EMG Pickups 81/85 vs 57/66

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  • Опубликовано: 16 окт 2024
  • EMG Pickups! I've used them in some of my guitars for years, and today I'm comparing the 81/85 Combo to the New EMG 57/66 set. RUclips audio always compresses things, but in the room I could definitely hear a difference. I like them both! test guitars were a Washburn Nick Catanese signature, and a Washburn Boogiestreet Elite Idol.
    A true original, the 57 is a bridge pickup designed for today’s player regardless of style or genre. The unique combination of Alnico V magnets and steel pole pieces evoke an unmistakably PAF-like quality in its tone. The active attributes provide the headroom and punch necessary to deliver unparalleled definition and presence.
    The 66 is a result of pickup design innovation inspired by the specific needs and requests of today’s players. Alnico V magnets provide the warm, smooth mid-range and expansive lows while the ceramic pole pieces bring out the clarity in the upper register.
    Designed and voiced specifically as neck and bridge pickups, the 57 & 66 humbuckers come in EMG’s exclusive brushed steel caps giving the set a sleek modern look that compliments any instrument.
    This is an AMAZON AFFILIATE LINK to the pickups if you want to order some EMGs there. We will get a tiny commission at no cost to you if you purchase form amazon! You could always order them from us though too!
    EMG 81/85
    amzn.to/39rqrcp
    EMG 57/66
    www.amazon.com...
    RNA MUSIC MERCH!
    teespring.com/...
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    #EMGpickups

Комментарии • 295

  • @kurglekreutzer6344
    @kurglekreutzer6344 9 лет назад +76

    The difference in sound of those pickups is really obvious and was nicely evident in this video.

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  9 лет назад +6

      Kurgle Kreutzer Thanks for the comment!

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  7 лет назад +2

      haha i will take that as a compliment, Ryan is great! and we have the same name and beards haha. Thanks for watching and commenting!

    • @collectivesartori
      @collectivesartori 4 года назад

      Became increasingly obvious with the useful tests

  • @kevincourcey813
    @kevincourcey813 8 лет назад +36

    great vid. The 57/66 has more high end, but doesn't sound as clean to me. The 81/85's sound smoother with better definition to me. I much prefer them to the 57/66's. Thanks for helping with the selection of new pickups for my Schecter!

  • @angusorvid8840
    @angusorvid8840 3 года назад +6

    I love EMGs, but I consider them to be much more than pickups. They are like an extra dimensional sound system for your guitar. They are extremely versatile, capable of great subtleties, incredible cleans and smashing distortion.

    • @Metalbass10000
      @Metalbass10000 3 года назад +5

      Absolutely agree, particularly when paired with their preamps/control sets and systems, for active and passive pickups. This is even more evident with their bass pickups and electronics. The passive Geezer PJ is so impressive in its tonal and dynamic ranges, and the p&j pickups are so varied, and versatile, far more than three quarters of the active PJ sets I've tried over three decades playing and working on basses. My main active bass has the PJ-X set and he EMG BQC System and still, several years later, it impresses me the incredible tonal variety, going from Jaco sounds to blues, to rock, to funk, to a clean metal bass tone, to a grinding and gritty metal bass tone or thrusting into an overdrive and/or distortion for truly awe inspiring distorted bass tones.
      However, with all of that gushing seeping praise for their products, the quality of the build, quality of the tones, the very satisfying reliability of the solderless system, and how much easier it makes the life of someone who loves to work on instruments and build instruments, the best thing about EMG is the people and how gracious they are for your patronage, how readily they step up to help you, even when installing a customer's pickups that are from a different manufacturer and matching them to one of their preamp and controls sets. The pickup manufacturer wasn't accommodating to advise with attaching their pickups to the EMG wiring, and acted offended that I even was going to ask for, not a walk through, just anything I need to look out for, any advice. When I asked the same thing of EMG technical support, they just walked me through the entire install and testing. Another manufacturer's pickups, married to one of their Systems, and I got a complete walk through. More than once they have gone out of their way to make sure that I had everything I needed, including once when they had to send me three different wires to complete a build, and each one was sent the day I called. That's why the EMG wiring controls are default standard regardless of what pickups are being installed with a guitar or bass build. I just have such confidence and faith in their products and their service, in well over two decades of building instruments, and now finally building instruments professionally with our social media platforms getting up and running very soon, I've never had a single instrument come back, never had a single customer complain that had EMG wiring and pots and preamps regardless of who made the pickups (and I've definitely installed a significant number of EMG pickups over the years as well).

    • @angusorvid8840
      @angusorvid8840 2 года назад +3

      @@Metalbass10000 Yeah, they seem like a very solid company all around. I've just always admired the pickups. I became familiar with EMGs shortly after I started playing guitar in 1985 when I was about eleven because two of my guitar teachers were both highly in demand session players in the L.A. scene. One after another they got too busy to teach and made good money doing studio and live work. One used a Charvel with a Floyd and an SA system, replacing the DiMarzio Shockwaves he previously used, and the other used and 81 SA/SA set on a very similar custom ax, I think a Tom Anderson. I began to think of EMGs as THE professional's pickup, even though I still owned other brands. But I used the 81 more than anything. I played in a lot of hard rock/hair metal bands back then, quickly accelerating my playing ability. By 1989 I was playing clubs quite often. I played clubs till about 1993 when the rock scene disappeared. It actually started fading about 1991 because Nirvana and that Seattle grunge crap got so popular. Anyhow, yes, EMGs are outstanding. My next experiment with them will be to try a passive EMG system with an active boost to see what that's like. Their passives are also great. I like the idea of using a boost switch so I don't have to step on a pedal for leads. One thing about bassists, as opposed to guitarists, is they are way more open to change, to new technology. That may also be because the electric bass is a relatively young instrument compared to electric guitar. So bass players are not so static in their thinking. Even bassists who use passive pups still like active circuitry to sculpt their tone for different songs or different movements in songs. A lot of guitarists just don't touch any knobs at all, not even the volume. I was watching a cool interview with Billy Sheehan where he was demonstrating how he uses the tone knobs on his bass. Not only does he manipulate them all the time but he also has two jacks on his bass depending on the level of output he wants, and he uses passive DiMarzios. I remember when players made a big deal of the DB boost in the Petrucci and Lukather Music Men signatures. They thought it was weird to have an active circuit with passive pups, but they didn't know about the long history of active electronics in guitars going back to Neal Moser in the seventies putting his preamps in BC Rich axes. EMGs kind of remained a rumor till about '85 when they just exploded in popularity with Lukather, Eddie and so many players using them, and of course the bass world went bonkers. I remember the Spector basses that came with EMGs as well.

  • @evlkenevl2721
    @evlkenevl2721 6 лет назад +1

    Nice to see a pickup comparison properly done. Same type of guitar, same wood, same strings, same pickup height. Respect.

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  6 лет назад

      +evl kenevl thanks for watching!

  • @genephillips4809
    @genephillips4809 5 лет назад +4

    Goddamn the 57’s sound AMAZING on the bridge setting!!

  • @moforockband
    @moforockband 8 лет назад +30

    Swap the 81/85 around. Put the 85 in the bridge. It is one of the balliest, thick middy pickups I've ever used. The 81 is too thin IMo and best in the neck. Never had so many compliments on my sound.
    I was using 4x12 Marshalls and a valve rack set-up and it was growling like a dog. The emg's are spot on for loud clean chord picking as they pull each note and out and make it sound very clear. Passive p/ups don't have that clarity. Useful if you play in a loud rock band and everyone has tinnitus.

    • @Wrathofkala
      @Wrathofkala 6 лет назад +2

      I believe Killswitch Engage uses the 85 in the bridge. Great sounding pick up but I love it in the neck for leads.

    • @pablom2274
      @pablom2274 5 лет назад +1

      i use a 85 with a 18v mod and sounds even better

    • @KevinHarrington55
      @KevinHarrington55 5 лет назад

      I did the same on my SG years ago and never went back, great tip!

    • @billk9628
      @billk9628 5 лет назад

      I'm sorry, what was that? :-P

    • @QuikdethDeviantart
      @QuikdethDeviantart 4 года назад

      What about doing 85/85, will the position make them sound different enough to bother?

  • @jakeperozzi
    @jakeperozzi 9 лет назад +2

    FINALLY SOME ONE MADE A GOOD COMPARISON OF 57/66 to 81/85!!!! I don't really know why(outside of being a pickup junky/nerd), but ive been wanting to try the 57/66 set. This certainly helps give me a better idea of what to expect. Although now i'm contemplating 81/85 in conjunction. Excellent vid dude!

  • @shred5
    @shred5 9 лет назад +2

    The 57/66 seem to do a pretty decent job of addressing my complaints on prior EMGs. I really want to get a hand on a pair and try them out now.

  • @fodge333
    @fodge333 9 лет назад +47

    I`m maybe the only one here....but still prefer the original 81

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  7 лет назад +2

      Nothing wrong with that! Thanks for watching and commenting!

    • @jayz6008
      @jayz6008 6 лет назад

      I'm kinda with you. I find the 81 has a tighter more percussive sound for metal . but the 81 doesn't sound as good for clean sounds .

    • @steveerwin9224
      @steveerwin9224 6 лет назад

      that's why we have an 85 neck and sa mid hence Ibanez hsh the only config of any brand

    • @utubehound69
      @utubehound69 6 лет назад

      Try the 18 volt mod it helps.

    • @trevorD1156
      @trevorD1156 3 года назад

      My problem with the 81/85/60 isn't that they sound bad, it is that they take most of the character from my guitars, amps and speakers. I could bolt an 81 to an acoustic and play through any amp and it'd still sound like Metallica, which is cool if you're in a Metallica tribute band. IMO The HZ is by far the best, most dynamic, EMG pickup I've ever played through and only one I didn't sell off years ago when I got a real tube amp and didn't need active pickups to cover up for my shitty rigs sound.

  • @stevenstanley5109
    @stevenstanley5109 4 года назад +1

    I have a set of 81/85's in my Epi LP and was so happy when I finished and played it the first time.

  • @Wargasm644
    @Wargasm644 5 лет назад +8

    Just do an 81/66 set-up and have the best of both worlds👊🏻

  • @wayunaikiapushana5913
    @wayunaikiapushana5913 9 лет назад +38

    81- 85 more balls, period.

  • @nathanielmathers9099
    @nathanielmathers9099 4 года назад +2

    That first riff is simple and absolutely gorgeous. I love it

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  4 года назад

      Nathaniel Mathers thanks so much! Appreciate that!

    • @voidtremors5814
      @voidtremors5814 2 года назад +1

      Sounds like everlong by Foo fighters

  • @diegoambrosio9121
    @diegoambrosio9121 3 года назад +1

    The 57 sings when soloing in bridge position! Fantastic.
    CHALLENGE: to configure a cool distortion sound with those pickups WITHOUT batteries. That would show the TRUE sound of them.

  • @oreobiscuit7143
    @oreobiscuit7143 7 лет назад

    The video I've been waiting for, thank you

  • @StuK323
    @StuK323 9 лет назад +10

    The boogie street idol looks so amazing. 57/66 for me personally. More versatile.

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  9 лет назад

      Stuart Kenney Thanks for the comment!

  • @thrashcore7
    @thrashcore7 3 года назад +2

    In my opinion 57 and 66 have a more organic sound, better note separation and sounds more real than 81 and 85. Maybe becouse of alnico magnets. They aren't ice picky and metal like 81-85 but I think in a mix they would sounds better, especially in the solo parts

  • @JayTheWorst1892
    @JayTheWorst1892 9 лет назад +8

    Riddle me this Texan brother if you will, how do you see a mix of 81/66 working out?

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  7 лет назад +1

      I think I should give that a try and see! Great suggestion. thanks for commenting!

    • @eht03
      @eht03 6 лет назад

      Man mix away. A 57 81

    • @Michael_N9253N
      @Michael_N9253N 6 лет назад

      I was thinking a 57b / 85n

  • @lassymavin2740
    @lassymavin2740 9 лет назад +1

    Very cool video. I liked the 57/66 combo better. Looking forward to the next set of pickup comparisons.

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  9 лет назад

      Lassy Mavin Thanks Lassy!

  • @attilathehun0
    @attilathehun0 8 лет назад +12

    Dayum that guitar looks the off spring of a tele mating with a les paul.

    • @FeckUpFearzy
      @FeckUpFearzy 7 лет назад +1

      attilathehun0 kinda reminds me of the ibenez tall man

  • @blackfender100
    @blackfender100 8 лет назад +2

    They both sound very good in their own way. It's amatter of personal preference I guess .good demo thanks.

  • @Sublight77
    @Sublight77 5 лет назад +5

    Interesting most are saying the 81 and to me its hands down the 57, fuller, just more tone across the whole range, a little hotter even too with more precise pick attack. 81 is alil mushier. 57 demands a little more in your playing but rewards you. They really nailed something special with the 57, amazing pickup. and the 81 is awesome too, definitely not hating on it, the tried and true metal warrior that inspired all this.

  • @SpartanLaserCanon
    @SpartanLaserCanon 4 года назад +1

    Some of emgs modernish pickups I might check out at some point for comparing for my dream guitar I might one day get. EMG is know for classic metal tones with some of their older pickups for sure.

  • @brodieondasidewalk
    @brodieondasidewalk 5 лет назад +1

    Great confidence. Great shootout. Great demo. Great video.

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  5 лет назад

      Thank you! Very kind of you!

  • @triumph9044
    @triumph9044 3 года назад +1

    I like 81 and 60 instead of the 85. Now the 57 and 66 is a very nice combination.

  • @thevileirish6764
    @thevileirish6764 6 лет назад +1

    I've been debating on trying out the 57/66 combo for a future build. I've installed the 81/85 in my neighbors son Jackson dinky model and it took the guitar to a whole new level. So my thought was to pick up a used BC Rich Beast model, upgrade all the hardware, level and crown the frets, install new EMG wiring harness and pop some 57/66 pickups in it. My only question is will they get muddy or lose any articulation in drop tuning (drop b or a standard)?

  • @Wargasm644
    @Wargasm644 5 лет назад +6

    With that flag in the background you better be rippin’ some Dimebag 🤘🏻

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  5 лет назад +3

      Love some dime! No one plays it like he does!

  • @severgun
    @severgun 5 лет назад +10

    81/85 - more "meat"
    57/66 - more precision

  • @jstyle129
    @jstyle129 3 года назад +1

    81/85 best sounding pick ups IMO.

  • @eht03
    @eht03 6 лет назад +1

    a 57 85 would be my preference. I bought an LTD viper with 81 85. When I went to swap the pups found they had two 81s. The 81 sounds really good in the neck. A 57 81 would be a good combo.

  • @jackgrant4795
    @jackgrant4795 6 лет назад

    Here's a really stupid question, since i know nothing of the 57/66, are they active p/u's? Because if not, damn they got some output

  • @alelollipop1903
    @alelollipop1903 Год назад

    Thanks for the demo dude 🤘🏻🤘🏻

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  Год назад

      Thank you for watching! This is an old video now lol!

  • @wolf42i40
    @wolf42i40 4 года назад

    Thanks for the video man!! Much love from Fort Worth 🤘🤘

  • @wagnernoise
    @wagnernoise 9 лет назад +1

    Nice shootout Ryan! I liked them both ;)

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  9 лет назад +1

      Wagner Rosa Thanks Wagner! I do too!

  • @rjpoole1979
    @rjpoole1979 3 года назад +1

    Honestly I've got both and I reckon the 81/85s win hands down. The 57/66s just seem to be missing some bite and clarity under gain. Too mid rangey or something. The only thing they have going for them over the 81s is there is more of a middle ground between gain and clean. And they might be a bit more organic sounding. But my retro actives fill that void in a different guitar!

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  3 года назад

      Thank you for watching and taking time to comment! I like the retroActives and well and will be getting them soon for one of my guitars. Appreciate the comment!

  • @guidscunha
    @guidscunha 4 года назад

    I have a pair of 81/85 and when I play clean the sound is just really distorted. I play them with a Roland cube. Why is the sound not clean? Also, when playing big chords, they just seam really hard to listen all the way through. Any help??

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  4 года назад +1

      Guilherme Cunha if your battery is dying or running low it will start distorting. First thing I’d do is put in a fresh battery. Second thing is roll the volume on the guitar down a bit. They are hot pickups so if running wide open in your guitars volume knob, and you strum hard, you will get a bit of breakup. Rolling the volume back a tad and lightening up your strum/pick attack will make big difference.
      I would start with the battery though.

  • @AngelMartinez-qs3cf
    @AngelMartinez-qs3cf 7 лет назад

    Hey, thanks for the Demo. I am buying a Schecter C-1 Platinum Series with the 85/81. I am kind of afraid I won't a kind of clean sound like my Seymour Duncan Hot Rod set on my other guitar. I play classic rock, like AC/DC, Zeppelin, Beatles, Stones, Lynryd Skyryrd, Sabbath, that kind of music. I am hoping the 85 81 does this well. What is your opinion of this?

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  7 лет назад

      I think the 81/85 excel particularly at over driven and rock tones for sure. A lot of times the Schecters will have an 89 in the neck which you can split which sounds great.

    • @shawntyson4339
      @shawntyson4339 7 лет назад

      Angel Martinez They are perfect,for classic rock keep the volume lower on your guitar and turn amp up.

  • @Kabayoth
    @Kabayoth 4 года назад +2

    The snag with EMG, Blackouts, and Fluence pickups is their quality control. Specifically: it's too good. Slap an active set of pickups into a brick with a scale on it, and it'll sound like a proper guitar. The body behind it is near irrelevant. They say pickups are 3% of the tone of a guitar after the amp and the player. However, this isn't true of passive pickups. The build behind it is an additional 30% or so with passive pickups. My hat is off to EMG especially for getting their production consistency this immaculate, but I just don't like the tone. Been looking at some of their oddballs recently, but those are all passive.
    If I were a gigging musician, I suspect these would be just the thing. Much like the Fender Tonemaster, it doesn't matter if the tone is specifically what I want. It matters that if something went wrong, I could go to any store, get a new one, and be back in business immediately. Guitar gets stolen? Go out and get a cheap Jackson with a set of Fluence pickups or Blackouts in it, and I'd be good for the show in less than an hour if need be. The same cannot be said for even a high-end Gibson with a set of P90 pickups. The individual EQ could be completely unsuitable to the occasion. Active pickups are the equivalent of form correcting devices. Bit of a bad build? So long as the intonation is good, it's not going to matter. Different bridge? It doesn't matter, it'll sound exactly the same. Different strings? It doesn't matter, the response will be the same from gauge to gauge.
    However, I have a number of... odd guitars. My orphans, as I like to call them. Percival has a piezo, a Strat knock-off, a lipstick, and a P-rails in it. I counted it up once and I have 19 different voicings I can get out of it. This simply would not be possible with active pickups. Fishman claims they can put three or four voicings into each pickup, but I fail to hear the distinction. I might install a set in another guitar I have, Caradoc, but not yet. It may have a Fishman Powerchip for the piezo, but after playing the Fluence on other guitars, I'm not impressed. My other guitar, Mordred, has an LR Baggs piezo, an SH-15 and a Duncan Distortion in it. The whole problem with this guitar is in the piezo rather than the magnetic pickups. The last one is Kith'Rith with the RMC piezo and the Dirty Fingers pickups. Each of these guitars has its quirks, and I would prefer they keep their individuality. But if I had these fleshed out with Blackouts, Fluence, or the Het Set, they would be indistinguishable from one another.

  • @GregoryPearsonMusic
    @GregoryPearsonMusic 2 года назад

    They sounded more alike than I expected - the only place I thought I heard a definite difference was the 66 distorted chord sounded a little better than the 85 to me, but the 85 lead tone sounded better than the 66.

  • @DP-eb2yn
    @DP-eb2yn 5 лет назад +2

    Explains why Metallicas sound is muddier these days .. I still like The 81/85 . As I'm using in a Schecter. I just think the 81 has that piercing cutting edge also with bottom end chug as well .. comes down to your settings too . Still love Tallica the sound Is huge . I just miss the crunchy older tone aswel .. thanks EMG...🤘🇦🇺

  • @colintraveller
    @colintraveller 9 лет назад

    Enjoyed that ,, wonder how a mix n match would sound ? , Q -what pups compliments a V30 / G12h .. am looking to upgrade my non branded HSS pup's to something better

  • @JJsiN84
    @JJsiN84 8 лет назад +4

    I actually did something different.
    I like the 81 but I also like the Alnico 5 plus the Ceramic poles of the 66.
    So I have an 81/66 combo. I am surprised that more people don't do that!

    • @JJsiN84
      @JJsiN84 8 лет назад +1

      ***** Thanks man! Thats cool of you to say.
      Its sounds great too. All the punch and aggression in the 81 with a calmer and versatile 66.

    • @chaseboone6271
      @chaseboone6271 8 лет назад

      +Jason Nolet I switched it up a bit as well. I'm using a 57 in the bridge and a P85 (P90 sided) in the neck. Great combo either way you use it!

    • @tomroberts5805
      @tomroberts5805 8 лет назад +1

      Im actually about to try that combo in my next guitar! I bet its a killer combo?!

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  7 лет назад +1

      great thought, a few people suggested this! I will definitely give it a try!

  • @TacoSupreem
    @TacoSupreem 8 лет назад +26

    Het set vs. 57/66 please

    • @shethinksimironman
      @shethinksimironman 8 лет назад +2

      I think the 57/66 were modeled after Het's original pickups

    • @Wrathofkala
      @Wrathofkala 8 лет назад

      Remmy 315 how do you know this?

    • @JuanLega
      @JuanLega 8 лет назад

      Rican GuitarGod I just read the info. Apparently Dave's contract was running out and he started working with EMG to develop his pickups, well something happened and Dave went back with Seymour Duncan but EMG released the pickups anyways.

    • @Wrathofkala
      @Wrathofkala 8 лет назад

      Juan. Lega Very interesting. Good stuff... thanks for sharing

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  7 лет назад

      It will happen! thanks for commenting!

  • @F3502000
    @F3502000 6 лет назад

    Great video and comment section! Thinking about the emg 81 85 in my schecter c1 -fr.

  • @borgonianevolution
    @borgonianevolution 3 года назад +1

    I got my first emg 81 back in 1986 and never looked back. Active pickups are so much tighter across the range. Non actives even the EMG's always sound muddy in the low end and have a strange mid artifact component with certain speakers. The analogs always sound farty to me no matter how eq'd on 12 inch speakers. I just 3 days ago put a Zakk Wylde 81/85 set in a build I am doing for the Great Guitar build off. I originally wanted to try the Glenn Tipton Vengeance series but they were not available at the time I needed to buy the electronics.

    • @chrisking6695
      @chrisking6695 2 года назад +1

      You know I think I agree with you. I bought my first 7 string with EMGs a couple weeks ago. It came with 707s which are pretty muddy but they sound so fluid, especially the one in the neck, and so punchy that every time I pick up one of my other guitars it feels like something is missing. It sounds farty or scratchy and I tend to bump up the gain to get more sustain which makes it muddy and more farty lol

  • @bradleycarroll156
    @bradleycarroll156 9 лет назад +7

    I'd kind of like an 81/66 set myself.

    • @shred5
      @shred5 9 лет назад

      +Bradley Carroll not sure how the balance would work out but imo the 66 was much hands down less muddy and much cleaner, where there 57 vs 81 is a preference thing. But I will say the 57/66 are both much more open sounding, so I'd probably pair them together.

    • @michaelguenther3141
      @michaelguenther3141 8 лет назад +1

      +Bradley Carroll A 81x/60x set might do the job, sticking to the classic sound while adding more dynamic/organic feel to it. I went through the HetSet, 57/66 and 81/60 in the X and none-X versions lately after switching amps, in the end the X-series won with the most balanced sound and the rest went on eBay.

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  7 лет назад

      That would make an interesting video! Thanks for commenting!

  • @mohammedalasfoor8145
    @mohammedalasfoor8145 8 лет назад

    hey.. nice video, I need your help, I used to play my esp guitar and it has passive pickups and I loved it's sound, but since I see people using emgs alot not mentioning my favorite guitarists "zakk wylde" so I wanted to check the emgs, I wanted emg81/emg85, but it was not available it the shop, but they had emg H, I bought it, after I installed it in my guitar, I noticed that the output is too way less than the passive pickups that I removed! and it doesn't provide much distortion! the passive pickups were providing more then the emgs! it was good actually! .. and these emgs are so bright in tone, I wanted warm sound for soloing and warm fat sound in the bridge for clean sound... any comments? suggestions? thanks again

  • @thepurplepuppet...5261
    @thepurplepuppet...5261 4 года назад

    I have both a hellraiser c1fr and a helltempest hybrid and must say the pickups are close to the same I use the 57/66 for my standard tuning blues tone and the 81/85 for my drop tuning metal tones great video

  • @RoddyDukes
    @RoddyDukes 8 лет назад

    Let me tell you...its so nice when you have an issue/decision to make and someone out there made the EXACT video necessary and they did it well. Thank you very much! Seems as if the 57/66 is basically the het set...am I right on that?

    • @HeavyMetalCowboy90
      @HeavyMetalCowboy90 8 лет назад

      Not even close. hey set is thin and scooped. the 57/66 is thick and mid heavy (but scoops easily).

    • @RoddyDukes
      @RoddyDukes 8 лет назад

      +troymassey90 so is 57/66 more versatile for going between metal/vintage rock?

    • @HeavyMetalCowboy90
      @HeavyMetalCowboy90 8 лет назад

      +Roddy Dukes I have a set in EC-1000 and it does it all. I havn't recorded with them, but from the speaker to my ears, the 57 is just as tight as an 81 but it's thicker and Bassier for mean chugs although slightly less aggressive in the mids, it's still aggressive. The 81 is definitely far more compressed and "Metal" sounding. The 81 is definitely much nastier. the 57 is Much more touch sensitive than the 81. It does metal exceptionally well but it has a cleaner, less hot tone. You'll get less fizz through an amp such as a 6505 but you also need a bit more gain to get it overdrive. It cleans up and does crunch and rock tones like a champ.
      the 66 is thinner than an 85 so closer to a 60 but it's cleaner and chimier than both. It can handle the dirty marshall crunch tones with ease.
      That said I am swapping the 57/66 for the 81/85 literally as we speak lol. I MIGHT go with the 66 in the neck instead of the 85 though.
      I love both sets and you can't go wrong.

    • @HeavyMetalCowboy90
      @HeavyMetalCowboy90 8 лет назад +1

      +Roddy Dukes As far as the Het set goes, I hate it. It's great for Metallica tones, but that's it.
      They'll make a good amp sound like shit.

    • @jammyfacefook
      @jammyfacefook 7 лет назад

      Roddy Dukes just swap 85/81 around get more chime in neck due to 81 being a finner hotter sound and get the full fat sound of 85 in bridge works amazingly well.

  • @MasonCTYM
    @MasonCTYM 5 лет назад +1

    I put the Zakk Wylde set in my epiphone SG pro and I love them I just wish there was a way to make the 81-bridge pickup a little brighter?

    • @StuTheDawg
      @StuTheDawg 4 года назад +1

      Elijah Connolly may sound dumb but put the 85 in the bridge!!!!

    • @MasonCTYM
      @MasonCTYM 4 года назад

      @@StuTheDawg okay thank you

  • @123pwop
    @123pwop 8 лет назад +2

    What tuning are you using ? Thanks ! Nice review.

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  8 лет назад +4

      Drop D I believe it was.

    • @123pwop
      @123pwop 8 лет назад +1

      Thank you,those 57/66 pups sound great !

  • @stevenadler9174
    @stevenadler9174 6 лет назад

    Great test! Will you please do the reverse test? I mean, with the 85 on the bridge position? That is, 85/81 and 66/57? That would be interesting!

  • @homevalueglass3809
    @homevalueglass3809 5 лет назад

    Thanks for the great comparison

  • @meloshredder86
    @meloshredder86 6 лет назад +2

    Almost bought the same guitar on reverb, glad I didnt after finding out about what's going on with Nick. Would be kinda hard to be inspired playing an instrument with such a negative connotation

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  6 лет назад

      thomas runge i actually sold mine a few weeks before the news about Nick became public.... sad indeed, but I'm glad I sold it when I did.

    • @QuikdethDeviantart
      @QuikdethDeviantart 4 года назад

      Creepy fuck

  • @therealjackfisher
    @therealjackfisher 5 лет назад

    Great demo. Now try compare these to alumitone pickups, you will be surprised how much more sound ringing you get out of these passive aluminum blocks.

  • @gattart
    @gattart 5 лет назад

    Excellent comparison... I just wanted to hear how much better the 57 was over the 81, and it really is... but that 66 sounds great too! Not a fan of the 85/81 set, but at least I know what the sound and feel like to play. Trying to decide between a 57/66 set I can get cheap, or going crazy looking for a 60X set in chrome... (I'm loving the 60X I just got, but black pups look like crap in my red SG). That Washburn looks great too... Thanks!

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  5 лет назад

      Thanks for watching, and taking the time to comment!

  • @TheBluezInc
    @TheBluezInc 8 лет назад

    Can these pickups be installed on my guitar with a tremolo bridge, will the pole pieces and string spacing align?

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  8 лет назад

      +mingchoding it can be installed. as far as spacing, i'm not sure if the poles will be perfectly aligned or not.

  • @jhuliotorres2298
    @jhuliotorres2298 8 лет назад

    good demo, thank you.
    It definitely has to do with the genre you want to play.

  • @EinBierMedia
    @EinBierMedia 4 года назад

    Would be nice if you make the videos more compact, labelled and back to back comparison of each pickup sets. N v N, B v B.

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  4 года назад

      This video was 5 years ago, have learned a bit since then. Thanks for the feedback!

  • @BlaineLudeman
    @BlaineLudeman 9 лет назад

    i'd probably need to play em but i was surprised that the 81/85s did ok on cleans. niether broke up like a passive and i could deff tell the difference but not enough. het set for the win!

  • @MikeSuttonXerox
    @MikeSuttonXerox 6 лет назад

    Cool review! I like the bite in the 57/66 set but the 81/85 would probably play with a cleaner tone if you don't like to ruffle anyone's feathers. Personally I would rather ruffle a lot of feathers!

  • @garthbrooks8336
    @garthbrooks8336 8 лет назад

    I need help! my emg 81s are experiencing some noise issues. I was recording and the engineer had to turn the input level down on the plugins. he said my guitar had a some weird humming noise. I tried grounding the pots but didn't fix the noise. but when I walked around the room the noise was getting worse in certain areas.? any help thnx

    • @carlos2796
      @carlos2796 8 лет назад

      The battery?

    • @garthbrooks8336
      @garthbrooks8336 8 лет назад

      +Carlos guevara enciso I replaced the battery, tried different cables. but starting to think the controller cavity needs shielding, the pots and those thin wires aren't shielded. I hope it helps!

  • @bobbyberetta4206
    @bobbyberetta4206 8 лет назад

    What would be the passive pickup counterpart?

  • @claygang199
    @claygang199 3 года назад

    Do you by chance have a tab for that bridge distortion riff?

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  3 года назад +1

      I do not, I’ve never tabbed out any of my own music at this point. Maybe someday though!

  • @stringspicksandfiddlestick6388
    @stringspicksandfiddlestick6388 4 года назад

    I like guitars without fret markers. I bought a guitar at a pawn shop and it has two 81's in it. Why?

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  4 года назад

      Some people like the sound of 81/81. That was Kirk Hammetts pickup config for awhile.

  • @PlantisHere1
    @PlantisHere1 4 года назад

    Is the 81/85 supposed to be more bass?

  • @seandaly7369
    @seandaly7369 7 лет назад

    Great video mate. Thanks for thag

  • @189harvesterofsorrow
    @189harvesterofsorrow 8 лет назад +1

    I really liked the sound of the 57 but I didn't care for the 85 or the 66. I think I would like to try a 57/60 or 60a combo

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  8 лет назад

      +189harvesterofsorrow That's a great Idea!

  • @StueyDoo
    @StueyDoo 9 лет назад +3

    I've got the 57/66 combo in one of my guitars. Love 'em for rock/metal. Gotta admit I got them because Richie Faulkner from Judas Priest uses them :)

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  9 лет назад

      StueyDoo Thanks for the commetn StueyDoo. They are cool pickups. I like them!

    • @love4steel
      @love4steel 5 лет назад

      Thats why I got em as well haha

  • @USAlien234
    @USAlien234 5 лет назад

    Now thats how you do a comparison video ! Thanks brother !
    Im still not sure which one to choose. Im looking to get a nice heavy but clean sound, looking for something similar to Marty Friedman.
    If you can send me any advice I would be extremely grateful. Thanks again.
    Liked and subbed
    ✌😊

  • @Living_EDventures
    @Living_EDventures 4 года назад

    Would either of these work with coil splitters?

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  4 года назад +1

      You can not split them, you would have to get the ones that EMG makes specifially as a dual mode pickup. The EMG 89 for example and an 81TW. However they just released a dual mode 57/66TW set that is "splittable" (they're really two pickups in one)

    • @Living_EDventures
      @Living_EDventures 4 года назад

      Cool thanks I just bought a new a Michael Kelly Patriot Decree with dual Volumes and dual tones with coil splitters. I also bought a really sweet looking $200 Leo Jaymz Les paul with an american flag on it. That has dual volumes and Tones without split coils. These would work perfect for that one. I also just bought a Kramer Assault 220 plus with Emg 81/85. I also have a Jackson Soloist with Duncan Design pickups. Plan to upgrade them at some point.

  • @HOLD1
    @HOLD1 4 года назад +1

    Your 1,000th like, Jason wade sent me here, liked and subscribed, heck yeah we have same taste in music, take care music friend:)

  • @edwardsnow4149
    @edwardsnow4149 7 лет назад +3

    i thing EMG 81-EMG 61 (ESP ECLIPSE Standart) it forever core classic =))))

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  7 лет назад

      that's a great combo!

  • @robertrogers7939
    @robertrogers7939 8 лет назад

    What recto amp is that ?what channel ,rectifier?

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  8 лет назад

      +robert rogers mid 90s two chan dual rec, red channel.

  • @mhajas725
    @mhajas725 9 лет назад +1

    Cool, nice comparison ☺

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  9 лет назад +2

      matt Hajas Thanks Matt!

  • @stuartmain578
    @stuartmain578 3 года назад

    Can you go 57/85 ?

  • @kiivje
    @kiivje 6 лет назад

    Sounds great!

  • @douglasvaughn9349
    @douglasvaughn9349 7 лет назад

    Do you prefer active or passive?

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  7 лет назад

      +Doug Vaughn you know, different ones for different jobs. At the moment I'm really enjoying the 57/66 set. That and the split 89 sound. I like that EMG is expanding their active range, with the retro actives. They also make passive pickups as well, most people just don't know it.

  • @smbmxdirt3427
    @smbmxdirt3427 4 года назад +1

    I'd have to go with the shiny ones.

  • @jacksonlewis4365
    @jacksonlewis4365 5 лет назад

    i cant get anything out of my 57.... wondering if its broken....

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  5 лет назад

      Jackson Lewis may have the connection plugged in upside down. You should be able to see the little triangle on pin connector. If you have it backwards you won’t get any sound.

    • @jacksonlewis4365
      @jacksonlewis4365 5 лет назад

      no ive tried reconnecting, i get sound but no out put even tried like 5 different Batteries.....

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  5 лет назад

      Could be, have you tried contacting EMG?

    • @jacksonlewis4365
      @jacksonlewis4365 4 года назад

      havent had time, i need to get the guitar dug out from under house renno stuff....

  • @danaeverhart6487
    @danaeverhart6487 4 года назад +1

    I've got the 81in the neck position and the 85 in the bridge! Much better placement

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  4 года назад

      That’s an awesome way to do it!

  • @dr.stevenpennym.d.3241
    @dr.stevenpennym.d.3241 5 лет назад

    Nice video...My 81/85 sound great with my Big Muff Pi and the BMP Op-Amp...

  • @WithoutAChance64
    @WithoutAChance64 7 лет назад

    Great video!

  • @CJ_YT.
    @CJ_YT. 7 лет назад

    Think I'm gonna be getting the 81/85 set for my Harley Benton ex-84 guitar, what upgrades should I get next? Any recommendations anyone? It's a pretty budget guitar but I really like it and I've had it for a while, I'm thinking maybe tuners and bridge hardware? ( it has a tune o matic bridge)

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  7 лет назад +1

      +heythereFuckyou I'd say tubers probably then maybe bridg and nut

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  7 лет назад +1

      +heythereFuckyou tuners....

    • @shawntyson4339
      @shawntyson4339 7 лет назад +1

      heythereFuckyou Upgrade pots and selector switch and decent tuner heads and you're good.

    • @CJ_YT.
      @CJ_YT. 7 лет назад

      Thanks dudes👍🏻

  • @tgdb4968
    @tgdb4968 5 лет назад +1

    Sweet guitar dude,never seen one before

  • @sunnydeyaliofficial
    @sunnydeyaliofficial 5 лет назад

    Whats the point of putting mics,if u wana use room camera sound also

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  5 лет назад

      to get a more accurate representation of the sound. A mix of both seems to be more realistic than just close mic'd.

  • @butthole9580
    @butthole9580 5 лет назад +2

    Well I guess I gotta buy all 4

  • @dupawolowaish
    @dupawolowaish 5 лет назад

    Great video pal ! I'm still going for 85 81 Metallica forever < e

  • @carlosarenas5676
    @carlosarenas5676 7 лет назад

    which ones to shred?

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  7 лет назад

      +Carlos Arenas either one.

  • @Wargasm644
    @Wargasm644 5 лет назад +1

    81/89R Gary Holt set rips🤘🏻

  • @talimartheblack2596
    @talimartheblack2596 6 лет назад

    2:19 which music are you playing???

    • @aidanstrong7681
      @aidanstrong7681 5 лет назад

      Talimar The Black I’m pretty sure it’s the Foo Fighters but I might be mistaken, it sounds very familiar though ya know

  • @DanielT116
    @DanielT116 8 лет назад +2

    Thanks bro. really helped with my decision.

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  8 лет назад

      Glad you found the video helpful, thanks for commenting!

  • @t-boog2173
    @t-boog2173 4 года назад +1

    I liked the 66 in the Neck(more Bell like and clear) and the 81 in the bridge(less bright & brittle and more solid in the lows and mids). Good comparison btw.

  • @Mindartcreativity
    @Mindartcreativity 9 лет назад

    Hey man, really nice demo of the pickups, the 57 & 66 sound really great! It's also the first video where the pickups are actually used for what EMG had in mind with this set, classic rock riffing. Now, I do have a question: how would the 57/66 sound with a Big Muff pedal to get a fat vintage rock tone? would this work or are active pickups not well suited for fuzz pedals?

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  9 лет назад

      Thanks for the comment! I'm all out of fuzz pedals at the moment, but that's a great question!

    • @Mindartcreativity
      @Mindartcreativity 9 лет назад

      RNA MUSIC Oh that's unfortunate. From experience, would you think it would be a good match or rather too muddy?

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  9 лет назад +2

      EMGs really shine with overdrive and distortion. My prediction would be with fuzz they would be great too, but sounds like a great test.

    • @Mindartcreativity
      @Mindartcreativity 9 лет назад +1

      Thanks. I'll just try it and buy a set and see how well it goes with my pedals :) Have a nice day.

  • @Oilid
    @Oilid 6 лет назад +1

    This was the very video when I started following your channel.
    Yeah, your beard was different! 😉

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  6 лет назад +1

      haha thank you so much! THis was a few beard cycles ago lol

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  6 лет назад

      haha thank you so much! THis was a few beard cycles ago lol

    • @Oilid
      @Oilid 6 лет назад

      RNA MUSIC You're welcome.

  • @motleyford
    @motleyford 5 лет назад +2

    My wylde audio sounds nothing like you 85/81...

  • @timbuk1126
    @timbuk1126 4 года назад +1

    81 bridge in a Strat is all I need.

    • @RNAMusic
      @RNAMusic  4 года назад

      lying to the moon a great combination!

  • @avocadodip2157
    @avocadodip2157 4 года назад

    I wanna put the 57/66 in the Jackson I just got. Then I’ll get another and put the 81/85 in it.

  • @undertherock264
    @undertherock264 9 лет назад +1

    Cool!

  • @lucaswense6483
    @lucaswense6483 4 года назад

    Nice review, just advise you to check your D or G string on the 57/66 guitar, they were slightly ou of tune :P. Thanks for the video