passives that are equal to or better then emg81?

Not the same but If you try it maybe you will go for passives now on.... it is the... Seymour Duncan JB SH-4.
 
+1

Almost unworkable abrasive high mids, exactly like the 81. Except it actually has some lower-mids.

this is what i am trying to get rid of. my gtr tones have this high fizz and i dont know if it is the pups, speakers or head.



(my rig is a warmoth with emg 81/5150/1960 with g12t's)
 
Just my opinion: The Duncan JB has waaaay more highs than the 81, so if you're looking for something less fizzy, I don't think that'll be the pickup to look at.
 
I dont think you will find something exactly equal bro
Though some EQ make fix the fizz, sometimes changing the volume/tone pots to different values can change the highs abit (ie 1M pot to 500k pot)
Else, you might hav to jst get a different PU and you still may find that the tone isnt perfect
 
The Duncan Distortion (SH6-TB6) has a nice low mid grunt to it but it's a very balanced sounding pickup I think. It's a really high output pickup too.
 
Not sure at what volume you are palying but the 5150 needs to be opened up to reduce the fizz. I will will sound fizzy at low volumes regardless of pickup.
 
the wood your guitar is made of will affect your fizzies as well.
basswood is very mid sounding alder is brighter etc..
i cant recomend pickups without knowing what guitar you have.

but if this helps i have emg81 in basswood and BKP Painkiller in alder and both sound great throuh my 5150 and recto cab with od808 boost