EMG 57 / 66 Pickup Review - A/B Test With Rick Graham Guitar Interactive Magazine

bit.ly/EMG_Pickup_review EMG 57 / 66 Pickups Review with Rick Graham featured in Guitar Interactive Magazine Issue 20.
We test the EMGs usings an ESP LTD Les Paul style guitar and we a/b test the pickups alongside an identical LTD model fitted with stock pickups to show you the difference in sound.
Read the Full feature bit.ly/EMG_Pickup_review
These EMGs are the same pickups used by Andy James on his ESP LTD AJ-1 Signature model which Rick Reviewed in Issue 18 of Guitar Interactive - View the review here: bit.ly/AndyJames_GuitarSpecs

[@RichardJohnson_dydx]

EMG does brightness and tightness so well. Love them or hate them for it.

[@m3m3sis]

Finally at least one of the guitar magazines realized the importance of great tone and a amazing player when reviewing anything.

[@vampolascott36]

I've been playing early Rush with these pickups in my E-II Eclipse and they sound even better with less gain. I'm talking about plexi style gain than cleans up with a lighter touch. What I like the best about them is the clarity when playing full chords with moderate gain. You can really hear all the notes in complex Alex Lifeson style power chords. Lot's of definition from these pickups.

[@johnnylowbob6375]

That’s s what I’m talking about

[@Deac0n_Blues]

Never thought I would say this, but the EMGs sound really good

[@Mikesane]

I have this set in my Boden CL7. These pickups are fantastic! Never thought I would leave passive, but these changed my mind.

[@TheMisanthropist432]

finally someone understood you need good players for reviews, great Rick!

[@AkiraSpectrum]

Good video. You can't hear a large difference between the two pickups, although i'm sure you'd be able to hear the difference (or feel it) more in person. Both sets of pickups sound pretty good but the EMG's definitely are a little tighter and slightly more high mid focused and a little more compressed.

[@russellhall55]

Those stock pickups sound pretty good.

[@myworstenemy680]

Nice playing Rick. In the future could you be even more thorough and give us some clean sounds? The more comparisons with the stock paf pickups, the better imo. I would like to hear one chord or note bend at a time to really hear the tone of the pickup. Complex runs and note flurries sound great, but they muddy things up when trying to hear the pickups. This was still a very good demo, and it was the first comparison with paf's that I've watched.

[@dgmisal1979]

Agreed. If it is going for a PAF vibe, perhaps a few chord patterns or whatnot with less than metal levels of gain. Cleans are important, as is low gain, light grit and dirt.

[@askwho69]

Nice i like the EMG

[@alexpolitic]

i have such guitar, firstly with stock pickups, switched to blackouts and there was really much more difference in the tone, especially on high gain settings

[@ceeeeej]

Wow, very impressed with the tone here, considering I'm not a huge fan of active pickups.

[@jkascencao]

i do can hear the difference.. the emg is more tight, it's fully sound, more crunchy.. i could say that its more dinamic... im thinking about to get those for my 7.. What Amp were you using?....

[@neilfoodguy8667]

I love my EMG 81. I run the green channel on a 6505+ without a Tube Screamer 😮 I think the 57 might top it though.

[@raymundoborrego3282]

a very well balanced sound its still warm while still being a real lead pick up the 57 i think i love it lol

[@IGORQWERTY555]

What a sound!

[@spaceace41]

These are my go pickups

[@pgman5416]

emgs sound reallly good when the playing is clean because the compression makes the slop more noticeable than passives. this guy is really good and it helps really bring out the emg tone.

[@hide1986]

both really good tone

[@GabRock91]

Finally a Guitar review with an actual good Guitar player!

[@LostRiderIbanez]

thanks, good to know

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Great playing. Are these as hot as the EMG 85 for instance or the 60 or H single coils that are also actives? I'm trying to get an active pickup with Alinco 5 or 2 type mag, or the sound of the same, with say no more output than a mediumm hot passive? I like the amp pushed, but not to the degree of an 81 or 85 EMG for instance. Thanks for posting sir.

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Thank you my friend. I really appreciate the reply. Regards from IN. USA

[@Max_94]

they now have the retroactives

[@guitrr]

What do they sound like clean?

[@gnrock1981]

Shorts? Class!

[@AydinZahedi]

WHEN all the magazines and website will learn that for a tone comparison you need to record the guitar sound completely separated than the microphone that you use for the room. it's hard to hear the difference!

[@JannichHolmerIbsen]

Are these pickups more magnetic than the other EMGs? Im thinking about the pickup height to the strings?

[@Gitfiddle]

Jannich Holmer Lindehøj personally I had to lower these emg’s way down to get them to sound the way I wanted. The neck pickup can get woofy. They sound great tho. If you like the power of active pickups but want a more classic rock type vibe these are a great option. Cheers.

[@chancejohnson1383]

wow, there is a definitive clarity yet still carries the balls of active pick ups

[@danielirmscher8525]

Is it me or is there a compressor messing up the dynamics on the emgs?

[@Guitarwizza1]

I agree, I was waiting for him to switch to clean but sadly ;( it never happened. Blimey

[@mattkkichi37]

the emg's sound more punchy and also tighter

[@Aleksisguitar]

Came here for that gorgeus EC256!

[@andyjm7122]

What stock pickups are they???

[@luisgpr1]

Finaly a guitar reviewer with real chops

[@jessetate9701]

Definitely will remind guitar center 57 bridge position and 66 in the neck

[@DrDizzleFrizzle]

I like the smoothness of the 66, but the 57 should be brighter, at least imo

[@DrDizzleFrizzle]

***** There's a difference between bright and brightER

[@josefrancisco6969]

Not really the same sound. EMG sounds a little bit tighter and also they pack more output but not a day and night difference for sure.

[@Harmonic14]

These are better than most EMGs, but I've never come across an active pickup that I've liked...

[@jamesjude6353]

Agreed, I recently got myself a LTD TE 406 and it came with this EMG set and i love these more than 81/85 set which i have on my washburn flying V

[@Melonos]

David Hoch I used to be the same. I hated EMG's until I tried them in the Jim Root Jazzmaster 81/60 and they sound really good.

[@truebrittoo]

Stock pickups for me too

[@jduncanm3golf]

I liked the stock pups

[@concernedcitizen2898]

They certainly seemed to have more harmonics than the 57s.

[@christopheresteves6539]

Eww! Stock is for soup...

[@guitarzilla]

I like the EMGs

[@hide1986]

Ltd ec-256 with ESP LH150 pickups

[@thephoenixcycle8854]

Your thoughts on a 24v mod with these?

[@lucasmarchiori2102]

Can some tell me whats is the model of that guitar and what is its finish?

[@mandob6422]

Ok i just got an ltd ec 256 guitar yesterday and i just started seeing this and the sound is really cool... Emg 56/66 would be good for this guitar? ;\ ur thoughts...

[@maxsalasr]

Loved the bridge emg 57 but the neck 66 seems muddy, or maybe too much bass on it?

[@Gbhbbgvsbnjhhdchhb]

Agreed I’d go for the 60 for the neck - it’s not as dark or muddy I’ve managed to get through all the demos and as a blues hard rock player the 57 60 combination works - nearly went insane researching them

[@Blech319]

Clean would also be nice.

[@loneponderer495]

It would be nice to know what the stock pickups are? Since the model name on the fret board seems to say EC-401 I'm guessing they aren't LTD's. Ounce you get to the 400 level with ESP/LTD they are usually name brands probable a a cover version of the Seymour Duncan JB/59 combo from the looks of them.

[@loneponderer495]

They are good. I have a guitar that came with a JB/Jazz combo in them. Unfortunately the JB had one of it's coils dead (not working) so I had to replace them but I have played many guitars with the JB and it always sounds good. It's a great pickup because it has such a wide sonic range that you can really get all sorts of sounds out of it by changing how your amp is EQed. It also responds well to how you play.

[@loneponderer495]

I honestly don't have any experience with them. I grew up in the 80's with a mixture of Metal and Hair Metal so single coil style pickups where on the out for kids wanting to play guitar when I grew up. I have played a Strat and found it better than I thought it would be for aggressive music. Of course I also like playing blues sometimes so Strat are a favorite with that crowd. I do know P90's are considered better at more aggressive music than regular single coil type pickups but I have never tried a guitar with them.

[@AdamYoudell]

ESP designed LH-150's, a pickup that comes stock in their cheaper models. Think 3-400$ range

[@ceeeeej]

The EMGs sound punchier for sure.

[@ZombieMonkeyDeathbox]

Is this a review or an advert? Good playing though

[@sebrura]

Stock sounds way better imo. Just switched out stock EMGs in my EC-1000 for Seymor Duncans.

[@TheBluezInc]

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

[@ralpherl5657]

I dont see a trem spaced version, but the pole pieces are big enough

[@AdamYoudell]

They are now offering a version with Floyd spacing

[@sedonamudsquid]

All the pu's sounded good. I just came to steal some of Rick's riffs.

[@pedraw]

I think I actually like the stock Duncans better. Hard to tell on a video.

[@cazza710]

No Duncans, ESP/LTD made pickups, that's not an expensive guitar he's using

[@fh276]

How about, the Peter Green/ Gary Moore sound? With the neck pickup wired out of phase. Do they do that?

[@MosheAlvarez]

No, the EMG's won't do that because you'd have to remove the magnet and flip it's orientation which of course, you can't do because of the epoxy potting

[@fh276]

Thank you, for the reply Moshe.

[@Max_94]

they sell a switch that does that

[@hawedehre]

The stock pickups sound more transparent. Better than these EMGs.

[@fonzybrookestone727]

Hey video editor, cut homeboys clip mic when he's playing! The pick and string sound interfere with what I'm trying to listen to. We should ONLY hear the cab thats mic'd. Thanks for the review.

[@GuitarInteractive]

+Fonzy Brookestone Thanks for the feedback Fonzy.

[@HeyItsAsmus]

so can the EMG 57 handle pop punk stuff (the heavier pop punk stuff, not so much screamo metal)

[@razorhoner]

It can handle just about anything, only thing that matters is whether you like how it sounds in that particular setting, but it should slay

[@zac88anderson]

What are the stock pick ups they are way better

[@jesusaguilera3803]

Whoa I have this guitar, but with SLICK brand zebra pickups. Funny stumbling into this video 😂

[@Gamalier1972]

I believe the "stock" pickups are Seymour 59/JB. Most of those LTD guitars come with them from the factory. That's why they give the EMG's a run for their money! 😂

[@AdamYoudell]

Nope. This guitar uses a pickup designed and made by ESP to be the stock pickup. They sound pretty decent but an upgrade is definitely necessary for any serious work

[@concernedcitizen2898]

Bro do you even lift?

[@tylerdowney9841]

Rick Graham is the best

[@MissMisstreater]

0:57 1:30 jump between those two and have another listen. The EMG is a little fuller, more body to the tone. Very slight difference though!

[@scootertb26]

EMG sounded better, more clarity and bite

[@666dynomax]

Too little difference for me to change mine to play in the basement lol

[@JackManDemand]

dyel ?

[@AmpsforBuddha]

I'm personally enjoying the stock pickups. The EMG's are too clunky for my taste. "Clunk, Clunk, Clunk, CluUunk"!

[@masonlough4902]

these pickups are active pickups these hit better then passive pickups, basically passive pickups are just like the stock pickups in this video the active pickups are emgs they run off batteries sadly but the tone from emgs are die for and so clean

[@johnpage1001]

+Mason Lough See that's where personal preference and ear differ so much between players. Too me, EMG's have a total lack of tone, lack brightness, are muddy sounding, and are less versatile. The only player I've ever seen overcome these problems with EMG's is Zakk Wylde. Otherwise everything else just sounds like muddy Metallica music.

[@DechantMusic]

Not sure why some are saying on here that they have less dynamics they have a butt load of dynamics every finger move pick scrap everything translates. just not so much in this demo maybe?

[@Max_94]

@@johnpage1001 that's just ridiculous hahahahaha, even the 81/85 classic set has a lot of dynamics, it's the player not the pickups.

[@b-sideplank]

Finally, they figured out that to demonstrate pickups you don't have to use clean sound, in which case it is actually possible to get an idea about how they sound. Why not use highly overdriven sound, where all pickups sound the same?

[@jkascencao]

they are ESP LH-150 humbucker...

[@mrJazzyJeffy]

Oh thanks! What an intelligent profile pic Btw...

[@djquad6]

Alnico Vee... Never heard :)))

[@rodrigocordova963]

👍🏼

[@stevehill5018]

The pickups are $250.00. I bought the same model LTD EC-256 with case the other day for $250.00 and it sounds great! I like the EMG's but way too expensive.

[@roathripper]

both guitars sounded the same to me.

[@russellhall55]

Slapping on the bronze by the looks of it lol

[@beermetal2003]

Dude, the V means 5.

[@monkeyxx]

"Alnico V" that's a roman numeral called "Five" doesn't give me a feeling of confidence in the review

[@timjenkins502]

Rick can make a turd sound incredible

[@OlegVoronin]

very nice tan on the face!

[@CaptPostmod]

Alnico Vee?

[@arcticdepth]

Yeah, if you are going to search for it online, are you going to type Alnico 5 or Alnico V?

[@realtruenorth]

さんトム I think he was confused cause Roman numeral 'v' is pronounced five, not 'vee' . How would you say alnico IIIs? ,,, alnico 'i' 'i' 'i'? LOL

[@ajkcoleman]

I don't think you're supposed to pronounce Roman numerals as the letters...

[@theburstedhemorriods]

how can you judge a pickup with all the effects ? play clean first

[@kinggeno32]

Hardly a difference, anyone who knows anything about real tone will tell you if you just add a bunch of distortion your destroying the actual tone of the pickups, a EMG/PAF/PearleyGate will all sound similar. to get a real comparison you need to play clean.

[@LostRiderIbanez]

I can be wrong but they are seymour duncan JB and 59, so they kick ass :D

[@MrUltraworld]

With a pile of distortion, it's hard to hear what the pickups are doing. Not a big improvement over the stock pickups. Put the $250 towards a better amp.

[@monkeyxx]

I disagree -- I think pile of distortion is where these pickups really shine, and what they are most intended for.

[@monkeyxx]

to expand on that. A lot of heavy gain tones need to be boosted. A higher output pickup gives a boost without having to deal with any sort of 9 volt pedal and its associated noise and tone. Ideally the pickup should provide a significant, clear audio voltage gain with a minimal amount of noise or tone coloring. I think this pickup set would be really good for playing Billy Corgan type of rock songs, for example.

[@johnpage1001]

See that's where personal preference and ear differ so much between players. Too me, EMG's have a total lack of tone, lack brightness, are muddy sounding, and are less versatile. The only player I've ever seen overcome these problems with EMG's is Zakk Wylde. Otherwise everything else just sounds like muddy Metallica music.

[@DjShaprio]

+John McClung you obviously haven't heard of Charlie del Riego Parra

[@LaughingMantiis]

you obviously haven't heard of Andy James either

[@KevinCoblerOfficial]

Most people say emgs sound very clean and clear not muddy...

[@johnpage1001]

I've tried out EMGs for myself, no matter how I set up the amp or effects, they completely lacked the sweetness and clarity of passive.Sure, for crunch and compression, they're an option, but if I'm gunna do with anything clean, or any kind of beautiful, clear, searing tone, I'm definitely not gunna use active pickups.

[@ralpherl5657]

+John Page EMGs were designed to be the ultimate jazz pickups fyi. Also EMGs are super bright and not muddy at all lmao. Maybe see an audiologist, my friend

[@mikijons]

Sounds like they simply EQ'd the tone to take away everything good

[@franckamec4156]

Good pick up but guitar way to cheap to really show the quality of this set..

[@vanessak.620]

ec-256s are actually fucking great you goof

[@robvic39]

@@vanessak.620 lol

[@MrWalalaa]

it sounds exactly the fucking same dude. there MAYBE a 5% difference in sound but barely.

[@theASBObrown1]

anyone who knows anything about real tone could tell the difference distorted or not, whether that be in balance, clarity. responsiveness or depth. every pickup is very different in whatever type of sound you use :p and apologies if that comes across as cheeky i mean it in the complete opposite way man

[@RezzhaF]

Vgjma

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

Can't say I like the sound of these pickups. they seem all squished.

[@LewisCannonMusic]

I don't care how gay this is. Look how good Rick looks. Like, who cares about the guitars. Just straight up look at him, he looks fuckin great. Like god sitting there getting filmed, camera men enjoying themselves in the presence of Zeus. Gains.

[@ironcross6613]

HA GAY

[@bargoldstein4898]

you said Pickop

[@f1996630]

emgs are little bit brighter

[@nickioa]

Forget about the demo, Rick is looking HENCH.

[@CaribSurfKing1]

Prefer the stock pickups! Too much compression still with the EMG's Also, why is this amazing guitar player, who is obviously into fitness, giving free advertising to incredibly unhealthy Coke?

[@MisterTee]

Because of reasons

[@brianforsythe1125]

I agree the stock pickups have a more natural tone. The EMGs are too over-blown.

[@monkeyxx]

really turned me off, that shirt, immediately strikes me as tasteless

[@CaribSurfKing1]

Get good passives. Cannot go wrong with a Seymour Duncan JB in bridge and a 59/Pearly Gates in the neck. Also get a treble capacitor on your volume pot for loss when you go low volume

[@CaribSurfKing1]

This was a sales pitch.... not a review

[@dropac]

WRONG

[@servodav6410]

Stock pickups suck. Waste of time even installing them in the factory. Bury them and burn the design so that no one ever has the displeasure of hearing that weak, lifeless sound ever again.

[@Gitfiddle]

Sorry but I can't get past the too tight t shirt and the shaved legs. Seriously. Bro!