Suggestions for EMG 81/85 replacement

[sakeido]

Alright so I play a Jackson that has the EMG 81/85 set in it through a Mesa dual rectifier. So basically, I play the same pickups through the same amp as 98% of every metal band since the 1980s has played and my sound is not very unique.

I want to try something different so I was thinking of changing my EMGs for something else. But I don't know what, really. I was thinking the seymour duncan JB/59 set but that is super common too, and don't know enough about pick-ups to come up with any other potential choices.

What else is out there? I usually play full on metal, but we have enough clean sections in our songs that I would want a neck pickup that is capable of a creamy smooth clean tone too.

[MountainDog]

I like the JB/59 or JB/Jazz combo. I always coil tap my neck hums for a really nice clean tone, and the 59 or Jazz give that when tapped. Make sure you get a 4 wire version of either so you can 'tap' the white/red to ground.

For the bridge pickup, another option I'm starting to like is the TB-14 Custom V that came in my Charvel CS Strathead mahogany.

[toejam]

Put the 85 in the bridge and the 81 in the neck!

[xenophobe]

Put the 85 in the bridge and the 81 in the neck!

haha Absolutely +1

[neilli]

+2

[sakeido]

what does that even sound like?

[kelly user]

try it out its only like 30 seconds of work If you have the quick connection things
X2n, Super 2, dimarzio somebody has to try'em sooner or later

[toejam]

what does that even sound like?

Very good!

[toejam]

try it out its only like 30 seconds of work If you have the quick connection things
X2n, Super 2, dimarzio somebody has to try'em sooner or later

I had a guitar with an X2N and Super 2... awesome! The Super 2 is one of the best high output pups to use in the neck, IMO. It's also good for the bridge, from what I've been told, but I've never used it there. It's a little on the bright side, and I dig brighter pups in the neck, so it worked well for me. I also love the Duncan Jazz neck because it's brighter, but it's lower output than the Super 2.

A regular Super Distortion or Super 3 paired up with a Super 2 is also a good choice.

[Szostak]

Want a unique sound, eh? Try some diff. pup combos and maybe add a 10-band EQ to your pedal line-up? Those seem like they can spice things up.

[ZZB]

I really like the Seymour Duncan Invader. It's a very aggressive pickup and doesn't really sound like anything else I've tried. I have a Charvel Fusion Deluxe (basswood body, maple neck, rosewood board) that I originally refurnished with a Dimebucker but found it a bit too smooth for my taste. Sure, it's as hot as anyone could want but it really only added a bit of everything (low/mids/highs) compared to the original J-90C. That in itself isn't a bad thing, but like you, I was looking for something "different".

So if you have the chance, try out an Invader. I mean, Iron Maiden loved that pickup so much they made a song for it! Invaaaadeeeers! *sings*

[Mario8672]

Put the 85 in the bridge and the 81 in the neck!

Dual 85's sound pretty nice

[LTDjunkie]

I used to play with an 85 bridge 60 neck setup. gave me the great cleans with teh neck pickup and a thick distortion in the bridge. with channel switching obviously lol. I also ran with the 60 in the bridge once when I was playing in a death/grind band and it gave a great thick sound too.

[toejam]

Dual 85's sound pretty nice

Never tried that personally. I've run two 81s or 81/85, 85/81, even 85/60. I tend to prefer brighter neck pups, so the 81 or 60 work great there for me.

[EveofDeath]

I'd like to suggest the JB/Jazz combo. It's still pretty popular, but you can definitly get some unique tones out of it. The Jazz I really like in the neck for leads, nice and smooth, not sure if you like that, but I really enjoy that. The JB/Jazz is probably my favorite passive combo.

As for the people suggesting swapping the 85 into the bridge and the 81 into the neck, I think I need to try that.