Bridge Pickups Comparison: EMG-81 vs EMG-85

[mikestamper]

This is a pickup comparison between EMG-81 and EMG-85 on the bridge position using the same guitar (alder body and canadian maple neck).



Enjoy!

 

[fps]

Thanks for this. To my ears the 85 sounds more musical, which works better for most applications, then the 81 sounds better for that murderous old-school thrash rhythm.

I've also learned that neither sounds good for funk

 

[Marked Man]

For any superstrat, I prefer the fuller sounding 85 at the bridge. I made an exception for my ESP Hannemans given the purpose of those guitars.

I actually prefer the 81 at the bridge for LP type guitars. The natural girthy tone of the LP makes the 81 work extremely well.

 

[RND]

Seems like the 85 definitely has more of a full sound. That would be my choice if I were to go active.

 

[luislais]

I agree all of you, the 85 sounds very good to me, and only in a LP the 81 wins.