EMG VS DiMarzio Comparison
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.ย. 2024
- In this video I have recorded some riffs and licks to compare the sound of EMG 81 (Active) with DiMarzio DP227&DP228.
EMG Clean Channel Bridge Position 0:04 to 0:014
Dimarzio Clean Channel Bridge Position 0:14 to 0:24
EMG Clean Channel Middle Position 0:24 to 0:34
DiMarzio Clean Channel Middle Position 0:34 to 0:44
EMG Clean Channel Neck Position 0:44 to 0:54
DiMarzio Clean Channel Neck Position 0:54 to 1:04
EMG Bridge Position 2 tracks clean rhythm + Overdrive solo 1:04 to 1:10
DiMarzio Bridge Position 2 tracks clean rhythm + Overdrive solo 1:10 to 1:15
EMG Middle Position 2 tracks clean rhythm + Overdrive solo 1:15 to 1:20
DiMarzio Middle Position 2 tracks clean rhythm + Overdrive solo 1:20 to 1:25
EMG Neck Position 2 tracks clean rhythm + Overdrive solo 1:25 to 1:30
DiMarzio Neck Position 2 tracks clean rhythm + Overdrive solo 1:30 to 1:35
EMG Bridge Distortion Rhythm dual track 1:35 to 1:40
DiMarzio Bridge Distortion Rhythm dual track 1:40 to 1:45
EMG Bridge Distortion Rhythm + Artificial harmonic dual track 1:45 to 1:50
DiMarzio Bridge Distortion Rhythm + Artificial harmonic dual track 1:50 to 1:55
EMG Bridge Distortion Rhythm sustain dual track 1:55 to 2:08
DiMarzio Bridge Distortion Rhythm sustain dual track 2:08 to 2:20
Equipment list 2:27 to 2:35
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I know I'm a but late, but still I have to know. How were you swapping between pickups? I know EMG have the solderless pickups, but what about the DiMarzio and the Seymour Duncan's? Do they have the same connectors or are they 5 wire pickups?
@@chriswalton3383 Hi Chris, I recorded everything with EMG and then change the pickups and recorded everything again and put the videos back to back in video editing software (iMovie).
@@AydinZahedi so u had to do a lot of soldering then? That's a lot of work. I don't think people realise how much work goes into a video like yours. Well done man. Awesome job.
@@chriswalton3383 Thank you mate 😊🙏
It's helpful how you switched between pickups so fast. Easy to hear the comparison this way. Nice playing too!
I am glad to hear that you liked the video and found it helpful, and thanks for the kind word mate :)
your play style should be standardised for benchmarks and comparisons!
Hey thanks for doing this without a ridiculous backing tracking and shredding at 300 bpm. Can actually hear the differences like this. appreciate it.
Also, EMG all day every day
egregion no worries mate :) thank you for your kind comment, cheers.
Ironically, in my experience, one of the best ways to discern between actives and passives is to shred at "300 bpm". Well, not quite, but fast trem-picking rhythms (think Nile). On my passive Dimarzio D-A it will sound like shooting a machine gun. On active EMGs, the effect is halved.. it's been a disappointing revelation for me. For playing high octane metal rhythms, I don't think I could ever stay with actives, and now I'm looking at actually replacing my actives with EMG passives...
DiMarzio in my opinion. Sounds more clear in the cleans and sounds badass in distortion. Great video by the way man. Best comparison video I've seen.
Thanks for the comment, and thanks for the kind words mate :) cheers.
Aydin Zahedi no problem man:) cheers
The emgs in middle for clean sound really good. I wonder why all the internet hate....
Swain Bjornstrandt I agree, ENG sounds really good.
@@AydinZahedi correct EMG are good for blues and jazz clean tones which surprises most people and great for metal/rock
@Santiago José Amézquita Rengifo yes because its hard work to change a battery 1-2 times per year...
too much compression for non-metal players...I don't think they're the most pedal friendly pups either.
But mostly it's coz they're '80s technology, and don't have the vintage "vibe" or "mojo" that so many of us guitar nerds obsess over.
@@juventinos81 @juventinos81 it's more than that, I played guitar everyday with my ibanez prestige 81 and 85 combo and I would need a new battery every three months
Excellent. No annoying drums and post production. You're the man!
Juan Pablo Vivanco thank you mate :) I am glad that you like the video, cheers.
Dang, brother! That was beautiful!
I love both DiMarzios and EMGs, they are what I've always used, but in this example, I've gotta give it to the EMGs.
Thank you bro :)
emg for the dirty but dimarzio definitely won on the cleans and solos
Dude, great comparison. You definitely were the deciding factor in my choice of the two. EMG!!
Thanks for the kind words, i am glad to hear that you found this video helpful :)
I love EMGs. I use them in all my guitars and basses.
Some common myths:
#1: "EMGs can't do anything but metal." They can do everything buddy. In fact, EMG humbuckers tend to sound more sparkly than most passive single coil pickups. You could use an EMG 81 or 81 X as for country music as the tone can be pretty twangy.
#2: "EMGs make all guitars sound the same." No, they don't. I've heard EMG 81s in Fenders, Gibsons, and PRS guitars and I can assure you they all sounded different to varying degrees.
#3: "EMGs sound compressed." The original non-X pickups on 9V of power sound very compressed. However, the X preamp is much more open and dynamic sensitive than the old preamp. Running an X series pickup at 18V is quite a wonderful experience as the response, dynamics, and overall tone are world's better than the original preamp.
Emgs have a better bite and attack and dimarzios are more subtle but also have clarity
great comparison dude!
dimarzio!!!!
Thanks bro :)
Can't go wrong with either..the emg's clean up nicely as well just tweak your amp a little and find your tone
Kudos! Really helpful and one of the better comparisons. You play the exact same thing and the video seamlessly switches between the two versions without interruptions.
Ryan Nichols thank you so much for the positive comment mate, really appreciate it. I am happy that you found this video helpful, cheers.
Very nice comparison. I really appreciate the back to back being the same 👍
Ant Yep thank you 🙏
the best pickup comparison on youtube! kudos!
Miss Tress Thank you so much for the kind words :)
Best comparison video that I've ever seen.. THIS is the way comparisons should be done!! Great job!!
SkyVector Aerial thanks so much for the kind words and watching the video bro :)
THIS is what I call 'comparison video'
Thanks for the great video!!!
choi dh Thank you so much for the positive feedback, it means a lot :)
Usually I can hear the different between duncan and EMG. But, somehow in this comparison, I think both pickup sounds so similar especially the bridge PU.
Thanks for the wonderful review. I have subscribed to your channel without hesitation. Just want to add that 18V is simply magic. I have tried so many pickups. Nothing beats the 81 at 18V IMHO.
Best pickup comparison video ever.
Thank you very much :)
dimarzio has clarity emg has richness.
more like dimarzio has smoothness and emg has sharpness
same say different words mate
actually it's the way around, like alvarg says. emg and active pu in general sound clearer/flatter because their output is heavily compressed while passive ones have none or very soft compression.
im using an active pu right now lacks dynamics but screams and sounds awesome and has total control even in high gain... and yes about the compression thing id agree on that... but both have advantagess and disadvantages.. not like emgs gay and dimarzios a stud or dimarzios a pussy and emgs macho..
agree. i do prefer active for tracking and passive for gig, but taste, genre, necessities, etc etc can lead to choose a certain pickup. in the end it's up to you achieving the best from whatever you have.
Hey, its Petrucci playing Beneath the surface.
Great comparison!
Progger 90 thank you very much bro :)
You've done an amazing job dude!
Than you very much my friend :)
Great demo. Thanks!
Redaxerocker1 Thanks for watching and nice comment.
I like the EMGs for the rhythm playing. Still like the sound of a passive pickup when it comes to leads.
Both sound amazing.
Great review bro
o teuto -timbira Thank you, I’m glad that you liked it :)
That was a great comparison. EMGs surprised me.
Cheers bro :) yes EMGs sound really sweet.
Grate video, that's the way how to compare a guitar pickups, amazing A-B challenge!! congratulations!
Thank you very much 🙏😊
@@AydinZahedi And then the video gets better when recieve answer from channel!! thanks lot friend keep going! you have a new follower 👍👍
@@MrCarlosmpe Thanks so much, I really appreciate it :)
Great Demo! Great Playing!
Both sounds good but the Dimarzios sounds way more organic and "breathing".
I’ve never cared for emg’s , but it’s been awhile since I had any
Cool video!
Both pickups sound beautiful. There are definitely some subtle differences, but I’d be happy with either one.....
or BOTH! 😎
Very, very similar, in my opinion! I appreciate that you made this video
DiMarzio nice in clarity tones, EMG are more deep and good classic metal, both are had good in sustain. But for wide ranges of music genres and budgets I'll preferred DiMarzio imo 🤘, Thanks for this cool video
Both are great pickups but I think the DiMarzio has more clarity on the low end.
I will second to everybody's opinion that this is a great job this video. I am often too lazy to comment, but this guy deserves it, thank you for your input into the guitar world.
Mindaugas Vaitkus Thank you very much for your kind words, and commenting on my video, it means a lot, cheers my friend :)
You are welcome man, keep rocking! Just a quick question related to the topic, would you choose an Ibanez FRIX6FEAH with EMGs or RGIX6FM with Fusion Edge? Cannot decide and none of the shops in miles radius have any to go and check out :(
Both have the same neck specs, so the playability should be the same, Body wise, I prefer the RGAIX6FM, FRIX6FEAH feels a bit awkward. in hence of Pickups, when I'm buying a Guitar that is the last thing I consider because I can easily change it, and when I sell the stock pickups I barely lose any money, I prefer a pickup that has more mid and bass than treble, and I don't like the active pickup that much mainly because of the battery (I think it is a pain in the arse) and when you accidentally leave the Guitar plugged in and you pickup the Guitar next day, you realised it sounds like crap and you have to change the battery. so I always make my decision base on playability and finish, I always change the pickups, unless it comes with the pickups that I have in my mind. this is what I like: (1 to 10)
Bass 6
Mid 9
Treble 4
So I'd say don't make your decision base on pickups.
thank you so much for the detailed reply man, will certainly adhere to the things you pointed out when buying guitars.
just another thought Aydin, may I try and challenge you saying the pickups is the last thing to take into consideration.. I sold my Schecter S-1 to get something better and the Chapman ML-2 I now play sounded so bad, metal and rock I mean, not so bad for blues, I purchased and put SD JB in the bridge, but you know what, it still sounds nowhere near the Schecter with SD designed pups..:((
Both sound great.
Both sounded great! Emg's can cover a lot of ground. Dimarzio sounded nice in the high register.
I liked the comparison ... Oddly enough if you had an EMG 60 in the neck, then you would have been comparing my 2 "go to" sets ... I love the DiMarzios when I need a more open and uncompressed sound, and for most of my recordings ... I love the EMGs when I want a compressed and chuggy sound ... I usually pick up an axe with the DiMarzios because they are more responsive to pick attack, hand dynamics and clean up a high gain amp's highest gain channel well when you roll off the volume; but I find that the EMGs are more reliable to put the same tone in any guitar because of the active approach to sound output ... All in all I put EMGs into guitars that don't have the natural sound I want in the wood to make them sound good; but, if it is a guitar that I either bought or built that has "my tone" in the timbres then it will either be fitted with the Crunch Lab/Liquifire, Transition Bridge/PAF Master Bridge (PAF Master in the neck position) or a set of D-Activators
Generally people who have anonymous mental issues with Metallica, Slayer, Zakk Wylde or Vivian Campbell, hate EMG actives also. Di Marzio fanatics usually prefer it regardless of trying both of them but just because Petrucci or Vai uses. It's a matter of choice between if you love power, high gain, downpicking, galloping, blade cut 3 string power chords, on the other side technical wanking...
Sometimes the right eq setting can make a huge good difference to you depending on the amp you have. There are so many different emg pickups now and some I tried with my friend's Schecter had super good clean, but I forget with emg's they were. My RG2228 (1st edition) can get some really good cleans paired with my Katana Mini which I could record on my computer pluged into my focusrite. Some pedals sound good with it on clean settings too. Super good clean tone is not typical Metallica emg sound to my ears although some prefer that old school solid body clean sound.
Great video! Just what a comparison should be like!
Johan Skogström Thank you very much :)
I was ready to hate the EMGs. I preferred their tone every time though.
I can hear your guitar influences, great combination
A very helpful comparison and a very well-made video! Though I must admin that both pick-ups sound very similar to me.
I have been using DiMarzio for years. At least a super distortion in the bridge. I find emg's harsh, but that is just my ears. The SD is the most versatile pup I have used.
Listen to the 80's metal. Not hair metal, but iron Maiden priest etc, and you probably heard a super distortion.
I just ordered one myself. Every clip I hear sounds like exactly what I'm after
I like them both a lot. But I give the edge to Dimarzio. I'd like to hear your thoughts on it :)
Zach Hickey same here, I kept the Dimarzios, it has more Mids, and i. Dual tracking sounds wider and fatter, and I feel I have more control over the dynamics.
Honestly being a Metallica guy, my ears just love the way EMG projects sound. Always have
Thanks for that, John Petrucci =)
Nice playing and nice guitar!
Thank you very much :)
Wow... Great video and great playing and really helpful.
Thanks very much bro :)
I have the same dimarzio's in my ESP horizon NT-II, they sound excellent and split coils gives more tone option :)
Fucking awesome demo! Thanks heaps!
Thank you Anthony :)
Big difference in compression; EMGs give that saturated fullness but all the time.
In simple terms, DiMarzios + Compressor + Signal Boost = EMGs. S
ome people say ah DiMarzios are better, then tack on a compressor and booster pedal for their tone.
Tbf I use DiMarzios myself because of the fantastic coil splitting and 5 way selector options; you can get so many tones, incredible all round pups.
Both brilliant. Dimarzio edges it just for me because they have a bit more bite. Still love the chunkiness of the EMGs though.
Excellent vid & playing. Best one yet!
Curious Question:
At 1:26 with EMG81/81 you had the fret wrap on the neck for the solo. Whereas for the DiM 227/228, it wasnt put on. Any reason relating to the PUPs? I'm seriously thinking of buying those DiMs for my LTD. Thx.
purple goose thank you for your comment and your kind words :)
The answer to your questions: I just simply forgot to put it on on Dimarzio :P
Lols! Thought there was some serious XXXX going on.
Keep 'em coming.
purple goose lol I recorded the EMG parts like 2 months before I record the Dimarzio section, after I uploaded the video I realised I didn't put it on lol
clean sample sounds beneath-the-surface inspired
YIPE THATS A AWSUME GUITAR LOVE MINE THE EMG 81 R KILLER BUT NOT THE NEW ONES SUCK , ALLTHOUGH HAVE TO SAY THE DIMARZIOS SOUNDED PREATY DAIM GOOD TOO THANKS 4 SHARIN
Thanks for watching and sharing your opinion :)
BTW I just uploaded a play-thru video of my original song collaborated with George Kollias, Mike Lepond, Bob Katsionis and Gus Monsato, if you had time check it out, I hoe you like it :)
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This confirmed what I felt when swapping from EMG to Dimarzio in my Gibson Explorer 7. I liked EMGs better for cleans, Dimarzio better for dirty,
For clear they sound so different. For distortion they sound so similar.
Sick guitar
cheers :)
emgs are great but i find its very easy to go from pleasant tone to icepick shrill highs
EMG has brought a depth core environment!
DiMarzio !!!
good demo bro
Thanks bro :)
dude this was very nice, Id suggest a section of palm muted chunking thrown in there too
The EMG has so much harmonics. EMG is the winner.
Just seeing that the cloth had to be used to mute for the emg's show the greatness behind DiMarzios. Emg has its perks and i like them, DiMarzios have as well. Awesome.
I just simply forgot to put it on when I was doing Dimarzio, I normally don't use it but I thought for comparison it might reduce extra noise and make it easier to hear the difference but then I forgot to put it on.
Aydin Zahedi hey im not saying its a bad thing you are using it, emgs have a lot of power in them and so do dimarzios. I think they are both great pickups bottom line in their own way, im not one to say one is better than the other even with cloth use and such. I didnt mean any of it in a bad way!
Aydin Zahedi in fact i actually want to hear a song with these pickups clearly heard and trading solos with each other and such. These pickups sound wonderful together in this video. Like a yin and yang type deal.
Wow I love your lead style... Great vibrato!
Thank you 🙏 ☺️
I like more DiMarzio :) I use DiMarzio DP759 PAF 7 for my 7-string
I love EMG pick up.
Loved it.
Thank you :)
I got the D Ac. I hate using other guitars now when i randomly go to GC
love your touch, put up some of your music
Well you can always use booster for passives and they will sound as loud as plastic EMGs but with soul.
Do you mean a boost pedal? What is a booster- I’d be interested to know more about that! Thanks!
that lick at 1:30 though.
FifthAssassin Cheers mate :D
EMG is fine if you wanna do hard screamin metal stuff. Dimarzio, for me, has a warmer Sound. Smoother and not so aggressive - in this amp setting of course! But thx a lot. Now i know which PUs im gonna install. All i need now are ivory cap covers of emg just for the looks. Any of those for sale here??
Slight differences in pickups, but damn you Rock!
Kannon Carey Thank you very much Kannon :)
They're co close, I'd go with the DiMarz just to eliminate the "Dead Battery Syndrome"! Gb bg
I dont know, when i hear dimarzio steve vai and joe satriani came, when i hear emg metallica came in. Haha. Been using dimarzios for years, i love dimarzio more. Emgs full metal on. Dimarzio metal, solo and sweet rhythm. Nice vid man. 👍🏻👍🏻
muito bom linda composição!
Have you tried Dimarzio? If so, can you tell me your opinion compared with the Emg? My new guitar is on the way, with 81 and 85. But I love my Air Norton and Paf 36th... Nothing against Emg, I dont even care if they really compress or not the sound, I know this are amazing pick ups and there is lot of songs I enjoy that were recorded with them. Its just that I prefer the voice of my Dimarzio, but is a pain to change active to passive pickups... so I wonder if the Emg could get in that territory with eq on pedals and amp... Oh, I use Emg Hz too, and I dont understand why people hate them, those sound interesting and with a boost around 400hz and somewhere in the highs, it gets close to my Air Norton on bridge🤔
I personally prefer DiMarzio, It sounds a bit more organic to me, I do have a set of EMG on one of my guitars and I love the sound, It's just different.
The passive pickups have a full spectrum tone. They sound more natural. I don't mind the active pups but they sound processed.
I'm surprised how similar these sound, but the DiMarzio's take the cake here. They simply have more of an open sound, and you're gonna want that no matter what genre of music you play.
Uhm no… you would definitely want EMGs for a certain sound. That one sound nothing else does really, other than active pick ups.
Dimarzio every time. Passive pickups are simply more better.
Hey man, I have a question. What is the piece thats on the neck of the guitar to mute the excess ringing of the other strings at 1:25 in the video?
Fret Wrap by Gruv Gear www.gruvgear.com/fretwraps
Thanks man. How can I find out which size I need to buy?
They're both really good. Can't pick a straight winner. EMG have more punch and aggression, a bit beafy than DiMarzio. DiMarzio is more balanced, more dreamy, compared to soaring EMG sound, not that hot-loaded as EMG, but have more interesting clean sound. All in all I found EMG more suitable for some rythm playing and DiMarzio is more for lead parts. Both are still good pickups
Me parece que emg tiene mas presencia en agudos y dimarzio en medios. Emg mas brillo y dimarzio solo lo necesario.
EMG
So close but I think the emg's have a slightly fuller tone, between these sets at least
I think it's a matter of compression...throw the Dimarzio into a good comp and I think you you could almost not tell the difference
I’d keep EMG is that one cause it’s Jeff of Slayer guitar... he used EMG pickups
Very Nice
Thank you 🙏
holy shit they sound REALLY similar
Lead part sounds like something Steve Vai would write. And his sound too
for me bridge emg , middle dinarzio and neck emg
Hey John Petrucci , nice video
Thank you :)
I like how people throw around terms like "way more organic" as if that actually has any meaning.
dimarzio for distortion
EMG: Lacks the mids
Dimarzio: Barely lacks anything
I feel like EMG can sound great with tweaking
Totally.