EMG Pickups2018-07-18T17:23:00+00:00
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EMG PICKUPS

The EMG Pickups was founded in 1976 by Rob Turner in Long Beach, California. It was originally called Dirtywork Studios, and their first pickup was the same as their current 2011 model of EMG H and EMG HA models. The active humbucking pickup EMG 58 followed soon after. The name was changed to “Overlend” (spelled “Overland” in some sources) in 1978. However, its products have always been called EMG pickups. EMG has always been known as the “Active” Pickup company. www.emgpickups.com

ARTICLES

PICKUPS

EMG 57

A true original, the 57 is a bridge humbucker pickup designed for today’s guitar player regardless of style or genre. The unique combination of Alnico V magnets and steel pole pieces evoke an unmistakably PAF quality in its tone, yet the active attributes provide the headroom and punch necessary to deliver unparalleled definition and presence. Designed and voiced specifically for the bridge position in your electric guitar.

EMG 60

The 60 humbucker packs plenty of output with a balance of thick, boosted mids, big lows and singing highs. Featuring close aperture coils, similar to a mini-humbucker, this model produces rich harmonic overtones with plenty of sustain. Due to its ceramic magnets, the EMG 60 has a full treble response and loads of output great for distinct single-note solos. The 60 provides clarity and character to your guitar and works very well in the neck position. Like all EMG active guitar and bass pickups, the 60 installs without the use of a soldering iron, making it easy to do at home.

EMG 66

The EMG 66 is the result of pickup design innovation inspired by the specific needs and requests of today’s guitar players. Alnico V magnets provide a warm, smooth mid-range and expansive lows while the ceramic pole pieces balance out the clarity in the upper register. Designed and voiced as a neck pickup.

EMG 81

One of the most popular EMG’s, the 81 is the one that started a revolution. Utilizing powerful ceramic magnets and close aperture coils, the tone was designed with detailed intensity, incredible amounts of high end cut, and fluid sustain. Traditionally used in the bridge position of your guitar, this humbucking pickup will make your leads slice right through even the densest mix. When used in both neck and bridge positions the sound can only be described as blistering. Other recommended pairings include the classic 81/85 setup and the versatile 81/60 combo.

EMG 85

The 85 is one of EMGs first pickups and is the slightly more sophisticated and well rounded half of its famous brother, the 81. Featuring close aperture coils loaded with Alnico V magnets, the 85 is a powerful guitar pickup with exceptional tone and versatility. The Alnico magnets of this model provide a muscular growl and smooth lead tones enabling you to play everything from the blues to the most extreme metal. Although often used in the neck position, make no mistake, the EMG 85 sounds great as a bridge humbucker thanks to its exceptional smoothness and soul. This pickup pairs well with just about every other EMG humbucker.

7+ STRINGS PICKUPS

EMG 57-7H

A true original, the 57-7H is a seven string humbucker designed for today’s guitar player regardless of style or genre. Like the original 57, this unique combination of Alnico V magnets and steel pole pieces evoke an unmistakably PAF quality in its tone, yet the active attributes provide the headroom and punch necessary to deliver unparalleled definition and presence. Designed and voiced specifically for the bridge position of your 7 string electric guitar.

EMG 60-7H

The 60-7H packs plenty of output with clarity and top end. The close aperture coils, similar to a mini-humbucker, loaded with ceramic magnets provide the brightest attack of any of EMG’s 7-string humbucking models. This model is often used in the neck position. Rhythm guitar players love its ability to achieve everything from nice clean bluesy tones, to hard rocking crunch. Pair it up with an 81-7H and you have a versatile creation that will make your guitar sing.

EMG 66-7H

The EMG 66-7H is the result of pickup design innovation inspired by the specific needs and requests of today’s seven string guitar players. Alnico V magnets provide a warm, smooth mid-range and expansive lows while the ceramic pole pieces balance out the clarity in the upper register. Designed and voiced as a neck pickup.

EMG 81-7H

Based off the popular EMG 81, the 81-7H utilizes powerful ceramic magnets and close aperture coils to produce a detailed tone with incredible amounts of high end cut, and fluid sustain. Traditionally used in the bridge position of your seven string guitar, this humbucker pickup will make your leads slice right through even the densest mix. When used in both neck and bridge positions the sound can only be described as blistering. Other recommended pairings include the classic 81-7H/85-7H setup and the versatile 81-7H/60-7H combo.

EMG 85-7H

The 85-7H is based on one of EMGs first pickups, the 85. Featuring close aperture coils loaded with Alnico V magnets, the 85-7H is a powerful seven string guitar pickup with exceptional tone and versatility. The Alnico magnets of this model provide a muscular growl and smooth lead tones enabling you to play everything from the blues to the most extreme metal. Although often used in the neck position, make no mistake, the EMG 85-7H sounds great as a bridge pickup thanks to its exceptional smoothness and soul. This pickup pairs well with just about every other humbucker in our the EMG product line.

EMG 707

The 707 has been leading the pack of 7-string guitar pickups since its debut in 2001. The EMG 707 eliminated the problem of a muddy low B string that often lacked rich harmonic character and definition. Featuring Alnico V loaded, wide aperture coils, EMG was able to beef up the Low B string tone while maintaining a balanced and articulate upper register. This provided the responsive and tight sound seven string players grew to love. Whether you are ringing out Opeth-style jazz chords or playing palm muted death chugs, these pickups will articulate every note, chord, and harmonic you ask of them. Used equally in the bridge and neck positions, these pickups will forever change how you hear and play your 7-string guitar.

EMG 808X

Based on the original 707, the EMG 808X gives players all the tone and presence they demand in an 8 string guitar pickup with the added headroom of the X series preamp. The EMG 808X eliminates the problem of a muddy low F# string that often lacks rich harmonic character and definition. Featuring Alnico V loaded, wide aperture coils, EMG was able to beef up the tone of the low strings while maintaining a balanced and articulate upper register. This along with the X preamp provides the responsive and dynamic control that eight string players love. This pickup will articulate every note, chord, and harmonic you ask of it. Used equally in the bridge and neck positions, the EMG 808X pickup will forever change how you hear and play your 8-string guitar.

EMG 909X

Based on the original 707, the EMG 909X gives players all the tone and presence they demand in a 9 string guitar pickup with the added headroom of the X series preamp. The EMG 909X eliminates muddy low strings that often lack rich harmonic character and definition. Featuring Alnico V loaded, wide aperture coils, EMG beefs up the tone of the low strings while maintaining a balanced and articulate upper register. This, along with the X preamp, provides the responsive and dynamic control that nine string players love. This pickup will articulate every note, chord, and harmonic you ask of it. Used equally in the bridge and neck positions, the EMG 909X pickup will forever change how you hear and play your 9-string guitar.

SIGNATURE PICKUPS

EMG JH “HET” SET

In early 2009, James Hetfield contacted EMG Pickups president Rob Turner and presented him with a challenge: to create a “stealth” looking set that captures the clarity and punch of a passive pickup and still retains the legendary active tone that molded a generation. The JH “HET” Set consists of the JH-N (neck) and the JH-B (bridge). Both were patterned after the pickups James had used for 30 years, but the end result was a completely different animal. The JH-N has individual ceramic poles and bobbins that feature a larger core and are taller than the 60. This produces more attack, higher output, and fuller low end in the neck position. The JH-B uses the same type of core but has steel pole pieces, unlike the 81 that uses bar magnets. This produces the familiar tight attack with less inductance for a cleaner low end.

EMG KH-BB SET

Kirk Hammett has been ripping up solos for Metallica for over 30 years. Riffs on Ride the Lighting, Master of Puppets, and the Black Album are a must learn for all rock guitarists. For Kirk, his tone starts with EMG pickups. “Metallica’s crunch sound is often cleaner than people expect”, says Kirk. “My taste in tone has definitely changed over the years. I don’t like to use as much distortion these days—I prefer my tone to be nice and crisp”. The new Kirk Hammett Bone Breaker set is the result of taking the success of Metallica tone and adding some new elements without sacrificing gain for clean or vice-versa. By making slight pre-amp adjustments and combining Alnico 5 and Ceramic magnets the perfect tone-beast was created. The Bone Breaker set consist of the BB-B Ceramic bridge and the BB-N Alnico 5 neck pickups. If you are looking for rhythm or lead tone, the Kirk Hammett Bone Breaker set offers crisp crushing leads or smooth rounded rhythm tone at the flip of the selector switch.

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