EMG 81X Active Humbucker 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
- EMG2966
Description
EMG 81X Active Humbucker Pickup in Black
The EMG 81X captures aggressive, articulate high-output tone with tight low-end definition and controlled sustain—essential for tracking modern rock, metal, and progressive material where clarity cuts through dense arrangements. Built around EMG's proven X-Series preamp architecture, this active humbucker maintains definition and headroom at extreme gain, making it reliable for multi-take sessions and layered productions. The solderless quick-connect system streamlines installation and pickup swaps without soldering, minimizing downtime between tracking blocks.
Recording Tone & Output Character
Output reaches 8.50V on strum, ensuring significant presence in the mix while maintaining focused definition via a 1.72 kHz resonant frequency that emphasizes midrange clarity for cut-through in dense arrangements. The ceramic and steel magnet configuration with close-aperture dual coils delivers the focused, percussive attack the 81X is known for, resisting mud even when tracking through high-gain amp settings or digital saturation.
Battery Performance & Signal Integrity
A single 9V battery powers the active electronics, rated for approximately 3000 hours of battery life—roughly one year of typical use. Low current draw at 80 microamps @ 9V combined with minimal noise floor of −105 dB (60Hz) keeps the recorded signal clean and responsive, reducing noise-floor artifacts in post-production and maintaining dynamic precision across playing dynamics.
Key Features
- Active humbucker with X-Series preamp
- Dual-coil configuration with close-aperture coils
- Ceramic and steel magnet construction
- Steel rail pole pieces
- Standard humbucker mounting ring
- 8.50V strum output voltage / 4.00V string output
- 2.00 kΩ output impedance
- 1.72 kHz resonant frequency
- 80 microamps current draw @ 9V
- −105 dB output noise floor (60Hz)
- EMG Solderless Quick-Connect system with 3-pin header
- Includes split-shaft volume/active tone control, output jack, battery clip, and mounting hardware
The 81X combines high output, low noise, and quick installation into a pickup engineered for demanding studio and live tracking where articulation and headroom are non-negotiable.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG 81X is an active humbucker engineered for recording modern rock, metal, and progressive productions, offering high output (8.50V) and tight low-end definition that translates cleanly to the mix without flub or loss of articulation. Its midrange clarity and controlled sustain make it a workhorse for layered, high-gain sessions where punch and separation matter, and the solderless quick-connect system keeps setup fast during tracking. Choose it for studio work when you want aggressive, articulate tone that holds definition across dense arrangements.
Who This Is For
| Best suited for | Metal, Hard Rock, Progressive, Djent, Modern Rock |
|---|---|
| Tonal character | High output, tight low end, articulate attack, midrange clarity, controlled sustain |
| Less specialized for | Jazz, Blues, Folk (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily) |
| Skill level | Intermediate / Advanced / Professional |
Frequently Asked Questions
What genres and playing styles is the EMG 81X best suited for?
The 81X excels in metal, hard rock, progressive, djent, and modern rock styles where high output, tight low-end, and articulate midrange clarity are priorities. It is not recommended for jazz, blues, or folk applications.
How long does the 9V battery last, and what is the current draw?
The battery is rated for approximately 3000 hours of use—roughly one year of typical playing. The pickup draws only 80 microamps at 9V, keeping power consumption minimal and the signal clean.
Do I need to solder the EMG 81X to install it?
No. The EMG Solderless Quick-Connect system uses a 3-pin header, making installation and pickup swaps straightforward without any soldering required.
What output level does the 81X deliver, and how does it perform at high gain?
The 81X outputs 8.50V on strum with a 1.72 kHz resonant frequency that emphasizes midrange clarity and a focused, percussive attack. The ceramic and steel magnet configuration with close-aperture dual coils resists mud even at extreme gain settings.
What is included with the EMG 81X?
The package includes the pickup, a split-shaft volume/active tone control, output jack, battery clip, and mounting hardware for standard humbucker cavities.
Do I pay sales tax on this order?
Sales tax is collected only on orders shipped to California; orders shipped to any other US state are not charged sales tax at checkout when you buy direct from our website. Marketplaces collect sales tax as the facilitator in most states, so the same listed price can cost more there. Buyers remain responsible for any use tax their state applies. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included.
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