They really are! I replaced a crappy Gibson Burstbucker Pro with an old school 70s Super Distortion... The difference in quality is insane, it's so much better.
@@79thSeabee for a passive pick up it sounds the closest to the emg 81 for distorted tones and if you want cleans too, the super distortion is all around the best. for just distortion and heavy sounds emg 81 is king but for an all-around pick up that can keep up with the heavy hitters, the sd is a no brainer.
I think most will agree that the SD sounded much better for cleans. More highs, more punch, a little more airy. EMG sounded muffled and artificial, as most actives do, but that’s not what they’re for. Distorted chording and palm muting sounded tight and aggressive on the EMG which I preferred. The SD was decent, and you could hear that signature “cocked wah” sound it has. For the leads, I honestly think both sounded good and it would depend primarily on your preference. I’m personally not an active pickup fan so I’d go SD overall, but I’m also an 80s guitar geek so the SD was also the soundtrack of that era.
I like this comparison. I have both, love both, and to me the Super D is about the closest thing you can get to an 81 with a passive pickup. Both have a real tight low end, make pinch harmonics easy, have a similar EQ curve, etc. The 81 is just a more extreme version.
Put the Super Distortion through a Tube Screamer-style pedal (with the Gain close to 0 and the Level to 10) and you can get it to sound almost identical to the 81 (albeit much noisier).
I feel dumb for not knowing that- wow. I thought they were using EMG’s…the SD is much more physical and warm sounding pickup. I love both EMG’s and SD’s but for standard tunings I prefer the SD by FAR.
the two the best pickups ever! Super Dist is the best overall for when you want good cleans and excellent distortion without too much harshness but rather warmth instead...good to tame a bright amp like old Marshalls; Emg 81 is the best for high gain when zero fucks are given and you want maximum gain and clarity. All other pickups are approximations/variations of this 2. I still have to find a better high output pickup than the SD that growls in the low-mids and is not shrill/harsh/bright in some way.
Both great but i think the SD is mote versatile and has that iconic vintage 80's vibe that no other pickups can quite replicate. EMG's are more "metal only" IMO which is also a very valid choice which is why i put these in my LTD EX.
Super distortion seems to be focused on the highmids whereas the EMG 81 is focused on the low meds and it seems the trouble is a little more dry kind of sounds dead. Like there's nothing in the middle. Super distortion all the way.
Recently picked up an ESP EC 1000 because my SG with vintage DM Superdistortion was out of commission. Never messed with active pickups before, was pleased that these punch in the same category but are also dead quiet. Was going to throw passives in here, and I'm now deciding to just keep the EMG 81 in the bridge.
Both are great sounds. they both sound great with high gain. great mids. Emg clean isn't bad , but dimarzio is nice clean. Dimarzio sd has that nice sizzle that is unique to that pickup. emg has better clarity on the palm mutes for sure. they are both great pickups for metal but it depends what you want. for classic metal super d is the epitome of that sound. for modern metal emg 81 is the same, basically a textbook choice for moden era metal.
@@VITATRISTIS Ot seems like I found why. This pickups is very sencetive to picking technique. If you play very sloppy you will sound sloppy and muddy. If you technique is very tight your sound will be thight and clear.
Passives all the way! 3:54 you feel that SD kick you in the chest like Leonidas in 300, the 81 simply sounds sterile and less dynamic, and has less "color" to it. The cleans also sound night and day better than on the 81. Proud owner of an OG 70s Dimarzio Super Distortion, and tried IRL the 81. For me the SD is a clear winner! 💪🏻
I like the EMG better for the distorted tones, way more defined and tighter, also the high mids are amazing on it. "And who gives a shit about cleans?" - copyrighted by Ola Englund 😁
You really lose a lot of definition and separation with the EMGs. I guess if all you care about is hiding your sloppy playing, the EMGs are all you need.
EMG 81 just got it right and it's not something that can be "bested". You can create different flavors of a pickup for high-gain stuff but not objectively "better" than EMG 81.
after all these videos I'm learning the super distortion is one of the best pickups around
Tons of EVH pickups including their own pickups and SD is still a better Eddie Van Halen tone
I was thinking the same thing. These sound almost the same if not the same
me too
They really are! I replaced a crappy Gibson Burstbucker Pro with an old school 70s Super Distortion... The difference in quality is insane, it's so much better.
@@79thSeabee for a passive pick up it sounds the closest to the emg 81 for distorted tones and if you want cleans too, the super distortion is all around the best. for just distortion and heavy sounds emg 81 is king but for an all-around pick up that can keep up with the heavy hitters, the sd is a no brainer.
I think most will agree that the SD sounded much better for cleans. More highs, more punch, a little more airy. EMG sounded muffled and artificial, as most actives do, but that’s not what they’re for. Distorted chording and palm muting sounded tight and aggressive on the EMG which I preferred. The SD was decent, and you could hear that signature “cocked wah” sound it has. For the leads, I honestly think both sounded good and it would depend primarily on your preference. I’m personally not an active pickup fan so I’d go SD overall, but I’m also an 80s guitar geek so the SD was also the soundtrack of that era.
100% agree
I don't think the SD has a "cocked wah" sound. That's the Tone Zone.
For those who say the SD isn't tight and flubby...Ask Terrance Hobbs from Suffocation...
Or basically anybody that used BC Rich guitars back in the 80s
Aka God
I like this comparison. I have both, love both, and to me the Super D is about the closest thing you can get to an 81 with a passive pickup. Both have a real tight low end, make pinch harmonics easy, have a similar EQ curve, etc. The 81 is just a more extreme version.
Put the Super Distortion through a Tube Screamer-style pedal (with the Gain close to 0 and the Level to 10) and you can get it to sound almost identical to the 81 (albeit much noisier).
@@ErebosGR Do the same with the EMG 81
The Super Distortion was used on Reign in Blood. Nuff said.
Also on Effigy of the Forgotten.
I feel dumb for not knowing that- wow. I thought they were using EMG’s…the SD is much more physical and warm sounding pickup. I love both EMG’s and SD’s but for standard tunings I prefer the SD by FAR.
the two the best pickups ever! Super Dist is the best overall for when you want good cleans and excellent distortion without too much harshness but rather warmth instead...good to tame a bright amp like old Marshalls;
Emg 81 is the best for high gain when zero fucks are given and you want maximum gain and clarity. All other pickups are approximations/variations of this 2.
I still have to find a better high output pickup than the SD that growls in the low-mids and is not shrill/harsh/bright in some way.
Both great but i think the SD is mote versatile and has that iconic vintage 80's vibe that no other pickups can quite replicate.
EMG's are more "metal only" IMO which is also a very valid choice which is why i put these in my LTD EX.
Super distortion seems to be focused on the highmids whereas the EMG 81 is focused on the low meds and it seems the trouble is a little more dry kind of sounds dead. Like there's nothing in the middle. Super distortion all the way.
Recently picked up an ESP EC 1000 because my SG with vintage DM Superdistortion was out of commission. Never messed with active pickups before, was pleased that these punch in the same category but are also dead quiet. Was going to throw passives in here, and I'm now deciding to just keep the EMG 81 in the bridge.
Wow pretty close with distortion, but Dimarzio still sounds better clean, what a pickup :D
DiMarzio. The EMG is kinda thin yet doesn't clean up when you roll the volume knob back.
I'm very impressed with the DiMarzio Super Distortion. Even though the EMG 81 AND 85 set will always be my go to.
Yeah, the EMGs are great if you hate your tone.
Both are great sounds. they both sound great with high gain. great mids.
Emg clean isn't bad , but dimarzio is nice clean.
Dimarzio sd has that nice sizzle that is unique to that pickup. emg has better clarity on the palm mutes for sure.
they are both great pickups for metal but it depends what you want. for classic metal super d is the epitome of that sound. for modern metal emg 81 is the same, basically a textbook choice for moden era metal.
SUPER DISTORTION ALL DAMN DAY.
Why everybody say Super Distortion is flubby and loosy pickup? I've found this pickup being very tight and focused.
Because they have tin ears. Those hex pieces make it super tight.
@@VITATRISTIS Ot seems like I found why. This pickups is very sencetive to picking technique. If you play very sloppy you will sound sloppy and muddy. If you technique is very tight your sound will be thight and clear.
because is on alder body
@@mau9065 I have Super Distortion and I have tried this pickup on alder, mahogany and basswood guitars. It was very tight everywhere.
Could be people have dark speakers on their amps? I know speakers are one of the biggest tone-changing factors, right along with pickups.
Emg 81 great for distorted
Passives all the way! 3:54 you feel that SD kick you in the chest like Leonidas in 300, the 81 simply sounds sterile and less dynamic, and has less "color" to it. The cleans also sound night and day better than on the 81. Proud owner of an OG 70s Dimarzio Super Distortion, and tried IRL the 81. For me the SD is a clear winner! 💪🏻
Both great but I'll choose emg 81 for the distortion
Can you compare super distortion vs transition bridge please?? Thanks 👍
Super Distortion, the first and still the best. It has THE sound of rock n' roll and metal.
I like the EMG better for the distorted tones, way more defined and tighter, also the high mids are amazing on it. "And who gives a shit about cleans?" - copyrighted by Ola Englund 😁
The Dimarzio has more punch on distortion & as expected takes it on the cleans.
do you have any comparisons planned with the dimarzio paf 59 or similar paf pickups? a low output vs high output pickup comparison would be sick
Much more midrange in the 81 for sure it has a pike somewhere over 500hz other than that not much different surprising..
en distorsión el emg tiene lo suyo.. pero me gusta el limpio en el super..
EMG 81 for me.
🤘
Super distortion to my liking
You just cant beat the Super Distortion! It is the King for a reason! All you suckers,posers,and pretenders BOW DOWN!!
Passive passive passive!!!
I prefer DiMarzio because is more expressive.
Dimarzio+1
SD is more suitable to my taste.
Оба классно звучат, но ИМГ по выхлопнее, Димарзио натуральней.
You really lose a lot of definition and separation with the EMGs. I guess if all you care about is hiding your sloppy playing, the EMGs are all you need.
distortion mode 81 tone is more cleaner
81 just got schooled!
Wow those are really similar.
If you play Cannibal Corpse, you'd pick EMG 81. Anything lighter than that, SD gets the job done and is better with cleans.
EMG 81 just got it right and it's not something that can be "bested". You can create different flavors of a pickup for high-gain stuff but not objectively "better" than EMG 81.
They sound the same distorted. Super distortion sounds better clean
EMG 81 just a tiny bit more tighter and aggressive on distortion but yeah way better cleans on SD.
The EMG definitely sounds brighter (ie more defined mids) and less bassy
Dimarzio sounds better on high gain
Battery powered guitar? Really? Nothing beats a super distortion anyway.
both great, but EMG is better, more bright, more powerful etc...
Your videos are great, but first 3 minutes are always useless
I had no idea the SD sounds *that* bad. Shrill and flavorless.