EMG 81 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Brushed Gold
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- Brand new in original box
- Full EMG manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- EMG4601
Description
EMG 81 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Brushed Gold
The EMG 81 is a high-output active humbucker engineered to capture aggressive, articulate tone with a noise floor low enough for clean tracking and mixing. Its ceramic magnet and solderless design provide plug-and-play installation, while the long shaft accommodates deeper guitar cavities common in many instruments. The brushed gold finish delivers visual distinction in a recording environment.
Tone & Recording Characteristics
This pickup delivers 1.75V peak output with a 2.25 kHz resonant frequency that emphasizes midrange clarity and string definition—essential for cutting through dense mixes and maintaining articulation during layered tracking sessions. The -91 dBV output noise specification ensures clean signal transmission to your interface or mixer, while 10 Kohm output impedance maintains compatibility with standard guitar electronics and recording chains.
Studio Performance & Workflow
The solderless connection system reduces setup time between takes and sessions. Battery performance reaches 3000 hours on a single 9V battery with minimal current draw (80 microamps), eliminating mid-session power concerns during extended recording and overdub sessions.
Key Features
- Active humbucker with ceramic magnet
- Brushed gold cap finish
- Dimensions: 70 x 38 mm (W x H)
- Mounting depth: 23 mm
- Mounting screw spacing: 78 mm
- 1.25V RMS output, 1.75V peak output
- Resonant frequency: 2.25 kHz
- Solderless connection system
- Requires 1x 9V battery
- 3000-hour battery life
- Includes 25k tone pot, 25k push/pull pot, battery bus, output jack, pickup bus, cables, and mounting hardware
- Made in USA
The EMG 81 combines proven active electronics with solderless convenience and extended battery performance, delivering the tight, noise-free output required for professional studio recording and production work.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG 81 is a high-output active humbucker engineered to capture tight, articulate tone with minimal noise—ideal for recording metal, hard rock, and high-gain sessions where definition matters as much as aggression. Its ceramic magnet and -91 dBV noise floor deliver clean signal even at extreme gain levels, making it a dependable workhorse for studio tracking and overdubs. The solderless wiring and long battery life (3000 hours per 9V) eliminate studio downtime and simplify maintenance during back-to-back sessions.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Djent
- ✓ High-Gain Recording
- ✓ Studio Sessions
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Blues
- – Folk
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What skill level do I need to install this pickup?
Intermediate to advanced players will find installation straightforward thanks to the solderless connection system, which eliminates traditional soldering. The pickup comes with cables, mounting hardware, and a 25k tone pot and push/pull pot to integrate into your wiring.
How long does the 9V battery last?
The battery delivers 3000 hours of continuous operation with only 80 microamps of current draw, meaning you can typically gig or record for several months before replacing it.
Is this pickup good for jazz or blues?
No—the EMG 81 is optimized for metal, hard rock, djent, and high-gain recording. Its tight lows, high output, and aggressive character are not suited to jazz or blues playing styles.
What does the long shaft design do?
The long shaft (23 mm mounting depth) accommodates guitars with deeper pickup cavities, ensuring proper fit and secure mounting in instruments where standard-depth pickups may not seat correctly.
How does this compare to passive humbuckers?
The EMG 81 is active, meaning it requires a 9V battery and delivers higher output (1.75V peak) with a lower noise floor (-91 dBV) than typical passive designs. This makes it ideal for high-gain applications where signal clarity and noise rejection are critical.
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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