Last Updated on March 6, 2024 by Teemu Suomala
EMGs have been a weapon of choice for many legendary guitarists from James Hetfield to Jim Root, and from Alexi Laiho to Jeff Hanneman. And you know what? EMGs can be your secret weapon too.
EMG pups have shaped the sound of metal for decades (founded in 1976).
So if you are a metalhead, it’s no wonder you are here. Getting mean-sounding pickups that will serve you well in your next metal jams is a killer idea. Personally, I have been shredding ESP LTD MH-400 equipped with EMG 81 (bridge) & EMG 85 (neck) since 2012. These pups really chug. And since I also like the aggressive tone of active pickups, I was happy to put together this article listing the cream of the crop guitars with EMG pickups. I also reveal the 3 best ones. If you have any questions, just check the FAQ section or leave a comment.
Let’s get started!
Author: Teemu Suomala
EMG Pickups
EMG pickups have magnets with copper coils around them like any other electric guitar pickup. But they also have a preamp circuit and battery to power up the signal and circuitry.
47 Guitars with EMG Pickups
ESP LTD EC-401 is one of the best guitars with EMG pickups under $1000(the best EMG single-cut under $1000 in my opinion). It’s equipped with EMG 60 & EMG 81 humbuckers (Hetfield used these back in the day) and these pups offer killer thrash metal sound. Playability is comfortable (not the best upper-fret access tho) and the value for the money is high.
Price Range Icon Meanings:
$= $380-499
$$= $500-899
$$$= $900-1299
$$$$= $1300-1899
$$$$$= $1900-
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| Model | Pickups | Body Style | Price Range | Check Current Price (affiliate links) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harley Benton SC-550 Plus EMG – Cheapest | 2 x EMG Retro Active FAT 55 Zebra PAF Style Alnico-5 humbuckers | Single-Cut | $ | Thomann* |
| Harley Benton EX-84 LH Modern EMG | EMG81 active (bridge) – EMG60 active (neck) | Explorer | $ | Thomann |
| Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG | EMG Retro Active Hot 70 Covered Ceramic (bridge) & EMG Retro Active Hot 70 Covered Alnico-5 (neck) humbuckers | Single-Cut | $ | Thomann |
| Harley Benton Fusion-III EMG HT Roasted | 2 x EMG Retro Active Hot 70 Humbuckers | Modern Stratocaster | $ | Thomann |
| Harley Benton SC-Custom Plus EMG FR | EMG Retro Active Hot 70 Covered Ceramic (bridge) & EMG Retro Active Hot 70 Covered Alnico-5 (neck) humbuckers | Single-Cut | $$ | Thomann |
| Cort KX 300 Etched – Cheapest US Market | 2 EMG Retroactive Super77 humbuckers | Modern Stratocaster | $$ | Guitar Center – Thomann |
| Jackson Soloist SLA6 DX Baritone | EMG 85 Humbucker & EMG 81 Humbucker | Modern Stratocaster | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Schecter Sun Valley Super Shredder FR – Best Budget | EMG RetroActive Neck Humbucker & EMG RetroActive Bridge Humbucker | Modern Stratocaster | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Schecter C-1 Platinum SBK | EMG 89 Humbucker, EMG 81 Humbucker | Modern Stratocaster | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Schecter Damien Platinum 6 | EMG 85 Humbucker, EMG 81 Humbucker | Modern Stratocaster | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| ESP LTD KH-202 BLK Kirk Hammett | ESP LH-301N Humbucker, ESP LH-301B Humbucker | Modern Stratocaster | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Jackson X Series King V KVXMG | EMG 85 Humbucker, EMG 81 Humbucker | V | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Jackson Demmelition Fury PDT SW | EMG 60 Humbucker, EMG 81 Humbucker | Explorer | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Ibanez RGIB21 – Excellent Baritone Shredder | EMG 60 Humbucker, EMG 81 Humbucker | Modern Stratocaster | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Schecter C-1 Hellraiser BLK | EMG 89 Humbucker, EMG 81 Humbucker | Modern Stratocaster | $$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| ESP LTD EX-401 | EMG 60 Humbucker, EMG 81 Humbucker | Explorer | $$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| ESP LTD Viper-400 Baritone | EMG 85 Humbucker, EMG 81 Humbucker | SG | $$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Kramer Guitars Charlie Parra | EMG 66 Humbucker & EMG 57 Humbucker | Modern Stratocaster | $$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| ESP LTD EC-401 | EMG 60 Humbucker, EMG 81 Humbucker | Single-Cut | $$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Schecter Sun Valley Super Shredder PT FR with Sustainiac | Sustainiac Driver Pickup, EMG Retro Active Hot 70 Humbucker | Tele | $$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| ESP LTD EC-1000 Vintage Black – Best Overall | EMG 60 Humbucker, EMG 81 Humbucker | Single-Cut | $$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| ESP LTD Arrow-NT | EMG 81 Humbucker | V | $$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| ESP LTD MH-1001NT | EMG 85BBC Humbucker, EMG 81BBC Humbucker | Modern Stratocaster | $$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Dean Guitars Exile Select F | EMG 57tw and 67tw Humbuckers (coil-split) | Modern Stratocaster | $$$ | Guitar Center – Thomann |
| Schecter Banshee GT-6 FR | EMG 60 Humbucker, EMG 81 Humbucker | Modern Stratocaster | $$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Schecter Banshee GT FR S | Sustainiac Pickup, EMG 81 Humbucker | Modern Stratocaster | $$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| ESP LTD EC-1000 Evertune BB | EMG 60TW-R Humbucker, EMG 81 Humbucker | Single-Cut | $$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| ESP LTD LF-1001 Violet Andromeda | EMG-81TW Humbucker | LTD F-1001 | $$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| ESP LTD KH 602 BLK Kirk Hammet – For Metallica Shredders | 2 x EMG Bone Breaker Active Humbucker | Modern Stratocaster | $$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| ESP LTD James Hetfield Signature Snakebyte – For Metallica Riffers | EMG JH-N Active Humbucker, EMG JH-B Active Humbucker | Snakebyte | $$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Fender Jim Root Telecaster – For Slipknot & Stone Sour Fans | EMG 60 Humbucker, EMG 81 Humbucker | Telecaster | $$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| ESP LTD James Hetfield Vulture | EMG JH-N Humbucker, EMG JH-B Humbucker | V | $$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| ESP LTD James Hetfield Iron Cross SW | EMG JH Set Humbucker, EMG JH Set Humbucker | Single-Cut | $$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Dean Guitars Kerry King V | EMG 85 Humbucker, EMG 81 Humbucker | V | $$$$ | Guitar Center – Thomann |
| ESP LTD Kirk Hammett EKH-3 Spider | 2 x EMG BoneBreaker Humbucker | Single-Cut | $$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| ESP LTD TE-1000ET Koa – Best Premium | EMG 66TW Humbucker, EMG 57 Humbucker | Tele | $$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| ESP LTD H-1008 Baritone Evertune | EMG 85-8H Humbucker, EMG 81-8H Humbucker | Modern Stratocaster | $$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| ESP LTD Alexi Hexed Sawtooth | EMG HZ FH-2 Humbucker | V | $$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Fender Jim Root Stratocaster | EMG 60 Humbucker & EMG 81 Humbucker | Stratocaster | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| ESP E-II Eclipse DB | EMG 60 Humbucker & EMG 81 Humbucker | Single-Cut | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| ESP E-II M-II | 2 x EMG 81 Humbucker | Modern Stratocaster | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| ESP E-II FRX FM | EMG 89R Humbucker, EMG 89 Humbucker | FRX | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| ESP E-II Horizon NT-I | EMG 66 Humbucker, EMG 57 Humbucker | Modern Stratocaster | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| ESP E-II RZK-I Burnt | 2 x EMG 81 Humbucker | Offset Stratocaster | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Jackson USA Select Dinky DK1 | EMG 85 Humbucker, EMG 81 Humbucker | Modern Stratocaster | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
| Suhr Standard Legacy – Awesome Premium Guitar | 2 x EMG SA single coils (neck and middle) and 1 x EMG SA/85 humbucker (bridge) | Modern Stratocaster | $$$$$ | Thomann |
| ESP James Hetfield Signature Snakebyte | 2 x Active EMG JH humbuckers | Snakebyte | $$$$$ | Sweetwater – Thomann |
If you want more guitars with EMG 81 and EMG 85 or EMG 81 and EMG 60 pickups to choose from, check these articles: 21 Guitars with EMG 81 & 85 Pickups – Plus 3 Best Ones & 23 Guitars with EMG 81 & 60 Pickups – Plus 3 Best Ones.
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3 Best Guitars with EMG Pickups – My Favorites
Best Budget – Schecter Sun Valley Super Shredder FR
What I like
- Smooth Hard Rock Maple neck
- A really thin neck (1.625″nut) and thin C neck shape make playing easy for my small hands
- EMG RetroActive pickups offer well-balanced but aggressive sound
- Easy access to truss rod from the bottom of the neck
- Great all-around quality
What I don’t like
- A compound radius would be just awesome
Who is it for?
If you are after an affordable metal machine with aggressive EMG pickups, Schecter Sun Valley Super Shredder FR is one of the best options. It offers great value and there’s almost nothing to complain about for this price.
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Best Overall – ESP LTD EC-1000 Vintage Black
What I like
- Great metal tones
- Stunning looks
- Spot on the action and smooth neck make this axe comfortable to play
- Works well with small hands too
- Versatile
- High quality
- Tons of different color options are available
- You can get LTD EC-1000’s with tons of different extra features from piezo pickups to Floyd rose
What I don’t like
- Upper fret access is not great
- The use of plastic nut feels a bit cheap for this price
Who is it for?
I’ve been lovin’ this guitar since I first tried it out a couple of years ago. With this axe, you get excellent value for money. It’s built for metal but can handle different music too. For people who mostly play metal, but want to explore other genres too, this guitar is definitely worth the money.
And another awesome thing is that there are so many different versions of this guitar available. Versions with:
I know, it can be hard to decide which one, but it’s awesome that there’s an LTD EC-1000 for almost everyone. It’s an awesome, versatile metal machine, and this version with EMG pickups is one of the best options out there (the one with the Fishman Fluence pups is awesome too).
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Best Premium – ESP LTD TE-1000ET Koa
What I like
- Evertune bridge and LTD locking tuners will keep the guitar in tune
- A thin U neck with a 1.653″ nut width makes this axe smooth to shred
- Comfortable to play
- Stays in tune well
- Premium quality
- Not that expensive
What I don’t like
- The use of plastic nut feels a bit cheap for this price
Who is it for?
If you are looking for a premium-level guitar with EMG pickups and smooth playability that doesn’t require you to apply for a second mortgage, ESP LTD TE-1000ET Koa is a great option. It does have a plastic nut, which is a bummer (doesn’t ruin the guitar tho), but if you replace that, this guitar is a true pro-premium-level beast.
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FAQ
What Are EMG Pickups Good For?
EMGs are active pickups, and they are made for playing metal. They offer hot & heavy sound. They can handle softer music too, no question about it. We all have heard beautiful clean segments played in metal ballads, and many times, EGMs were used to play those parts too. And as you can see from the EMGs artist page, most of the guitarists there are associated with metal.
Are EMG Pickups Good?
EMG pickups are a good option especially for metal. They handle rock and hard rock really well too. They are not the best choices for jazz, blues, funk, and country. But still, EMGs are usually surprisingly versatile.
What EMG Pickups Does Metallica Use?
Nowadays James Hetfield’s ESP signature guitars come with EMG JH-N Active Humbucker & EMG JH-B Active Humbucker. James has previously used EMG-81 (bridge) and the EMG-60 (neck).
Kirk Hammet’s ESP signature guitars usually come with 2 x EMG Bone Breaker Active Humbucker. Kirk has previously used EMG KH-21s (Dual 81’s).
Do EMG Pickups Work Without Batteries?
No. EMG makes active pickups and they require a battery in order to power up the signal and preamp circuitry.
Alternatives to EMG Pickups
The main alternative to EMG pickups are Fishman Fluence pickups. They use completely different technology and are more versatile. Check some cool guitars with Fishmna Fluence pickups out and learn more here: 33 Guitars with Fishman Fluence Pickups – Plus 3 Best Ones.
Guitar Brands Using EMG Pickups
Here are a couple of great guitar brands that frequently use EMG pickups:
- ESP
- Jackson
- Schecter
- Harley Benton
Here are a couple of brands that sometimes use EMG pickups:
- Kramer
- Fender
- Ibanez
- Dean
- Cort
- Suhr
Conclusion
EMGs are one of my favorite active pickups. And the most legendary to me for sure. They do offer mean sound, and many popular metal masterpieces are shredded by using them. That’s why getting a guitar with EMGs is usually a solid choice for metalheads. With them, you can achieve sound really close to those metal masterpieces.
I hope this article helped you out, and maybe you even decided to get one of the guitars featured. If you have any questions, leave a comment, I and the GND team are here for you.
Now go, my son, and Rock!
