DiMarzio SUPER DISTORTION vs EMG 81 - Bridge Guitar Pickup Comparison Tone Demo

Clean and distorted rhythm comparison between DiMarzio Super Distortion (passive) and EMG 81 (active) pickups for electric guitar on the bridge position. Settings are the following:

GUITAR
Tuning: Eь / D#
Strings: D'Addario EXL140 (010-052 gauge)

AMP
Clean: EVH 5150 III profile (Kemper Profiler)
Distortion: Peavey 5150 profile (Kemper Profiler)

RECORDING TECHNIQUE:
- One centered mono track per pickup.
- Same config and EQ for both.

More DiMarzio Super Distortion pickup comparison videos:

More EMG 81 pickup comparison videos:

DiMarzio official website:

EMG official website:

00:23 Clean test
03:06 Distortion test

#pickups #comparison #guitar

[draleigh]

after all these videos I'm learning the super distortion is one of the best pickups around

[radshoesbro]

The Super Distortion was used on Reign in Blood. Nuff said.

[lovecraftmusic]

For those who say the SD isn't tight and flubby...Ask Terrance Hobbs from Suffocation...

[crazytrain]

I think most will agree that the SD sounded much better for cleans. More highs, more punch, a little more airy. EMG sounded muffled and artificial, as most actives do, but that’s not what they’re for. Distorted chording and palm muting sounded tight and aggressive on the EMG which I preferred. The SD was decent, and you could hear that signature “cocked wah” sound it has. For the leads, I honestly think both sounded good and it would depend primarily on your preference. I’m personally not an active pickup fan so I’d go SD overall, but I’m also an 80s guitar geek so the SD was also the soundtrack of that era.

[playswithpixels]

I like this comparison. I have both, love both, and to me the Super D is about the closest thing you can get to an 81 with a passive pickup. Both have a real tight low end, make pinch harmonics easy, have a similar EQ curve, etc. The 81 is just a more extreme version.

[GhettoGinny]

Super distortion seems to be focused on the highmids whereas the EMG 81 is focused on the low meds and it seems the trouble is a little more dry kind of sounds dead. Like there's nothing in the middle. Super distortion all the way.

[maxfear]

the two the best pickups ever! Super Dist is the best overall for when you want good cleans and excellent distortion without too much harshness but rather warmth instead...good to tame a bright amp like old Marshalls;
Emg 81 is the best for high gain when zero fucks are given and you want maximum gain and clarity. All other pickups are approximations/variations of this 2.
I still have to find a better high output pickup than the SD that growls in the low-mids and is not shrill/harsh/bright in some way.

[Soldano]

Both great but i think the SD is mote versatile and has that iconic vintage 80's vibe that no other pickups can quite replicate.
EMG's are more "metal only" IMO which is also a very valid choice which is why i put these in my LTD EX.

[marktolch]

Recently picked up an ESP EC 1000 because my SG with vintage DM Superdistortion was out of commission. Never messed with active pickups before, was pleased that these punch in the same category but are also dead quiet. Was going to throw passives in here, and I'm now deciding to just keep the EMG 81 in the bridge.

[iamgribs]

Both are great sounds. they both sound great with high gain. great mids.
Emg clean isn't bad, but dimarzio is nice clean.
Dimarzio sd has that nice sizzle that is unique to that pickup. emg has better clarity on the palm mutes for sure.
they are both great pickups for metal but it depends what you want. for classic metal super d is the epitome of that sound. for modern metal emg 81 is the same, basically a textbook choice for moden era metal.

[mathias]

Wow pretty close with distortion, but Dimarzio still sounds better clean, what a pickup :D

[danadane]

I'm very impressed with the DiMarzio Super Distortion. Even though the EMG 81 AND 85 set will always be my go to.

[BalashToth]

I like the EMG better for the distorted tones, way more defined and tighter, also the high mids are amazing on it. "And who gives a shit about cleans?" - copyrighted by Ola Englund 😁

[bigchocolate]

Both great but I'll choose emg 81 for the distortion

[WildChildMcCloud]

DiMarzio. The EMG is kinda thin yet doesn't clean up when you roll the volume knob back.

[Mazut]

Passives all the way! 3:54 you feel that SD kick you in the chest like Leonidas in 300, the 81 simply sounds sterile and less dynamic, and has less "color" to it. The cleans also sound night and day better than on the 81. Proud owner of an OG 70s Dimarzio Super Distortion, and tried IRL the 81. For me the SD is a clear winner! 💪🏻

[tpeck]

Super Distortion, the first and still the best. It has THE sound of rock n' roll and metal.

[OrkhanJulfa]

Why everybody say Super Distortion is flubby and loosy pickup? I've found this pickup being very tight and focused.

[muukaanbienesraices]

Can you compare super distortion vs transition bridge please?? Thanks 👍

[zombiemosher]

The Dimarzio has more punch on distortion & as expected takes it on the cleans.