Emg 85 Pick-up

[W.Suitor]

I'm thinking of purchasing a Luke II. Basically I'm reading varied reports on the sound of active EMG pick-ups and was interested to know if anyone has ever compared a Luke II bridge pick-up with any other guitar with a Dimarzio Evolution in the bridge position as I feel that this pick-up comes closest to the sound I hear in my head. I already have a couple of EVH's which I would classify as having hot bridge pick-ups but essentially quite a clean sound. I also have a Silhouette HSH that I would say was similar to a Les Paul sound ie. crunchy but not overly hot or distorted. Would the EMG 85 in the Luke give me that thick pick attack when using heavy distortion, maybe similar to the intro to "Ain't talkin' 'bout love" by Van Halen.

 

[beej]

The thing about EMGs is that they're pretty well balanced across the tonal spectrum. Guess studio guys like Lukather like to have a nice balanced sound that they can EQ later

It distorts really well and you definitley get the pick attack. But the sound is crisper and more even- you get less midrange than a standard humbucker. (Often why people classify EMGs as "sterile".)

 

[W.Suitor]

Thanks for taking the time Beej!

 

[beej]

You got it buddy!

 

[Warg Master]

Personally, I like the Evolution better... the Evo is my bridge pickup for sure... Don't get me wrong, I love emgs...just not as much as the evo due to the EQ and just the overal sound of the EVO is chrisp and bright as I like it.