EMG 81-8 Active Soapbar Pickup in Black
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- Brand new in original box
- Full EMG manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- EMG4450
Description
EMG 81-8 Active Soapbar Pickup in Black
The EMG 81-8 is a high-output active humbucker engineered specifically for extended-range 8-string instruments, capturing aggressive, articulate tone with minimal noise floor. This compact soapbar design mounts cleanly in bridge or neck positions and arrives completely wired with all necessary components, making it ready to integrate into your session instrument or custom build without additional sourcing.
Recording & Mix Presence
Built with powerful ceramic magnets and close aperture coils, the 81-8 generates tight, focused highs and punchy lows that cut through dense mixes and sit well in high-gain tracking sessions. The active circuitry requires a 9V battery but rewards that investment with consistent output level, superior signal integrity, and even sustain across all eight strings—essential for punchy takes and transparent gain stacking in production.
Studio Integration & Wiring
The soapbar form factor measures 38.1 x 101.6 mm and installs universally in most 8-string guitar cavities. Every component arrives pre-assembled and ready to integrate: 25K volume and tone potentiometers, stereo output jack, battery clip, Quik-Connect cables, mounting hardware, and output jack eliminate guesswork during setup and allow fast instrument swaps during tracking sessions.
Key Features
- Active humbucker system with ceramic magnets
- Close aperture coils for articulate, noise-free response
- Designed for 8-string guitars in bridge or neck position
- Completely wired and ready to install
- 9V battery operation required
- Dimensions: 38.1 x 101.6 mm (soapbar form factor)
- Includes 25K volume pot and 25K tone pot
- Stereo output jack and battery bus included
- Quik-Connect cable system for fast integration
- Two pickup in/out bus connectors for flexible routing
- Mounting screws, output cable, battery cable, and knurled control knob set included
- Black finish
The 81-8 delivers the focused articulation and output consistency that extended-range recordings demand, whether as a primary bridge pickup or paired in a multi-pickup session instrument configuration.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG 81-8 is a high-output active humbucker engineered for clean, focused tracking on 8-string guitars in heavy and progressive genres. It arrives fully assembled and wired, so you can drop it into your instrument or recording guitar quickly, and its active circuitry delivers superior signal integrity, minimal noise, and punchy articulation that cuts through dense mixes. Pick it for sessions that demand extended-range clarity and high-gain aggression without phase or RF interference.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ djent
- ✓ progressive metal
- ✓ extended range
- ✓ high-gain
- ✓ studio sessions
Not the best pick for
- – blues
- – jazz
- – folk
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'completely wired' mean, and what comes in the box?
The pickup arrives fully assembled with 25K volume and tone potentiometers, stereo output jack, battery clip, Quik-Connect cables, mounting hardware, output cable, and battery cable. You install it directly into the 8-string cavity with no additional soldering or parts sourcing required.
Does this pickup work for both bridge and neck positions?
Yes, the 81-8 mounts universally in most 8-string guitar cavities in either bridge or neck position. The soapbar form factor (38.1 x 101.6 mm) is designed for extended-range instruments.
What genres and playing styles is this pickup best suited for?
The EMG 81-8 is engineered for djent, progressive metal, and high-gain applications. Its tight lows and articulate highs excel in modern extended-range styles; it is not optimized for blues, jazz, or folk.
Does it require a battery, and how does that affect tone?
Yes, the active circuitry requires a 9V battery. The active system ensures consistent output, superior signal integrity, and natural sustain across all eight strings with no noise or signal degradation.
How does the EMG 81-8 compare to other 8-string pickups like the Seymour Duncan Blackout or Fishman Fluence Modern?
The EMG 81-8 is specifically engineered for extended-range instruments with a focus on tight, punchy tone and noise-free active circuitry. Comparable options include the Seymour Duncan Blackout 8-String, Fishman Fluence Modern 8-String, and DiMarzio Ionizer 8; choice depends on your preference for voicing and active vs. passive operation.
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. 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.
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