EMG 81 Active Humbucker Pickup in Chrome
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- Brand new in original box
- Full EMG manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- EMG2879
Description
EMG 81 Active Humbucker Pickup in Chrome
The EMG 81 is engineered as a studio-grade active pickup that captures tight, articulate response with minimal noise floor—essential for clean tracking and transparent signal chain integration. The chrome finish pairs with the compact rail magnet design, which fits seamlessly into standard humbucker cavities and delivers consistent pickup response across the fretboard for reliable multi-take sessions. This is the core pickup choice for producers and engineers tracking instruments that demand clarity, output stability, and zero-compromise signal integrity.
Output & Signal Characteristics
Output measures 1.25 volts RMS with 1.75 volts peak, providing substantial gain without saturation or mud. The -91 dBV output noise floor and 10 kOhm output impedance ensure signal integrity through long cable runs or stacking effects, making this pickup equally at home in studio rigs and live systems.
Power & Installation
A single 9-volt battery powers the onboard preamp for approximately 3000 hours of typical use, consuming only 80 microamps at 9V. Installation is straightforward: the included Quik-Connect solderless cable eliminates traditional wiring, and the package provides a prewired split shaft volume/tone control set, output jack, battery clip, screws, and springs for a complete drop-in retrofit.
Key Features
- Stainless steel cap with ceramic magnets
- Rail magnet configuration for focused response
- RMS output voltage: 1.25 volts
- Peak output voltage: 1.75 volts
- Output noise: -91 dBV
- Output impedance: 10 kOhm
- Resonant frequency: 2.25 kHz
- 9-volt battery operation with ~3000-hour runtime
- Current draw: 80 microamps @ 9V
- 2-wire plus battery conductors with EMG Quik-Connect solderless connectivity
- Includes prewired control set, output jack, battery clip, hardware, and screws
- 2-year manufacturer warranty
The EMG 81 combines articulate high-end detail with low-noise amplification and genuine plug-and-play convenience—a proven choice for demanding recording and performance applications.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG 81 is a studio-grade active humbucker engineered for precision tracking and minimal noise, delivering tight low end and articulate highs that cut through dense mixes without mud or compression artifacts. Its 1.25V RMS output with a -91 dBV noise floor ensures signal integrity through long cable runs and complex effect chains, and the solderless installation with included control set makes retrofitting fast. Pick this pickup when you need consistent, focused response across the fretboard for recording metal, hard rock, and progressive material where clarity and output stability matter.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Studio Sessions
- ✓ Live Performance
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Progressive
Not the best pick for
- – Folk
- – Blues
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What skill level do I need to install the EMG 81?
Installation is beginner-friendly thanks to the solderless Quik-Connect system and included prewired control set. No soldering is required; the pickup drops into most humbucker cavities with the provided hardware, output jack, battery clip, and wiring loom.
How long does the 9-volt battery last?
The onboard preamp draws only 80 microamps at 9V, yielding approximately 3000 hours of typical use per battery—roughly 4 months of regular playing before replacement.
What genres and applications is the EMG 81 best suited for?
The EMG 81 excels in metal, hard rock, and progressive music in both studio and live settings. Its tight, articulate response with high output and minimal noise is optimized for those genres; it is not recommended for folk or blues styles.
How does the output compare to passive pickups, and will it work with long cable runs?
The EMG 81 outputs 1.25V RMS with a peak of 1.75V—substantially higher than passive humbuckers—and maintains signal integrity over long cable runs and through stacked effects thanks to its 10 kOhm output impedance and -91 dBV noise floor, making it equally reliable in studio rigs and live systems.
What is included in the box?
The package includes the EMG 81 pickup, a prewired split-shaft volume/tone control set, output jack, battery clip, Quik-Connect solderless cable, screws, springs, and all hardware needed for a complete drop-in retrofit.
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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