The EMG81/60 set still reign supreme!
I’m someone who likes passive pickups but in my experience of playing guitar for over 30 years, passive pickups can often have a looseness to them that’s very very difficult to dial out and with some amps it can be impossible.
The EMG-81 sounds tight and very punchy no matter what rig is being used. The 81 may sound a bit thin in the low end but this just allows one to dial in all the low end you need from the amp. After comparing it with pretty much every single pickup in existence over the years, the 81 is still the most pleasing sounding pickup for intensely heavy Rhythm tones. No mud with a grinding high end and clarity for days.
The EMG-60 is IMHO the best pickup ever made when used in the neck position. Clean, bright and and with a very pronounced pick attack, almost like a single coil pickup.
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