Professional upgrade pickups.

With scorching riffs and remarkable stage presence, Zakk Wylde has earned his reputation as heavy metal's premier lead guitarist. From Ozzy Osbourne, Pride and Glory, and now Black Label Society, Zakk has always used EMG active pickups. The Zakk Wylde model features the EMG-85 and EMG-81, as used on his signature bull's-eye Les Paul guitar.

EMG-85
Although the EMG-85 pickup has more measurable output than the 81, its frequency response and string interface are different. The 85 uses two Alnico magnet-loaded coils with a wide aperture to maintain a beefy low end and a fatter top end. Because of a more natural tone, it works great as a rhythm and blues pickup because it has loads of output but isn't muddy. It's a perfect choice as a rhythm pickup in combination with an 81 in the bridge.

The midrange has great definition and doesn't get foggy or muddy in the rhythm position. The EMG-85 works best if you like the natural distortion that comes from overdriving the front end of your amp. Under any condition, the humbucker responds accurately to your technique.

EMG-81
The EMG-81 pickup is a high-output pickup designed especially for the lead guitarist. The 81 is at its best for high volume overdrive and amps with a master volume. Whether you're playing power rock 'n' roll, or overdriving your amp, there's a razor sharp attack, and incredible sustain for brilliant soloing. If you're looking for exceptional qualities in a rock pickup, the EMG-81 is the one.

Distortion during lead passages is consistent, sustain is long and the breakup fades smoothly. The ceramic magnet in combination with wide aperture steel poles lend a quick attack but the tone stays nice and fat at the same time. Perfect if you're the only guitarist in the band, and need to switch from rhythm to lead and still keep the band moving. Another great thing about the EMG-81 humbucker is it's quiet. If you're playing at really high gain the last thing you need is noise.

EMG EMG-ZW Zakk Wylde 81/85 Humbucker Set Features:

• Package includes:
• 2 EMG-exclusive Quik-Connect cables
• 2 25k-long shaft volume/tone controls
• 2 25k split shaft volume/tone (standard) controls
• Screws and springs
• Removable Zakk Wylde postcard on the box
• 1 EMG/Zakk signature collectable guitar pick

Give your sound a Wylde boost. Order today!

EMG EMG-ZW Zakk Wylde 81/85 Humbucker Set Specifications:

• EMG-85
• Resonant Frequency: 2.45
• Magnet Type: Alnico
• Output Voltage (String): 2.1
• Output Voltage (Strum): 4.5
• Output Noise @ 60Hz: -89 dBV
• Output Impedance: 10 kOhms
  
  EMG-81
• Resonant Frequency (kHz): 2.00
• Magnet Type: Ceramic/steel
• Output Voltage (String): 2.0
• Output Voltage (Strum): 4.5
• Output Noise @ 60Hz: -91 dBV
• Output Impedance: 10 kOhms
  
  System
• Current @ 9V: 160 microamps
• Battery Life: 1,500 hours
• Maximum Supply: 27V DC

EMG EMG-ZW Zakk Wylde 81/85 Humbucker Set

Write A Review

Average of 42 User Ratings

Overall

Quality

Features

Value

Customer Reviews

Overall

Quality

Features

Value

By far the best pickups ever!

Posted by PsychoBob from Price, Utah on Nov 5, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Studio musician, 15+ years performing

Reviewer's Play Style: Metal, Hard Rock

At first I couldn't decide whether to buy the Mustane Seymour Duncans or the these Zakk Wylde EMG's. Both had great reviews and both guitarist are my idols. I visited both manufacturers websites since Musicians Friend has to be brief on the website. I found that the Seymour Dunacans didn't come with everything you needed. They tell you to use your old capacitor and all connections needed to be soldered by the person installing their product. EMG on the other hand had a complete solderless setup and enough knobs for every type of setup. I installed them on my first guitar, an old Gretch with a solid walnut body. I had to carefully router some room behind the pick guard in the knob area of the body. I also installed a EMG-PA pre-amp booster switch. The hardest part was routering a place on the back side of the body for batteries. I could have used just one but decided to wire it with 2 batteries.

The sound is incredibly awesome!!! I use guitar rig 3, my computer, an Alesis MultiMix USB 2.0 board and Mackie studio monitors (the big ones!)at home. Sounding like Zakk is so easy. Getting tones like disturbed or godsmack are easy as well. I have recommended these pickups to all my guitaris friends and recommend them to you as well.

The best feature was not having to solder any wires. wired the guitar in about 20 minutes!

Overall

Quality

Features

Value

Good

Posted by TheDevilsHeir from Ely, NV on Nov 3, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Recording Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Thrash, Death Metal, and Punk

If you're going to upgrade your stock pickups for the first time, go with these. It gets great tone for soloing if you use the suggested setup, but works great reversed, too (81 at the neck and 85 at the bridge). I recommend these for any beginning guitarists who want to change their sound. I'm currently using this setup in my Warlock, but I'm getting a second set so i can put both 85s in it. The 81s are going in my Dean.

Overall

Quality

Features

Value

save your cash

Posted by Demonic Dragon from Pa on Oct 18, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: 20 years

Reviewer's Play Style: all

the claim to be high output i get better harmonics and output from my Dimarzio Evolution now don't get me wrong they sound good for your late 80's metallica and early type slayer but for over the top high gain metal give me a break

Overall

Quality

Features

Value

EMG 81/85 set

Posted by GoActive from Maryland on Oct 12, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Hobbyist

Reviewer's Play Style: Deathcore, Metalcore, Jazz, Post-Hardcore

These are the best pickups i have ever used. I don't think i'll be using passive pickups again any time soon. I put the 81 in the bridge and the 85 in the neck of my epiphone limited edition 1966 g 400 reissue. the pickups even look really good in the guitar. both are very crunchy, and they both can handle a ton of distortion while still staying clear.

the 81 is infact a bright pickup, and its really good for pretty much any metal. it's loud, and you can actually tap pretty well with it. it has bass, but its really tight bass. i like it. on the clean channel, its clear bright and kind of twangy. kind of what you'd expect from a high output bridge pickup that uses rail magnents.

the 85 does have a little more mids than the 81. (they both don't have a lot of mid range) and like most neck pickups i've used, has loose bass. i like the way it sounds clean. sounds much fuller then the 81. thats to be expected from a neck pickup anyway. with distortion, it sounds nice too. if you like to sweep pick and shred, this is what you're looking for. its great for soloing.

the only problem i had with these pickups is the wires that come from the pickups did not reach far enough for me to wire it as 2 volume and 2 tone. i had to wire it as 1 master volume and 1 master tone. that's okay for me, as it made room for the 9v battery.

lastly, the coolest thing about these pickups (atleast the set i got) is its a solderless instalation! that makes it so much easier. if you know how to strip wires and read instructions you can install them yourself.

good job EMG. i will be getting more of these pickups.

Overall

Quality

Features

Value

What I needed for the high end solowork!

Posted by NoMoreGoodbyesguitar from Indianapolis, IN on Aug 15, 2009

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Active Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Rock,Alternative,Metal

I just put these in my gibson explorer pro and they sound amazing! I was looking to boost the high end for solos because we play in drop c and use mesa heads! This worked perfect for me! pinch harmonics are effortless and the crunch from these babys is sick! A must have for rock or metal!

View more product reviews »

If you would like to write a review, please see our product review guidelines.

EMG EMG-ZW Zakk Wylde 81/85 Humbucker Set

Read 42 Reviews