The EMG 89

[Ribbon]

How does this often overlooked pickup act with rhythm in bridge position?

I have a basswood guitar I need to equip and I fear that the 81 will sound too 'dead' in what isn't a particularly 'alive' guitar in the first place - if you follow. Otherwise, I do like the 81 and I'd always prefer it to the 85 for what I'll be using this guitar for.

 

[JeffTD]

Click on my username, view my profile, and check out the threads I started about the Rose of Sharyn DI's and the "rate my DI's" threads - both have 89 in the bridge.

 

[Harry Hughes]

If the guitar sucks, don't waste an EMG on it.
Get yourself a good guitar with some good natural body resonance first and then think about putting good pickups in it
Sounds like you got a bad slab of basswood, because both my basswood guitars are pretty resonant and sustain well

 

[Ribbon]

Click on my username, view my profile, and check out the threads I started about the Rose of Sharyn DI's and the "rate my DI's" threads - both have 89 in the bridge.

Excellent - that sounds very good. However, it may just be a tad too warm and fat - in other words, perhaps a tad too close to the 85. You have a very accurate and violent, heavy handed style so your attack is very pronounced and that prevents that bit of flab from being so noticeable.

So all things considering, everything points me to the Duncan Blackout. However, that thing has some sort of weird JB-ish nasal voice to it and is a tad too gainy. I could live with that however, if the overall clarity beats the 89.

So yes, it comes down to clarity and definition, as the real purpose of this purchase is to make this guitar really stage-worthy. I won't be recording with this pickup. What would you say then, the 89 or the AHB1?

If the guitar sucks, don't waste an EMG on it.
Get yourself a good guitar with some good natural body resonance first and then think about putting good pickups in it
Sounds like you got a bad slab of basswood, because both my basswood guitars are pretty resonant and sustain well

Hey - I would if I could. In a heartbeat. I can't afford it though and I have to work with what I have.

 

[Ribbon]

Christ, this place is busy.

I'm just gonna do a little bump in hope for an answer if you don't mind.

 

[JeffTD]

TBH I'm not at all a fan of the Blackouts - they're the 81/85 with more dynamics, more low end, more output, and less definition.

I'd venture to guess the 81 might work pretty well in the axe, definitely worth a try. I've got an 89 in one and an 81 in the other to make up for tonal differences between the two, and the 81 really isn't too bad when it comes to dynamics, as long as you play with dynamics in the first place.

 

[narcossintese]

How does this often overlooked pickup act with rhythm in bridge position?

I have a basswood guitar I need to equip and I fear that the 81 will sound too 'dead' in what isn't a particularly 'alive' guitar in the first place - if you follow. Otherwise, I do like the 81 and I'd always prefer it to the 85 for what I'll be using this guitar for.

I also have a basswood guitar and the 85 on the bridge worked much better than the 81. 81 on basswood turns out to be too thin and sterile. Wouldn´t say that it sucks, but the 85 won hands down. I believe the 89 (never tested one) will sound closer to he 85.

 

[ParsonsMatt]

Basswood sounds like shit with EMGs, in my opinion... Try a DiMarzio Evolution pair.

 

[MarcusGHedwig]

Blackouts just have this nasty dirtiness to 'em IMO, not a fan

 

[Wolfeman]

Blackouts just have this nasty dirtiness to 'em IMO, not a fan

I concur with this statement.

 

[MaxStatic]

I thought Blackouts sounded great from the first few internet clips I heard of them.....then I played a guitar with them installed....needless to say, I am NOT a fan. uke:

 

[Melb_shredder]

I guess I need to post some clips with my SLS3 with B/O in them!

 

[Ribbon]

TBH I'm not at all a fan of the Blackouts - they're the 81/85 with more dynamics, more low end, more output, and less definition.

Blackouts just have this nasty dirtiness to 'em IMO, not a fan

Sounds to me like the magnet itself is just a tad stronger whereas EMG relies more on the preamp to deliver the gain.

I'd venture to guess the 81 might work pretty well in the axe, definitely worth a try. I've got an 89 in one and an 81 in the other to make up for tonal differences between the two, and the 81 really isn't too bad when it comes to dynamics, as long as you play with dynamics in the first place.

I don't mind 81's supposed lack of dynamics so much as the 'sterility' -- This guy said it:

81 on basswood turns out to be too thin and sterile.

I'd love to have a thick mahogany axe at disposal to put an 81 in, but my guitar really won't cut it.

Basswood sounds like shit with EMGs, in my opinion... Try a DiMarzio Evolution pair.

An Evolution is what I'm swapping out actually. Mind you, I absolutely *love* this thing and the way it sings and I certainly won't sell it - but it doesn't work for what I'll be using this guitar for. It's just a bit too weak and way too tight.

And then there's the feedback. This is why I'm so dead set on an active pickup - I don't want to deal with the feedback a high gain passive pickup generates -- especially the Evolution, which I'm pretty sure is actually designed to do this.

I don't suppose anyone tried out the new AHB3 pickups? I'm not really hopeful judging by the description that puts it as a brighter AHB1 with a tighter low end, whereas the offender is the honky midrange in my ears.

I think I'll go with the 89 because I don't really think I have anywhere else to turn.

 

[006]

Love the 89 in my Strat. I need one for my Explorer now though haha.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/794136/Song2-CompleteNoVox.mp3

 

[Ribbon]

Love the 89 in my Strat. I need one for my Explorer now though haha.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/794136/Song2-CompleteNoVox.mp3

Mother of God, that's vicious. When the Swedishy D-beat part kicked in, it went straight from ear to neck.

So the thing is unfortunately a very boom and crunch deal, we've established that much. It works like a charm for you, and while it's not exactly what I'm looking for, I think I could make it work. You see, there is one thing that could make the deal for me. Tell me - does the 89's single coil work as advertised? As in, much like the SA? If so, I may just be sold.

I guess I need to post some clips with my SLS3 with B/O in them!

I guess you do! I'd love to hear what you managed to coax out of it.

 

[Josh Burgess]

I've heard the 89 and 707TW single coil modes sound really very good. I wouldn't use the single coil mode in the bridge position of a guitar though...

 

[MarcusGHedwig]

The 89 is a fat, chunky, awesome pickup, DEW IT BRAH

 

[Chris_P_Critter]

You dudes that are running an 89 in the bridge, what are you running in the neck?

 

[Ribbon]

I've heard the 89 and 707TW single coil modes sound really very good. I wouldn't use the single coil mode in the bridge position of a guitar though...

I would, as there are times when I need exactly that. If I could get that bell-like single coil sound in the bridge, in addition to a good humbucking tone, that would be excellent and more than I hoped for in the first place, really.

I guess I need to post some clips with my SLS3 with B/O in them!

So then, how about those clips, hmmm?

 

[Rex Rocker]

The way you dudes describe it as being a tighter, more controllable 85 REALLY makes it sound like something I'd adore.