Ernie Ball - The Best Strings for EMG Pickups

I hope you like this video about Ernie Ball strings/EMG pickups. If you think this video is helpful, consider making a donation through my website, http://www.dmometalguitar.com.

In my opinion, EMG pickups sound undefined with certain string brands such as GHS Boomers and Dean Markley Blue Steel. Because of their high output, EMG pickups enhance the oscillation of certain strings, creating a dirty sound.

Based on my tests, Ernie Ball nickel wound strings give me the cleanest and most defined sound with active EMGs, mainly when played with distortion.

My string tests on this video refer only to active EMGs. Passive pickups behave and sound entirely different. My tests here should not be used as a reference for passive pickups.

Also, Im using nickel wound strings. Ernie Balls stainless strings, for example, sound entirely different.

I play the following guitars on this video:

. ESP M-II with original Floyd Rose and EMG 81 pickups
. B.C. Rich Wartribe with Kahler Hybrid and EMG 81/85 pickups
. Gibson Explorer 84 Reissue with EMG 81/60 pickups

Category:

Music

Tags:

• ernie
• ball
• slinky
• nickel
• wound
• strings
• emg
• 81
• 85
• 60
• active
• pickups
• esp
• m-ii
• original
• floyd
• rose
• bc
• rich
• wartribe
• warlock
• kahler
• hybrid
• tremolo
• gibson
• explorer
• 84
• reissue
• tune-o-matic
• bridge

[JackTarJakst3R]

@Meatlooaf All metal musicians use active pickups..?

So, you would say that Michael Amott, Willie Adler, Jon Schaffer and Chris Broderick are no metal musicians? Not to diss on active pickups or anything, but you can make great metal with passive pickups, actives are not better. Give me a Seymour Duncan SH13 and I'll punch your EMGs though the wall with the low end, but I still think that EMGs have a nicer overall tone for some kinds of metal riffing. It always depends, but not on active/passiv

[MDSphinx]

YOUR ABSOLUTLY RIGHT, EARNIE BALLS HAVE NEVER LET ME DOWN EITHER... CLEAN BRIGHT SOUND AND ALSO LAST LONGER...

[thesecksbotspunk]

I used to use Ernie Balls. Then I realized that they didn't make thick enough strings for me so I switched to D'Addario. I use .12-.70 in drop A on my 6 strings (.10-.48 with a low .70 in Drop A on my 7 strings) and .13-.74 for drop G# on my 6 strings (.11-.50 with a low .74 on my 7's in Drop G#). Just so you guys know, D'Addario's and Ernie Balls are made in the exact same factory. The only way that the employees of that factory can tell the difference is because they paint the balls first.

[ravenshield56]

Elixirs!

[BEN1997CAM]

Ernie Ball Beefy Slinky's are great!

[Lippa100]

i fucking hate ernie ball's strings . i bought ernie ball strings two months ago and i have broken three of him strings

[buda329]

@JackTarJakst3R dude you forgot synyster gates...

[ThieleM]

@CrushedJustice

No.

Dimarzio D-Activators are passive but are wound to emulate some of the qualities of active pickups

[flamed1357]

pickup is judged by sound active just means it has a higher output and doesnt need a lot of distortion from pedals or anything else to distort the amp

[chepe371]

@JackTarJakst3R side by side, my seymour jb and my friends emg81, mine had a much nicer low end and crunch, but i had to compensate with more Hi ont he amp, his emg81 had incredible clarity much quieter, but had to reduce Hi's and boost lows. Id say if you dont have an amp with AT LEAST a 12inch speaker, EMGs wont do much for your overall sound.