EMG PICKUP COMPARISON | 81/85 vs 57/66 vs JH "Het" Set

With ESP LTD Iron Cross & Tokai LP Customs into Mesa/Boogie Mark V into Marshall 4x12 cab w/ Marshall Vintage speaker mic'd with a single Shure SM57.
I forgot to compare the bridge pickups on a clean tone and compared accidentally the neck pickups twice but who uses the bridge pickups on clean anyway :-).
More info about the pickups: www.emgpickups.com/
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Timecodes:
- Intro & general info: 0:00
- 81 rhythm: 0:46
- The amp & cab: 2:02
- 57 rhythm: 2:29
- JH bridge rhythm: 3:47
- Thoughts: 5:05
- JH bridge lead: 6:27
- 57 lead: 6:51
- 81 lead: 7:15
- Thoughts: 7:31
- 85 lead: 7:52
- 66 lead: 8:41
- JH neck lead: 9:09
- Thoughts: 9:26
- Both JH lead: 9:46
- 57 & 66 lead: 10:15
- 81 & 85 lead: 10:52
- Thoughts: 11:01
- 85 clean: 11:55
- 66 clean: 12:55
- JH neck clean: 14:20
- Thoughts: 15:16
- JH both clean: 16:51
- 57 & 66 clean: 17:35
- 81 & 85 clean: 18:36
- 85 clean again: 19:53
- 66 clean again: 20:36
- JH neck clean: 21:19
- Conclusion: 21:57
#emg #pickup #comparison

[@metalplaylist]

The Tokai with 57/66 is for me the best sounding

[@Nasty_Riffs]

Nah man in person the 81/60 eats the 57/66. My e-2 horizon has them and my mh-1000 or the BB in my kh602 sound way better. They are more of a rock pickup.

[@bootstrap4545]

maaaan your playing and the gear you use sounds incredible! very glad ive come across your channel! 🤘🤘

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@Dan_Ranger]

85 in the bridge for nearly 3 decades now. Just works for me.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🤟

[@jamesgoodman7096]

The Hetset is the perfect active / passive mix. I'm a big 81 fan, especially through Marshalls, but the Hetset is probably my modern day fav with EMG.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🤟

[@thomassaunderson2746]

Great video; thanks. I have two ESP Horizons, both with 57/66 pickups. Love them! I’d like to try the Het Set on something though.

[@Antjohns89]

All sounded great man awesome tone

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@peterfredlund1903]

My favorite is def the Het Set. :) Love your channel.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@guidefreitas]

Love your videos man. Greetings from Brazil!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Glad to hear! Thanks!

[@chingersfreind]

Great video! I just acquired the Zakk Wylde 81 85 pickups and the 81 was a bit too thin for my taste.....switched the 85 in the bridge and the 81 in the neck and it was almost perfect....the 81 really sung in the neck being such a bright pickup it just sounds great in the neck....the 85 was also perfect in the bridge, sweet but also knarly especially when I reduced the space between the pickup and the strings to 1mm distance. Now the 85 was just a tad bit muddy but when I converted to 18 volts it was like a Eureka moment for tone....the 18 volts tightened the bottom end on the 85 and it sounds amazing!!!!!! Much happier with this combo now compared to the original configuration. 🤘 Also I remember reading that the 85 was originally developed for a alnico magnet bridge pickup. Great videos! Keep them coming.

[@ivanzivanovic4013]

you should really try the 24v mod...its killer...I had 18v before and it was a bit of a difference. 24v is...wow

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@peevee605]

No niin…! I changed a 85 for a 57 in my Kramer Pacer but the 57 lacked bottom in the sound so I put the 85 back in. Have the HetSet in a guitar with D standard tuning and I love them. Kiitos, Euge. Superb playing.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

No niin! 😎. If it sounds good it’s good 👌.

[@ivanzivanovic4013]

omg, hearing your low 6th buzz is a mental life saver...i go nuts when i cannot get this to be relatively perfect especially changing tunings on the guitar

[@EugeValovirta230V]

It happens to us all 😎.

[@tgarder]

Glad I watched this, was wondering wether to get the Het set or 57/66, went with 57/66 after watching this and couldn't be happier. Thanks!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Great to hear! Thanks!

[@ricardadn]

Ets un crack, Euge. M'agrada molt la Tokay!

[@Zombie_13x33]

great easy to jump back and fourth comparison!!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Glad you liked it!

[@jasonworden5867]

Hey man, love your videos. Lots of great info. Im sure you get alot of this but i would love to see you review the marshall origin series of heads. I thought if anyone could make it sound great you could. And we have very similar styles and tone. Thanks man! Keep rockin

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! Yeah those are on my list so as soon as I get my hands on those 👌.

[@AudioBoi1]

81 slaps for metal. But other than that - 57/66 is the most versatile and nice-sounding alround

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🤟

[@ryant3600]

Thanks to Ritchie Faulkner I tried the 57/66's and now all but one of my single cut guitars (LP style) have that set in them, I have one that has the Retro active fat 55s in it which I love as well. I just haven't felt the need to spend 200 bucks or more on a set that I might not like as much as the 57/66's. They do everything for me.

[@gabrielstevens41]

I need to go back and re listen but my first impression was the Het set bridge was the most percussive of the three. Not really an active user but the Het set impressed me.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🤟

[@DravenGabriel59]

Hey man! I love your channel, it made me open my eyes for active pickups so much I'm going to get my first EMG set. Do you think I should start with the classics 81/85 or go more for the PAF vibe of 57/66? I'll put them in a 90s Burny Les Paul Custom pretty similar to your Tokais. I'm used to high output Duncans such as the JB, RTM, Frankestein, Distortion e etc. I play mostly 80s glam metal and hard rock stuff. And another stupid question if you don't mind LOL... Is your 57/66 set in plain gold or brushed gold? I don't really know which finish option would match the gold hardware on my Burny. Thanks in advance brother... Keep up!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! My go to set is the classic 81/85 but I have the 57/66 on a few fiddles so…🤷😎. I have brushed gold on one guitar and plain gold on one.

[@michaelmitchell5909]

Euge I loved the video, and emg pickups as well. I didn't think there was another pickup that I'd like better until I got a used Gibson studio with the Gibson 498/490 combo in it. Wow are those things amazing sounding pickups. You gotta try a set in one of your tokai guitars man.... Hey man you should also see if you can demo the new Friedman pink taco mk2 20 watt head....it's a bad little amp man and I'd love to see you jam your style on it

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! If I get my hands on those Tacos some day then for sure 👌.

[@thetwat1001]

A few years ago, when i bought myself a Het Set, after I installed them and played with them in the guitar for only a few minutes before I stopped, I had to get myself more EMGs, like right away! I went back to the shop, and I got the 81 / 85 combo some 90min after I had bought my first set of EMGs, they were surprised to see me back so soon! Yes, it really only took less than 5 min to decide to get more EMGs. After years of noisy high output passive pickups i just couldn't believe how quite they were, and how massive the tone was compared to high output passives.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Word 👌😎.

[@KolaTheBear]

I just got a 57 and found the bottom end sounds kind of squishy.

[@wangosmith]

Really enjoy your videos, did you change the pickup selector switch and add a tone knob, thanks

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Glad to hear! 🙏 Yes.

[@cristguit]

Excelente video, me ajudou muito na minha pesquisa do meu próximo captador EMG, excelente captação do som, obrigado e sucesso!

[@Marcelo_B_159]

great video! I always believed that EMG just named the 57/66 as Het Set to sell more, same as they did calling the 81/85 Zakk set. I suppose the Bonebreakers are 81/81😅. hearing in the phone the 57/66 and het set sounds the same.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

It’s case with ZW set. Not with the others. At least in my experience and like this video shows regarding 57/66 & Het Set 🤟.

[@fifthsonrecords1228]

F#$K Ya! Every video this guy does is good... Relevant and informative. Thanks Euge!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Glad to hear! Thanks!

[@EYE7SS]

"To minimize the whatever" I'm using that from now on. Cheers.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

😎👌

[@Anjer]

Hello Euge, I would like to switch my EMG HET SET with EMG 81 on my Eclipse Custom, but there are 2 choices of "POTENTIOMETER SHAFT LENGTH" on EMG 81 on EMG site, short (10 mm) and long (19 mm), are you able to tell me which one is used on Eclipses? It will be very helpfull. By the way, thanks for your videos, always very helpfull.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Oh man I can’t remember that. I guess Google knows 😎. Glad to hear thanks!

[@EstebanMcC]

Full thickness will be 19mm. Did you get a set?

[@Anjer]

@@EstebanMcC I just bought a standard EMG 81 on Thomann and switched only the pickup, so I don't even know what the size was about. By the way, the Eclipse Custom Andromeda II is not full thickness.

[@davidmatthai8473]

Hey Euge, great video about great pickups, the EMG 81/85 combination is probably the most popular, but what do you think of the EMG 81/60 combination, isn't that a blues-oriented pickup the EMG 60?

[@prestonbowden1008]

Pretty sure that’s what Hetfield used before he got his signature set

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! 60 has ceramic magnets and 85 alnico so the tone is a bit different.

[@flowpointFR]

Thanks for the comparison. Curious about your iron cross. Did you modify it to enable to top switch and replace the bottom one by a knob? Thanks.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Yes and yes

[@pimpatteera]

Nice Video! Thanks mate 👍

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@BradRocker]

the 81 seemed to really crush, but the Het set had a unique sophistication to the tone.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🤟

[@AtTheSourceStudios]

Het Set cleans up shop as per usual. Best active pickup set there is IMO

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🤟

[@denmut]

Euge, have a weird question for you about the Hetfield signature .🙂 Do you think if I can remove the iron cross bolted on the body? I mean I know they are attached with bolts but I do not know if it is also glued in on the body. Thank you very much in advance

[@EugeValovirta230V]

I’m pretty sure. If it doesn’t come out with good it comes out with violence 😎.

[@deanrichards2584]

Euge, hello Question about your Suhr load box, when you use cabs you prefer an 8 ohm load? I own the Ox, would you recommend running amps with a single cab set to 8 ohms instead of 16. I see the Suhr is 8 ohms only. Thank you for your videos, information and of course the music. Dean Richards

[@EugeValovirta230V]

The speakers in my Marshall cab are 16 ohm so I use 16 ohm from my amps. If the speakers would be 8 ohm I’d use 8 ohms out from my amps 😎. You can use 8 ohm out from the amps into a 16 ohm cab / speakers (sounds a bit quieter etc.) but never the other way around ’cos you’d probably end up blowing the speakers or the amp or in the worst case both.

[@FartCoffinStudios]

Have you tried the 24 volt mod? I just tried it recently with an EMG 81/85 set. It seemed to give them a bit more output and clarity. Also, a bit more low end while somehow being tighter. I switched back and forth several times, and I don’t know what I prefer. I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily a “better” sound, but it definitely has it’s merits.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

I’ve always used the basic 9V. If it ain’t broken no meed to fix it 😎. Has served me well since 90s 🤟.

[@bend5390]

@@EugeValovirta230V could be an easy comparison video that would get tons of views...

[@tubeaddicted485]

For my Alder guitars I replaced the 81 with 85 in the bridge position. Same punch, but the overall sound is way more balanced. Always remember befor you change your pickup, change your bridge. If you have a shitty low quality bridge, your new pickup can't do the wonder most people expect from this swap.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Whatever doest the job the best for each of us 😎👌.

[@brutalieri]

Out of curiosity, what pickup do you have in the neck position in your alder body guitar? 🤔

[@kirko1203]

All Euge Pickups.!

[@ruddmedia]

you sound just like dracula i love it! your a amazing guitar player love your work bro! i went from 81 to fishman modern in two guitars and i have one with 81's but the fishman are better in my opinion and i use to rock the 81's for decades!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

😎🤟

[@samfurnos5852]

Cool wid dude!!! Thanx!!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@joejohnson8966]

Hetset is like a combination of the other 2 I would use both the 81 and 57 in the bridge and 66 in the neck

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🤟

[@maxcady5287]

Very nice video and comparasion. By the way, have you tried the fishman fluence modern? if you did so, what are your thoughts? thanks :)

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! I guess I did a video back in the day about a guitar (can’t remember what) that had those but I can’t remember anything special about them. They probably did the job fine but I guess I wasn’t that impressed since I don’t remember 😎.

[@maxcady5287]

@@EugeValovirta230V Thanks for your feedback dude :)

[@wce74wce15]

81 sounds most different. great video

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@AAAA-lt9hq]

Hi Euge. Have you tried the 24 Volt Mod? I have tried the Mod with some of my old 90s EMGs and they sound like totally new pickups. Much fuller, more dynamic, and responsive to touch. And the Mod is something like $30 USD. Much cheaper than a new or used pickup. 12 volt batteries are just a little harder to find in stores than 9 volt. Also, most EMG accessories use 18 volts max, so if you have one of EMG's tone controls you should probably not use the Mod to be safe. I like the EMG EXG midrange scooper and so for that guitar I use 18 volts only. I am not a big fan of the trend of pickup makers trying to combine bright active pickups with PAF voicings. To me these are opposite sounds. I would recommend that EMG players try their old 81/85 active pickups in 24 volts before trying new pickups. You can always just unplug the mod to go back to 9 volts, and the Mod takes up much less space in the guitar than 2 9 volt batteries in series. The Mod works with any EMG model. And the advantage of any modern active pickup over most passives is you can just plug them in instead of spending an hour soldering complicated passive wiring mods. For that reason, for metal I tend to prefer actives live but passive with mods in studio if I need a lot of different sounds. If players like the basic EMG sound but want more wiring options, the EMG HZ passive line is very underrated. They have 4 conductor plus ground like normal passives so you can do wiring mods. Active EMGs usually require special models or accessories to do phase/parallel/series/split. The HZs are a little quiet but the amp can make up for it. Thanks as always for your videos. You teach us so much. 🤘🤘🤘🙏🙏🙏

[@telefoon1978]

I am doubting wether to buy a dirty fingers set from 2012 or a hetset..... any thoughts, Euge?

[@camai75]

I love EMGs.. I have guitars with 81/60 and 57/66..but never got along with the het set..over saturated and compressed.

[@user-os4vy8zv6v]

hi what is the difference between 81/60 and 57/66 ? im a beginner guitarist and want play more types of music

[@musicalcompanion5890]

I run 81 and 66 in a Epiphone les paul and esp/ltd Ouija. EMG realy needs to think about making a pre matched set with these . It's magic off the secret menu.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🤟

[@seanmorgan9020]

I'm gonna go down this route, except getting the 66TW for splitting.

[@davessparetime83]

What about EMG 60 on Neck? Kirk Hammett uses that sometimes.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

I don’t.

[@HighPriestVaticanAssasin]

Those Tokais are sweet.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Yes

[@telefoon1978]

I was interested in buying a hetset but I'll stick to my 81/85, difference is minimal. Thx Uege!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

If it ain’t broken don’t fix it.

[@telefoon1978]

@@EugeValovirta230V exactly!

[@warlikesoad]

I love my 81, MASSIVE sound

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🤟💪

[@quittingyoutube45753]

57/66 where my favourite

[@mcoon1987]

As far as the bridge position is concerned I’ve never liked 81s. To me they are way too thin. It does depend on the guitar and wood a bit, but overall it’s just not good to me. I’ve always preferred an 85 wired 18v in the bridge spot. I have had a 57 in a mahogany strat before, and I have the Het Set in two of my guitars. I think the 57 sounds a lot fuller than an 81, but not quite as aggressive. To me the JH bridge pickup is pretty much a blend of a 57 and an 81. I always thought I preferred the JH out of the two but hearing you play them back to back I kinda like the 57 better.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🤟

[@shredward666]

I’ve been replacing all of my 81 bridge with a 60 in the bridge. Takes away the high end fizz, has a sweet mid cut and works better for lower tuning imo🤘

[@jotunbjorn]

Is the output much lower than the 81?

[@shredward666]

@@jotunbjorn i don’t notice any difference in the output

[@EugeValovirta230V]

If it sounds good it’s good 🤟.

[@JoelCaseyJonesMusic]

I do love the tone of the 60 in the bridge, but I noticed slightly lower output (which wasn’t terrible), but the deal breaker was the feel. I had to work harder to get the same mojo I find effortless with other pickups, and in particular, pinch harmonics were less consistent. Still a great choice none the less... I’m now using 57 and het in the bridge depending on guitar these days. Does what I need them to do. 🤘🏽🤘🏽

[@captain6198]

Is it just me or do clean tones tend to clip due to the high power of the pickups?

[@Arwndr]

Thanks! 👍🏻🤝🏻✨🌿🍀🌍☀️

[@johnsguitarmusicanddemos]

Maybe it’s because I grew up in the 1990s mostly that I prefer the EMG 81/85 combination better.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Likewise 🤟.

[@MrTelenator]

EMG Zakk Wylde Set Black ☝🏻💪🏻

[@EugeValovirta230V]

It’s 81 & 85 😎. Just a marketing thing.

[@MrTelenator]

@@EugeValovirta230V yep.. näihä se on 😁

[@feuersturmomega5000]

🔥🤘🔥

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🤟

[@marci84]

Hi! Which height had you set emg 57/66?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

No idea. I don’t use any measurement tools. Just wherever it feels good on any particular guitar 👌.

[@tonymarinelli7304]

Sweet Melissa

[@EugeValovirta230V]

👌🎼

[@bobilly]

CHUG 81 1:53 Het 4:48 57 3:29

[@brianc4296]

57's for me

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🤟

[@EricBertrand777]

Het set is less hairy a bit more smooth

[@EugeValovirta230V]

👌🤟

[@standingvertical3048]

depends what the ear likes Hippie. Nice video!!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Exactly. Thanks another! 😎

[@arturwolak856]

Are you using 9v batteries or more?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Just basic 9V. I’ve never actually tried anything else ’cos if works no need to change 😎.

[@arturwolak856]

@@EugeValovirta230V Absolutley. Thank you 🙂

[@AndyLi1977]

🤘😁🍻

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🤟

[@silverstone3228]

81/85 sounds best to me

[@LukeCannotSkate]

81 still king imo. Get a more original sound with different speakers, unusual amps, 81 always delivers 🙌

[@EugeValovirta230V]

👌💪

[@ma77hias95]

Het Set all the way. 👌

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🤟

[@portuguesebeer5069]

All sound fuckin' great! I prefer the 81. Id wish you had a Seymour Duncan JB or a Sh6 to compare too. Cheers from Portugal 🤘🍺🇵🇹

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🤟

[@kirko1203]

I will get the 81/60 by KH 602 guitar. Haha. I don't like 50's and JH set. It's slightly funny..not fun.

[@patriknessboLemoran]

Dont let Glenn fricker see this

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Why? 😎

[@patriknessboLemoran]

@@EugeValovirta230V haha he thinks all pickups sounds the same

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Ok 😁

[@NoahParker98]

@@patriknessboLemoran that’s silly .. I love glen but to say they all sound the same is so insanely incorrect . It’s not up for debate like tonewood and shit. It’s a FACT they all produce vastly different sounds

[@patriknessboLemoran]

@@NoahParker98 exactly! My duncan JB sounds NOTHING like my hetset.

[@Moirchester]

And Pepit? I know he is dancing, but I can't see him!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

He is here watching me. And you 😎.

[@Moirchester]

@@EugeValovirta230V He feels the exam day is arriving and he needs to study a lot ;)

[@Frontbuner]

The Het Set blows the 81's away.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Can’t argue with personal preferences 🤟.

[@istvancserep7422]

Is anybody realize that with the metal distortion and metal style playing nobody can hear the guitar sound? So video like this present how not to figure out how the pickup sounds. earpiece, or without. Is hard to find any video where I can hear how the guitar sound.

[@honigdachs.]

Ah yes, my favorite vice. Dorking around with pickups! Man, I can't even tell which one of these sets I like the most. I have all of them ... more than one each 😂The Het Set bridge has that incredible shred, the 81 has the famous growl. The 57 is a bit on the bright side, so that one will usually go in a darker guitar. For rhythm on the neck pickup, I like the 60 the most. The 66 is very nice for leads, while the Het is somewhere in the middle. That reminds me that I don't have a guitar with an 85 at the moment. I'm modifying one right now, that one will get it - haven't decided on the position yet because it's great in both.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

😎🤟

[@syrexplay8020]

I Love 81✌

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🤟