EMG ZW Zakk Wylde Active Humbucker Pickup Set, Black

EMG ZW Zakk Wylde Active Humbucker Pickup Set, Black Overview

Set for twin humbucker guitar

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 bullseye Les Paul.

The EMG-81 is a high output pickup designed especially for the lead guitarist. It was actually developed in 1979 along with the EMG-58. Like most EMG's, it wasn't heavily advertised until 1981. The EMG-81 has the familiar U-shaped humbucking structure but replaces the pole pieces with steel bars and a smaller ceramic magnet. The EMG-81 is at its best for high volume overdrive. It has become the choice for metal and extreme players alike, Kirk Hammett from Metallica and Kerry King of Slayer to name only two.
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 is it's quiet. If you're playing at really high gain the last thing you need is noise.f you're looking for exceptional qualities in a high output pickup, the EMG-81 is the one. Two 81's are featured in Kirk Hammett's Signature ESP Guitar, the KH-4.

With the new solderless install system introduced in 2009, it is now easier than ever to install these pickups. To help you with the install here's a new video showing in detail how to install a set of EMG ZW pickups into a Gibson Les Paul. The install is being demonstrated by none other than EMG founder and President himself, Rob Turner and he explains how easy it is to install ANY EMG pickup.