EMG 81 Active Humbucker Pickup in Brushed Black Chrome
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- Brand new in original box
- Full EMG manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- EMG4088
Description
EMG 81 Active Humbucker Pickup in Brushed Black Chrome
The EMG 81 is a high-output active humbucker engineered to deliver aggressive, defined tones with exceptional clarity and sustain in the mix. Its ceramic magnet construction and close-aperture coils capture tight articulation across all registers, making it ideal for rock, metal, and hard-hitting material where note separation and dynamic response cut through dense arrangements. The brushed black chrome finish adds visual sophistication while the solderless installation minimizes setup time during instrument retrofitting.
Tone & Recording Character
With a DC resistance of 10 kOhm and a resonant frequency of 1.63 kHz, this pickup records punchy mids and controlled highs suited to modern tracking and mixing workflows. Output sits at 3 V string attacks and 4.5 V strum peaks, providing enough clean gain for direct amp captures and enough drive for overdriven cabinet tones without self-noise bleeding into adjacent tracks—–100 dB output noise at 60 Hz ensures a pristine recording chain.
Power & Setup
The 9-volt battery (included) powers the active circuitry for roughly 3000 hours of typical use, drawing 80 mA at 9 V and rated up to 27 V DC maximum supply. Solderless 2-conductor wiring and standard humbucker spacing (78 mm mounting screws, 70 mm width, 38 mm height, 23 cm installation depth) integrate efficiently into tracking instruments and session guitars.
Key Features
- Ceramic magnet construction with close-aperture coils for defined articulation
- Active humbucker format: traditional shape, modern electronics
- DC Resistance: 10 kOhm
- Resonant Frequency: 1.63 kHz
- Output Voltage: 3 V (string), 4.5 V (strum)
- Output Noise: –100 dB at 60 Hz
- Output Impedance: 10 kOhm
- 9-volt battery operation with approximately 3000 hours runtime
- Solderless 2-conductor wiring for quick installation
- Standard humbucker mounting (78 mm screw spacing)
- Made in the USA
- Brushed black chrome finish
The EMG 81 remains a reliable choice for home studios and professional sessions seeking high-output clarity, responsive tracking dynamics, and consistent performance across multiple recording applications.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG 81 is a high-output active humbucker engineered for defined, articulate tracking in the studio, offering punchy mids and controlled highs that sit well in dense rock and metal mixes. Its ceramic magnet design and tight coil spacing deliver excellent note separation and dynamic response, making it responsive to playing dynamics and suited to modern production where clarity and sustain matter. The included 9-volt battery powers roughly 3000 hours of recording sessions, and solderless wiring speeds up installation on retrofit projects.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Rock
- ✓ Drop Tunings
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Blues
- – Folk
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the EMG 81 suitable for jazz or blues?
No—the EMG 81 is engineered for metal, hard rock, rock, and drop tunings. Its high-output, tight articulation and punchy mid character are optimized for aggressive styles; jazz and blues players typically favor lower-output, warmer pickups that support smooth lead lines and sustain.
What's included and how long does the battery last?
A 9-volt battery is included with the pickup. It provides approximately 3000 hours of typical playing time before replacement, drawing 80 mA at 9 V and rated up to 27 V DC maximum supply.
How easy is installation on an existing guitar?
Installation is straightforward: the pickup uses solderless 2-conductor wiring and standard humbucker spacing (78 mm mounting screws, 70 mm width, 38 mm height). These specs fit most guitars with standard humbucker cavities, minimizing retrofit work.
How does the EMG 81 compare to other high-output pickups?
The EMG 81 produces 3 V string attacks and 4.5 V strum peaks with –100 dB output noise at 60 Hz, delivering high clarity and dynamic response. It competes with Seymour Duncan JB, Fishman Fluence Modern, and DiMarzio D Activator in the high-output active and passive humbucker category, but the EMG's ceramic magnet and close-aperture coils emphasize tight articulation and mid punch.
Can the EMG 81 work cleanly on overdriven and high-gain circuits?
Yes. Output sits at 3 V string attacks and 4.5 V strum peaks, providing enough headroom for clean amp channels and enough grit for overdriven circuits without self-noise issues. The –100 dB output noise at 60 Hz keeps the signal clean across all gain settings.
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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