Help with Recto and EMGs one last time!

[ibanez4life SZ!]

Hey guys!

So I've just been recruited into a metal band (very Killswitch Engage-esque.....LOVE the sound we're getting), and the whole venture is really making me miss my EMGs.

On top of that, I've been delving more and more into the older Killswitch Engage albums, and they have some SICK tones too...the older ones are supposedly EMG 85s in a recto, as are thier live tones.

So, if I'm playing in a HEAVY metal band, is there anyone that would recommend I stay away from EMGs? I'm running my two channel recto with V30s and G12K-100s.

And my last question....81 or 85 in the bridge? From what I last remember, I was REALLY diggin the 85.

Thanks much!

Eric

 

[kiff]

I use 85's for bridge and neck. I personally don't like 81's since they sound a bit thin. 85's sound like a normal pickup with the emg gain, IMO

 

[MF]

i'm running an 81 in the bridge and an 85 in the neck, with the 18v mod and it sounds pretty ******* sick through my 3 ch recto. The other dudes in the band have some serious tone envy :mrgreen: . Initially i wasn't impressed with the 18v mod when playing it through my practice rig but after playing it through the recto i was sold. It's easily reversible if you don't like it.

 

[Silverwulf]

My favorite combo is the 81 in the bridge and 89 in the neck. The 89 is similiar but better than the 85 IMO.

For Killswitch type tones, that's easy. EMG's in the guitar. Gain and Mids on your Recto about 12 Noon, boost with the OD808, Gain "off" and Output "maxed"...instant KSE tone.

 

[Anonymous]

Honestly I don't care for the EMGs very much compared with some hot passives. My favorite pickup with my 2 channel Triple so far has been the DiMarzio X2N. Makes a Recto tight & articulate, and at the same time nice and thick. I've had EMGs - 81 and 85 - in the bridge position and it just can't compare to the DiMarzio.

 

[Kung-Fool]

I love the 81 straight into my dual recto. I never cared for the 85 in the bridge position and I never liked to boost EMG's. For me it's either an 81 straight in, or a boosted mid output passive.

 

[NoGlassNoClass]

...or a boosted mid output passive.

Gotta agree here. The lower-output passives really let the tone of your guitar shine through, even with a heavily distorted amp. Boost with an OD or EQ and you can hit the amp just as hard or even harder than active p'ups. For a super-hot p'up that retains clarity and doesn't need a boost, look at Anderson H3 or H3+.

 

[MetalMatt]

... 89 in the neck. The 89 is similiar but better than the 85 IMO...

The 89 is my favorite EMG pickup. The tapping feature is way cool!

 

[wolf]

I have played long time 85 in bridge.Sound´s nice thick but with other instruments you will want to find something what offers 81 anyway - open mids crispy highs.Now I play 81-18V through compressor-limiter straight to mesa.I can say it´s best sound what I have had ever.Do it.

 

[Silverwulf]

Anyone tried the new EMG 81-X yet?