EMG-HZ, how are they?

[TheStoryteller]

Just got a guitar with EMG-HZ pickups... before I replace them with an 81/85 combo I'd like to hear some opinions about them. Thanks.

 

[Razorjack]

I personally like the HZ pickups, but it all depends on the player at the end of the day.

 

[Jarkko Mattheiszen]

I had HZ H-1's in my previous axe, and while they were ok, I like 81's a lot better. Compared to the HZ's they sound mean as shit, but I guess it's more a matter of taste. Children of Bodom use H-4's, I recon, and they sound killer live :O

 

[metalkingdom]

There was a thread about this last year, and there was a little confusion concerning this topic.

Basically, it comes down to which HZ's you're using. My Jackson SLSMG came with really crappy HZ's that have a very low output. You'll find quite a few complaints on the various forums stating the same thing. Too bad for me, because the new SLSMG's come with 85/81's. Good for Jackson that they actually listen to customer complaints.... On the other hand, there are different submodels of the HZ's that are pretty good. I think that Andy said that he and Gary from Exodus used HZ's for one of the guitars on "Tempo..." and, of course, that shit sounds killer. Sorry I don't have the specifics on which model is which. But beware.

 

[punkrockacademyfightsong]

the guitarplayer of one of my bands has an LTD viper with HZ's and i think they sound fuzzy as hell

 

[TheStoryteller]

Thanks guys. I wasn't aware of there being different HZ models. My guitar seems to have the H4 model in bridge position, which according to EMG is "the equivalent of EMG's 81 Active Pickup without the Active". Does this change any of the opinions above?

 

[-Gavin-]

Nope, it's still shite.

 

[Skyweaver]

I had the Zakk Wylde Epiphone, with the HZ - I sorta found it lifeless to the point that I actually sold the guitar.

I've tried 81/85's and Bill Lawrence/59's - right now I'm sold on the Bill Lawrence.

 

[TheStoryteller]

I did the change to 81/85. Can't really say that I notice a big difference between the H4 and the 81 when playing through my PODxt, maybe the difference will be more obvious with a real amp.

edit: and I'm not toally deaf when it comes to guitar sounds.

 

[sparkyness]

My ESP Horizon (early 90s model) has HZ's in it. Only bought this last year and not completely convinced with them tone-wise yet, so let us know how you get on with the 81's.

Edit: found out mine aren't HZ's after all (they're unbranded). They're stock ESP's I think from the late 80's. Amazing guitar though....just not fully sold on the p/ups yet.

 

[Kazrog]

Can't stand the HZs. EMG needs to do the world a HUGE favor and stop making them entirely, they are shit. Alexi Laiho on the Children of Bodom DVD is proof of their horrendous tone - he's a obviously a phenomenal player and even HE sounds like shit with the HZs in his ESP signature model. Saw them live in December, same shit tone as on the DVD...

Leave passives to Duncan and DiMarzio, leave the actives to EMG.

 

[MilkAndCheese]

The H4s sound great, in my opinion.

 

[fabz]

The H4s sound great, in my opinion.

I like my Hz H4s too!!! I compared them to my other guitarsts active EMGs and what can i say?... the difference is very small i think...

 

[metalkingdom]

Like I said earlier, it depends on which HZ's you're using. They are not all created equal. The ones in my Jackson have very low output.

 

[nwright]

I have had many ESP/LTD guitars with EMG HZ's...They used to be in all the 300 series LTD instruments. WItht he 400 series came active EMG loaded guitars.

The H4 is the passive 81, the H1 was more common in the early days of the 300 series. I think they have a little lower output than the H4, but I think they sound better. The H3's and H4's have a solid cover on them, while the H1 and H2's have one row of exposed pole pieces. I can't remember any guitars that came loaded with the H2's or H3's, though, it's usually H1's and H4's. Also, each model has a variant of the pickup that uses alnico magnets over their ceramic counterparts (designated as H1A's, H4A's, etc.).

I'm with the others who think EMG's strong point is active pickups.

 

[aramism]

I'm with the others who think EMG's strong point is active pickups.

+1


if you wan't active pickups and the authentic emg tone get the active emgs.

what's the sense in getting a passive emg pickup, you might as well get any other brand who make a superior passive pickup. i personally have all my guitars equipped with dimarzio PUPS so i'm not an emg expert or much of a huge fan but from a neutral standpoint if you like the emg sound get the authentic emg pickup. that's like saying you wanna drive a porsche 911 and you buy a boxster.

 

[slinky_]

I personally like the HZ pickups, but it all depends on the player at the end of the day.

I´ve heard that the brits consider "at the end of the day" as the most annoying saying ever Just crossed my mind, read about the survey sometime ago.

About EMG´s, I´m propably gonna buy a Schecter with those mics. I guess it was the Damien 7 model that I was checking. Should be an ok guitar for the first 7-string, or whaddaya think?

 

[Jackal_Strain]

All I can say about the Hz is that will never go back to using them