Bare Knuckle Cold Sweat vs EMG 81X

[Alfi27]

Hello! I have recently swapped the Cold Sweat/VHII set in my Mayones Setius for a set of EMG 81x/85x. Was it a wise move? I have not made up my mind entirely yet... The reason why I did it is because the CS sounded a bit different, not as bloody awesome in drop C as it did in E standard, and I needed a guitar in that tuning so it had to be the Mayones. It looks extremely badass with the EMGs as well. One thing I have figured out is that even though the EMGs might have a better, tighter and more powerful sound for heavy metal and metalcore, it completely lacks versatility. And I do not like the thought of being dependent on batteries either... Anyway, I did some clips with the different pickups. I used exactly the same preset on the Axe FX and everything is the same except the pickups. The only thing that might have «compromised» the result is that I used the Afterburner as well with the EMGs, but I do not think it matters to much because I adjusted the input gain on the Axe according to it. It might have resulted in a little bit more saturation and less tightness.
I apologize for some sloppy playing, especially with the Cold Sweat...
Well, here are the clips:

Cold Sweat: https://soundcloud.com/alfi27/waking-the-demon-intro

81x: https://soundcloud.com/alfi27/waking-the-demon-intro-with

[ericsabbath]

nice comparison
differences sound consistent to what I remember

if you felt that the cold sweat was lacking output or body, you could try getting the pickup as close as possible to the strings
high string action also helps a lot

for drop C modern metal, you might like the miracle man or painkiller better

[Alfi27]

Yeah, I will most likely put some Bare Knuckles in the guitar again, but that will probably not be any time soon... I have other guitars to cover up for the lack of versatility of the EMGs, so it is not a very high priority.I want to replace the 85x with a 60x also, the 85x is very muddy..

[schneidas]

I want to replace the 85x with a 60x also, the 85x is very muddy..

I did have the same combo. And did not like the 85X too - way too muddy - the 60AX is better but still slightly muddy.
I'd say get either a 60X (which is really great!) or if you want to go hotter, a second 81X for the neck (which I really liked too!)

[Alfi27]

I'd say get either a 60X (which is really great!) or if you want to go hotter, a second 81X for the neck (which I really liked too!)

I think I will go for the 60x, yeah. Who knows, maybe I can get some decent clean tones as well? 

[Alex]

Not a lot of difference, the CS seems to have more high end detail, the EMG more oomph.

I think the MM would easily kill both for that type of music.

[ericsabbath]

Not a lot of difference, the CS seems to have more high end detail, the EMG more oomph.

I think the MM would easily kill both for that type of music.

agreed
its got the high end detail and more oomph than the EMG
the emg is still more in-your-face, though, which is why I mentioned the painkiller as the other alternative

[Toe-Knee]

The EMG sounds miles better imho. It has more punch and it's thicker whereas the CS sounds really thin, fizzy and nasal like the underproduced 70s heavyish music.

I do love the CS in standard and Eb though but I could never get on with it going any lower.

[ericsabbath]

the CS sounds really thin, fizzy

I'll just pretend you mispelled 'Thin Lizzy' 

[Alfi27]

Yeah I have to admit that the EMG slays the Cold Sweat in these clips... This song/riff does actually require a certain tone to sound good. I bought an Orange Rockerverb MKIII, and with a TS (MP Little Green Wonder) in the front it worked quite well for other BFMV songs, but when I played this riff it just mushed out and everything got messy... And then it was done, I heard the mush in all of the songs, and I returned it yesterday :/ A bit sad, but the amp was a beast, heavy and expensive as f**k, and there is no way I have use for 50w in the nearest future.

Ordered an 81x to go in the neck position (they did not have the 60x in stock) a couple of minutes ago! Then I can finally fix the wiring as well, I bought the 81x/85x set used, so I did not get all of the solderless parts and I had to improvise... That might be a reason why I find them very little versatile, because there is some strange clipping noise when I play clean, and they are not that high output

[Alfi27]

Alright, a little update! I installed the proper electronics and now it sounds magnificent, the cleans are actually decent as well! As for the 81x vs 85x in the neck, I have to admit that I prefered the 85x... The 81x did not remove the slight mud that appears in fast passages, and it was overall much brighter and cutting, which I do not like in the neck position. Might be better in a band context though, so I won't sell it just yet. Bottom line, I do not think I will get rid of these pickups :D