Legion303 Posted November 14, 2006 Share Posted November 14, 2006 Right. I've narrowed my choices to the following based solely on customer reviews: Seymour Duncan SH-6 EMG 81 I'd prefer people who have actually played both models to weigh in, but I'll listen to anyone's opinion on this. I know the EMG is an active model which has its own benefits, but I've heard that wiring it up with existing passive pickups is a pain in the ass without extra modifications. The SD is cheaper and has great reviews, but is a passive pickup. The guitar whose humbucker I'm replacing is an '89 Ibanez RG560 with a maple neck/fretboard and a body made of ash or alder (Ibanez decided to coat every interior surface so that I can't see the wood in its natural color, but it's a soft blond wood). It currently has 3 pickups in H-S-S configuration, and the H is the one I'm replacing. Thanks for any advice. -steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Majin GeoDooD Posted November 14, 2006 Share Posted November 14, 2006 What type of music are you going to primarily be playing? EMGs are great pickups in their own right, but not for all styles of music. It's not too incredibly hard to wire them up with passives. Personally I prefer the EMG 85 in the bridge over the EMG 81. *edit* In order to correctly wire an active with a passive, you need to ideally have two volume pots, or sacrifice a tone pot and turn it into a volume pot. As for the Duncan.. I'd take the Duncan JB (SH-4) over the Distortion any day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixto Posted November 14, 2006 Share Posted November 14, 2006 I'd definitely go with the Duncan Distortion. Much easier to wire, and the output is about the same as the EMG 81. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legion303 Posted November 15, 2006 Author Share Posted November 15, 2006 What type of music are you going to primarily be playing? Melodic thrash, death metal, blues, classical (not that Yngwie shit)...I've heard that you can get a good clean tone out of the EMG if you know what you're doing, but since I use my middle single for clean playing it doesn't really matter. The other thing I've heard about active pickups is that they're great for computer recording due to the almost complete absence of EM hum coming through them (from monitors, power supplies, etc.). On the other hand, the EMG needs a new jack, a place for the battery, and lots of wiring, whereas the SD can be dropped right in, supposedly sounds as hot as the EMG, and is a good deal cheaper. I'm leaning toward it. Do you guys have any opinions on tonal differences between the two brands? I tend to play and record like Slayer--not much bass. Thanks again. -steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnappleMan Posted November 15, 2006 Share Posted November 15, 2006 Actually, I feel like a traitor saying this, but after using the EMG 81 to record a song with, I fell in love with it. Having said that, I still recommend the Duncan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Majin GeoDooD Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 Hehe, EMGs are definitely fun pickups, glad to hear that you actually liked one The EMG 81 is definitely a metal pickup, and while some people think it can't sound good for blues and other non metal styles, many artists have proved that wrong. It's all up to you man, depends on how much of a hassle you want getting an EMG in your guitar. I still think a Duncan JB would be better, *shrugs* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnappleMan Posted November 16, 2006 Share Posted November 16, 2006 JB is one of the best pickups I've ever used. By far my favorite of the Duncans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legion303 Posted November 16, 2006 Author Share Posted November 16, 2006 Thanks for the help, guys. SD are cheaper, easier to install, and now 3 guitarists whose opinions I respect are recommending them to me (except for that traitor Snapple...but we'll let that slide). I guess this is a no-brainer. I am sticking with the SH6. Sorry, JB fans, but the reviews are slightly better and the hotter output is more in line with my metal stylings. Although I have to admit that for the first time ever I was swayed by the fact that a musician I like uses a certain piece of gear (Michael Amott, whose signature is on my headstock along with Bill Steer's, and who uses the JB). -steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnappleMan Posted November 17, 2006 Share Posted November 17, 2006 Honestly, you'll be happy with whichever you chose. It's a matter of apples and oranges, really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Majin GeoDooD Posted November 17, 2006 Share Posted November 17, 2006 That is true, after the stock Ibanez pickup anything from SD or EMG would be a great addition Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legion303 Posted November 23, 2006 Author Share Posted November 23, 2006 Well now. I got my guitar back from the luthier last night (fret level job that took a week because he was booked). Prior to that I had dropped the action and filed the tremolo knife edges smooth again (16 years of beating on the whammy bar had chipped them)...and this morning I dropped in my new SH6. I have to say, this thing rocks. Balls-to-the-wall power when I'm playing, and absolutely no noise when I stop. This is a big change from the shitty stock pickup. Thanks again. -steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.