
- Model: 81X
- Series: X
- Category: Humbucker guitar pickups
- Added in our database on: 04/17/2010
We have no technical specifications for this product
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Other categories in Guitar Pickups
Other names: 81 x, 81x black, 81xblack, 81 x black, 81 xblack