EMG 81-7x vs Seymour Duncan Retribution 7

[@carnovector6396]

Its all a preference thing, they sound like the 2 distinct brands own take on the same sound I was planning on hopefully swapping my emg 81x for a retribution on my 6 string if there are 6 string versions and eventually go back to the 81x whenever i get a 7 string

[@Knight-brolaire]

After using both back to back I would say that the retribution is a bit clearer in the lows/low mids. It's also slightly lower output. They don't have a 6 string retribution afaik. The differences are relatively slight overall, but with the 7 string iterations the increased low/low mid clarity makes the retribution a better choice imo.

[@47ravenlord]

The Retribution was made with Dino Cazares of Fear Factory to highlight his preferred elements of his 7 string playing, clearer low end, tighter mids, and the EMG were mostly 6 string focused and semi generalized......wanting to switch to the 6 string focused pickup after getting a 7 string, and ditching the pickup meant for, and only available for 7 strings, is a bit backwards, lol.

[@kvvnc2502]

solid comp. both sound good to me. not sure i could chose one haha.

[@Knight-brolaire]

I have zero regrets swapping the 81-7x for the retribution. The retribution is clearer on the low end and is less unruly compared to the 81-7x. It also has a more balanced midrange imo.

[@kvvnc2502]

@@Knight-brolaire yeah if i had to choose one i probably would have gone that route.

[@AlfredNaz]

Im stuck between fluence moderns or dinos. I like the voicing for dinos. Seems better for lower tuning as he always went for.

[@Knight-brolaire]

Both would work well in lower tunings but the Retributions have a less squawky midrange ime.

[@cmd_f5]

The Retribution is a bit more focused, 'less hot although lacking that very high end thing the EMG has. That said, I've messed with Duncan Blackouts and EMG81 in a 6 string, like the EMG for 6 and the Blackouts for 7 and above. The way EMG's are voiced makes them feel sloppy on 7s IMO. Honestly they both rule for different reasons.

[@Knight-brolaire]

the low end smearing of the 81-7x was the main reason I swapped it for the Retribution. I liked that the Retribution isn't quite as high output and felt clearer on the B string. The gen 1 blackouts I tried were the muddiest garbage pickups I've ever used. I've heard the gen2 are much better.

[@MilkoOfficialChannel]

Yep, good point