EMGs vs The Other Pickup Brands.

[commandante]

Its all down to the personal preference. If you are not happy with your EMG 81 on the bridge just take it out and put that 85 you have on the neck to the bridge. If that doesn't satisfy you, you probably need to try something different. At that point I would go with Lawrence.

 

[Ermz]

Do any of you folks have opinions on the PRS HFS and Vintage Bass pickups? First time I played a PRS Custom 24 I was mesmerized by both the feel and the sound... I'm presuming the pickups had a bit to do with the latter.

 

[Nostalgiaplatz]

I've an SD JB in the bridge position of my jackson, and the thing I like most about it is the definition can get (regardless of what tuning you are). I've tried guitars with EMGs and they sound more muddy, especially at low tunings. If you want great output and definition, consider the SD Invader. With a hi gain amp you wont need EMGs, especially if you place a ts9 in between

 

[Nostalgiaplatz]

Do any of you folks have opinions on the PRS HFS and Vintage Bass pickups? First time I played a PRS Custom 24 I was mesmerized by both the feel and the sound... I'm presuming the pickups had a bit to do with the latter.

The only PRS I played (PRS Custom 24) sounded real good, but I hated the feel, but it had flatwound strings and I think the thing that I didn't like much about it was the neck, it was too thin

 

[Hewy80]

Do any of you folks have opinions on the PRS HFS and Vintage Bass pickups? First time I played a PRS Custom 24 I was mesmerized by both the feel and the sound... I'm presuming the pickups had a bit to do with the latter.

I have an opinion on them... I absolutely love them!!! I have an LTD with EMG81 & 85 in it and when I first put those pickups in it I loved the sound.
That was until I got my Custom 24 and heard the HFS. Its output isnt quite as hot as that of the 81 but I think it has more 'personality'. It doesnt have that dull lifeless '81' sound (<-opinion).
Still as someone said before the amount of gain on my amp is more than enough to make up the minescule difference in gain between the two.
If I had the choice between the two I would definitely choose the HFS

As for the vintage bass I would say its output is considerably less than that of the 81 or 85. I still like the sound of it and wouldnt bother changing it for another pick up at this point in time... I dont know which I would choose if purchasing them tho

 

[Hammer Bart]

I've recently put the Duncan Jazz + Duncan Distortion in my (jap) Jackson Rhoads and I absolutely love it. I chose the DD over the JB because it has a little more output and more mids. I've read it's more or less a variation on the JB, the DD has a bigger magnet. The Invader supposedly has a lot of low end. The SD site has nice tonal charts for reference. Personally, I like mids for definition and I don't need tons of lows (I figure the bass player beats you with ease in those frequencies no matter how hard you try). I chose the DD because it seems to suit my preferences best. I never A/B tested the different SD pups in similar guitars though.

 

[DURBANS]

So, the 4 I mentioned... which one is of "best quality"? I like the looks of the Invader and the X2N, but I think SD is a better brand, help me out? Or should I keep my EMG's?

The Invader has more output than an EMG 81?

 

[commandante]

Here we go again...

Between DiMarzio, Seymour Duncan and EMG their is no quality difference.

No pickup I came across so far has more output and clarity than an EMG, but those are not the only criteria when choosing a pickup.

What is the problem that you have with EMGs that makes you think about a pickup change? Explain that first so we can make a better suggestion.

 

[DURBANS]

Ok, problem is:

Besides the high output (which I really like), I can't actually feel a tonal difference, like no color at all, I feel them totally sterile. On the other hand, maybe on passive pickups this will change, so that's why I'm trying to find out.

What is the loudest output SD? Invader or Distortion Trembucker?

 

[commandante]

Invader and after that Distortion, Custom and JB. You don't need a Trembucker as you have a Gibson guitar. Trembuckers are guitars with Tremolos which have different string spacing.

 

[James Murphy]

Besides the high output (which I really like), I can't actually feel a tonal difference, like no color at all, I feel them totally sterile. On the other hand, maybe on passive pickups this will change, so that's why I'm trying to find out.

i've used EMG actives for most of my career and no one has every accused me of having a "sterile" or color-less sound. I'm more in agreement with Kazrog's post on the subject earlier.

 

[commandante]

i've used EMG actives for most of my career and no one has every accused me of having a "sterile" or color-less sound. I'm more in agreement with Kazrog's post on the subject earlier.

But JAMES! EMGs are sterile and they sound the same in every guitar. Also with Rectifiers you can only play nu-metal. Well maybe you can play some tr00 metal but then you have to set the gain at 6.
:Spin:

 

[Kazrog]

Ok, between these 4 models... (as bridge pickups)

1) Bill Lawrence L-500XL
2) Di Marzio X2N
3) Seymour Duncan Invader
4) EMG 81

Which of them is of better quality, clarity, output and tone?

Before you swap out your EMGs - dude, what is your rig? Like, amp, effects? What guitar sounds on records do you like? What are you trying to achieve? Maybe there's something else going on in your signal chain that is affecting your tone negatively.

 

[DURBANS]

I'm playing with a Gibson Goth V through a Randall RH100 head. I use a Noise Gate in the loop. I really like Gary Holt's tone on the last Exodus album, as well as how the last 2 Arch Enemy albums sound. When playing live I usually use a 5150 and I will be recording with one.

 

[commandante]

I'm playing with a Gibson Goth V through a Randall RH100 head. I use a Noise Gate in the loop. I really like Gary Holt's tone on the last Exodus album, as well as how the last 2 Arch Enemy albums sound. When playing live I usually use a 5150 and I will be recording with one.

Well as Andy said last Exodus album was recorded with EMG HZ(Passive EMGs) pickups. Arch Enemy uses Seymour Duncans. Hmm, now that I am looking to their website Chris actually uses Caparison stock humbucker.

 

[Kazrog]

I'm playing with a Gibson Goth V through a Randall RH100 head. I use a Noise Gate in the loop. I really like Gary Holt's tone on the last Exodus album, as well as how the last 2 Arch Enemy albums sound. When playing live I usually use a 5150 and I will be recording with one.

Nice rig. I love Gibson Gothics, awesome guitars... and with EMGs in it man that thing should absolutely fucking CRUSH.

Maybe you should get a Tube Screamer.

 

[silverwulf]

I'm playing with a Gibson Goth V through a Randall RH100 head. I use a Noise Gate in the loop. I really like Gary Holt's tone on the last Exodus album, as well as how the last 2 Arch Enemy albums sound. When playing live I usually use a 5150 and I will be recording with one.

My Mesa dual Rectifier is with my tech for a few weeks getting a routine check-up, so I've been playing with an old Randall RH200 head into my Mesa Recto 4X12 Cab at practice in the meantime. I use EMG 81's, and it really helps the sound of the Randall IMO.

 

[J the TyranT]

Dunno if it matters or not... but people are forgetting that SD have actives as well. I've never used them, and know shit about them really, but.

I've got an ash bodied, ebony necked ESP custom shop Horizon from the 80's It's got a stocker ESP in the neck [which is smooth, I like it], and a JB in bridge. I've plugged it into loads of amps, and it seems to definitely carry its own sound through every time. Not bad at all, I like it. I figure though, if I ever go with a Framus or something, which I've heard can be a bit darker toned... then I might throw Full Shreds in it, and counter the darker tone, with a bit brighter a tone from the axe itself. Should be kinda odd, you think?

Carvin makes some good pups too. Anybody use Bartolinis or Lundgrens?

J

 

[Kazrog]

Tonight I swapped out my EMG 81 with a new EMG 85 (in the bridge position) as James had recommended to me. The difference in tone is staggering. The 85 sounds way bigger, more well-rounded! I know I'm not fooling myself, I have recorded myself playing the same riff and compared it objectively through my reference monitors in my studio.

Durbans - I would definitely try putting an 85 in your bridge position. You will be much happier, and it's an easy swap!

 

[Nitronium Blood]

Tonight I swapped out my EMG 81 with a new EMG 85 (in the bridge position) as James had recommended to me. The difference in tone is staggering. The 85 sounds way bigger, more well-rounded! I know I'm not fooling myself, I have recorded myself playing the same riff and compared it objectively through my reference monitors in my studio.

Durbans - I would definitely try putting an 85 in your bridge position. You will be much happier, and it's an easy swap!

Can one purchase an Emg 85 brand new, without the pots and wires that normally come in the pack?