EMG 81 and 500T ceramic magnet humbucker

[Ben Duncan]

hi, i have a gibson explorer with an emg 81 in the bridge and a gibson flying v with a 500T ceramic magnet humbucker (the stock pickups). i like how both of them sound. the emgs sound very agressive and has lots of hi end and output, the 500T ceramic magnet humbucker have less output and have a bit more meat to them. i want to find a pickup that combines both thes tones. i wish i could just chop them in half and take a side from both and put them together lol. does anyone know were i could find a pickup like this?

[JB_From_Hell]

Duncan Distortion.

BTW, welcome to the forum

[krankguitarist]

Duncan distortion or custom.

[Mephis]

A meaty EMG81 sounds like a JB to me...


I have both to compair side to side...

[daemon barbeque]

The Distortion,or the PATB-2 Parallel axis distortion tremmbucker.
Welcome to the forum!

[krankguitarist]

A meaty EMG81 sounds like a JB to me...


I have both to compair side to side...

I'd strongly disagree...those two seem more dissimilar than similar to my ears.

The distortion would be much closer if ya ask me.

[JB_From_Hell]

I'd strongly disagree...those two seem more dissimilar than similar to my ears.

I've always thought it was odd when people think the JB & 81 sound alike.

[Mephis]

I've always thought it was odd when people think the JB & 81 sound alike.

They don't really, but the EQ seems similar, the JB just seems more dynamic and thicker.

[daemon barbeque]

I never understand How the 81 got so popular.i played it in many guitars ,and none of them gave me joy to play more.The 81 do not rock!!!I mean the sound is not "living" ,there are no "balls" for my ears.I can't compare it with any PATB or Distortion/JB.Even DMZ Fred was way more "alive" and "ballsy".
MAybe my ears suck.why not?

[Fusion1]

And it's odd people hear things differently. I have probably a complete 180 degree difference than daemon just said. With an EMG 81 to me it has a more "active" tone not the lifeless/sterile tag I always hear being thrown around. Maybe the line is blurred between articulate and sterile, but whatever you call it, I like it.

I also think the Distortion / 500T combo is about right, and as close as a passive version can get to an 81. Just so happens those are 3 of my most favorite pickups.

[daemon barbeque]

And it's odd people hear things differently. I have probably a complete 180 degree difference than daemon just said. With an EMG 81 to me it has a more "active" tone not the lifeless/sterile tag I always hear being thrown around. Maybe the line is blurred between articulate and sterile, but whatever you call it, I like it.

I also think the Distortion / 500T combo is about right, and as close as a passive version can get to an 81. Just so happens those are 3 of my most favorite pickups.

Yeah man it is same with colors!!!
My girlfriens claims that the display color of my stereo is yellow.And i am quite shure it is green!!!But that makes SD and DMZ and all others selling more stuff ,ant the diversity is nothing but beautifull!!!
The only problem is ,that you find Distortion close to 81.But ...who cares...
CHEERS!

[Ben Duncan]

thanks for all the responsis and welcoming me to the forum i will check the duncan distortion and custom out. thanks again!

[Ben Duncan]

do you think i should get a duncan distortion and then take one side off of it and one side off of the 500T ceramic magnet humbucker and put them together like the guy did in this thred: "HOW TO: Make a 59/Custom Hybrid" does anyone know if that is possible?

[Fusion1]

Ben yes that can be done and pretty easy, but I still dont think a 500T/Distortion hybrid is going to be an EMG 81 clone. Maybe some similarities but still it's a passive vs. an active which will have a different feel as well as flavor. Would be a cool hybrid to try though.

Daemon, I meant the Distortion had similarities, and that I like both of them I wouldnt go as far as to say it sounded just like an EMG 81, I'd have to be tone deaf to think that, lol. Anyways cheers/.

[suislidE03]

Ive got an 81 in my jackson and a JB in my charvel, and they are near tonal opposites. 81s have no meat at all, pure nut-huggers in the bass department. Im interested in a cross between the 81 and a meaty passive though. I dont think distortion is it.. i had one.

[Jeff Dunne]

A more meaty 81?

85. It's going to be a bit hotter, though.


I personally have rekindled my love for the 81 recently - ordered an 81-7 tonight, should arrive on Wednesday or so as the place is nearby. The EMG 81 and JB are probably the single best recorded pickups I've ever used - I really love them now, even though I used to hate both.

[Ben Duncan]

my explorer has an 85 in the neck so i know what that sounds like but i dont know. i dont know about the tech stuff very much so sorry but would it be posible to put my 81 and the 500T together?

[Jeff Dunne]

As in a hybrid or in the same guitar?

And I actually meant 85 in the bridge.

[Ben Duncan]

as a hybrid, i want the tones of both the 81 and the 500T in the bridge of my guitar

[Jeff Dunne]

Nah, good luck even opening the 81 without destroying it .

I'd try that 85 in the bridge and see how things go - it's more PAFish than the 81.