EMG 81X 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
- EMG4318
Description
EMG 81X Active Humbucker Pickup in Gold
The EMG 81X is a high-output active humbucker engineered to capture aggressive tones and modern music genres with precision and consistency. This ceramic-magnet design delivers tight, articulate attack with controlled sustain, making it ideal for tracking lead work and heavy rhythm parts on guitars requiring direct, responsive pickup performance that translates cleanly to tape or DAW.
Recording Tone & Mix Characteristics
With a 1.72 kHz resonant frequency and 10 kΩ output impedance, the 81X produces a naturally compressed midrange and crisp highs that sit well in metal, hard rock, and modern fusion mixes. The 80 µA output current ensures clean interface with preamps and interfaces, eliminating muddiness in high-gain recording scenarios and providing headroom for both amp micing and direct captures.
Studio Integration & Setup
This active design runs on a single 9V battery with 3000-hour battery life, providing consistent tone throughout full-length tracking sessions without output degradation between replacements. Solderless installation technology allows quick mounting with the included 25K volume pot and 25K active tone pot, streamlining instrument setup and letting you focus on capturing performances rather than troubleshooting wiring.
Key Features
- Active humbucker design with ceramic magnets
- Resonant frequency: 1.72 kHz
- Output impedance: 10 kΩ
- Output current: 80 µA
- 9V battery power requirement
- 3000-hour battery life
- Solderless installation system
- Included 25K volume pot and 25K active tone pot
- 1/4 inch (6.35mm) mono output jack
- Brushed gold finish
- Made in USA
- Complete wiring kit included: battery bus, stereo output jack, pickup cable, connection cables, output cable, battery cable, and mounting hardware
The EMG 81X delivers reliable, articulate performance in the studio with minimal setup overhead, backed by EMG's USA manufacturing and straightforward installation approach.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG 81X is an active humbucker designed to capture tight, articulate highs and controlled low-end detail in aggressive recording sessions—metal, hard rock, and modern fusion benefit from its naturally compressed midrange and crisp top end that stays defined even under heavy saturation. The 80 µA output current maintains clean headroom into your interface or preamp, and solderless installation with a full wiring kit makes integration into your session rig quick and painless. Pick this if you want punchy, modern-sounding lead and rhythm captures without wrestling with signal loss or muddiness in dense, high-gain mixes.
Who This Is For
| Best suited for | Metal, Hard Rock, Djent, Progressive, Modern Fusion |
|---|---|
| Tonal character | Tight low end, articulate attack, naturally compressed midrange, crisp highs, high output |
| Less specialized for | Jazz, Blues, Folk (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily) |
| Skill level | Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced / Professional |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to solder this pickup, or can I install it myself?
The EMG 81X uses solderless installation technology, so it's a drop-in fit with no soldering required. The package includes a complete wiring kit with battery bus, stereo output jack, pickup cable, connection cables, output cable, battery cable, and mounting hardware, plus 25K volume and tone pots.
How long does the battery last, and what kind of battery does it need?
The 81X runs on a single 9V battery with a rated lifespan of 3000 hours, which translates to roughly 4–6 months of regular use before replacement. Active electronics provide consistent output until you swap the battery.
What styles and genres is this pickup best for?
The 81X excels in metal, hard rock, djent, progressive, and modern fusion. Its tight low end, articulate attack, and crisp highs are engineered for high-gain setups and aggressive playing; it's not recommended for jazz, blues, or folk applications.
How does the EMG 81X compare to the standard EMG 81?
The 81X is a refined version of the 81, delivering the same tight, high-output character but with improved articulation and controlled sustain optimized for modern tones. Both are ceramic-magnet active designs; the 81X offers updated tone shaping.
What's included in the box, and do I need to buy anything else?
The pickup comes with a complete wiring kit (battery bus, stereo output jack, pickup cable, connection cables, output cable, battery cable, and mounting hardware), 25K volume pot, 25K active tone pot, and mounting hardware. You'll need to supply a 9V battery to power it.
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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