What makes the long shaft design different from the standard 81-7H?

The 81-7XH's long shaft accommodates deeper pickup cavities on modern 7-string platforms, particularly on guitars like Ibanez, Schecter, and ESP extended-range models. If your 7-string has a recessed or deeper cavity, the long shaft ensures proper fit and optimal magnetic alignment.

How long does the 9-volt battery last?

The battery provides approximately 1500 hours of playing time before replacement is needed. The pickup draws only 80 µA, making battery life efficient even with frequent use.

Is this pickup suitable for jazz or blues?

No—the 81-7XH is engineered specifically for metal, djent, and high-gain styles where aggressive highs and tight lows are the priority. Its voicing and output characteristics favor articulate, punchy tones rather than warm, smooth ones.

What's included in the box?

The pickup ships with a solderless wiring system, eliminating the need for soldering during installation and reducing setup time.

What output level does this pickup produce?

The 81-7XH produces 3.00V RMS (4.50V peak) with an output impedance of 10 kΩ, delivering a hot, strong signal that maintains integrity to amplifiers and audio interfaces across high-gain applications.

Do I pay sales tax on this order?

We collect sales tax only on orders shipped to California. Orders shipped to any other US state are charged $0 sales tax at checkout when you buy direct from our website. On this item that is roughly $10 less out the door than the same listed price at a national retailer or on a marketplace. Marketplaces such as eBay, Reverb and Amazon collect sales tax in nearly every state as marketplace facilitators no matter who the seller is, so the same item at the same price costs less bought direct. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included. Some states ask buyers to self-report use tax on out-of-state purchases.

EMG 81-7XH Long Shaft 7-String Active Humbucker Pickup in Brushed Gold

The 81-7XH is a high-output active humbucker engineered for extended-range 7-string instruments, capturing tight, articulate response with minimal noise across tracking and overdub sessions. Its long shaft design accommodates deeper pickup cavities on modern 7-string platforms, and the brushed gold finish adds visual distinction to custom or upgraded builds. This is a workhorse pickup for recording engineers and producers demanding clarity and punch across extended lower frequencies in the mix.

Tone & Electronics for Recording

Active circuitry powered by a 9-volt battery produces a hot, controlled output of 3.00V RMS (4.50V peak) with an output impedance of 10 kΩ, ensuring strong signal integrity to your recording interface and mixing console. The ceramic magnet construction yields aggressive highs and defined mids that cut through dense arrangements and high-gain production styles, delivering the articulation needed for clean separation and layer control in multitrack sessions.

Studio Integration & Compatibility

The pickup ships with a solderless wiring system, streamlining installation and minimizing downtime during setup or replacement between sessions. Designed specifically for 7-string guitars with standard or recessed pickup cavities, it pairs seamlessly with compatible bridge and neck positions across Ibanez, Schecter, ESP, and other extended-range platforms, allowing flexible mic and DI approaches for your recording workflow.

Key Features

Active humbucker design for low-noise, high-output performance
Long shaft configuration accommodates deeper 7-string cavities
Ceramic magnet for aggressive, articulate tone
Output: 3.00V RMS / 4.50V peak
Output impedance: 10 kΩ
9-volt battery power with approximately 1500 hours battery life
Current draw: 80 µA for minimal power consumption
Brushed Gold finish
Solderless wiring system included for quick installation
Designed for 7-string guitar configuration

The 81-7XH combines EMG's proven active circuitry with extended-range compatibility, delivering the aggression and clarity your 7-string tracking demands in professional and home-studio settings alike.