Looking for an alternative to an EMG 81

[deeaa]

Sounds very much like normal 85 does, based on your description. Remember to not shy using the volume control when less power is needed, and try to take advantage of its capability to handle full chords without mushing up any - that's probably the biggest factor for me with 85's, they can give incredibly big, slow-strummed thick chords without any mushing up at all, just ringing harmonics galore, if the guitar intonation is good. I'm downright addicted to always adding an extra low note to many normal chords, like adding a slightly damped low G to C barre chord, it just sounds so damned thick and juicy without really registering as a note there, and it won't mush up any with actives

 

[Eric]

Yeah, I now understand the attraction of them, because it has a good deal of the warmth of passives, but doesn't sound quite as soggy.

I A/B'ed my passive and active after installation, and while they're different, I didn't have that ahh-I'm-home feeling when playing the passive, which is what I've found in the past when compared to actives (or the 81 anyway).

I find the proof is always at loud volumes and in a mix, so I'm really itching to try them out, but won't have any chances to do so until next week at the earliest. Band settings are very much plug-in-and-go, so if there are problems that's usually where they surface for me.

 

[kiteman]

I know when it comes to actives you have to use the volume knob and they have wonderful tones when dialed right. It's great when they're high output and jam but roll back some and you get paf tones.

Damn, I'm tempted to put the Blackouts back in.