James Freeman
Rock Star
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In EMG's defense, they still have a good amount of headroom, just the very peaks are clipping.I think a lot of the perceived “hotness” of an EMG is from the preamp clipping the loud notes, and the softer ones being closer in volume for a more even sound.
The waveforms above are me digging hard in on all open strings with the intention to clip everything, which is not 'playing'.
Still, passives are undoubtedly better for anything edge of breakup or dynamic open chord crunchy sounds ala AC/DC or any form of Blues where digging in and retaining dynamics is important.