Guitar EMG Pickups versus Seymour Duncan Pickups

Question

I'm looking at buying an ESP LTD Deluxe EC-1000 Electric Guitar after a friend in my band bought one. I'll have to order one since no shop has it in inventory. However, I have one dilemma. One model of this guitar (the Amber Sunburst) has Seymour Duncan JB/59 pickups but the other models have EMG-81/60 pickups.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/ESP-LTD-Deluxe-EC1000-Electric-Guitar?sku=516629

I know that EMG's are more geared for hard rock/ metal tones, and they do an amazing job too. However, when searching for cleaner sounds, EMG's are hard to tame and still sound distorted. Seymour Duncans are more ideal for clean tones from what I understand.

So this is my dilemma. I am largely influenced by hard rock bands like Skillet (the best band ever), Disciple, and Flyleaf. When I want a hard rock sound, I want it done well, which makes me lean towards EMG's. However, I love lighter bands like U2, Switchfoot, All-American Rejects, and Angels & Airwaves.

I kinda want a guitar that can balance between hard rock and lighter rock, but I guess the hard rock is more important to me. Is the EMG a good pickup for my tastes? Can the Seymour Duncan do just a good a job for hard rock stuff?

Answer 1

I have a Seymour Duncan Jazz in the Neck humbucker of my Epiphone Les Paul.  I also mostly play rock.  This thing is great for those fat tones.  I lay on my Boss overdrive/disortion pedal and the sound is awesome for rock rhythms.  For my leads I have a Gibson Burstbucker Pro in the bridge.  I recommend Seymour Duncan.

Answer 2

Hi

Get Seymour duncans. You want a clean sound and when you add a distortion pedal, i imagine you want a clean distortion. EMG won't give you that rock sound you are looking for.

Seymour Duncan is the way to go. What is fun about them is that they are very responsive and more gutsy.

your choice.