EMG 81 Pickups - 9V & 18V Comparison

[@aliveinthesuperunknown]

Short and sweet... Finally a video that doesn't beg for subs or likes... 18v sound breaks a little in high to my ears and generally shift the sound a bit higher

[@MB-yw3pv]

DUDE THATS THE MOST BADASS EXPLORER I'VE EVER SEEN

[@fredfabris7187]

MB215 , his rock and roll hair goes along perfectly! Hell yeah

[@Tick129]

It's a Gothic Explorer. I figured it out what he did. He took out the pickup switch from the horn and put it in one of the volume pot slot. Not sure about his volume configuration, but I think it's a master volume and a tone for both pickups. It looks very cool this way. I dig it.

[@starbattles1]

agree, I been wanting one too

[@johtomaster9229]

I have to agree

[@TheRealKirkHammett]

Apparently you've never seen some of papa hetfields.

[@AllCarsUnited]

I hooked mine up to two of my cars and the tone was sick

[@Wargasm644]

I use 6.3 kilowatt uranium mod🤘🏻

[@NeuroplasticityReprogram]

Still alive?!?

[@Ittss_Just_Chriss]

@@NeuroplasticityReprogram I don’t think so bro it’s been 2 years

[@GeneraIRex]

Man, that intro riff is sick.

[@Max7891011]

That intro riff is just beautiful ! Great job man :D

[@Microdomus]

+Max7891011 thanx!

[@sqizz10]

that guitar is badass!

[@hankhill5409]

Everything about this video is classy af

[@vidmohit4684]

I may be in the minority but actually preferred the 9v for both sounds. It's heavier yet retains great articulation.

[@ericv7720]

It's definitely more balanced. The 81 in its original configuration is an example of a pickup done right the first time!

[@theoryofthrash]

liked the 18v cleans and 9v crunch OH THE DILEMMA

[@Microdomus]

Amal Barot Subtle differences, would personally go for the 18V mod if there were enough space for 2 batteries in this guitar.

[@theoryofthrash]

Microdomus I dunno, I found the crunch too be more dynamic in 9v mode, that being said the 18v was ubercompressed in a good way

[@mauromalatesta]

Microdomus can't you fit this batterh under the guard? I have this same guitar, been thinking about doing this

[@theoryofthrash]

you'd need to be able to wire the battery in, it'd probably require some drilling/cutting into the wood

[@mauromalatesta]

Amal Barot for sure. But I think it´s the best place to do

[@IowaHokie1]

Very clear to me even on my ipad audio that the 18v makes a HUUGE difference on harmonics and makes me excited to mAke this mod on my just purchased ltd ec-500. Thanks much for posting!!

[@Microdomus]

+IowaHokie1 no problemo, thanx for listening!

[@joelhardin4093]

this 18v mod on my ESP/LTD Screaming Skull made me so happy I decided not to burn it to the ground, and give it another chance. being a one trick pony with only an 81 at bridge, the 18v mod really woke it up and added depth to clean and crunchy usage.

[@starbattles1]

Yea, I just put an 81 in a single humbucker config and it's pretty dark and muddy. The 60 I pulled out was much brighter. I was wondering if this mod would help. But I am about to make it dual pickup and have both. I have another single humbucker guitar, need a double.

[@DamnationGallery]

The riff sounds absolutely amazing!

[@Microdomus]

Thanx man!

[@matouscervenka7248]

Huge difference! 18V is more open, less muddy and overall better sounding. Thanks

[@REDDRAGON666ful]

I use the 24V mod on all my EMG’s!!! What a difference it makes!!!

[@bryanmchugh1307]

wow! The 18v mod really makes a difference!

[@tobiasmuller6688]

Incredibly beautiful guitay.

[@mohitrahaman]

Thats one gorgeous looking guitar you have there

[@efenba]

The EMG website describes this 18v mod as "it gives the amp more headroom", so, they confirm the mod is valid and changes the results. Problem is "headroom" is a difficult concept and sometimes is difficult to hear the differences.

[@FrankyFeedler]

Turning down the guitar volume knob also gives the amp more headroom. Seems a lot easier than switching batteries all the time during a song.

[@pgman5416]

think of headroom as the amount of dynamics, based on your strumming hand velocity and how hard you play, that will be translated into a clean signal

[@bigmike9527]

I HEAR NO DIFFERENCE AT ALL?

[@jesse_cole]

Was that a question?

[@nataliagonzalez1698]

It doesn’t really change the sound so much as the feel. Its subtle, but the mod makes the pickups less compressed.

[@MichaelDespairs]

I like sag and compression. The stuff I play is hard and a nice compressed feel makes it easier. Stiff pickups and amps feel like the strings went up a gauge.

[@wyldeminded]

It's pretty subtle, but I can hear a difference between the cleans. There seems to be more depth, more space. I can't discern any difference when dirty. Love the axe.

[@trevorw1921]

Sounds like the crunch is tighter and less harsh but it is very subtle.

[@asr1143]

most beautiful explorer even seen.

[@ClaudioRowe]

killer explorer pal, nice demo, i think i'll be keeping the 9 volts

[@googuser3145]

Well done on the mods on the Explorer, I've done the same with my 2008 reissue. Mute only one the 81!!

[@Microdomus]

+J MR thanx!

[@vann7634]

Reallу Hоt Girls => twitter.com/cb25dbaf1cebe87bb/status/801992405775826944 ЕEММMМG 81 РРiссссkupps 9V 18V Cооооmраrison

[@wartooth314]

Greetings, fellow Explorer riffer! I really dig your Gothic series Explorer. I know those aren't easy to come by, because they haven't made those for years, and the people who own them won't give them up haha! I also play 18v mods in my EMG's, in fact, I've come to dislike the regular 9v setup. Contrary to what some folks believe, the mod doesn't necessarily give the guitar "more output", but it gives the frequency range on the pickups more headroom. What's funny is, even EMG recommends doing this in their manuals (though the do say the difference to going to 27v is so negligible, it's not even worth doing). The EMG-X line is supposed to "remedy" the characteristics of their standard pickups from having to switch to an 18v mod, but adding an extra battery is much, much cheaper :) I think some of the viewers here were expecting a night and day difference, but really it's a subtle variation. (Tone chasing is all about those subtle changes though, isn't it?) If you're looking for the difference, here's the biggest one: the palm muting. The 9v one had a lot of that ...And Justice For All "subwoofer farting" going on. The 18v mod cleaned a lot of that up. It "loosens the squeeze" on the dynamic range of those pickups. Kickass riffs, dude! And when you're ready to give that guitar up just let me know lol

[@Microdomus]

+wartooth6 thanx! For me the 18V mod changes the feel of the guitar, meaning the way the strings react to the PUs when playing it. Subtle stuff indeed, but I'd take a blindfold test any day... This guitar was sold last year, but just bought a new Gibson Explorer 76' reissue. For now I'm keeping it all stock, but probably will pimp it up with EMGs, sperzels, tonepros+++ at a later stage.

[@Microdomus]

+Ramidani thanx! No preference really, depends on the guitar. 9V is enough for me.

[@MichaelDespairs]

I prefer the 9v the right compression and limiting makes everything sound better. The EMG 81 was used on many iconic metal albums using only one 9 volt battery.

[@UnchartedRampant]

Amazing review, thanks!

[@HomeGuitarMods]

Thank for the straight forward comparison video!

[@Microdomus]

Anthony Brown No problemo, thanx!

[@tony4metallicaify]

man that's a beautiful explore, and intro riff!!👌👍👊

[@Microdomus]

+Tony Mullins thanx man! 👍🏼

[@tony4metallicaify]

Let me ask you something is it worth doing the 18v because I have been thinking about it.

[@Microdomus]

Well... it`s worth trying out I think. It won`t be a game changer, but the string response together with the sound... feels a bit different.

[@tony4metallicaify]

Yeah I can definitely tell a bit of change on the cleans for sure but you know how videos are tho they never do justice on how they really sound. But hey man thanks for the info and the video it was awesome 👌

[@michaelnugent9758]

My issue from when I did the mod years ago (and this confirms it for me) is that I like 28 for cleans and 9 for distortion. I did have a switch installed to switch between but, it just got annoying when not playing at home. The 9v cleans are good enough for me. Great playing BTW, dude! 🤘🏻

[@Microdomus]

Thanx!

[@gustavoterzaghi2352]

28v ???

[@jediorion1124]

Such a rad riff

[@Microdomus]

+Jed Boole thanx!

[@kenoinanis1358]

im notice not so significant difference,but it is.Thanks for video

[@ScarredPredator]

Your clean tone Is even better than Hetfield's!

[@OTCRock4one]

Back in the day, I had a Gibson Explorer but never with kick Ass EMG pickups, that would've been great!

[@DCWelker]

I am glad my Schecter came with dual 9volt compartments now.. of course, I have a EMG81 in the bridge and a sustaniac pickup in the neck, but, that is beside the point

[@witnessthewrath8061]

18v for the win

[@TheApsodist]

Superb riffs.

[@Microdomus]

Thanx!

[@victorarmanii]

Holy fuck! Amazing riffs man...

[@Microdomus]

Thanx!

[@keolahutchinson7687]

I've been switching back and forth for 6 months between 9V and 24V. I keep coming back to the 9V setup. I prefer the extra compression maybe. Seems sonically balanced and even. This comparison seems to reinforce what I've found.

[@GaryMcNeill]

1:57 - 9v Distortion 3:04 - 18v Distortion The difference is night and day for me. 18v sounds way less harsh

[@Deac0n_Blues]

Also more articulate

[@TwistedMatter]

For lack of a better term the 18v has crisper distortion. Articulate was a good word to use as well @deacon blues. I think we hear the same thing. I converted my EMG’s to 18v awhile back and have been very pleased.

[@ricardomorales2423]

Me encantó campeón!! Muy buen vídeo!!!

[@sqeekms6186]

I'm going to get the 24v upgrade but I talked to Allison at EMG and she said that the 18-volt actually puts out more output. But to me it sounds like the 24 does. But I think she's saying that you can utilize the 18-volt mod and get 27 volts out of it. She said that the 8185 can handle 27 volts.. so I'm going to order the 18 and the 24 LOL

[@bellmeisterful]

I didnt know there was a difference in sound. EMG recommends 18 volt operation if youre like me and you pick/play hard for battery life. Heres off the PDF: Dual-Coil Pickups for Guitar: If you have EMG Dual-Coil pickups, i.e. EMG-81, EMG-85 and play the instrument very hard you can consider 18-Volt operation but it’s not necessary. I do run out of energy too fast for me, I dont remember to unplug guitar every freaking time.

[@veganpower7825]

I thought 'what if they made a battery mod powered by telsa tech' after seeing this...then envisioned myself fried to a crisp with my guitar across me on the floor...the struggle for that perfect tone😆🤣😆🤣

[@chrisking6695]

18V sounds more like a passive pick up which I love.

[@realtruenorth]

I 18 volted my ESP Stephen Carpenter 8 string and it sound incredible, especially on those really low strings. Can't really hear much difference on high strings

[@zacharybaranek9492]

nice comparison! thnx

[@380stroker]

try hooking those pickups to a 12 volt battery. The cranking AMPS on the car battery will make those magnets suck down those strings.

[@380stroker]

12 volt car battery

[@stevebenitah7453]

The preamp will pull as much current as it needs, not as much as the power source can provide. Cool joke though.

[@bluwng]

Steve Benitah I don't he understood what you said. The load determines how much current draw is required.

[@guitartap]

Make sure you fit fuse to guitar body

[@libertyartwork]

Damn i need this Explorer! I know where my vacation money is going to 😂

[@Microdomus]

+PowerLady keep an eye out for them on eBay, always a couple of ol' gothics for sale 👍🏼

[@distortzz]

Stunning axe

[@SoleilCustomGuitars]

18v seems to give the 81 the headroom it lacks. I'm doing the 18 volt mod now

[@rjpalumbo24]

What were your results? For whatever reason, I'm getting a lot of noise from my EC-401 with an 81 in the bridge…which seems antithetical to the point of an active pickup with an isolated preamp. I've read a few people saying that the 18V mod helped reduce noise, and clean up de-tuned strings (I play CGCFAD with Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky strings). Thinking of giving it a shot

[@pgman5416]

lol did you ever figure it out??

[@realabba5190]

Pls clean riff tab🙏

[@ChriztianWAdler]

Brother you plays fucking amazing

[@fernandodossantos7152]

The first song is amanzing !!

[@Microdomus]

+Fernando Dos Santos thanx man!

[@fernandodossantos7152]

Microdomus™ You can teach me?

[@fernandodossantos7152]

Very ,very very nice intro!!

[@Microdomus]

+Fernando Dos Santos thanx man! 👍🏼

[@bFOURdwZEROlf]

9 volt sounds better to me, but 18 would have it's purpose. Less compression

[@michaelconnell8858]

I did notice quite a bit more headroom. I had thought about changing my LTD M1000E out with a Seymour Duncan blackout like I did on my Jackson RR-24, they both came with 81's. I may try this first as it raises the headroom a little more and may work out better for me. I just like the Seymour's way better than EMG's. The EMG's are a little too dark especially when paired 81/81 like the LTD. My wife has dual 81's in her LTD EC-1000 Deluxe and they sound good. My Jackson has a single pickup configuration and it's all it needs !!!

[@richwilson239]

Goddamn I want that guitar.... but then again I want all guitars

[@DHWVIDWATCH]

I have a set of EMG 89`s. Push pulls for single coils. They are alnico 5 magnets. Also equipped with a mid boost pot that I use on single coils. The Duracell 9 volt batteries usually come new around 9.6 or 9.7 volts. My guitar sounds great with a new battery. When the Battery starts approaching 9 volts after use I notice a tone change leaning towards a loss of girth and obnoxious high beaminess.. Like tinnier highs and beamy cones from my speakers. I think 18 volts is too much for my guitar. I have tried it before. Articulation not as good. Lots of things change. My only answer is to keep a new battery in there that stays good for a couple of weeks depending how much I play and if my guitar is plugged in for no reason. Perhaps a consistent 10 volts would be perfect....Cheers...

[@RavenMadd9]

thanks brother M

[@ericv7720]

I prefer the low end of the single battery hookup.

[@brennerpurdy5241]

the higher strings sound like they have a couple of touches brighter and the bass strings sound a ton better with the mod

[@krustdogg131]

The 18v mod sounds a little more beefy on the heavy stuff but not a huge difference

[@BlownPSP]

I guess it is difficult to get all the difference from a video compressed audio. But 18V is magic. It's never too late, but I wish I had tried it earlier. I like the 81 to start with. The way it separates the strings note is marvelous. But sometimes it is just a little too much how the small strings sound with as much gain as the large ones on a chord. 18V simply add headroom to the signal, and the note sepration is just more balanced and perfect. The 18V signal is NOT more powerful and does NOT add any noticable volume. Even EMG highly recommend it in their instructions. BTW I have tried (and still have) the EMG 57/66 set on one of my ESP, and the note separation is way too much absent on these, way too much PAF like, at least to my taste.

[@Evil-Jesus]

Do the 24 volt mod when space is a problem

[@jacksonblo7772]

+paul heese better make it 36v lol

[@samuelmagura5156]

+Jackson blo why not 240v? :D :D

[@Evil-Jesus]

I have a sg custom and theres no room for (2) 9 volt batteries, but (2) little 12 volts fit fine. opens those pickups right up

[@LukasVanSiegmund]

+Jackson blo Muhahahaha +1

[@bFOURdwZEROlf]

do 2400 volts XD LOL

[@HateRedStephen]

If you are searching for something in comparison: the IronGear Volt active will easily blow your EMG away, by far. all 9v, great tone.

[@heraldodasilvamonteiro9892]

🤘

[@tietjen666]

18v! every time!

[@syracuse6651]

I want that God Damn thing

[@UnearthlyViking]

Just slight bit of a difference but i will stick with just the 9v, fine video.

[@Microdomus]

My thoughts exactly, thanx!

[@GabrielFreitasNetuno]

Do you get more gain with 18v?

[@micahj9828]

I don't have any experience with the 81, but my 85 going 18v made it more dynamic. Hard vs soft picking was more pronounced. And it let the pickup breathe a bit, making it a warmer (less harsh and compressed) pickup. In my estimation, going 18v bridges the gap between an active and a passive pickup. Does it do both well or neither well? That's up to the listener.

[@ravelitschimo]

do the 18v compress the sound more? I dont get it.

[@evancito2]

nice guitar!!

[@nordguitarist463]

27v ?

[@nsc217]

I can’t hear a difference distorted... Clean, the 18V sounds much better

[@angusorvid8840]

At 18V it just gets too fuzzy and trebly, more like a Blackout than an EMG. At 9v it's the best metal tone ever, period.

[@chrisp5529]

the difference is more noticeable on the cleans. the distortion was abit punchier but other than that not much difference

[@MrDarkSide111]

God I want one of these guitars!!!! The 9V seemed to have a hair more low end come through and the 18V had a touch more mid bite. Very similar however. In a mix.... I'm not too sure it would be very noticeable. Sell me the guitar!!! haha

[@Microdomus]

+EngineeringTheEnemy1 sorry man, already sold ;)

[@MrDarkSide111]

Do you remember how much you sold it for?

[@Microdomus]

Something around 900-1000,-USDs

[@MrDarkSide111]

Thanks! I appreciate the info

[@DiedrichKnickerbocker1783]

Questions. Installing my first EMG set. 1.) What does a 18v mod do? 2.) Does EMG provide what is needed to do said mod? 3.) Will it fit in my LP's cavity?

[@facundogiacomini1409]

I think that you need to make the holes :P

[@guitarmage0072]

What's the pickup height supposed to be with EMG active pickups? I have a Washburn with emg 81, 85 combo and brought is like 2mm from strings. don't care for the sound, but not sure if to close to strings

[@Microdomus]

+Guitarmage 007 I have 'em flush with the height of the pickup adjustment screw. Aprox 2-3mm over the pickup ring, works fine for me 👍🏼

[@tigerbalm666]

I has one of those Hondo Explorers long time ago...

[@CorpseGrin]

Can we get a tab for that first piece of music? It was beautiful.

[@fernandodossantos2639]

the first song is so cool... :)

[@Microdomus]

+Fernando Santos thank you!

[@jason.taylor]

+Microdomus™ is that a song or just some improvisation playing?

[@Microdomus]

+Jason Taylor it's a couple of my own songs. The clean section is from one song, the distorted section from another one.

[@jason.taylor]

+Microdomus™ sounds awesome man make me wanna pick up my guitar and try to learn how did you play it. Have you released any songs?

[@Microdomus]

+Jason Taylor kewl! I'n the process of being re-recorded for a full lenght album. Have released stuff yeah, but not on the internet... YET!

[@manipulatingyou]

Seems it would just be a longer time before changing batteries. To difference to my ears in this video.

[@carlostoth2066]

how can i get that delay configuration?

[@fernandodossantos2639]

nice song!

[@ejw3006]

That was great and all, but will you do a car battery mod?

[@Jeken33]

Can't seem to find the clean intro riff in any of your songs on Soundcloud, what's the name of the song?

[@Microdomus]

+Ahmed Ali haven't put the song on Soundcloud yet, still working on it 👍🏼

[@mercatorjubio3804]

9V 1:57 2:18 2:39 18V 3:04 3:25 3:47

[@umarmohdzaki3229]

It seems 18V more bite.. Did you hear the same like me..?

[@mercatorjubio3804]

It's very difficult to hear. Perhaps a little bit more, but I am not sure, that it really makes that much difference, if played with saturated distortion. It think it matters more, if you play clean oder with moderate crunch.

[@richardfeuerstein]

I imagine your guitar was initially 3 knobs and the selector in the edge. Is that correct? If so, where did you find this pick protection without a selector hole?

[@Microdomus]

+Richard Feuerstein correct! It's just a piece of black tape over the toggle hole. But... you can buy pickguards without holes on eBay, fretsonnet,etc,etc...

[@elcoollow5955]

Kind of sounded like the 18v had a bolder sound on distortion. Both sounded pretty good to me. Nice set up btw.

[@Microdomus]

+Bryan Bustamante thanx dude!

[@fernandogrille6884]

Muy buen sonido limpio.

[@Microdomus]

gracias

[@FateofTheFallenOFCL]

can't hear much difference in the clean with the 9v-18v but in the distortion you can definitely the 18v has a more heavier tone, more bassier in a sense

[@jeffreyquinonez8964]

more headroom

[@FateofTheFallenOFCL]

thank you couldn't think of the term.

[@fernandodossantos2639]

o primeiro som que ele fez é muito legal!!

[@samin-game3118]

Sweet guitar! Is it just a Gothic that you've modified? I saw a similar one on ebay that also had the pickup selector where the volume knob would be. And painted gloss black too. Looks fucking sick!

[@Microdomus]

+Sam Nikyar yup, just moved the toggle switch. Way more practical placement, for me at least... 👍🏼

[@travisclemens6071]

@microdomus where did you get the aftermarket pick guard to cover up the old switch hole? What gave u the idea to move it to the old knob controller?

[@Microdomus]

Look a bit closeer, it’s just black tape over the hole. I moved it because it suits me better that way (and looks better!) 👍🏼

[@travisclemens6071]

Thanks. I can barely see it now that u said something. Cool mod! I prefer the 9v as far as the pickups go though. Notes seem more choppy and defined where as 18v was smoother.

[@piercewilkins8625]

Where did you get the pick guard with no hole

[@Microdomus]

If you watch again closely, you can see a piece of black tape over the hole. Anyway, you can have one custom made without the hole at «Fretsonthenet.com» or at «Snakebite Custom Guitardesign» 👍🏼

[@briananderson2320]

it would help if you did the comparison without the reverb.

[@mr.b111]

Did the guitar come with EMGs or did you put them on? Also is this thing still available somewhere? It fucking chugs dude!

[@ILLRICARDO]

I got the emg 81x and 60x.