EMG Pickups Australia  Active Guitar Pickups for Metal & High Gain



Quick Answer

EMG active pickups deliver high output, low noise, and consistent tone for metal and hard rock. Most popular: EMG 81 (bridge  aggressive, tight bass) and EMG 85 (neck  thick, warm). Active design requires 9V battery but eliminates hum and provides maximum clarity at high gain. Perfect for metal, hard rock, and shred. In stock at Angkor Music Melbourne with professional installation available ($80-160). Call (03) 8360 7799 for pickup recommendations and installation quotes.




EMG active pickups have defined the sound of modern metal for over 40 years. From Metallica to Zakk Wylde, countless metal legends choose EMG for maximum output, zero noise, and unmatched clarity at extreme gain levels.



High Output

Maximum gain without noise



Zero Hum

Silent operation, no interference



Consistent Tone

Same sound in every guitar



Easy Install

Solderless system available





What Are EMG Active Pickups?

EMG pickups are active pickups, meaning they use a preamp powered by a 9V battery to boost the signal before it leaves the guitar. This design provides several advantages over traditional passive pickups, particularly for high-gain playing styles like metal and hard rock.



Advantages of EMG Active Pickups


High Output: Maximum signal strength drives amps harder
Zero Noise: No 60-cycle hum, dead silent when not playing
Consistent Tone: Less affected by guitar wood, more predictable
Tight Bass: Focused low-end perfect for palm muting
Extended Highs: Clarity and definition at extreme gain
Long Cable Runs: No tone loss with long cables
Low Impedance: Works better with effects pedals




Considerations


Battery Required: 9V battery needs replacing (1500+ hours life)
Different Character: Less organic than passive pickups
Not for Everyone: Better for high gain than clean/blues
Installation Cost: Requires routing for battery compartment (if not present)
Less Dynamic: Compressed sound compared to passive


Bottom line: If you play metal, hard rock, or high-gain music, EMG pickups are probably perfect. If you play blues, jazz, or clean tones primarily, passive pickups may suit you better.




Most Popular EMG Pickup Models

EMG offers dozens of pickup models, but these are the most popular and widely used by professional metal and rock guitarists worldwide. We stock all of these models at Angkor Music.



EMG 81  The Metal Standard (Bridge Position)



The EMG 81 is the most popular active pickup in the world and the standard for modern metal. Aggressive, tight, and articulate with incredible note definition even under massive distortion.

Tone Characteristics:


Extremely tight bass response (perfect for palm muting)
Aggressive, cutting midrange
Extended high-end clarity
Compressed, focused attack
Ceramic magnet for maximum output


Best For:

Metal, thrash, death metal, metalcore, hard rock, shred. Bridge position primarily, though some players use it in neck position too.



Famous Users:


James Hetfield (Metallica)
Kirk Hammett (Metallica)
Zakk Wylde
Kerry King (Slayer)
Alexi Laiho
Gary Holt (Exodus/Slayer)



Most Popular Pickup

In stock now







EMG 85  Warm & Thick (Neck Position)



The EMG 85 is the perfect complement to the 81, offering a warmer, thicker tone ideal for neck position. Fuller lows and smoother highs make it great for lead playing and rhythm.

Tone Characteristics:


Fuller, fatter bass response than 81
Smooth, warm midrange
Slightly subdued highs (less harsh)
Thicker overall tone
Alnico magnet (warmer than ceramic)


Best For:

Neck position primarily (though some use in bridge). Great for lead guitar, solos, and rhythm playing when you want more warmth than the 81 provides.



Famous Users:


Zakk Wylde (neck position)
Alexi Laiho
Many Metallica players
Used by countless metal bands



Classic 81/85 Set

Most popular combination







EMG 81/85 Set  The Metal Standard Combination

The EMG 81/85 set is the most popular active pickup combination in metal history. EMG 81 in bridge for aggressive rhythm and tight palm muting, EMG 85 in neck for thick leads and warmer rhythm tones. This is the combination used by Metallica, Zakk Wylde, Slayer, and thousands of metal bands worldwide. If youre unsure which EMG pickups to get, start here.




EMG 60  Vintage-Style Active (Neck Position)

The EMG 60 offers a more vintage-style tone than the 85, with smoother response and more dynamic sensitivity. Good choice for players who want active pickup benefits with more organic feel.


Smoother, more rounded tone than 85
Better for clean tones
More dynamic response
Alnico magnets
Popular in 81/60 set combination





EMG 57/66 Set  Modern Metal Alternative

The EMG 57/66 set is a newer design offering similar characteristics to the classic 81/85 but with slightly more open tone and less compression. Popular with modern metal players seeking more dynamic response.


57 in bridge  aggressive but more open than 81
66 in neck  thick and warm like 85 but less compressed
More dynamic response than 81/85
Better for players who want active benefits with more feel




EMG Signature Pickup Sets



Zakk Wylde EMG Set

EMG 81/85 set with custom black chrome caps. Zakks personal choice for decades. Same pickups as standard 81/85 but with distinctive black finish.



Het Set (Hetfield)

James Hetfields signature set includes EMG JH (bridge) and EMG 60 (neck). Designed specifically for aggressive rhythm and tight palm muting with more vintage-style neck tone.



Kirk Hammett Set

EMG Bone Breaker set with custom voicing for lead playing. Higher output than standard 81/85 with enhanced midrange for solos.



Kerry King Set

Slayer guitarists signature set featuring dual EMG 81s (bridge and neck). Maximum aggression in both positions for brutal rhythm and lead tones.




How to Choose EMG Pickups for Your Guitar


Quick Selection Guide


If you play metal, thrash, or hard rock:

EMG 81/85 Set  Bridge 81 for tight rhythm, Neck 85 for thick leads. This is the standard. Cant go wrong. Most popular choice for metal worldwide.



If you want modern metal with more dynamics:

EMG 57/66 Set  Similar to 81/85 but less compressed, more open. Better feel under your fingers while maintaining active pickup benefits.



If you play clean and lead more than rhythm:

EMG 81/60 Set  Bridge 81 for when you need aggression, Neck 60 for smoother, more vintage-style lead tones and cleaner passages.



If youre Zakk Wylde fan or want his tone:

Zakk Wylde EMG Set  Same as 81/85 but with black chrome caps. Get the exact pickups Zakk uses in his guitars.



If you want maximum brutality in both positions:

Dual EMG 81s (Kerry King style)  81 in both bridge and neck. Extreme aggression everywhere. Only do this if you rarely play clean or want pure brutality.




EMG Pickup Installation Service

We offer professional EMG pickup installation at Angkor Music Melbourne. EMG pickups can be installed using either traditional soldering or EMGs solderless wiring system (included with most EMG sets).



Whats Included in Installation


Remove old pickups
Install EMG pickups (bridge and/or neck)
Route battery compartment (if needed  additional cost)
Connect EMG solderless wiring system
Test all positions and electronics
Setup included (if requested)




Installation Pricing

Single Pickup: $80
Pickup Set (Bridge + Neck): $140
Full HSS/SSS Set: $180
Battery Box Routing: From $50 (if not present)

Note: Most modern guitars have battery compartments already. If yours doesnt, we can route one professionally. Call for quote.




Professional Installation Recommended: While EMGs solderless system is designed for DIY installation, we recommend professional installation to ensure proper grounding, secure connections, and optimal performance. Incorrectly installed pickups can hum, cut out, or fail completely.



EMG Active Pickups vs Passive Pickups

Understanding the difference between active (EMG) and passive pickups helps you make the right choice for your playing style.





Feature
EMG Active
Passive (Seymour Duncan, DiMarzio)


Output Level
Very high, consistent
Varies by model


Noise/Hum
Zero hum, dead silent
Some hum (especially single coils)


Battery Required
Yes (9V, 1500+ hours)
No


Tone Character
Tight, focused, compressed
More dynamic, organic


Best For
Metal, hard rock, high gain
All styles, especially blues/clean


Clean Tones
Good but compressed
More dynamic range


Installation
Solderless option available
Soldering required


Price Range
$190-280 per pickup
$190-350 per pickup






EMG Pickups FAQs


Do EMG pickups really sound different than passive pickups?

Yes, significantly. EMG active pickups sound tighter, more focused, and more compressed than passive pickups. The bass response is tighter (better for palm muting), the mids are more aggressive, and the highs are extended and clear. They excel at high-gain metal tones but sound less dynamic and organic for clean playing compared to passive pickups. If you play metal or hard rock primarily, EMGs are ideal. If you play blues, jazz, or clean tones mostly, passive pickups are usually better.



How long do EMG batteries last?

EMG pickups use standard 9V batteries that typically last 1,500-3,000 hours of playing time. For most players, this means 1-2 years before replacement. The battery only drains when a cable is plugged into the output jack, so unplugging when not playing extends battery life. Many players keep a spare 9V battery in their case. When the battery dies, your guitar simply goes silent  it wont damage anything. Cost: $2-5 per battery replacement.



Whats the difference between EMG 81 and 85?

EMG 81: Uses ceramic magnets, tighter bass, more aggressive mids, extended highs. Best in bridge position for rhythm playing and palm muting. More focused and cutting.

EMG 85: Uses alnico magnets, fuller bass, warmer mids, smoother highs. Best in neck position for lead playing and solos. Thicker and warmer overall.

Most metal players use 81 in bridge and 85 in neck for the best of both worlds. Some players (Kerry King) use dual 81s for maximum aggression everywhere.



Can I install EMG pickups in any guitar?

Yes, EMG pickups fit in standard humbucker routes and can be installed in virtually any guitar. The main requirement is space for a 9V battery compartment. Most modern guitars (especially those with active electronics or locking tremolos) already have battery compartments. If your guitar doesnt have one, we can route a compartment professionally (typically $50-120 additional). EMG also offers mounting rings and pickup covers in various colors to match your guitar. Installation from $120-160 at Angkor Music Melbourne.



Are EMG pickups good for clean tones?

EMG pickups can produce clean tones, but theyre not as dynamic and touch-sensitive as high-quality passive pickups. The clean sound is somewhat compressed and less organic. If you play clean tones 50% or more of the time, passive pickups (Seymour Duncan, DiMarzio) may suit you better. However, if you play metal or high-gain music primarily and need clean tones occasionally, EMG cleans are perfectly usable  just different in character. Models like the EMG 60 and 57/66 set offer better clean response than the standard 81/85.



Whats the solderless wiring system?

EMG includes a solderless wiring system with most pickup sets. This system uses push-fit connectors that snap together without soldering, making installation easier and faster. The system includes color-coded cables that connect pickups to pots, switches, and output jack. While designed for DIY installation, we still recommend professional installation to ensure proper grounding and avoid common mistakes. The solderless system is reliable when installed correctly but can cause intermittent issues if connections arent fully seated.



Which famous metal bands use EMG pickups?

Metallica (James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett), Slayer (Kerry King, Gary Holt), Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society, Ozzy), Children of Bodom (Alexi Laiho), Exodus (Gary Holt), Testament, Death Angel, Lamb of God, and thousands of other metal bands worldwide. EMG pickups have been the standard for thrash, death metal, and metalcore for decades. If you hear tight, aggressive, high-gain metal tone, theres a very good chance its EMG 81/85.




Shop EMG Pickups at Angkor Music Melbourne

We stock EMG 81, 85, 60, 57/66 sets, signature pickups, and all major EMG models. Professional installation available. Call for pricing, advice, and installation quotes.

Shop EMG Pickups Call (03) 8360 7799 Book Installation

Angkor Music Melbourne  EMG Authorized Dealer
4-6 Drake Boulevard, Altona VIC 3018
In Stock Now  Professional Installation Available


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