EMG are an American company that specialise in producing high output active guitar pickups.
For many years, their signature models, the 81 and 60, in addition to the 85 and 89 models, have been synonymous with the more extreme forms of heavy metal. Their pickups are characterised with high treble and midrange, and strong pick attack.
They have ben favoured by Metal bands for their aggressive soudn and high output, but have been criticized for having poor clean tone and and inorganic, artificial sound. This has been compounded by the release of the Blackout pickups by their chief US rivals, Seymour Duncan. The Blackouts feature a richer, deeper tone, with better clean performance and a more organic sound, and several well known artists, such as Mick Thompson of Slipknot and guitrists Jeff Kendrick and Mike Spreitzer of DevilDriver, have switched to Blackouts.
Despite this, EMG active pickups still have many artists in their portfolio due to their excellent quality, and distinctive sound.
Famous Players include:
Zakk Wylde - Black Label Society
Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield - Metallica
Alexi Laiho - Children of Bodom
KK Downing and Glenn Tipton - Judas Priest
Matt Heafy - Trivium
Adam Dutkiewicz - Killswitch Engage
EMG 60
Brand:
EMG
Model no.:
60
Construction:
Active humbucking pickup
Position:
Neck
Magnet:
Ceramic
Description:
Popular active pickup. Used in neck position, usually with EMG 81 in bridge position.
EMG 81
Brand:
EMG
Model no.:
81
Construction:
Active humbucking pickup
Position:
Bridge (and Neck)
Magnet:
Ceramic
Description:
One of the most popular active pickups, first introduced in 1981. Usually found in the bridge position with a EMG 85, EMG 60 or a second EMG 81 in neck position.
EMG 85
Brand:
EMG
Model no.:
85
Construction:
Active humbucking pickup
Position:
Neck
Magnet:
Alnico 5
Description:
Popular active pickup, first introduced in 1981. Used in neck position, usually with EMG 81 in bridge position.
