Members Red&Die Posted March 8, 2007 Members Share Posted March 8, 2007 Most of my ESP guitars come with EMG-81/81 and EMG-81/60, I would like to try the EMG-85 for bridge postion. However, I set most my guitar as Drop C, so would EMG-85 is better than EMG-81 for this setting?? I want to get more punch and clear riff note.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members troublehead Posted March 8, 2007 Members Share Posted March 8, 2007 Most of my ESP guitars come with EMG-81/81 and EMG-81/60, I would like to try the EMG-85 for bridge postion. However, I set most my guitar as Drop C, so would EMG-85 is better than EMG-81 for this setting?? I want to get more punch and clear riff note.... 81 by far. The 85 gets pretty bassy/flappy IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members wiseblood Posted March 8, 2007 Members Share Posted March 8, 2007 yeah the 81 will be clearer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Chrisjd Posted March 8, 2007 Members Share Posted March 8, 2007 81 hands down for downtunung. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members soc_monki Posted March 8, 2007 Members Share Posted March 8, 2007 id prefer the 81...but i prefer it in the bridge over the 85 period. ive heard the 85 sound good in the bridge, but thats usually when using a boost which normally tightens up the low end anyways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members colejustesen Posted March 8, 2007 Members Share Posted March 8, 2007 I have had the 81 and 85 in the bridge and play in C and B and I can tell you that the 81 is by far better. However the 85 in standard and E flat is hella nice! Coel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JC-TONEQUEST Posted March 8, 2007 Members Share Posted March 8, 2007 Killswitch uses 85's in their bridge position and they tune to drop C and their tone is killer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members soc_monki Posted March 8, 2007 Members Share Posted March 8, 2007 Killswitch uses 85's in their bridge position and they tune to drop C and their tone is killer. they also boost the amps, which tightens the tone. but i do agree...they get killer tone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Donarskjold Posted March 8, 2007 Members Share Posted March 8, 2007 81, no question Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Wolfeman28 Posted March 8, 2007 Members Share Posted March 8, 2007 Both. Personal preference. I prefer the 85. But the 81 does well also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Locky Posted March 8, 2007 Members Share Posted March 8, 2007 I play in drop C. I prefer the 85. I find it gives a much fuller sound. Since the 85 has more mids and not as scooped, I can control my tone alot more with my amp. Clarity is paramount for me in my band and I get tons with my 85. I find the 81 to sound hollow and doesn't really give my as much control over my tone with my amp. Never had bass problems with my 85 either, and I use it with a Mesa Single Rectifier through a Mesa cab. HOWEVER....I use my 85 in the bridge on an EC300. Its not the heaviest guitar, and I can see an 85 getting overly bassy with in a heavy Les Paul guitar. However its nothing a simple filter couldn't dial out. In fact I've designed some on board filters for just that application. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members nrarocks Posted March 8, 2007 Members Share Posted March 8, 2007 How do you think the 85 would sound in an S series, since those are thinner than regular guitars? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members colejustesen Posted March 8, 2007 Members Share Posted March 8, 2007 I use to have an EC1000 with the 81/85 combo. When I played through a Triple Rectifier in B tuning, that amp screamed at me. I don't recall ever playing another amp that really made those EMGs just sound awesome! Specifically the 81 in B tuning. I felt bad that day because this little old grandma came into that music store and I didn't notice (my buddy and I were discussing how amazing the amp sounded) and she walked right behind me as I let out a very, very loud chord. The poor lady had a hearing aid and she screamed when I hit that chord. Needless to say I stopped playing after that. Ahhhhhh, memories! Anyway I still am voting for the 81, the 85 sounded very bassy and flabby with my Fireball in B tuning. Cole Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members joeyinflames Posted March 8, 2007 Members Share Posted March 8, 2007 85 is awesome, just chunky and thick, great overall tone. 81 is more aggressive and tight...my next guitar will probably be the standard 81/85 combination. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lefchr Posted March 8, 2007 Members Share Posted March 8, 2007 I liked the 85 better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Chrisjd Posted March 8, 2007 Members Share Posted March 8, 2007 You guys think the 81 is a scooped sounding pickup? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members joeyinflames Posted March 8, 2007 Members Share Posted March 8, 2007 You guys think the 81 is a scooped sounding pickup? its not really scooped, just not as thick sounding as an 85, imo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Chrisjd Posted March 8, 2007 Members Share Posted March 8, 2007 its not really scooped, just not as thick sounding as an 85, imo From what I have been able to tell, the 85 is a LITTLE thicker, and more pronounced in the lower freq range. the 81 is a little thinner yes, and has a ton of upper cut and attack. I think with most high gain heads like the 5150 and such, the 81 is PLENTY thick... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TheGreatGreen Posted March 8, 2007 Members Share Posted March 8, 2007 81 gets my vote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Eternal_idol Posted March 8, 2007 Members Share Posted March 8, 2007 I've been using 81s for standard tuning to B tuning and back to standard. its my work horse of 6 years, oddly enuff the 81 i have is the thing thats been in my possesion for the longest! Brae Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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