EMG 57 vs EMG 81 Comparison (Metal)
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- Опубликовано: 15 сен 2024
- Hey folks,
Link to stems:
www.dropbox.co...
Different kind of video today where i compare the EMG 57 and 81 bridge position pickups.
Absolutely no post EQ on ANY of the guitars and the exact same patch on Amplitube 4 used for both guitars.
Let me know what you think, which one is better?
Signal chain/ gear used:
ESP LTD EC-1000
Reaper
Amplitube 4
Your ears ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
Some extra tags:
EMG 57 81 66 60 ESP LTD EC-1000 EC1000VB ec1000 Reaper Amplitube 4 comparison compare vs head to head
57 all day. Much more versatile, and they have natural sounding saturation. Best way to explain the 57/66 set is the warmth and dynamics of passives, with the clarity and boost of actives...the best of both worlds.
I loved you video. Is the second that that I'm here =)
Awessome skills, perfect executions on those killing riffs!
3:00 this riff remminds me Darkest Hour with Kriss Norris
3:30 and this remminds me old Amon Amarth
4:16 amazing downstrokes
Awesome comparison man ! Sick riffs too
I have both in 7 strings model. I really wanted to like 57 but I can't lie that 81 is legendary for a reason. When I'm recording with 81 equipped guitars, I get the good tone much more faster. Also when in the mixing phase, 81 take eq really well and sit in the mix easier. Whilst with 57, I had a bit struggle with the low end. It clashing with the bass guitar and if you filter it out, the balls is missing. So you need to treat it correctly. In short, 81 still hold the crown for modern high gain guitar tone.
Always knocked active pups. Have always been a passive HH kind of guy. Until I decided to throw the 57/66 in a Harley Benton SC-1000… blew my idea of guitar tone out the water. Matter of fact the 57 is so good it made me want to put a 81/60 set in my other guitar. 2 very different sounds but equal on all fronts. The 57 is tight like something I shouldn’t say😂
I kind of wonder if the pole piece design of the 57 is supposed to make it easier to hear separation between each string compared to the 81. It's odd though because it sounds just slightly warmer than the 81 but other than that it still manages to keep up with a guitar loaded with an EMG 81 in a mix.
I've got an EMG H4 (basically an EMG 81 without a preamp so it's a passive 81 with a lot less gain) and that pickup cleans up really well and you get some super pristine clean tones. Despite the H4 being low output, with the right amp you can saturate the pickups with a lot of gain to get a similar tone to an 81 with much more dynamic character to it. I've also found that it responds better to a tube screamer than an actual EMG 81. My biggest peeve about the H4 though is that they don't come in a 7 or 8 string configuration but if you primarily play 6 string guitars it's not too bad.
I highly suggest checking out the EMG H4 as well as an H4A in the neck when you get the chance, man. For low output passive pickups you won't believe how good they sound with just a little bit more push from the amp.
Whatever slight differences there are here can be remedied by the slightest tweak in eq. This is not something worth obsessing over; your playing is what’s going to ultimately determine what you can get out of the guitar.
But there’s a very clear winner and advantage in the 57, as the EMG 81 is a one-trick-pony with a pretty compressed sound. Additionally, you can buy the 57 as part of the 57/66 set which sounds AMAZING and also has single coil sounds built into each pickup. I cannot recommend the 57s enough.
The 57 in the mix and the 81 for the guitar alone. I think it's better to record with the 81 for a riff without backing track, but for the rest of the mix, I would go with the 57. By the way, both are great for live gigs.
Nice sound comparison. Personally would go for 57. EMG 81 sounds to me a bit thin and not very rich (these days going with Duncan ABH3 actives instead).
PS.
Some string is not in correct intonation or some note sounds odd on that main riff. Don`t get me wrong. Your playing is good and skilled and your video is much appreciated. Cheers :)
Teemunator yeah it’s bothering me too. It should be minor I think.
very subtle difference; also depends on the type of music being played. I watch one video and think the 57 is good for me, then I watch another and change to 81. They are both good. Good thing they are quick connect. Buy one now and the other one later, ha ha!
Idk if its just because of the mix but hardly noticeable. The 57 is supposed to be a bit more versatile and not as sterile or compressed. Idk though. By itself though the 57 maybe sounds a bit more open, easier to tell that way but only if im listening close for it.
Here's the kicker...when used with high gain the 81 and 57 are the same. It's the clean tones you hear the difference in. 81 might push slightly more volume wise though but that's about it.
i listening on my monitor earphones, but i don't hear diff. Maybe, EMG81 gives more high. Nothing else.
Just bought the 57/66 set
Nice comparison.
Hey Dude 81 for me sounds more metal. Did you switch the guitar nut out for a graptech one or is that stock?
Good rift ! EMG 81 Best for me
lol
81 is so strong
very nice comparison my friend
That one off note is soooo distracting. Overall sounds great tho
81 sounds better in the mix, 57 sounds better solo
It's a really subtle difference.
nice video!
Hi Atif, would there be anything to gain from switching to a 57 from a fishman fluence? I have an 81 in my 6 string and I do like it.
Estoy en conflicto con una nota mal situada en tu riff 😣
I think the 81 is the winner here, as the 57 seems very bland. Thanks for the demo.
very bland? the two are nearly identical here and the 57 puts out a bit more tone through the whole range, not sure how you get 'bland' from that
I know this guy)
there's a note that's off in your riff.. 3:06 is should be a minor note.. would sounds a lot better! nice riff though
My exact thought the whole time
I'm not sure if he's specifically doing it on purpose, however it's common practice in videos to change a note in the composition for copyright purposes. It may be what he's doing here.
I think it may just be an off note. Either way, it still sounds good. Nobody's perfect lol.
Or maybe he just likes the slightly sour sound haha. Still good playing, and a pretty good quality mix haha
Floyd spacing ?
I came for Katatonia T-shirt
Lol i actually lost this t-shirt by leaving it at the gym like an idiot, fortunately i will be seeing them live again next week so i can just get another one. Happy days :D
Is it F-spaced or regular spaced ?
Geez, couldn't sound more similar
Can’t percibe almost any different
Listening on a phone?
Pickup is a pickup...no clear winner.
People who think 81s are scooped are on crack. Mid City. Especially noticable during the tremolo picked riff.
I wholeheartedly agree. I compared the 81 to the Seymour Duncan Black Winter, and the 81 sounded much more full in terms of the mids.
Didn't hear a Difference. Maybe it was because of the 'Music'.
Maybe comparing without a backing track? Ever come to mind?
Watch till end of video :)
Lmao did you watch the whole video
Maybe watching the whole video?
Ever come to mind?
What a fool =D