Anyone running an 85 in the bridge?

[Learn Guitars]

EMG's.....Just curious who has and what their thoughts were comparatively to the 81 in the bridge.

[GuerillaPete]

I've run 85s in the bridge. I think they're a bit warmer. Not as harsh. Especially if the body woods are alder or maple.

[themisfit138]

They got a little bassy in an Explorer. But I still liked it better than the 81 bridge.

[DonP]

I've heard good things but haven't tried yet. In one axe (Fusion Deluxe body with a Fusion Pro neck) I have an EMG81 at 18 volts and it's not changing.

In my Kelly Star I have and EMG81b and EMG85n that would be an easy swap, but it sounds good too and I have the SPC control for a mid boost if the EMG81 gets too buzzy and thin.

[Rich#6]

I tried it for a while. I prefer the 81 a little more.

[toejam]

I prefer the 85 in the bridge with either an 81 or 60 in the neck, in all body woods.

[Newc]

85 in the bridge is the only EMG I'll use. 81 is ok in the neck but I'd probably rather have an 89 there so I can split it to an SA.
81 in the bridge seems to me to be a shredder's pickup, and not much for rhythm, unless it's that bee in a bottle crap.

[triplehold]

You can't beat an 85 in the bridge position. I always thought the Alnico 5 magnets made them sound better. My '05 KV2 sounds great with an 85 in the bridge. Unless you buy the 81/85 set, it seems to me most shops only stock single 81s because they are the most popular. Single 85s seem harder to find.

[Jack Napalm]

The 85 is a great bridge pickup. I have it in a few guitars.

[Rsmacker]

Another vote for, I tried the 81 and thought it was shit, so I'll only put an 85 in the bridge now.

[Cleveland Metal]

Always used 81's and my tone is definitely not "bee in a bottle" haha... May have to try an 85 tho. But, I think I'm happy with the 81s really.

[metalchurch79]

I have three of my Jacksons w/ an '85 in the bridge. Two of those have the 18v mod, which is kick ass.
I have an '81 in my other 4 guitars all with an 18v mod as well.

I prefer the '81, but I like the '85 as well. It's good to have alot of flavors to choose from, and like Joe pointed out, it's all in the wood.

I want to try a '60 to see what that's like sometime.

[Foulacy]

I have an 81/60 combo going right now with an 85 just sitting here. the 60 is too bassy for the 81 and that's why i got the 85. now it's just a matter for me to stop being lazy...

[jet66]

I also prefer the 85 in the bridge vs.the 81, I have the same impressions as Guerilla Pete with the alder body.

[neilli]

I prefer the 85 in the bridge 90% of the time. Swapping the pickups round is one of the first things I've done in both my DK1s. The 81 is too 'edgy' sounding for me, with no balls - I agree with Matt's "bee in a bottle" comment.
However, I have one guitar that the 85 just didn't work well in at the bridge, and I'd almost given up on it as I was discounting the 81, but in the end it sounded great (well, combined with one of Dave's old-school RR bridges!). I guess the aspects of the 81 I don't like just complimented that guitar well.