🎸Why I'm going back to EMG 81's FOREVER

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In this video, I test and compare three different guitar pickups... The classic EMG 81 vs. a Seymour Duncan JB TB-4, and a DiMarzio D Activator. The results are kind of surprising, in a rather surprising way! (If that makes sense?🤷🏻‍♂️)
There's a lot in this one, including riffs, information, tests, tips, Doc Brown, modifications, and even a router! (the tool, not the wi-fi distributer!🤣)
‪@Bogren.Digital‬ ‪@emgtv‬ ‪@jacksonguitarsusa‬

[@RobArnoldWorld]

Thanks for watching!🤘 Please make sure you're subscribed so that you never miss a video! 🙏Big thanks to all the members of my wonderful Patreon Community! Hop on board with us to help support and get involved! www.patreon.com/RobArnoldWorld ⬇See more⬇ Thank you SO much to the following THANK YOU 👊 Aaron Price THANK YOU 👊 Alex Legend THANK YOU 👊 Andrew Tracy THANK YOU 👊 Athan THANK YOU 👊 Billy THANK YOU 👊 Brian W. Rogers THANK YOU 👊 Brynn Richard THANK YOU 👊 Cal Strickland THANK YOU 👊 Chad Youkers THANK YOU 👊 Chris Bartlett THANK YOU 👊 Chris Santiago THANK YOU 👊 Chris Spit THANK YOU 👊 Craig G THANK YOU 👊 Daniel Richman THANK YOU 👊 Darron Bryant THANK YOU 👊 Dillon Brown THANK YOU 👊 Drew Pedrick THANK YOU 👊 Dustyn Guilford THANK YOU 👊 Easy Riffening THANK YOU 👊 Elving Rodriguez THANK YOU 👊 Ethan Majstorovic THANK YOU 👊 Eyeless THANK YOU 👊 Fernando Mendoza THANK YOU 👊 Gary Wright THANK YOU 👊 Gavin Courtney THANK YOU 👊 Greg Leatherman THANK YOU 👊 Hervé Franco THANK YOU 👊 Ian C McCauley THANK YOU 👊 Independence Guitar THANK YOU 👊 Jake Fox THANK YOU 👊 James Salmon THANK YOU 👊 Jared Koski THANK YOU 👊 Jeff Holland THANK YOU 👊 Joe Kueck THANK YOU 👊 JoeTayMetal THANK YOU 👊 Josh Gleason THANK YOU 👊 KingBuff717 THANK YOU 👊 Kristian Yates THANK YOU 👊 Lil Studebaker sister THANK YOU 👊 Mandm Randall THANK YOU 👊 Marc Laakmann THANK YOU 👊 Marc Vincent THANK YOU 👊 Mechanization THANK YOU 👊 Megatodd707 THANK YOU 👊 Mike Franco THANK YOU 👊 Mike H THANK YOU 👊 Nicholas Wilczewski THANK YOU 👊 nUm Music Official THANK YOU 👊 Olivier Rouleau THANK YOU 👊 Patrick G THANK YOU 👊 Philip Schaffer THANK YOU 👊 Rich Arnold THANK YOU 👊 Robert Kadlick THANK YOU 👊 Rocko Marrufo THANK YOU 👊 Russell D Morrow III THANK YOU 👊 Ryan Tibbert THANK YOU 👊 Thomas Bryson THANK YOU 👊 Thomas Spoor THANK YOU 👊 Thordermans THANK YOU 👊 Todd Jay THANK YOU 👊 Travis Tutwiler THANK YOU 👊 TriDoc THANK YOU 👊 warduiz THANK YOU 👊 Alex White THANK YOU 👊 Brady Clark THANK YOU 👊 Brandun Keck THANK YOU 👊 Harry Wadley THANK YOU 👊 Ian Roberts THANK YOU 👊 Jack Krolo THANK YOU 👊 Jason Schulz THANK YOU 👊 Jeff Shrimpton THANK YOU 👊 Jerry Guardado THANK YOU 👊 JR Tasker THANK YOU 👊 Kevin Henderson THANK YOU 👊 Kris Hotchkiss THANK YOU 👊 Lucas Van Cleef THANK YOU 👊 Nate Bunnage THANK YOU 👊 Randy E. THANK YOU 👊 Wayne de Zwart And a special thanks to all of my Patreon supporters past and present, not mentioned here!🙏

[@scramblesthedeathdealer]

Rob, do you know any amp techs in the Cleveland area? I have an Egnater Tweaker 15 head that I blew a tube or two in.

[@Divine_Serpent_Geh]

EMGs are the perfect guitar example of “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix!!” 😊

[@nathanhoden1208]

I have the f400 and ec1000, both with emgs. The sound is very consistent between them. I do wanna see what the new ec1000 is like with fishmans and what the Duncan passives sound like in the slightly older ec1000.

[@MercilessGuitar151]

​@@nathanhoden1208I've got a Kiesel with Fishman fluence moderns and a ec1000 deluxe with emg's and I am using the 24volt mod with the emgs. I have been using EMG pickups since the early 1990's and I was a big fan of them. I found the Fishman's to be miles above the emg pickups. They have a bite, snarl and bark that the emg's just don't have. The emgs are going to be replaced with fishman's. I don't think that I will be able to use EMG active pickups again.

[@imcnblu]

@11:15 ;)

[@m_zbrv3967]

ak47 of pickup

[@Vestu]

@@MercilessGuitar151 I just went from Fishman Fluence back to EMG-81 :) Fishman just lacked that certain oomph for me that the EMG has.

[@simpskins]

I love EMGs. I like the Seymour Duncan Invaders a lot, but that EMG 81 tone is just my absolute favorite.

[@thepolishshop]

Yes! I love my emgs. Just installed an invader in my other guitar. Love them both honestly.

[@jasonmalarchak3294]

Try Fishmans. I also love 81’s but… the Fishmans may be winning at the moment. I could figure out which ones I have if that matters lol but… basically I got the standard fluence pups for a 6 string. Still have EMG’s in my 7 string eclipse. Both are just got damn perfect. The Fishmans seem to have a hint of spank to em if we tweak the volume and tone knobs a bit.

[@itssteveufool]

I honestly can't hear a difference. What I do notice is you seem to feel it more when you're on the 81s, and that's really all that matters. If anything I think you saved me money, so thanks for that! 🤘

[@rikkufan009]

Couldn't hear it either myself maybe a slite saturation with the emg 81

[@beauvanbibberbvgration3770]

Deactivator is a little more muddy on the top end.

[@rikkufan009]

@@beauvanbibberbvgration3770 😐 guess I'll listen again later on

[@amoser8589]

A recorded tone with an amp sim compresses all the nuances out of the tone. I'm sure that's why he added all the messages afterwards, because the room tone sounded much more diverse than the recorded tone.

[@patrickwhite4449]

“How does it sound (strum once) SOUNDS GREAT!!” Literally me when ever I get a guitar setup at a shop.

[@Loki-sk7bi]

EMG 81 sound will forever be my number 1. You can come up with fancy Fishman fluence and Bareknuckles and what not, I will go back to EMG81 every time. It’s just metal to me.

[@preston2636]

You probably havent tried bare knuckle than. Emgs are cool but its like comparing canadian host to johnny walker whiskey. I dont think any emg can touch the bkp ragnarok

[@DamienTheCat]

​@preston2636 both those whiskey examples are terrible lol, if you buy Johnny Blue then you have no idea what you're doing. All Johnny Walker is the same blended BS. Get a real single malt and grow some hair.

[@MetalBeastShred]

@@DamienTheCat I'm Canadian and I've never heard of "Canadian Host" whiskey, which is probably telling you something.

[@Mk14Mod0_]

Nowadays everything is changing so quickly, it feels comforting to have some things remain like they were.

[@Dan_Ranger]

As an EMG user since 1985, 85 in the bridge, I went through this journey of trying loads of passives and other actives out. I just came to the conclusion, many years ago, that I like what I like and crack on with playing and creating. But, you have to try other things out to discount what you might be missing.

[@Guitarist19887]

I’m really into KsE and would love to try the 85. Got an 81 in one guitar and aftermath in my D standard but thinking of swapping them to actives.

[@Dan_Ranger]

@@Guitarist19887 Definitely has more balls than the 81, it’s like a JB on steroids. Not to everyone’s taste, but I’ve always preferred Alnico to ceramic pickups.

[@Guitarist19887]

@@Dan_Ranger I really like actives so I’m sure I’d love it. Got het set too and love ‘‘em for e standard.

[@FortessofShred]

I get different configurations so I can use different ones.

[@jonnylawless6797]

The 85 has such a unique sound in the bridge position, I actually did 81N/85B for a long time

[@sentforth5]

EMGs simply can't be beat. I love them.

[@AWMJoeyjoejoe]

I'd recommend trying the EMG 57/66 set if you havent already. They're my personal favourite, and the best thing is it takes literally 2 minutes to swop EMGs because theyre plug and play!

[@thisguy2973]

I have these in a Les Paul Studio Faded because the PCB system failed me after 10 years in the stock wiring. As soon as I did this, the guitar really came to life. Most of the guitar was the same, but the 57/66 added the bit to the gain that I love. Amazing pickups and incredible quiet noise floor!

[@burtsgurt]

I was going to comment about these pickups as well. Definitely the best EMG's out there. I have the 57/66TW combo.

[@Jaundice__]

The 57 should be marketed differently, it is one of the meanest sounding guitars I have. I like it maybe even better than the 81.

[@kevinerickson84]

I second this.

[@gsupersport6383]

Pourquoi mettre du emg 57 alors que son micro préféré est le 81

[@golfrick007]

It's always in the ear of the beholder just like tube vs solid state vs modelers amps.

[@AtticsTV]

81s have been my absolute favourite for almost 2 decades now. I just looooove the sound.

[@wildersound]

It really makes a difference what kind of pickup you're used to. Some pickups just don't work with certain playstyles that well etc. Sick video dude!

[@rolandsnyder2088]

Good god that polar burst jackson is so perfect. Everytime i see it, its one of those gasp moments.. so gorgeous.. so so gorgeous.

[@aleksandr8809]

I love the tightness and precision of JBs

[@godofdeadlydeath]

Same.

[@Inhake]

Respect the Björk shirt lol Interesting experiment but I dare say that at such high gain you're really unlikely to hear any difference 😅

[@MrErikchaugen]

Metal dude here, but i really love the old Bjørk stuff!!

[@noisesfromtheabyss]

I have been servicing guitars, amplifiers and built several guitar cabinets for several years. I have recorded several dozen samples with several different microphones in different positions. I have replaced dozens of pickups along with all electronics. Conclusions? Changing a branded pickup with similar power to another one is marginal for the sound. It is not that it is not there/but it is almost inaudible. But in MIX it is barely noticeable or negligible. You can hear much more after changing the height of the pickup from the strings, and miracles happen when we change the speakers/cabinet and microphones with their location.

[@multishit6664]

Yeah thats part of it.. the other 99% is how it feels, harmonics are better, sustain is better, zero hum or interference and that's what makes them EMGs. Studio people always make some fucking strawman of shit up.

[@jimmypennell8831]

I do believe that switching a similar sounding, similar output pickup the difference in tone would be marginal but changing speakers in cabinets 😮😊 whole different ball game

[@sadowskihomestudio]

o kurwa, i tu Cię przywiało? Hello Voytas

[@OfficialSNMvids]

The EMG 81 just has that mid-bite that I love, but the Di Marzio and the JB are great pick-ups too! Can't go wrong with any of them! Great video like always, sir! \m/

[@Brennosguitarsandgear]

EMG 81 are the GOAT for metal , especially with a 6505 But I agree with editing Rob , those dimarzio pickups sounded bloody good also

[@Smasher-Devourer]

When I used to change pickups on any Floyd Rose guitar, I'd just pop all the springs out of the back, and then pull the tremolo straight off with all the strings still attached, and I'd just change the pickups. Makes things way easier.

[@DeweyJHall1]

That's exactly what I do. Saves so much time

[@Some_Habitual_Guitarist]

The EMG 81 is a very sacret pickup. Fast playing is so much nicer on these. So surgical!

[@deweyoogwey]

Very true. My very first active pickup. And I have no business buying the duncan invader because it’s passive and I somewhat like it, but it will never top the 81

[@ricksmithwick6199]

The ear likes what the ear likes. The heart wants what the heart wants. I was turned on to EMGs in the early 90s. Metallica was my introduction. Lots of great passive pickups out there. I like mine a little more 'active '. Nice work professor!

[@DH-hl5tc]

I recently put the emg 81 in both my charvel and q series ibanez. Just perfect. Putting it the charvel I had the same issue you had, but now it's a beast.

[@EclipseAtDusk]

Those Q series guitars are BEASTLY - I honestly love the stock bridge pickup in my Q54, but an EMG would no doubt be SICK in there

[@ordohereticus3427]

Preferred the Dimarzio by a sizeable margin, but it’s subjective and the 81 seems your ideal fit. Enjoy!

[@TheOlejah]

OK, side note here. Couldn't help but notice that young Rob Arnold always looked like he's about to kick your ass. Now it's just a nice sweet guy making music and videos.

[@RobArnoldWorld]

🤘🤣

[@dissonant_a]

Love the EMG’s but damn those Dimarzio’s sounded brutal. George should definitely start a channel showing his work on guitars!

[@titusprime5240]

They all sound the same to me Edit: the Jackson sounds tighter and crunchier with the 81’s

[@DosHemperor]

Ya mams moans sounds all the sames... LoL

[@thehaunted1]

Same here, dude. EMGs are my sound. I tried a few different things but they just never did what EMGs do. 🤘

[@bluematrix5001]

To me Dimarzio WINS, sounds more focused and clear, and sounds more organic, the EMG sounds fizzy at the top, more lose, yet more saturated and a bit brighter, may sound with more sustain and compressed too

[@2974dc]

I was never a fan of EMG’s until I got the Jackson American Series Soloist and they really do sound good. I suppose my tastes change here and there. Currently my all time favorite is the Brandon Ellis Dyad. I’d say the EMG would come in fourth behind the Black Winter and the Wolfgang. To each their own.

[@MFKitten]

If you love EMG 81's, I would recommend DiMarzio Dominions for passives... But hobestly, I also love the Hetfield sig set from EMG. So good!

[@A-deebeedee]

It’s really amazing, EMG-81 was developed in 1979 and released to the market in 1981. And still they not worse than fishmans and others.

[@nckhed]

I have a guitar that came with Fishman Modern Fluence pickups, gave them about six months before I swapped them out for an 81/60 combo, and there was the sound I was wanting to hear. I heard a huge difference immediately. The Fishman pickups were fine, just not the sound I was used to hearing. EMG pickups have that special sound, and I know not everyone likes them. I clearly remember many guitars coming stock with EMGs and many people complained about it, but I've always been into modifying my guitars in some way, so that's just more fun for me.

[@FortessofShred]

It's copper wiring wrapped around magnets. There are only so many ways to spool and wind a pickup.

[@Shadow0fd3ath24]

​@@FortessofShredand yet so many fail to match an EMG

[@goobingtons]

@@Shadow0fd3ath24 they weren't even the best sounding pickup in the video...

[@haus05]

Rob is by far my fav youtuber ! hes so amped when hes talking gear!!!! love it

[@steveroberts4040]

100% agree. I have tried having a varity of passive pickups in guitars but found I was only playing my guitars with EMGs. Now every guitar I have has EMGs, even my strat. I tried Fishmans and still preferred EMGs. Its just a tone that works. For me a guitar with EMGs straight into a EVH 5150 with Greenbacks or V30s is all I will ever need or want.

[@svenjeschke5025]

DiMarzio D-Activators are my favorite passive pickups, but I always keep coming back to EMGs. They just sound „right“ to me.

[@hardhittrr]

Love the content, Rob! Hells yeah!

[@miyaaaaw]

Back to back they all sounded very very similar. But You+EMG81 sounds buttery. You gel with the EMG81 instantly

[@ThorsShadow]

Yeah. That's why I personally think tone is absolutely in the fingers (meaning, the individual player) and especially with very high gain Metal, the differences in sound between each pickup become a bit harder to pinpoint. But the feel a pickup gives the player (which you don't hear as a listener) can change entirely how the player plays the guitar and thus how it sounds. I play entirely different on my Squier Telecaster than on my GOC Illumina Modern (a headless 7-string guitar with a whammy bar).

[@miyaaaaw]

Yes that's exactly what I think and found out myself as well🤘🏻 @@ThorsShadow

[@BagusWibisono]

Any 9v rechargeable batter for it?

[@GuitarGuy4647]

The JB is a great all around pickup but very few things nail that upper mid crunch that the 81 delivers. It’s also much tighter IMO.

[@ryanriffs_1349]

always enjoy seeing George. Much love and respect to the guy behind the scenes when helping rob. Hope all is well with George and his. Thanks Rob for sharing. Hopeing to be able to hop back on board in The RobArnoldWorld very soon. Thanks for all your hardass work.

[@thumb_bass_guy]

Loved this video Rob. EMG 81's 4 LIFE

[@mikeyhodge6191]

Can never go wrong with the EMG 81

[@5150-w6d]

I'm the same, had fishmans, dimarzio other EMGs and duncans and I always go back to the 81, it just works for me chunky and clear 🤘🤘

[@ollydecay7851]

I had the EMGs in my 7-string, exchanged them to SD Nazgul/Sentient some time ago and went back to the EMGs last month. The EMGs are just perfect.

[@StanSinitsky]

The only difference I can hear is that EMGs have way tighter low-end on palm mutes. Both Dimarzio and Duncan got that flub on palm mutes (don't know how to describe it, the sound feels inconsistent there). It probably can be fixed with a tube screamer in front of the amp, but it's like EMGs have that feature built-in. Great comparison!

[@eltipo6651]

Dig your videos Rob. Watching the video now. Not sure if you mention it. BUT, I encourage you to try an EMG 85 in the bridge. Similar bite to an 81, just a bit more clarity and punch. All you’ll have to do is swap the pickup no wiring changes needed. Kurt from Converge used an 85 for years, so did Adam from kill switch engage. There is a band called Cult Leader. Their guitarist also rocks an EMG 85 in the bridge. Try it out!

[@dalemuzingo799]

All sounds exactly the same to me. Absolutely zero differences.

[@samfromsalem]

George got lucky with the neck cavity on the Jackson. The fretboard is in the way of getting a router in there. He would have to use a chisel. There’s no room for a pickup ring either. Those EMGs elevate the guitars appearance too. I was really surprised how similar the pickups sounded!

[@RobArnoldWorld]

I agree Sam- I think the soap bar pups look money.

[@NikoZombie]

Awesome to see some EMG 81 love 🔥

[@metalsage5135]

The EMG707 completely changed my RG7321. Went from weak and brittle sounding to punchy, full, and M A S S I V E.

[@Cycopace]

There's a lot of hatred for the EMGs lately mostly because of the overhyped Fishman IMO. I tried both of a prefered the old school EMGs...be it's just my taste lol

[@brianbarnett100]

It's the saturation for me. Amazing video thanks bud

[@JosephLSSimpson]

The worn/relic EMG is a vibe - looks wonderful imo!

[@jgmopar]

EMG-81 my all-time favorite pickups. I do like passive pickups, but they have their own place. For metal or high gain EMG-81 for me is the best.

[@lukaszbohdal8749]

I had Epiphone G400 guitar with EMG81 and I 🔥🔥🔥my house. Great video Rob 💪

[@KeikoFXDesigns]

My Schecter C1 Platinum has EMGs and I am so glad that it got the EMGs. EMGs are monsters.

[@RÅNÇIÐ]

Afer a certain amount of distortion it's more of a feel thing than a sound thing.

[@GearStuffandThings]

This is incredibly relatable. It’s always fun to try out different things on the ole tone journey we all have in some way. More often than not I find that even when I’m hyped on a change at first I go back to what feels at home to me. As of late I love the GFS D180 in passive land and Fishman Moderns in Active land. Since I use modelers the fishmans are in most of my guitars so that continuity between instruments stays in place. Don’t have to tweak patches to a one off guitar that way. The GFS D180 I mainly use for recording anymore, they have a thing I can’t get from other passives that always seems impossible to describe… probably just in my noggin. Either way it’s always so subjective and it’s cool to find something you love and feel at home with it.

[@roberthanket2827]

Hard to tell over the TV speakers. Sounded the same. It would be interesting to see a frequency graph. Cool video as always..

[@beauvanbibberbvgration3770]

Running direct to jack and not through caps and pots will make a difference too.

[@dsol9767]

Been an EMG 81 guy for two decades thanks to all my fav players using them when I got started, that was the goal. Bought an Ibanez that came with the D'Activators when they launched and I fell in love with their tone, without question the best sounding passives to me. Duncans never lasted for me and I always swapped them for an 81. Fishman are on my list to try but I dont want to buy another guitar haha

[@plecogod]

My BC Rich Son of Beast with just an EMG 81 in the bridge in and a volume knob is my favorite rhythm guitar.

[@ogrefyregaming]

My Schecter C-1 Platinum came stock with a bridge 81 and it always gets praise for the tone. Even beats out the sound of my guitarists Jackson he paid nearly double for

[@kellybrincks]

I love the EMG 57/66 set in my Schecter PT Hellraiser Hybrid. And I still have that magazine with you're old setup diagram. \m/

[@samizdat113]

I'm running an 81X with the 24v mod in the bridge one of my guitars. Brutal.

[@joehernandez6260]

Like tires on your car you mean hot rodding huh? 🤘🏼🔥

[@the43rdparallelthrift34]

I can hear a difference between the DiMarzios and the EMGs but I can't describe, what that difference is.... It's very subtle. I hear it in the "attack" and maybe a little difference in the voicing. The EMGs process the signal, I would assume, in a different way, so maybe there's a little difference in the frequency output... I've only had EMG actives for the last 5 years or so and I like them for the most part. I need to figure out why my 81 and 85 are so drastically different though...the neck pickup is like 2x the volume at the same pickup height. Probably time to pull the pickups and check the wiring. I play death metal/ metalcore, so I like the output of the EMG 81 and I like the absence of a ground loop hum with the active pickups. I have an LTD that doesn't have active pickups and I had to run a wire from the tone knob to the trem claw just to get rid of the buzz/hum. It worked like a charm and I reckon, a solder point, failed (That particular guitar got improperly stored and the frets got rusty, so, I wouldn't be surprised if a solder point failed because of oxidation). I most likely will be staying with active pickups for the duration of my guitar playing days (and nights), although, I've yet to find my "there it is!" sound. I like the 81s but I need to work some things with my rig and my EQ'ing skills to best utilize the EMGs.

[@8KilgoreTrout4]

I had that exact guitar! Honestly, not a professional, but I’ve been playing 30 years and I am definitely a passive pickup guy! I like the PAF sound but with “modern” capability and for me the passive Mojotone Tomahawks are the best thing I’ve used so far. I think they are treble-bleed but do know they’re hybrid magnetic passive with alnico. If you don’t own a guitar with a set of these, oh man, what are you waiting for? I’d lend you mine if we were neighbors.

[@andresilvasophisma]

One thing I found is that when testing pickups with the same setup the amp EQ makes a big difference. I have guitars with 81s and Air Norton/Steve's Special combo. If my amp is set for the 81s and then plug the DiMarzios they sound less gainy and the low end is muddier. If I then increase the gain and reduce bass if all sounds great. They are both great sets that sound very different to one another. There's more to comparing pickup sets than just unplugging one guitar and plug the other, the pickups have different "sweet spots". I notice than on your video the Duncans could use a slight push in the high end.

[@aeroragesys]

If you can eq the pickups to get rid of their differences, doesn’t that place less importance on one pickup vs another?

[@ancientalien815]

I think the single volume pot really does make the 81 sound better.

[@nckhed]

I've been thinking about doing that to my M-1000. I tend to bump the volume knob a lot, and I don't use the tone knob very much on that particular guitar. Might just do that one day. Very simple task, and now I know what to use to plug the empty hole. 😂

[@ancientalien815]

@@nckhed I have a LTD H-1000 that's setup exactly like that. Sounds great!

[@nckhed]

​@@ancientalien815 Nice guitar! 👍

[@seancole1692]

I don't how the room sound was, but the DiMarzio's were killing it. But the squeals sounded brutally better on the Jackson TB4s

[@SuperSpacebum]

EMG 81s are my favorite, but you should have stuck with the blue DiMarzio's anyways. It sounds close enough to an 81, and it definitely looks way cooler on that ESP.

[@cnilecnile6748]

You can put the EMG on a piece of plywood, it doesn't matter, it going to sound the same. I used these on touring guitars in the 90's, for safety reasons-you don't have to ground the strings, so when you have the backline and PA on 2 different circuits, you won't get electrocuted. THAT is why you should use the EMG's, if you like the sound, it's a bonus. Plus they don't have the loading issues with pedals, or long cord runs. You will get the same sound, no matter what. Leave your good stuff at home, and use cheap Squires, Firefly's, whatever instead. You will make it home alive.

[@bradschimke5865]

Just wait until you dive into your 5150’s and realize how much of a difference the Mercury Magnetics transformer upgrades and choke make. lol

[@Stretchwreckedem469]

Hey Rob, idk if you’ve ever heard or tried them before but if you’ve ever considered experimenting with different pickups again in the future it’s definitely worth checking out the Lace pickups, specifically the Deathbucker for the bridge and the Alumitone humbucker in the neck. I’ve been waiting to get them installed in my Schecter Hellraiser C-7 Passive but the cool thing about the Lace Alumitones is that they’ve managed to capture the flat EQ response of an active pickup with all of the dynamic range and character of a passive pickups, so much so that you don’t even need batteries in order to play with them. Quite literally the only thing you really need with the alumitones are 250K pots for the volume and you’re all set for heavy riffage!

[@sergmo4979]

I recently threw some 81/60s in this gibson les paul but the 81 can split and 60s is a X version with alnico magnets

[@davepaulson287]

Did you ever stick with the 24v mod? I've done it and love it. Also, not to add to your pickup option paralysis, but I would love to see you try the Alexi pickup from EMG. Way different that what you typically use but it is a lot of fun.

[@dimebagtribute]

How do you end up at 24Volt with 9V batteries?!?

[@robmandel3413]

I’ve changed a few pickups over the years. Yeah, not a fun thing. But, here’s the thing. Going from active to passive or vice versa is more tricky. They use different pots. Actives use 25k and passives use 250-500k. Did you change pots when you swapped pickups? Also, if your guitar is wired for active odds are they didn’t put in a bridge ground wire. You might need to drill a hole for the bridge ground wire. That’s something I learned the hard way 😂😂 Just a thought. I’ve actually kinda gone the other way. I used to really like actives but have become more of a passive fan. \m/

[@paulslack4303]

Definitely more balls and low end with the emg.....the passives are more dynamic in general but if its not broke no need to fix it🤘

[@quinnsz06]

Exactly. EMG's always sound heavier, and passives are always brighter or more dynamic. All depends if you're chugging or trying to solo.

[@DosHemperor]

​@@quinnsz06YA

[@roosternm6830]

My EMG Hot 70s hybrid set sounds amazing. It's like a Seymour Duncan 78, JB, Custom, but more compression and that loose hot passive sound at the same time. Love the hot 70s and my SD TB6 Distortion pickups. I apply them in different ways.

[@gigaphonicon]

I spent such a long time wanting EMGs as a teenager then I finally got them in my Jackson Dinky. Only then did I realize I don't like how active pick ups respond different than passive pick ups. The active pick ups in my guitars don't clean up as well as passive like rolling back the volume a bit to clean up the gain. To me the active pickups seem to just go from full volume to a lower volume without taming the gain as much. Maybe I'm to OCD with gear lol. Great video.

[@nunofmpires]

Guitar + emg 81 = Happy

[@SteveHatzman]

Dude that Dimarzio was full and articulate.

[@RobArnoldWorld]

It was!

[@EclipseAtDusk]

It’s an AMAZING pickup, but I’ve realized it’s not for me. There’s something about a passive, ceramic, high-output pickup that works better for me - doesn’t even have to be a specific model frankly, but EMGs just don’t Do it for me, after finally owning a guitar with one for a while. Want a purple 81/60 set! Lmao

[@Grumpyseabee22]

I think you would hear a more distinct difference through a real amp vs a sim. It’s my belief that amp sim software takes whatever input signal it gets and creates the preset sound regardless of the source.

[@sneedles11]

Man the EMGs are brighter for sure. The Dimarzios are really close though!

[@jasonjohnston1876]

I’m an 81 guy, but the Deactivators sounded rad too!

[@xxchugchugxx420]

They all sound good 🤘

[@sillyness3456]

In my subjective observation: I could not hear a difference between the EMG and the D-Activator, but the blue pickups in that guitar just looked phenomenal. The JB seemed to lack a bit of output, the comparative EMG tone seemed more saturated.

[@trumancarter1299]

Awesome video..really liked the Dimarzio's here..slightly less compressed with a little more open top end..killer for single note jumping/lead work..think that's why I really like Fishman's because it's a middle ground between active/passive for me..but there was no denying the 81/Chimaira tone..when you ripped into that when you got the guitars back it was like there it is 🤘 great video!

[@ShredworthyDave]

EMG81s are literally tried and true. They can now be classified as a set of old faithfuls!

[@nckhed]

I agree, but I've seen some people refer to them as "old" pickups that "have no place in modern metal". Some people are just too weak to not change with the times. Not all change is good, I say.

[@ultimaonline2022]

I feels like passive pickups sounds clearly. Greate job Rob !

[@v4ld3r5]

I’d have painted the emg81 blue as well, that would have been killer 👌🏻

[@spongebob6664]

Ive noticed that its easy to do pinch harmonics on the EMGs, compared to Passive Pickups

[@nckhed]

This may be controversial to some, but when I changed the nut on my Eclipse Deluxe to a GraphTech nut, pinch harmonics absolutely scream. I was never the best at doing pinch harmonics on the low E, but then I could suddenly make that thing squeal like I couldn't before. 🤷😂

[@spongebob6664]

@@nckhed you got me thinking hard man. This makes me want to do a science experiment on this matter 🤔

[@nckhed]

​@@spongebob6664 I support you. 😄👍

[@snapascrew]

85 for me :) your 81 tone with the 6505+ and Mesa recto cab is one of the best ever tho. Resurrection was insane.

[@karce1981]

I have a mix of EMGs. 1 with 81/81, 3 with EMG H4/H4A, 1 with 81/85, and 4 with 81X/60X, and I'm loving the 81X/60X the most. They are the latest 4 sets I picked up. The passives work well for D standard and Drop B

[@Lontzelot]

Got me wanting to give 81s a try again 😅🤘

[@drewtaylor617]

If I had to pick a passive pick to play forever it will be the seymour duncan black winter's. If I had to pick an active pick up set. EMG 81-60. There are other good active pick up but these are king in my opinion.

[@paulcarter105]

Love the fat chunky 81 sound. Even though they aren’t perfect and can be a bit muddy and low mid heavy for more modern riffs and note separation and chord clarity. Had my first guitar an Ibanez mikro modded with them. Was inspired by mick Thompson. Then got a schecter with the hz set that I ended up swapping for bare knuckle juggernauts. For a couple years. Then tried fishmans and they were just too thin sounding in the active voice and too dark in the passive. So I sold it instead of doing another swap. Then ended up with a Jackson soloist to get back into the emg sound. But I didn’t like dealing with the Floyd. Recently got a Jackson dk ht6 multi scale with fishmans moderns now I love the crispness and clarity of them. I also love the dimarizo fusion edge pickups in my Ibanez rgd axion label. The clearest most natural transparent sounding passive

[@noisesfromtheabyss]

Youp. EMG 81 is my first hi-gain choise.

[@TaylorDanley]

EMG 81 SUPREMACY 💪 I do think the 81-X is taking its place for me, but still… 😂

[@brandonjackson5865]

Countdown to Extinction tab book? I love it man ! Speaking of Active PuPs the absolute best active PuPs I’ve ever played were Duncan Dave Mustaine live wires they were the best combo of clear and quiet but still had the wide open sound of a hot passive pickup. They had all the positive characteristics of an active and passive and none of the negatives they weren’t as compressed as most actives and also weren’t noisy as high output passives.

[@RobArnoldWorld]

"This is the Count....down..... Toooooooooo..... Extinction" 🎶🤘