For anyone who wants it... 00:07 emg -clean1 00:24 Blackouts -clean1 00:40 emg -clean2 00:53 Blackouts -clean2 1:06 Emg -crunch 1:23 Blackouts -crunch 1:41 emg -high gain 2:01 Blackouts high gain 2:22 emg high gain2 2:41 Blackouts high gain 2 3:02 emg double track high gain 3:22 blackouts double track high gain 3:42 emg double track high gain 2 3:56 blackouts double track high gain 2 Edit: fixed the first few time stamps
...For me i have to say the EMG's took the cake. The blackouts do sound great as well, awesome in fact, but the 81's notes just sound more defined. EMG = Lead Seymour Duncan = Rhythm
If u use a 002uf cap from the hot side of the EMG 81 to ground, it warms up the tone. The higher the uf value the warmer the tone, and lower values brighten the tone. U can also do it with a higher or lower value on ur volume pots, lower values warm the tone and higher values brighten it. This works for all pickups active or passive. Active pickups almost always use 25k pots, where passive use 250k to 1meg.
What this video and the comments taught me: 1. No one really agrees, people will either like one or the other. 2. Listen to the video and pick the one I prefer the sound of myself.
I originally enjoyed the sound of the EMGs more than the S.D's, but upon listening more, I prefer the Seymours for actually playing as a hobby at home or live because it sounds naturally beefier and eq'd. The EMGs on the other hand, have more clarity and sound cleaner which would suit recording a track with better than the S.D's. You wouldn't want to record with the blackouts if you had the option; too much muddy of a sound.
Well said. This is what I've been noticing between alexi kataka vs pink guitar. So I've finally decided since I don't even know how to play ill get the pink one wih the Seymour blackouts vs his yellow guitar with the emg fh-2 which I think is like 85s
I have EMG 81/85 on my schecter hellraiser and blackouts on my schecter blackjack atx so I just depends on what I’m feeling that day for me but to be honest now that I’m getting older I usually just go for my Ibanez with the Dimarzio tone zone and air norton these days lol
I think they both have there strengths and weaknesses The blackouts are a little muddy which is perfect for genres like nu metal, grunge, deathmetal, and djent The EMG’s are perfect for more selective playing, they’re a lot more staccato and the blackouts are more legato Neither is better they are both grate at doing their own jobs
My two cents. If you listen carefully during hi gain demo, you can clearly hear a distinction for every palm mute on emg. When it was played on Seymour Duncan it was noisy. (Noisy: unwanted sound) just so that everyone knows that I am not considering high gain as noise.
I own EMG 707's and get the impression from this vid that they sound thinner than the blackouts on clean and crunch. I think the blackouts have more bulk to the sound and that they sound quite messy in the crunch because of this, in high gain the EMG's do sound more aggressive if thats anything i can be sure of and i think the Blackouts sound again more bulky which isnt a bad thing. All in all i think i preferred the EMG's but i wouldn't hear any difference if it wasn't being put one after the other like this.
Blackouts are crystal clear in BOTH my Jackson soloist which is Mahogany, and my Alder Dean RC7. My EMG 707s are muddy in the Jackson, but very clear in the Dean, thus the Blackouts win.
EMG is in another level. i have a 81/60 on an esp truckster and James hetfield signature pick ups (JH set) on an iron cross and i thank god everyday i wake up :)
roozbeh dilmaghani Nice. I actually just took in my customized ESP/LTD F200FR into the shop to have the wiring completely replaced but dude had a difficult time. I've known about blackouts for a long time.. but I told him hey.. get the wiring done and just throw blackouts in it for me.. But ya have to consider also that my ESP had only HZ4 EMG's in it.. Still. Before all the wire rigging, and after 12 years of playing it out, it is an absolute beast. Hope the blackouts slay in it!
*I got 2 guitars 1 single emg 81, second guitar blacked out seymour's, so why not both!, both obviously have* *their own strengths and weaknesses. Why do you have to choose 1 when you can have it all =)*
☆☆☆Honest Opinion☆☆☆ EMG: - Clean Tone ~ Sounded beautiful and great for a more metal type of a pickup - Crunch ~ Amazing, I thought it would've been a bit dark but it felt like actual Rock N' Roll! - High Gain ~ Pure beauty. Every single second felt like it played how it was made to play. Seymore Duncan: - Clean Tone ~ Also sounded great for a metal style pickup but felt a very slight taste of crunch - Crunch ~ Felt like an untrained ear noticeable amount more dark and gainy. But overall great tone. - High Gain ~ Awesome! Again, it was a noticeable amount darker. Seems as if these would be best if you like ultra dark tone. ☆☆☆Conclusion:☆☆☆ - Both are absolutely stellar pickups but from a pretty trained ear. Clearly the EMG's won. Go with the EMG if you want to be able to play soothing clean tones Rock N' Rolly Crunch and not depressingly dark High Gain.
This is hands down the best comparison video between these two and the blackouts win everytime IMO the arpeggios were cleaner, the mutes were louder and more distinct, and the distortion was a lot clearer with strong mid content.
Active vs Passive. Is there any contest? I personally would rather have the Blackouts and have it run through my rig which will beef it up plenty, but have more articulation and control over the EMG's, which get muddy very easily.
HELL'S NO THE BLACKOUTS SOUND NO WAY LIKE THIS!! I OWN BOTH SET, EMG 81/85 AND AHB-1B, AHB-1N.. THE DUNCANS HAVE WAY MORE OUTPUT SOUND FULLER, WARMER, MORE SUTAIN , AND ON TOP OF THAT I WOKE UP ONE DAY AND SAW MY BLACKOUTS SHITING ON MY EMG'S LOL!!
I was just looking at a Schecter Hellraiser today. Was thinking maybe getting it but switching to blackouts. On the other hand I don't want to mess with the "sustainiac" pickup. Want it for Black Sabbath, Pantera, Clutch, etc heavy riffs. What do you think?
EMGs if you don't use a stock Tubescreamer or similar to chop off the lows. My overdrive pedal doesn't chop the lows off, so I use EMGs as I feel the EMGs already kinda do that a little bit. I'd probably use the Duncan's if I had a TS or similar chopping off the low end.
The Dude Shreds blackouts arent true metal accept it. emg is known for their metal sound where seymour is known for their slash (rock) and blues sound. i prefer metal stuff like metallica and black sabbath and the extremely heavy stuff so emgs are the way to go.
Nah, having played EMg 81/85's Blackouts AHB-1's and Blackout Metals (AHB-2) You can get a blackout AHB-1 to sound 98% like an EMG 81 but can't get an EMG-81 to have the beefy/ballsy tone you can get a blackout AHB-1 to have. The problem is A REAL metal tone has good low mids/mids and clarity in the bass, the EMG-81 has tons of highs/high end cut/compression and that's 80's metal.. The 81 CANNOT handle mids very well at all where as the blackout can have the organic/non-compressed sound.. The 81 is good for that old metal /slayer/thinner thrash type sound, but not a good modern metal sound by any means, with all that being said the Blackout METAL Ahb-2 blows all of them out of the water by far.
any high output pickup will do if you want active ones go for emg's or blackouts or something. though when using active pickup the wood of the guitar makes less of a difference in sound than the pickups themselves so i probably wouldnt put active pickups in a les paul but it's your decision.
Haha people are saying emgs but that's because they are more popular I think the Seymour duncans sounded a lot cleaner through the high gain that's what there made for
it's really just personal preference. I have an Eleca les paul that has 81s in it, and its bitchin. I also noticed the blackouts seemed to sound as if he added a pinch more reverb, which I kinda like actually.
People think louder is better. In a recording situation with a full band the SD wins. The EMG has a high pronounced fizz in hi gain situations. The SD seems to have that active pickup hindrance under control. I went back to passives because of the artificial fizz sound that comes from the EMG's. But these SD's are slowly pulling me in.
yeah same here. i actually set up my guitar with everything in the middle and boost mediums with my equalization pedal. also in my amps i put bass at 10 and treble at 6, mediums at 5 so my sound won't be squeaky. i see what you do and it's very good too. as you said, it's a taste issue and i also respect you for knowing that. when it's about tone you have to keep a open mind and you have it!
I like them better. There's more dirt in the overall output which adds to the tone, in my opinion, yet I can see how people would choose EMG for the tight, articulate recording properties. To me, the Duncans kind of fill in that place music lost when the standard went from recording in analog to digital. The analog was always warmer sounding, just like the Duncans.
The EMG's seem quite clearer on clean settings but too sharp for me. I tend to turn down the volume and tone to get a softer and smoother sound so that it's more of a soothing tone
I think i found the sound i liked just today, my Dean V 79 with Zebra buckers..i wonder if my playing style of Blues-ish mix of Death Metal fits well with Blackouts or EMG.? Doubt it.
I have my BC Rich ASM Pro loaded with EMG's and it sounds like a monster! I think the Duncans would make it sound very muddy. No definition. I would however opt for the Duncan's on a basswood body or similar light wood.
Хороший обзор) Спасибо) Я когда менял звучки, то долго думал какие ставить, и выбирал как раз между сетами EMG 81- EMG 60 и Seymour Duncan Blackouts.. всё таки остановился и купил сет Seymour Duncan Blackouts AHB-1 :) Мне они больше понравились)
ugh its so hard to decide. i have emgs in my ltd but I've been considering swapping them out. I love the open, more ballsy low end of the SDs but they lack the bite in the mids that I like the EMGs for. I'm getting the 6505MH and building a custom 2x12 with a eminence tonker and swamp thing. Maybe that will give me back some of those mids?? thoughts?
+Tigga The Wigga I actually just sold that guitar. I'm just not a fan of how muddy the EMG's were all the time. I've decided to just get a higher end guitar and throw some BKP s in it
Was that "Snow White Queen" by Evanescence in the intro, "Arms of Sorrow" by Killswitch Engage during 0:07 - 0:38 and "Be The Quiet" by Disciple during 1:40 - 2:22 and again at 3:00 - 3:42?
I've always been an emg guy but I just got my first 7 string and it has SD phase 2 blackouts and they are way better for the 7 string. Emg is more brutal but SD is way more cleaner and crisp and clear.
sounds like the emgs have thinner tone, its more centered on the lower midrange and highs. the seymour duncans sound wider and geared more towards the low end of frequencies and less highs. i have emg passive pickups and they sound very similar to the active ones on this video. I am looking for a wider tone like the seymour duncans demonstrate on this video, but I don't know if I'll have a different experience with my setup. Only one way to find out...
I'm not a fan of either as im a passive guy but EMG81 definitely sounds clearer during high-gain. The SD accumulated too much extra buzz which I'm not fond of, also overcompressed as someone mentioned. With that said, I'm sure someone out there would want this!
no contest. the emg blows the blackouts away. that beings said, the seymour duncan jb pickup rules them both, but that's an argument for another day. but as far as this goes, easy to hear the winner
The Blackouts sound alot more like a passive pickup to me. Among the lines of a Duncan Custom, which is my favourite pickup. Makes me want to have blackouts. I like the 81 for what it can do, but it really makes every guitar sound the same
The blackouts actually make me want to listen - more defined, refined even. and the difference is not subtle. The latest gen EMGs (57/66) do have a lot of the characteristics found in AHB1s that have been missing from the 81/85/60s in terms of organic feel. Duncan stepped in, EMG met the challenge.
Totally agree. EMG just sounds too compressed when you crank up the gain. while I favor that sound, it can be a little annoying to milk some notes with overdrive on.
@frogjim LOL no need nasal spray man, you just have to fine the amp settings for each of them. I mean the EMG has less mids and more trebles, while the SD has more output. Adjust equalisation and gain considering this, then you'll realize they are in fact very similar. I don't think one is better than the other.
every time you changed pickups your saddles varied by like massive amounts!!! keep everything consistent (especially intonation) and you won't get so much buzz :P
for me, it depends mainly on the guitar itself. like if I wanted pickups for a les paul style or an explorer style guitar, typically I'd choose 81s. if it was a strat style, or maybe a warlock, I typically wouldn't put any actives in it.
After watching this I went out and bought the EMG's and I am VERY pleased. I like that they are a bit more agressive and more clear sounding. Hooked them up with my Boss GT10 and it took 10-15 minuttes (of GT10 adjustments) to get that Metallica Black Album sound...and another 10-15 minuttes of GT10 setup and the Cowboys from hell (Pantera) sound was also spot on. AWESOME. I actually play more after getting those.....the sound is addictiv.
yeah...maybe for clean tones the Blackout has more body, but for gain...I for one am annoyed by them during tracking/mixing...so much mud & scattered harshness and I can't dial it out. FVCK! EMG is focused, tight and easy to work with...which is why the greats use them.
00:07 emg -clean1 00:24 Blackouts -clean1 00:40 emg -clean2 00:53 Blackouts -clean2 1:06 Emg -crunch 1:23 Blackouts -crunch 1:41 emg -high gain 2:01 Blackouts high gain 2:22 emg high gain2 2:41 Blackouts high gain 2 3:02 emg double track high gain 3:22 blackouts double track high gain 3:42 emg double track high gain 2 3:56 blackouts double track high gain 2
![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
For anyone who wants it...
00:07 emg -clean1
00:24 Blackouts -clean1
00:40 emg -clean2
00:53 Blackouts -clean2
1:06 Emg -crunch
1:23 Blackouts -crunch
1:41 emg -high gain
2:01 Blackouts high gain
2:22 emg high gain2
2:41 Blackouts high gain 2
3:02 emg double track high gain
3:22 blackouts double track high gain
3:42 emg double track high gain 2
3:56 blackouts double track high gain 2
Edit: fixed the first few time stamps
Thanks!
...For me i have to say the EMG's took the cake. The blackouts do sound great as well, awesome in fact, but the 81's notes just sound more defined.
EMG = Lead
Seymour Duncan = Rhythm
you could actually use one of each in a guitar though i’m not sure if anyone notices which electronics are better
If u use a 002uf cap from the hot side of the EMG 81 to ground, it warms up the tone. The higher the uf value the warmer the tone, and lower values brighten the tone. U can also do it with a higher or lower value on ur volume pots, lower values warm the tone and higher values brighten it. This works for all pickups active or passive. Active pickups almost always use 25k pots, where passive use 250k to 1meg.
What this video and the comments taught me:
1. No one really agrees, people will either like one or the other.
2. Listen to the video and pick the one I prefer the sound of myself.
its a matter of choice to me... some people like a 911 and some an Audi R10
there both awesome cars.. its a matter of taste or choice...
seems most agree the emgs sound better.
For EMG likes maybe a better comparison would be a passive vs active. I’ll take the Blacks for an active all day..
81 still slays. Such a distinct, and great tone.
Am I the only one that noticed for the second clean round they played the intro to "Tears Don't Fall" by Bullet for my Valentine?
the first clean sounded like arms of sorrow by killswitch
+Rob Ey Yes!
and the EMG's higain 2nd time is Hand of Blood by Bullet for my Valentine.
+Christian Grimes And HiGain 2 is Hand Of Blood XD
sure was
Bullet For My Valentine!
EMG has better sound under distortion! ^^
I originally enjoyed the sound of the EMGs more than the S.D's, but upon listening more, I prefer the Seymours for actually playing as a hobby at home or live because it sounds naturally beefier and eq'd. The EMGs on the other hand, have more clarity and sound cleaner which would suit recording a track with better than the S.D's. You wouldn't want to record with the blackouts if you had the option; too much muddy of a sound.
Well said. This is what I've been noticing between alexi kataka vs pink guitar. So I've finally decided since I don't even know how to play ill get the pink one wih the Seymour blackouts vs his yellow guitar with the emg fh-2 which I think is like 85s
The Livewires might be a good in between
I play with low cut and mids and highs up so my tone isn’t that mid cut everyone does
I have EMG 81/85 on my schecter hellraiser and blackouts on my schecter blackjack atx so I just depends on what I’m feeling that day for me but to be honest now that I’m getting older I usually just go for my Ibanez with the Dimarzio tone zone and air norton these days lol
This decided it for me... got Blackouts on order today. The Blackouts sound crisper, more detailed and produce better bass frequencies.
i'm very thankful there are videos like these. thank you
I think they both have there strengths and weaknesses
The blackouts are a little muddy which is perfect for genres like nu metal, grunge, deathmetal, and djent
The EMG’s are perfect for more selective playing, they’re a lot more staccato and the blackouts are more legato
Neither is better they are both grate at doing their own jobs
There is some sweet mellow in those Blackouts.. both sound good, I guess it's just a matter of what tone you are after.
0:40 Tears Don't Fall ???????????????????????
And hand of blood 2:25
I'm getting the AHB-1 for my neck and AHB-2 for my bridge pickup thanks to these videos :)
That clean tone on the duncans with the KsE bit sounds so good
I don't use EMG's to sound "organic" I have passives for that.
3:42 "Resurrection" by Chimaira!!!!! \m/
EMG's 81/85's. got them installed Ibanez SZ720. Run through VOX Valvetronix and 4x12 with Boss Me-20 and they sound awesome.
couldn’t decide bought both of them
My two cents. If you listen carefully during hi gain demo, you can clearly hear a distinction for every palm mute on emg. When it was played on Seymour Duncan it was noisy. (Noisy: unwanted sound) just so that everyone knows that I am not considering high gain as noise.
The Seymour “crunch” at 1:28 is so muddy compared to the EMG right before that...
I own EMG 707's and get the impression from this vid that they sound thinner than the blackouts on clean and crunch. I think the blackouts have more bulk to the sound and that they sound quite messy in the crunch because of this, in high gain the EMG's do sound more aggressive if thats anything i can be sure of and i think the Blackouts sound again more bulky which isnt a bad thing. All in all i think i preferred the EMG's but i wouldn't hear any difference if it wasn't being put one after the other like this.
Seymour duncan is messy, tryed it one time and it was feedback Olympics. Emgs are tight
Gods Reclamation Yeah thats one thing EMG's definitely have is low feedback, makes live performances so much easier.
Shimmerstrike1 I do like the nazgual and sentient from SD and emgs 81/85 but I have passive guitars n dont know how to slap active emgs on
Blackouts are crystal clear in BOTH my Jackson soloist which is Mahogany, and my Alder Dean RC7. My EMG 707s are muddy in the Jackson, but very clear in the Dean, thus the Blackouts win.
Nicole Smrekar awesome man, i have an RC7 as well, i got the limited run lazer etched one, looks fucking bad ass. Do you have a wraith or something?
EMG is in another level. i have a 81/60 on an esp truckster and James hetfield signature pick ups (JH set) on an iron cross and i thank god everyday i wake up :)
roozbeh dilmaghani Nice. I actually just took in my customized ESP/LTD F200FR into the shop to have the wiring completely replaced but dude had a difficult time. I've known about blackouts for a long time.. but I told him hey.. get the wiring done and just throw blackouts in it for me.. But ya have to consider also that my ESP had only HZ4 EMG's in it.. Still. Before all the wire rigging, and after 12 years of playing it out, it is an absolute beast. Hope the blackouts slay in it!
I use a marshall dsl 100w head with a TS 808 and turn my gain down on my head plus with the emgs. it sounds freaking awesome!
*I got 2 guitars 1 single emg 81, second guitar blacked out seymour's, so why not both!, both obviously have* *their own strengths and weaknesses. Why do you have to choose 1 when you can have it all =)*
'cos I don't have enough money :(
i have used emg 81/85 really not a fan it lack a lot of dynamics. nvr had the seymour before but I'm interested to try it out
☆☆☆Honest Opinion☆☆☆
EMG:
- Clean Tone ~ Sounded beautiful and great for a more metal type of a pickup
- Crunch ~ Amazing, I thought it would've been a bit dark but it felt like actual Rock N' Roll!
- High Gain ~ Pure beauty. Every single second felt like it played how it was made to play.
Seymore Duncan:
- Clean Tone ~ Also sounded great for a metal style pickup but felt a very slight taste of crunch
- Crunch ~ Felt like an untrained ear noticeable amount more dark and gainy. But overall great tone.
- High Gain ~ Awesome! Again, it was a noticeable amount darker. Seems as if these would be best if you like ultra dark tone.
☆☆☆Conclusion:☆☆☆
- Both are absolutely stellar pickups but from a pretty trained ear. Clearly the EMG's won. Go with the EMG if you want to be able to play soothing clean tones Rock N' Rolly Crunch and not depressingly dark High Gain.
This is hands down the best comparison video between these two and the blackouts win everytime IMO the arpeggios were cleaner, the mutes were louder and more distinct, and the distortion was a lot clearer with strong mid content.
I think the EMG's have slightly more emphasis on high-end frequency, and the Duncans have slightly more overall body...anyway both are dynamite!!!
Exactly! Anyway, I prefer the EMG's. The blackouts have too much lows on the sound to me, but they are still awesome!
EMG clean tone sound like "Tears don't fall" love it
these emgs has more attack in my opinion :)
I still love the plane dimarzio super distortion over all else for a bridge pickup and a single coil in the neck.
the Duncan has more low-mid, so it sounds a lil' more boomy
Hé lô idol :3
Ничего хорошего...
Active vs Passive. Is there any contest?
I personally would rather have the Blackouts and have it run through my rig which will beef it up plenty, but have more articulation and control over the EMG's, which get muddy very easily.
HELL'S NO THE BLACKOUTS SOUND NO WAY LIKE THIS!! I OWN BOTH SET, EMG 81/85 AND AHB-1B, AHB-1N.. THE DUNCANS HAVE WAY MORE OUTPUT SOUND FULLER, WARMER, MORE SUTAIN , AND ON TOP OF THAT I WOKE UP ONE DAY AND SAW MY BLACKOUTS SHITING ON MY EMG'S LOL!!
SLAYER06102009 lmao, I too feel like this vid doesn't do them right.
I was just looking at a Schecter Hellraiser today. Was thinking maybe getting it but switching to blackouts. On the other hand I don't want to mess with the "sustainiac" pickup. Want it for Black Sabbath, Pantera, Clutch, etc heavy riffs. What do you think?
EMGs if you don't use a stock Tubescreamer or similar to chop off the lows. My overdrive pedal doesn't chop the lows off, so I use EMGs as I feel the EMGs already kinda do that a little bit. I'd probably use the Duncan's if I had a TS or similar chopping off the low end.
sorry i sum find the EMG's have more overall definition
The Dude Shreds blackouts arent true metal accept it. emg is known for their metal sound where seymour is known for their slash (rock) and blues sound. i prefer metal stuff like metallica and black sabbath and the extremely heavy stuff so emgs are the way to go.
Nah, having played EMg 81/85's Blackouts AHB-1's and Blackout Metals (AHB-2) You can get a blackout AHB-1 to sound 98% like an EMG 81 but can't get an EMG-81 to have the beefy/ballsy tone you can get a blackout AHB-1 to have. The problem is A REAL metal tone has good low mids/mids and clarity in the bass, the EMG-81 has tons of highs/high end cut/compression and that's 80's metal.. The 81 CANNOT handle mids very well at all where as the blackout can have the organic/non-compressed sound.. The 81 is good for that old metal /slayer/thinner thrash type sound, but not a good modern metal sound by any means, with all that being said the Blackout METAL Ahb-2 blows all of them out of the water by far.
Tyler Leonard if you dont mind sounding like an aluminum hubcap bouncing down the road, then yeah. emgs are for you
the EMG's have a straigtfowad sound but the emgs sound like the have reverb, unless there was a pedal being used
sounds like the amp tone was tweaked to favor the EMGS first. Then the Blackouts were just played with those settings. Not fair to the SDs IMO.
I used EMGs and then blackouts in one of my ESP Eclipses. I switched to SD JBs and never looked back.
EMG are just way clearer, more defined and tighter..
you used the same tone iin comparsion?
I heard all I need to hear, EMG.
any high output pickup will do if you want active ones go for emg's or blackouts or something. though when using active pickup the wood of the guitar makes less of a difference in sound than the pickups themselves so i probably wouldnt put active pickups in a les paul but it's your decision.
EMGs suck at cleans but rule in dostortion.The SD is bassy and the EMG is brighter, has got more mids.
Kristian Peshev it's the exact opposite thing . emg is better for cleans and sd better at distortion
I think the SD sounds more full.It's just my taste
yeah the sd is better at distortion more full like u said . the emg has a more fuzzy distortion
Kristian Peshev МЛЪКВАЙ Е ГОНЗО!!!!!!!!!!
следиш ми каналчето гейчоо харесваш ме ве
Corsa is a very interesting builder. I had never heard of him prior to your post. Thanks for the education!
Haha people are saying emgs but that's because they are more popular I think the Seymour duncans sounded a lot cleaner through the high gain that's what there made for
it's really just personal preference. I have an Eleca les paul that has 81s in it, and its bitchin. I also noticed the blackouts seemed to sound as if he added a pinch more reverb, which I kinda like actually.
Agreed.
Emg is more for solos while black outs are for strumming
People think louder is better. In a recording situation with a full band the SD wins. The EMG has a high pronounced fizz in hi gain situations. The SD seems to have that active pickup hindrance under control. I went back to passives because of the artificial fizz sound that comes from the EMG's. But these SD's are slowly pulling me in.
yeah same here.
i actually set up my guitar with everything in the middle and boost mediums with my equalization pedal. also in my amps i put bass at 10 and treble at 6, mediums at 5 so my sound won't be squeaky.
i see what you do and it's very good too. as you said, it's a taste issue and i also respect you for knowing that. when it's about tone you have to keep a open mind and you have it!
Am I the only one who likes the blackouts better
Both are excellent but for me I'm sticking with EMG until I get my hands on the Seymour Duncan Invader pickups
Nope ! I think the Duncan sound warmer.
No.
I like them better. There's more dirt in the overall output which adds to the tone, in my opinion, yet I can see how people would choose EMG for the tight, articulate recording properties. To me, the Duncans kind of fill in that place music lost when the standard went from recording in analog to digital. The analog was always warmer sounding, just like the Duncans.
Dooflas Gaming fuck emg they sound like garbage the blackouts a lot better
The EMG's seem quite clearer on clean settings but too sharp for me. I tend to turn down the volume and tone to get a softer and smoother sound so that it's more of a soothing tone
I'd have to go with EMGs
I think i found the sound i liked just today, my Dean V 79 with Zebra buckers..i wonder if my playing style of Blues-ish mix of Death Metal fits well with Blackouts or EMG.?
Doubt it.
EMG's are way more articulate. Blackouts sound way to muddy for metal. They'd be good pickups for grunge
I have my BC Rich ASM Pro loaded with EMG's and it sounds like a monster! I think the Duncans would make it sound very muddy. No definition. I would however opt for the Duncan's on a basswood body or similar light wood.
Lmao "basswood"
All we need to know to discredit someone is their propagation of bullshit like tone wood
EMG sound is sharper than Seymour, it very fit for metal, Seymour sound is typically warm hard rock sound
The Blackouts sounded muddy in the crunchy section and lacked clarity. IT seemed pretty clear cut.
the emg has that kind of metallica sound they both sound similar but seymour duncan has a fatty sound.
Kinda does right!
Хороший обзор) Спасибо)
Я когда менял звучки, то долго думал какие ставить, и выбирал как раз между сетами EMG 81- EMG 60 и Seymour Duncan Blackouts.. всё таки остановился и купил сет Seymour Duncan Blackouts AHB-1 :) Мне они больше понравились)
Honestly now i think the AHB feel more alive especially the tone,
ugh its so hard to decide. i have emgs in my ltd but I've been considering swapping them out. I love the open, more ballsy low end of the SDs but they lack the bite in the mids that I like the EMGs for. I'm getting the 6505MH and building a custom 2x12 with a eminence tonker and swamp thing. Maybe that will give me back some of those mids?? thoughts?
Stick with EMGs. Nobody needs that much low end in a guitar.
+Tigga The Wigga I actually just sold that guitar. I'm just not a fan of how muddy the EMG's were all the time. I've decided to just get a higher end guitar and throw some BKP s in it
Of you like low end, get the emg 85. It's just as hot as the 81 but with all the bottom you'll ever need.
Seymour
Was that "Snow White Queen" by Evanescence in the intro, "Arms of Sorrow" by Killswitch Engage during 0:07 - 0:38 and "Be The Quiet" by Disciple during 1:40 - 2:22 and again at 3:00 - 3:42?
Seymour Duncan = versatility and his signification is METAL
Nice BFMV riffs...
Both mics sound awesome
I've always been an emg guy but I just got my first 7 string and it has SD phase 2 blackouts and they are way better for the 7 string. Emg is more brutal but SD is way more cleaner and crisp and clear.
sounds like the emgs have thinner tone, its more centered on the lower midrange and highs. the seymour duncans sound wider and geared more towards the low end of frequencies and less highs. i have emg passive pickups and they sound very similar to the active ones on this video. I am looking for a wider tone like the seymour duncans demonstrate on this video, but I don't know if I'll have a different experience with my setup. Only one way to find out...
Good comparison... Blackouts sound slightly 'muddier'? For me... EMG!
I'm not a fan of either as im a passive guy but EMG81 definitely sounds clearer during high-gain. The SD accumulated too much extra buzz which I'm not fond of, also overcompressed as someone mentioned.
With that said, I'm sure someone out there would want this!
EMGs for all High Gain. SDs for clean, but who buys EMGs for clean?
basically if you want to cover one by metallica for the clean and hi gain parts go with EMG, for any other song use SD
no contest. the emg blows the blackouts away. that beings said, the seymour duncan jb pickup rules them both, but that's an argument for another day. but as far as this goes, easy to hear the winner
The Blackouts sound alot more like a passive pickup to me. Among the lines of a Duncan Custom, which is my favourite pickup. Makes me want to have blackouts.
I like the 81 for what it can do, but it really makes every guitar sound the same
The blackouts actually make me want to listen - more defined, refined even. and the difference is not subtle. The latest gen EMGs (57/66) do have a lot of the characteristics found in AHB1s that have been missing from the 81/85/60s in terms of organic feel. Duncan stepped in, EMG met the challenge.
honest newbie question what are you listening for...??? regular humbuckers sound like this to me...explain someone plz??
1st song = Arms of sorrow by Killswitch engage
I got the blackouts used, do I absolutely have to have the pots and input that came with the AHB-1 set.
EMGs have more mids for live cutting
Totally agree. EMG just sounds too compressed when you crank up the gain. while I favor that sound, it can be a little annoying to milk some notes with overdrive on.
CHIMAIRA
@frogjim LOL no need nasal spray man, you just have to fine the amp settings for each of them. I mean the EMG has less mids and more trebles, while the SD has more output. Adjust equalisation and gain considering this, then you'll realize they are in fact very similar. I don't think one is better than the other.
emg by far omfg
StarvinMarvinLTD youre fucking nuts. emgs sound like the guitar is stuck in a tin can
daddy flapjacks mcmuffin some people like that
every time you changed pickups your saddles varied by like massive amounts!!! keep everything consistent (especially intonation) and you won't get so much buzz :P
EMG !!
3:45 is Chimaira? Resurrection if I am not mistaking?
Everyone is arguing about EMG vs SD, but there really are better options than both of these pickups.
for me, it depends mainly on the guitar itself. like if I wanted pickups for a les paul style or an explorer style guitar, typically I'd choose 81s. if it was a strat style, or maybe a warlock, I typically wouldn't put any actives in it.
Yeah buy this video is about comparing sd and emg
CAN YOU PLEASE DO A COMPARISON OF THE FIRE BLACKOUTS WITH THE ORIGINAL BLACKOUTS SO I CAN HEAR THE DIFFERENCE?
EMG is perfect for plastic-sounding metal
exactly my thought
You listen with your eyes.
Best plastic I've ever heard
ktrq tell that to metallic and slayer you idiot.
ktrq true...from now on metallica,slayer, machine head, dying fetus, cannibal corpse are gonna be classified as plastic metal bands
I like both either one will work for me but i really don't want to have to go active though but if no other choice i would get these.
Emg WIN !!!
After many years I just noticed that the bridge is incorrectly placed on the guitar.
*EMG win!*
After watching this I went out and bought the EMG's and I am VERY pleased. I like that they are a bit more agressive and more clear sounding. Hooked them up with my Boss GT10 and it took 10-15 minuttes (of GT10 adjustments) to get that Metallica Black Album sound...and another 10-15 minuttes of GT10 setup and the Cowboys from hell (Pantera) sound was also spot on. AWESOME. I actually play more after getting those.....the sound is addictiv.
seymour duncans lack thickness and punch
Ik right
they lack clarity, and mid, there more thick
Ryan Hatch and everyone praises them to better than emgs, I dont
yeah...maybe for clean tones the Blackout has more body, but for gain...I for one am annoyed by them during tracking/mixing...so much mud & scattered harshness and I can't dial it out. FVCK!
EMG is focused, tight and easy to work with...which is why the greats use them.
Seymour Duncan is good on passive . On active they lose to EMG for gain and crunch 👌
best comparison on youtube :), thanks dude, Blackouts FTW!
So true. I got my Schecter ATX C-7 Blackjack because so many 7 strings have EMGs and the Blackjacks have Blackouts.
00:07 emg -clean1
00:24 Blackouts -clean1
00:40 emg -clean2
00:53 Blackouts -clean2
1:06 Emg -crunch
1:23 Blackouts -crunch
1:41 emg -high gain
2:01 Blackouts high gain
2:22 emg high gain2
2:41 Blackouts high gain 2
3:02 emg double track high gain
3:22 blackouts double track high gain
3:42 emg double track high gain 2
3:56 blackouts double track high gain 2
The thing is, you could probably make them sound the exact same (or damn near close) with just a bit of EQ work.
0:40 is that tears dont fall from bfmv?