EMG 81 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Red
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- Brand new in original box
- Full EMG manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- EMG5644
Description
EMG 81 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Red
The EMG 81 is a high-output active humbucker engineered to capture aggressive, articulate tones with a vanishingly low noise floor—essential for clean tracking and mixing in the studio. Its long shaft design fits Les Paul–style guitars and other instruments with recessed pickup cavities, delivering tight low-end punch and crystal-clear treble response that translates predictably across different amplifiers and recording chains. This is a workhorse pickup for recording engineers and producers who demand consistency and clarity in high-gain sessions.
Tracking & Mix Performance
The 81 produces a 3.00V RMS output (4.50V peak) with a 1630 Hz resonant frequency, yielding tight, focused articulation ideal for modern rock, metal, and progressive tracking and overdub work. The ceramic magnet construction and –100 dBV noise floor ensure pristine signal transmission through your interface and DAW without hum or unwanted artifacts, even when layering heavy distortion or pushing high-gain amp simulations in the mix.
Studio Integration & Reliability
Built with epoxy encasing for full electromagnetic shielding, the 81 integrates seamlessly into existing active systems via the included battery bus, stereo output jack, and two-pickup in/out bus. Battery life runs approximately 3000 hours at 80 µA draw from a 9V source, and the complete accessory set—including volume and tone potentiometers, mounting hardware, and all necessary cables—supports straightforward installation or retrofit into your studio-session guitars.
Key Features
- Active humbucker with ceramic magnet
- Long shaft design (19mm, Les Paul style)
- 3.00V RMS output / 4.50V peak output
- –100 dBV output noise floor
- 1630 Hz resonant frequency
- 10 kΩ output impedance
- 9V battery operation with 3000-hour battery life
- Epoxy-encased housing for shielding
- Includes 25K volume and tone potentiometers
- Battery bus, stereo output jack, and two-pickup in/out bus included
- Mounting screws, springs, pickup cables, and output/battery cables included
The EMG 81 delivers professional-grade signal integrity and noise rejection in a proven, compact form factor trusted across countless studio and tracking rigs.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG 81 is a high-output active humbucker engineered to capture aggressive, articulate tones with a minimal noise floor—ideal for recording metal, hard rock, and modern rock in the studio. Its tight low-end punch and focused midrange sit well in dense mixes, while the –100 dBV noise rejection ensures clean signal transmission even through heavy processing and distortion plugins. The long shaft design and complete accessory set make installation straightforward, letting you focus on tracking.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Progressive
- ✓ Modern Rock
- ✓ High-Gain Applications
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Blues
- – Folk
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'long shaft' mean, and will it fit my guitar?
The long shaft is a 19mm design that fits Les Paul–style guitars and other instruments with recessed pickup cavities. If your guitar has a standard Fender-style pickup route, you'll need a short-shaft version instead.
How long does the 9V battery last?
The battery runs approximately 3000 hours at typical operating draw, which translates to roughly 4 months of daily use. The included battery bus makes swapping simple.
Is this pickup good for blues or jazz?
The EMG 81 is engineered for metal, hard rock, progressive, and high-gain modern rock—its aggressive character and tight, focused tone aren't ideal for blues or jazz styles, where smoother, more dynamic response is preferred.
What comes in the box?
The package includes the pickup, 25K volume and tone potentiometers, mounting screws and springs, pickup cables, output and battery cables, and a battery bus for seamless integration into active systems.
How does the EMG 81 compare to the EMG 85?
The 81 is tighter and more articulate with a higher resonant frequency (1630 Hz), favoring modern rock and metal; the 85 is warmer and more rounded. Both are high-output actives, but the 81 excels in aggressive, clarity-focused 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. 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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