EMG Pickup Shootout - Demo

[@funslayer101]

It would have been really helpful if you played the same riff for all the pickups,maybe it's just me but I feel like their harder to compare when you're playing a different riff for each

[@samsarafreesamsarafree5988]

I could not agree more!

[@dbo4506]

100%!!! Got nothing from this

[@TheHarleyf150]

Justin Mccain yup!

[@dildojizzbaggins6969]

*they're (short for "they are") You got "you're" right, so what gives? Jeez...

[@squeelerjakeaxcradle7095]

Jeez seriously guys none of us are pickup geniuses, just trust the ultimate classic set of 81-85 which are EMGS best classic pups, zakks and het set uses them kerry king does, isnt that evident enough. You can't hear that much difference at all. Like anything it's just sales cons and every player convinces himself that he can tell a difference under all the noise lol. 81-85 been around since the 1979 for the 81 then both released in 1981. I use 81-85 in my Excalibur guitar and my ibanez jem 7vw and regardless of mahogany and alderwood loaded with emgs they sound awesome whatever guitar you put them in. Save your money and buy 81-85 you won't be dissapointed at all.

[@crypt5210]

1:47 you're supposed to feed your dogs

[@xiscide]

This is not a fair comparison because bathroom reverb.

[@DanzoSrife]

Is it just me or is the 81 sounding a little bit thinner than the rest? 57 and Hets sound a little chunkier

[@alvarg]

81s are the most compressed

[@virtue696]

Makes sense since they were created first, Really most EMG's just take the 81 sound and change it up with thing like more low end ,less compression etc. I personally love a heavy compressed scooped tone with nice low end, pretty much the opposite of whats "in" right now.

[@ugurkaracay1]

yeah he would do it in space

[@jamiemcmullan6890]

DIRECT. INPUT.

[@OskarsArbidans]

Respect. I've watched enough videos where people make $200 pickup set sound like stock pickups from $200 guitar. Finally someone here who actually knows how to display the possibilities of gear. Thank you.

[@lovecchio420]

This is the pov all online guitar teachers should use.I had zero issues telling what string or fret was being used for once.

[@MilitantOldLady]

They all sounded the same, except the Het set were a tiny bit more middly.

[@crazyD0g2]

may be the sound quality. In real life they are actually pretty different and even in the video, on a good set of headphones you can hear a difference between them.

[@MilitantOldLady]

Potato That's ridiculous, don't you think? Not everyone's an audiophile.

[@crazyD0g2]

Dr. Cox Well that is certainly not what I intended to say. I just reffered to the possibility of hearing the difference. Not trying to run anyone's oppinion over or anything.

[@MilitantOldLady]

Potato It's ok, you're just a potato after all.

[@crazyD0g2]

Dr. Cox Unfortunately. Life is harsh as a potato you know...

[@RNAMusic]

The difference in sound was pretty minute. Of course that could be youtube compression and crappy computer speakers. I have some 81/60s in a few guitars and a Het Set in another. I hear a difference in person with the het set, and yes a response difference. I really dig the Het. I would probably love the 57/66. I may just order some. Thanks for the video Fluff!

[@RNAMusic]

Andrew Walker Thanks dude! I will listed again in a bit with some nice headphones.

[@alexbamvye6825]

Andrew Walker andrew are you from oxnard ca if so its me aaron from ANA

[@alexbamvye6825]

Haha thought so wouldve been an insane coincidence

[@AnthonyNelsonPhoto]

I thoroughly enjoy the sound the Het Set has here.

[@chrismortlock2192]

Het Set 100%

[@grantandkenlee6286]

“Today we will be shooting at some EMG pickups” You have my attention.

[@Jakezor]

The different locations for the different pickups made me chuckle.

[@gwEmbassy]

They all sounded nice. I liked the good old 81 best.

[@1980hardhitter]

The het set has built in harmonizer :p

[@perkele8341]

Does any other one have that?

[@perkele8341]

@Anthony Hernandez FUCK!!! I was hopeful...

[@longdongbongchong]

lmao thx for the good laugh

[@Spoonley]

Lol. That’s why you can only really hear Kirk during his solos live

[@bobgilles1]

You should be making EMG's official demos, far better than what's on their website!

[@rtomas47]

@@joecinder I didn't like this demo, too loud drums and riffs were just palmuting.. :/

[@jorgaridya7085]

Thanks, I have 3 guitars with 81/85 and wanted something else. Was looking into the Fishman Fluence but didn't wanted to solder. So decided for the 57/66 TW!

[@Kevin.Kelly.]

Just use the EMG wiring for your Fishman.

[@dellinger08]

They all sounded the same except for the 57/66 set. Those sounded really good to my ears.

[@RNAMusic]

DOGS ON THE FLOOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL. Sounds like a song title.

[@mackmayhem9878]

I sang it to the "War Ensemble" chorus by slayer.

[@jpm83]

Let the puppies hit the floor.

[@section8usmc53]

I have a Schecter Hellraiser C-1. It comes with the EMG 81TW for the bridge and the 89R for the neck. That thing does everything but the dishes. It's so versatile. It's so clean and solid. I'd really like to get a Strat style HSS and use their SAX/SAX/81X set, or the SLV/SLV/85 set. That would be really nice. I think active pickups are underrated personally, but we all hear and feel things differently and we all have our preferences. The world would be a boring place if we were all the same.

[@reso1349]

Love the dogs just chilling on the floor. Mine do the same thing until I whip out ten ton hammer pedal.

[@jasonsapp792]

Stumbled on this video by chance...an oldy but a goody!!

[@brinepacer]

Came to this video researching the pickups - look at you man! Beefcake, and still wearing your jammies. You've come so far, good for you my dude.

[@ladime]

BRUH!!!! You and your video style have really changed over the years!!! Carry on!!

[@corrupticus1]

Bought the 57/66 for my Schecter today. Cant wait to get rid of those Duncan Designed 105s.

[@malcolmrff]

The 81x and the 57 sound great

[@joshuaberthelot2467]

Businessman the 85 in the bridge is a killer sound

[@johnmarquez333]

Seeing you play in random spots - the bathroom, the top of the stairs, etc. - reminds me of Will Ferrell playing jazz flute in Anchorman and popping up under someone's table, in the men's room, etc. I think you should run with this. And it's so much cooler than jazz flute!

[@BearistaBear]

I sense greater purcussive response with the passive pickups. Thanks for making this video!

[@veritechzero]

Your video pretty much mirrors my own experiences. The 57 is just a great all around pickup, to me it feels like a high output PAF, something which there really isn't a whole lot of on the market strangely enough. The Het sounds a little bit more trebely than the 57, but has a good growl to it. The 81 just sounds thin and picky (at least in that guitar) and the 81X sounds more full than the original 81 :) Thank you for the great video :)

[@scottturek4655]

Love the fact you provide DI's. Kinda hard to compare pickups through a distortion channel.

[@MetalHeadProductions]

57/66 set are the best I've ever used, no contest. I have a six and seven string set and they are just incredible.

[@OTCRock4one]

I couldn't concentrate on the pickups because I was really enjoying the Riffing!

[@whatever6406]

a nearly 10 year old video. dont get me wrong we love the new stuff but its fun coming back to revisit the classics. And the hair 🙂

[@sinisterminister9920]

Fluff I dropped a 57/66 in a Harley Benton single cut… first set of actives and now I’m addicted 🔥

[@skipdepalma2824]

I would have to agree with you fluff the 57/66 sounded the best to my ears, I thought the x series sounded a little bit too bright for my taste Thanks for doing this great channel, Keep up the great work True Metal Forever

[@justaridemotovlogs9282]

Man the headstock on that thing is awesome. Thanks for taking the time to make this vid!

[@Dampfwalzi]

I love the Het set got them in my guitar

[@russellwells7110]

my favorite still has to be the 81, the Midrange is still there and punchy, and flip just love it.

[@mbkongalor]

Great video! First off, that's a gorgeous axe! I currently use an 81/85 setup and didn't realize the 57/66 sounded so good! Thanks for showing the differences!

[@EkulGgats]

Hate to... hate, but the amp and/or settings you chose hide basically all discernible dynamic qualities of the pickups being compared... Maybe something a bit less saturated and compressed next time...

[@MotivGuy94]

Luke .Stagg not really hate just criticism. Hate would be more like "this vid is so fucking pointless they all they all sound the same" but I agree i had a hard time hearing a difference as well.

[@BPBTGF2]

I'm recently testing some amp sims, your DIs were very helpful, keep up the good work, and keep rocking \m/

[@DCWelker]

I think I actually liked the EMG 81X he most, but, honestly, I am happy with the 81 that is in my Schecter paired with the sustainiac pickup. Thanks for all your efforts, Fluff.

[@noonoo121]

THAT GUITAR IS GORGEOUS

[@caputmundi2382]

I love the plug n play system emg uses.No more cablemess.So easy to switch or try another in bout 1 minute time.

[@RookCity94]

Is it just me, or does the Het Set stick out with a little more clarity?

[@jkalash762]

Mark Rooker idk if i would describe it as more clarity but they definitely sound fuller and more dynamic which helps it cut through in the full mix.

[@metalmachine9763]

well since im a metallica fan, im going for the het set

[@pjn2432]

Metal Machine97 The 81/60 sounds more like Metallica than the actual Het set

[@soulfare333]

Actual good Metallica or rich Dad band crap Metallica?

[@wspeed657]

Thanks for the vid. Can you include the 85 in the bridge in another comparison video? I prefer it significantly over the 81. There are other videos out there but your recording quality is top notch. Thanks.

[@sinisterminister9920]

May be my favorite fluff vid

[@troyguitarist]

Very cool video! The pickups all sound very similar though... at least in this comparison.

[@joeyjones9041]

i did not expect you to open with a riff like that...nice

[@stuartriley2377]

Great comparison! I've never gotten along with active pickups but I'd be tempted to try out the 57 after watching this vid.

[@necromancer3398]

I got to try the 57/66 the other day and I prefer them over the 81/85 for sure. They sound more organic yet they have the punch of the 81/85. Never tried the JH or the X but I still prefer the sound of the 57 in this demo.

[@HeavyMetalCowboy90]

Hard to hear a difference here. I just loaded my Eclipse with a 60X and 81X. I was running dual 81s. Only veen a couple days, but early impressions are good. I like them. There is a difference over the 81 in the bridge. The word "open" is the right word. Less compressed cleans up much better but still nice and hot and articulate under high gain. The 60x (I'm a 60 fan) is excellent. Very very clean, again less compressed. Not the best with gain as is normal for a 60 (IMO) for rythm but does solo very well. Crunch tones are nice. It willingly gives that airy lush clean (beautiful with a little Reverb and/or Chorus) and can get dark with the right amp for an August Burns Red sort of sound. I think I prefer it over the standard series. Much more versatile and yet, Metal beasts. My next set will be the 57/66 though. They do sound excellent everywhere I see them.

[@MetalHeadProductions]

Also, that riff sounds very much like the latest Carcass single, and that is a good thing.

[@kalynwilliams9783]

The 81 will always be my favorite. I think the 81x sounds good, but it's just not as present and loud as the 81

[@ElectricosCosmos]

My set up for the Kramer is an 81 in the bridge 85 in the neck. Never gets old for fast riffs with the bridge and soloing with the neck pickup. But man does that 57/66 combo sound sweet. That would be perfect to throw into a cheap SG. (For a SG standard I'd run with what they came with)

[@JimDewdGuitars]

Good to see the guy from The Bee Gees making KZbin videos!

[@Luxorcist]

I have the Hett set in my Gibson Explorer. totally love them.

[@jstephen1]

The differences are so subtle but I'd have to say the classic 81 sounds the best

[@Shredkast]

Thanks for the tour of the house, the puppies sure like to follow you around... Great Video again mate!

[@Rawnfella]

Great video, I really wish EMG sent you an 85 to test in the bridge position. That's by far my favourite Emg, tiny bit more mid range than the 81 with more chunky, warm tones with plenty of headroom and clarity.

[@micahj9828]

Seconded. 85 in the bridge is the best EMG I've ever heard for Drop-C tunings...especially with the 18v mod. Even works well on Solid State heads without turning to hiss and fizz.

[@COATIF67]

when I was 16 bought the zakk set and I put the 85 in the bridge by accident and I loved them and I got another guitar that I installed the zk set properly but I instantly notice a bad difference lol I love the 85 in the bridge . I don't like the 81 in the neck so I need to swap the sucker out

[@virtue696]

why do you him to test it then??

[@CaptainRudy4021]

Rawnfella if you like Tom Morello, you'll like his songs from his days with Rage Against the Machine. His main guitar back then was in standard tuning (except when he used it on Bulls on Parade which is in D# standard) and has EMG H in the neck and EMG 85 in the bridge. He retired it when he was in Audioslave but he brought it back out towards the end of their run and has been his main guitar since then.

[@Coggler101010]

I've watched this comparison a couple times before, and I have to say it. IS NOBODY GONNA MENTION HIM SITTING SO HIGH OVER HIS STAIRS LIKE A MADMAN?

[@jonboisvert1757]

Dude, those dogs love it.

[@StormshadowGames]

those 57/66 pickups are starting to grow on me...

[@Rebackka66677]

I remember when this video first came out and I now I just got the HETSET

[@gwugluud]

Good demo, and I like your 4-legged kiddos!

[@chibsonsandmore3501]

My order from best to least: Het Set, 57, 81x, 81

[@Min0rfr3t]

Gotta say the Hetfield did it for me, the 57 is a close second though.

[@KokopelliSG]

Fluff. Your songs are awesome! I assume you wrote this, I really like your instrumental metal. can I download this anywhere? I like heavy riffs, but hate being yelled at.

[@KokopelliSG]

By the way, I loved the helmet cam idea

[@SawyerSmoak]

KokopelliSG You can buy them on ITunes as singles or the entire Fire-breather EP under the name ''Black Metal Bicycle''.

[@tommysaint4687]

sick pickup mate

[@ItsJustaMeNow]

I tried, I really did... but I'm still a sucker for the 81s haha.

[@mikemccourt6225]

57/66s to me

[@alangilmour9112]

Yeah great tone test. Couldn't hear a bloody thing due to the backing track, great!

[@iamgribs]

Very nice playing. Pantera or Lamb of God comes to mind. Het set has more sizzle than the 81 and 57etc.

[@Martyr9991]

57/66 are definitely the most full. The 81X sounds a bit more open than the 81.

[@intheroomguitar3311]

man this vid got me looking at the 57/66 set cause i have got the zw 81/85

[@ihategirls13]

Sweet shoot out Mr. Fluffy. I switched my 808s to the 808x. The difference is amazing! I'm really loving the x's. Just my two cents.

[@BlubbCover]

Since you played diffrent riffs I can't cleary hear a big diffrence but If I would compare the palmmuted notes, I would go for the 81 and het.

[@noahvi]

Using studio headphones, I saw minor differences between them. The Het Set had a nice growl in the lower mids and are by far my favourites followed by the 57/66. I would by a JH bridge humbucker but you can only buy them in sets and I have a one pickup guitar :(

[@leftymadrid]

Those dogs are pretty much deaf by now, funny how they just lay there lol. Great video bud!

[@damienalvarez2957]

The 57/66 and the Het Set were the best-sounding, IMO.

[@happytimecyanide9884]

I want a pickup that's sounds good for metal and a good clean tone, but I also want it to look nice when it comes to aesthetics. the 57 66 sounds best, but I like the look of the het set.

[@MrRunescape1]

I wish you played the same riff for all the pickups, it would have helped more :/

[@KhzDonut]

Loving that 57

[@TheMetalHeaD256]

I wish I could own all 4 sets... :( I love my 81 and 85 and that guitar will be with me forever. I liked the added lower-mids and what seemed almost like a bit of 'verb that the X gave. Seemed like just a looser pickup... not that that's a bad thing! :D I've heard the Rob Chappers review of the Het and of course that one's screamin' too. And the 57/66 is the closest EMG will ever get to PAFs. Btw someone really needs to do a review of EMG's passives. Of course the H4 and H4A's everyone knows the sound of... and most prefer the actives. But the H1 through H3 nobody really knows about. And I've always wondered.

[@Jubular]

Thanks Fluff.

[@Unchainedmaple888]

EMG single coil shootout please :)

[@ryantimmel6112]

Thanks! I was on the fence bewteen the het and 57/sets, 57 wins

[@TheFanOfMyself1]

Super cool video. I'd go for the 57/66 as well!

[@dousty]

I loved the camera angle!! Bugger all difference in tones imo

[@GermsMcHenri]

Personally I set myself up with an 85/85 configuration, that's the best sound I've come up with, but I've been meaning to get a Het set, or 57/66. Or some Barenuckles. Or Beardcombers. But alas, I am a creature of habit, and don't have the money to test new things.

[@FUTBOLis1]

the 57 66 and het set have subtle differences but other than that they sound the same.

[@Wrathofkala]

Jeremy I felt I heard it the same way. The Het Set had almost like an underline overtone which was unique. IN order this is what I liked 57/66, Het Set, 81, 81x.....

[@janeisnotokay3284]

The 57 Had a less pronounced mid range and the Het set /Any of the 81's had a lot of mids and a huge bite to it

[@AkiraSpectrum]

Sick video. My vote would also be for the 57.

[@MotoRiff77]

I think difference was the acoustics in each room you were in, I also heard some hall reverb, some tile reverb and small room reverb.....:P

[@JohnSk82]

that really helped me.Thanks for the di ... :)

[@MrEyelessmaggot]

Think I prefer the 57, then the 81x, then the het 81 and then the standard 81.

[@Metalbaum]

well the het set is a bit more clear and has more bite than the 57, then the 81 has less lowmids i guess, whereas the 81x more treble than the standart 81's, but thats just what i am hearing....

[@the80386]

Hey Ryan I see you got the JBL 308s! We are on the same boat mate. Both migrated from 2325s to the new 300s. Love my 305 pair! By the way, anyone notice the kind harmonizing effect on the Hetset? I like it actually! Otherwise they sound is quite close in the video. Now I personally own the 57/66 and 81/85 myself. I can say the difference is much more noticeable with clean tones. 57/66 sounds more 'tame' so to speak. Lets me put it this way: If a passive SD set is 50 and 81/85 set is 100 in terms of aggressiveness then 57/66 will be 90 - A little more organic sound.

[@littleredguitars2]

I think I like the 57 the most. Sounds nice

[@spensertoth7893]

I just watched this. Never knew you had hair. Mind blown.

[@chaseberry4931]

I feel like it would have been a better comparison, and easier to hear the different tones that the pickups produce if he played without background music.