EMG ZW Zakk Wylde Signature 81/85 Active Pickup Set

Replaced the stock seymour duncans in my washburn parallaxe. Was never really keen on them. Also replaced because I don't like push/pull coil splitting. The emg pickups were really easy to install. The instructions have a number of wiring options from les paul type to superstrat type(1 tone and 1 volume control) the only minor issue was a three way switch does not come with these pickups. Easy fix, just connect four wires into the main wiring buss, for earth, output, Bridge and neck pickups, and solder them to the relevant terminals on the toggle switch, 20 minute job. In fairness I've swapped countless pickups from dimarzio to seymour duncans, single coil and humbuckers etc. So I knew what I was doing. I appreciate this may not be the case if you're doing this for the first time. No fear, really is a simple fix. Anyway, I've always been curious about emg's, it's OK looking at youtube reviews etc but you never really know until they're in your guitar. I wasn't disappointed, excellent pickups. Cleans are crystal clear and hi gain is also great. Good clarity through hi, middle and low range so excellent for rhythm and lead work. Nice warm tone for blues and screaming tones for metal (especially harmonics) very happy.

Put them on my Ibanez EDR470EX (kind of something between a Radius and JS). Only small issues I had with the instalation was that:- I needed to buy the EMG 5-way switch (for strat-like guitars) as this pack comes with Les Paul type guitars wiring.- I couldn't get the new jack through the jack-hole as my original jack was narrower. I had to make the hole larger by scrapping it on the sides.- The EMG 5-way switch (not part of this package) just barely fits into the electronics cavity of the Ibanez. Guitar is too thin.However, once installed and wired... OMG! They sounds amazing! You need to get the height right though.I suggest start with the pickups as high as comfortably possible (as indicated by EMG). Plug your guitar on your favourite amp/setting (the one you are usually using) and start dropping them lower until you have the right amount of gain you like.Those babies aren't just good for heavy metal, set correctly you can get some pretty nice hard tones out of them, and you'll be blown away from the cleans.The 85 is a rounded, warm without losing any clarity (like a nice French red wine). Amazing to get those Slash, Zakk Wylde tones, but also pretty good to get your Gary Moore hot full tones and Dave Murray's signature warm neck tones.The 81 is a powerful, loud and tight. I found that there is slightly less clarity on the 81 (or perhaps I'm just a bad player), but the tone is insane. The tone this pickup gives is amazing. This pickup just wants to scream!All and all, I'm happy I bought those compared to DiMarzios or Seymours. The 81 can in times be a bit too hot. The great thing is that they are easily interchangeable and can get your 85 in the bridge position and 81 in the neck and see how that works for you.

Simple to install, Awesome sound. Neck pickup is simply stunning for fat Metal sounds. When played clean, they do provide a bit of soft distortion, but no more than a nice amp would give, simply turn the guitar volume dial down slightly and they clean up enough. installed on a BC Rich Virgin and they simply Rock.. . the sustain is epic and picks up plectrum harmonics beautifully.

these pickups are absolutely amazing. Blues players, please dont be put off by thinking that EMG's pickups are only good for metal. The clean tone on both of the pickups are so warm and beautiful. so overall, as well as being excellent pickups for metal/rock, they are also good for just about anything.the only minor problem is the difference in the volume between the 2 pickups. it can be simply fixed by switching the pick positions from 81 in the bridge to 81 in the neck. this also according to many, gives a much nicer tone to the guitar, as i have done so myself.

I replaced my powersound pickups and defo this amazinig 81 85 improved the output, it sounds brighter and louder and I agree with people who has made comments on internet about them I think they are right and is a very solid product and would highly recommend it even if you are not an active pickups fan. I have to say a couple of things: 1. the reason why I didn't give 5 stars is because the diagram did not help as seems like the R & T output jack plugs are the opposite causing wasting a lot of time checking all the connections but in the end I managed. the other thing I'd like to add is that I am very glad with them but not too impressed to be fair as I have another set of passive pickups which are also american wolfgang EVH and they are high gain and do not sound too different , in other words I would say they are very similar and would have expected to have a big difference but is not the case therefore to me they are not better than my woflgang zebra pickups but also not inferior.

If you are looking for high output active pickups for hard rock or metal, then these are the best you can get.Having worked in guitar shops for 10 years, I've tried many different active pickups. Fishman Fluence, Seymour Duncan, Ibanez, you name it. However, no other pickup has that special something like the EMG has.Obviously it's personal taste, but if you're looking to get pinch harmonics with ease and clarity when overdriven, then these are the pickups.

I would only suggest these pickups for les Paul’s. I tried to fit them in my Kramer vintage pacer and the shaft on the volume/tone pots are too long. You’d have to spend another £50 for short shaft pots for anything other than a les Paul and I feel they’d even be too long for a les Paul guitar

I have just installed it but the first impression is great. I've had a Les Paul for 5 years but only now realised what the phrase "endless sustain" means in real life. It's a great product.