Non-metal players using 81s

[SuperJemBoy]

Hey folks,
I was wondering if there's anyone here who uses the EMG 81 (or 85) for anything besides metal? I can't find any reviews suggesting what these pickups are like in other contexts.

Cheers guys
Joe

[kp69]

Which EMG's does Lukather use-Ican't remember if he uses an 81 or more likely an 85.

[buddroyce]

I believe Mark Knopfler(dire straits) has an 85/sa/sa set on one of his Suhr guitars. I've also seen Buddy Guy with two 85's on one of his guitars.

Can't say that I've seen anyone that's *NOT* metal use the 81 though.

[SuperJemBoy]

Cheers guys, I think the best bet is for me to just give em a go and see what they're capable of. I've got a Pod XT too so that'll help with getting different sounds.

Thanks
Joe

[chris2112]

I think you'll like the EMGs. I have a Jackson with an 81/89 combination. I play mainly blues and some hard rock. Surely not a shredder ... The neck pickup with EMS is nice.

I'm fond of Johnny Winter, who always uses the neck pickup, so I learned to get a good sound from that position. Johnny would prefer two pickup guitars to 3-pickup setups, since the middle pickup sort of gets in the way. I noticed that Vai pulls the middle pickup even with the bridge on Evo. I'll probably do that with my 555.

I'm waiting for a new ax - an Ibanez 56-something with the 81/85 combination.

[Praetorian]

well, I had the 81/85 set in my Schecter and I used to switch them all the time because I loved the sound of the 85 in the bridge more than the 81. The 81 was too screechy for me and the mids in the 85 made pinch harmonics REALLY easy. Since I've switched back to passive because I prefer them but you can do some damage with 2 85s (my personal choice) or with an 81. All depends on your ear.