EMG or Seymour Duncan? Hmm...

[Jeff_SSG]

Well i thought of replacing my current pickups to active pickups..

First thought that comes to mind is the EMG 81 and 85(which is more established)...
But then there's the Seymour Duncan's Blackouts AHB-1 which claims that it reduces hum, have more lows, more highs and more output...

And they look the same as well..

Kinda confused right now... its like choosing between coke and pepsi... So anyone of u guys have used either one of the pickups so that u can put an end to my confusion??

 

[jskadiang]

I had the same dilemna and ultimately I went with the Blackouts from listening to sound clips. It seems heavier and more articulate than the EMGs, but it also has a certain sound to it that you might not like, so listen to sound clips first.

 

[Jeff_SSG]

...and the EMG pickups sounds like so many other guitars out there as well..

But how's the clean with the blackouts? (neck)

 

[Jugman]

yeah i was about to say that. a lot of guitars have emg 81 and 85 in them already..

maybe you can check at the seymour duncan website. or maybe on youtube or something.

 

[jskadiang]

don't expect really pristine and awesome cleans, but the cleans from the blackouts are very very decent for active high-output pickups.

 

[subversion]

the best cleans from an active unit- i hear it in TESLA's AH-1:

 

[Jeff_SSG]

i heard the sample clips on their official webby awhile ago...

for the palm mutes... it isnt clear enuf for the blackouts and in fact, the invader pickups (passive btw) have a better palm mute compared with the blackouts which are very "treble"...
But the the tone of the blackouts are obviously clear and bright... and the clean is much better than i thought...

For the EMG 81 85 in comparison, it just sound way too muddy (which is kind good for palm mute though)... But the let down was the clean, which was way way way lack of tone... and muffled...

i dont know whether the bright tone of the blackout are actually good for palm mutes.. maybe it can be altered by effects... (maybe i can lower the volume or tone knob of the guitar)
but certainly, the blackouts are really suited for lead guitarist...

so far, im more sided towards the blackouts rather than the EMG 81 85

so jskadiang, since u owned the blackouts, hows the sustain like (pinch/natural harmonics) and the palm mutes??

 

[jskadiang]

well firstly, don't get the invaders unless all you plan to play is power chords. (a la blink) the cleans are sterile, and the leads are sharp and harsh. the blackouts ring out harmonics well, not as well as specialized ones such as the dimarzio evolution, but well enough. the palm mutes would depend on your EQ more, whether it's tuned to be bassy or not. also, more gain would cause the palm mutes to be heavier, so it's not really the pickups.

 

[Jeff_SSG]

well said... and ive made up my mind

If its all abt adjusting the EQs.. then it shouldnt be a prob...

i should be getting the blackouts instead of the EMGs..

 

[HarrisonYeo]

get the 85/60 the best imo .
fat and good cleans . btw emg doesnt hum at all , i used to have the 81/85 it was really silence.

 

[Everdying]

get the 85/60 the best imo .
fat and good cleans . btw emg doesnt hum at all , i used to have the 81/85 it was really silence.

i second the 85/60.
i have the 85/60A.

does cleans better with both pickups combined.

 

[remy]

I have emg 60(neck) and emg 85(bridge) in my tele.
If given a choice to swap it out for blackouts, i would.

It's eq seems more responsive and better for metal music.

I'm not too sure how clean sounds on the blackouts, but i like the cleans i'm getting from my EMGs.

 

[Jeff_SSG]

i hvnt really heard the sound clip for the EMG 85 60 combination..
And i really got to agree that the EMG really have a really fat thick sound to it... which is kinda cool as well...

i'll go check it out...

 

[relinquish69]

I'm thinking of getting blackouts just because there is no need to do a 18v mod. I prefer the way 18v emg pups sound. I was curious and checked out whether the same could be done to the blackouts. apparently they claim that there would not be a difference whether its being juiced with 9v or 18v.

since thats the case, there is no need for extra wood to be routed off. which seems to be a pretty cost saving decision in my opinion. previously I just let the batteries of my pickups hang outside the trem cavity only to be supported by masking tape. that was a temporary measure while saving up for a routing job.

anyway, now I'm just saving up for the pickups haha. havent checked Davis for the stock though.

 

[Jeff_SSG]

well just to let u noe that davis had limited stock on the blackouts... and price ard $260, the same as the EMG 81 85 combination... but the price online shows that the blackouts suppose to be cheaper than the EMGs... but what the hell... ive already sent my guitar for the "makeover"...

hopefully i like it... i mean.. since i purchased it.. i MUST like it..

 

[Jeff_SSG]

i second the 85/60.
i have the 85/60A.

does cleans better with both pickups combined.

oh ya btw... u are right... the EMG 85 60 sound wayyy much betta than the EMG 81 85... The 81 85 just sound very muddy... (esp the clean!!)

since thats the case, there is no need for extra wood to be routed off. which seems to be a pretty cost saving decision in my opinion. previously I just let the batteries of my pickups hang outside the trem cavity only to be supported by masking tape. that was a temporary measure while saving up for a routing job.

..and puttin in extra cost for the 18v mod would be wallet thinning... with the wood "routed off"... hmm.. all the more reason i should get the Blackouts...
(never know how the yank the wood off in the workshop)

 

[Ratboy]

look for the old SD classic livewire humbuckers
those definately sound more "lively/alive" then EMGs

I had EMGs before
somehow the lack of "hum" translated into lack of "airyness" to me

Now back to SD SH-4 JeffBeck
nothing sounds as good as a good passive pickup : )