EMG 81X Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Ivory
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- Brand new in original box
- Full EMG manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- EMG4591
Description
EMG 81X Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Ivory
The EMG 81X captures the aggressive, articulate character essential for modern metal and hard rock recording sessions. This ivory-finish active humbucker pairs tight low-end definition with punchy midrange clarity, ensuring your guitar cuts through dense mixes while maintaining precision and transparency. The long-shaft design accommodates deeper pickup cavities while maintaining the X-Series preamp's signature response characteristics, making it adaptable across various instrument geometries in the studio.
Tone & Electronics
The 81X generates a 4.00V string output and 8.50V strum output, delivering strong signal integrity with minimal noise floor at –105 dBV (60Hz) for clean tracking without unwanted artifacts. Its 1.72 kHz resonant frequency produces a focused midrange peak that separates lead work and rhythm parts in the mix without sacrificing definition, while the ceramic and steel magnet construction ensures fast attack and tight sustain ideal for percussive articulation, palm-muted passages, and precision riffing during overdubs.
Design & Construction
Built with dual-coil humbucker geometry and close aperture steel-rail pole pieces, the 81X rejects hum effectively while maintaining high output sensitivity—critical for tracking in environments with AC interference or when stacking multiple guitar layers. The integrated EMG Solderless Quick-Connect system streamlines instrument setup and ensures quick swaps during tracking days, and the 2.00 kOhm output impedance ensures clean integration with any interface, preamp, or effects chain without signal degradation over cable runs.
Key Features
- Active humbucker with X-Series preamp architecture
- Dual-coil design with close aperture coils
- Ceramic and steel magnet construction
- 4.00V string / 8.50V strum output voltage
- –105 dBV noise floor (60Hz)
- 1.72 kHz resonant frequency
- 2.00 kOhm output impedance
- Steel-rail pole pieces
- 80 microamps current draw at 9V
- 3000-hour battery life
- Maximum 27V DC supply rating
- EMG Solderless Quick-Connect wiring system
The EMG 81X in ivory delivers the direct, high-output aggression required for professional recording without compromise on tonal definition, tracking consistency, or operational reliability across long studio sessions.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG 81X is an active humbucker engineered to sit tight and articulate in dense mixes, with a focused 1.72 kHz midrange peak that maintains clarity even under heavy distortion and compression. Its 4.00V string and 8.50V strum output delivers strong signal integrity with a –105 dBV noise floor, making it ideal for tracking aggressive material and layering tight rhythm and lead parts in metal and hard rock productions. The integrated preamp and Solderless Quick-Connect system speed up mic placement and routing changes in the tracking booth.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Djent
- ✓ Progressive
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Blues
- – Folk
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the long-shaft design, and do I need it for my guitar?
The long-shaft design accommodates deeper pickup cavities in guitars with routed bodies, allowing the magnet assembly to sit lower while maintaining the X-Series preamp's response. Check your guitar's cavity depth; standard-shaft pickups fit most modern instruments, but older or deeply routed guitars often require long-shaft versions.
Will the 81X work well for metal and hard rock?
Yes. The 81X is purpose-built for metal, hard rock, djent, and progressive styles. Its tight low end, punchy midrange, and fast attack excel at percussive articulation and lead definition, and the high output (4.00V string / 8.50V strum) cuts through dense band mixes without losing clarity.
How does the 81X compare to other high-output active pickups?
The 81X sits between the aggressive Seymour Duncan JB and the even hotter EMG 85X. It emphasizes articulate midrange focus and fast transient response over raw output, making it ideal if you want definition and cut without excessive mud or loss of note separation.
What is the battery life, and how hard is installation?
Battery life is approximately 3000 hours at 9V (80 microamps draw), and the EMG Solderless Quick-Connect system eliminates soldering—just plug the connectors into the preamp and route the battery lead, making installation quick and roadie-friendly.
Can I use the 81X with any amplifier or effects chain?
Yes. The 2.00 kOhm output impedance and integrated preamp ensure clean integration with any amp or effects setup over standard cable runs without signal degradation, and the –105 dBV noise floor keeps the signal pristine.
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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