SubMariner61
Active member
The 85 I like more than the 81 because it actually has more measurable output power and isn't nearly as razor thin or ice-picky. It's a fantastic high output pickup for metal rhythm or really crunchy riffing. The 60 is more of a treble oriented pickup which works well up in the neck area where high output pickups can often get muddy. It works very well with mid-range heavy amps. It's clean but fat and when the treble is rolled off, sounds buttery smooth. The 85 is alnico 5 while the EMG 60 is ceramic. It used to be considered a "neck preferred" humbucker but not too long after its introduction, people began using it for the lead because it's the warmest of all the EMG humbuckers and in the lead position, sounds more like a passive humbucker than the 81 or 60. It's extremely crunchy and round...if that makes any sense. This is the only combination of EMG's I like, the 85/60. Also, for some reason perhaps others can explain, this combo really soars with poplar wood. This Sub pretty much eats everything that is A/B'd against it. My friend has an Axis (stock) and has to set the amp controls (gain/master volume) much higher when using that guitar than when we've used this one. The EMGs just slam the front end of an amp and tube amps especially, seem to favor actives. You can get the gain to "sag" a bit easier because the pickups are hitting the front end of the amp with so much power. As much as I love the OEM Sub 1 pickups, they seem to come up a bit short when it's time for the real heavy type tones. They can dime everything right up to early 90's metal but anything heavier than that and they need some additional pushing whereas the EMGs just slam you.
