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EMG 45JCS 6-String Active Soapbar Bass Pickup in Black vs EMG 81TW Active Humbucker Pickup in Black

The EMG 45JCS is a 6-string bass pickup engineered for tight, articulate bass tone in modern genres, while the EMG 81TW is a guitar humbucker with dual-voice switching for high-gain and clean applications. Choose the 45JCS if you play bass; choose the 81TW if you play guitar and want versatile humbucker tones.

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EMG 45JCS 6-String Active Soapbar Bass Pickup in Black

$129.00
View EMG 45JCS 6-String Active Soapbar Bass Pickup in Black

EMG 81TW Active Humbucker Pickup in Black

$129.00
View EMG 81TW Active Humbucker Pickup in Black

Specs side by side

EMG 45JCS 6-String Active Soapbar Bass Pickup in BlackEMG 81TW Active Humbucker Pickup in Black
Price$129.00$129.00
BrandEMG PickupsEMG Pickups
ConditionNewNew

Why choose EMG 45JCS 6-String Active Soapbar Bass Pickup in Black

  • ✓ Designed specifically for 6-string bass with optimized spacing (92mm max string width)
  • ✓ Compact soapbar form factor fits tight bass bodies with minimal routing
  • ✓ Long 3000-hour battery life reduces maintenance downtime
  • ✓ Articulate midrange (2.61 kHz) cuts through dense mixes with controlled output

Why choose EMG 81TW Active Humbucker Pickup in Black

  • ✓ Dual-voice switching (humbucker and single-coil modes) via push/pull potentiometer
  • ✓ Two internal preamps tuned for different tonal character in each mode
  • ✓ Fits standard guitar humbucker cavities without modification
  • ✓ High-output design with noise-cancelling tech handles high-gain applications
Bottom line: Bass players seeking modern, articulate tone on a 6-string rig should choose the 45JCS. Guitar players in high-gain or extended-range contexts who want dual-voice versatility should choose the 81TW.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use either pickup in both bass and guitar applications?

No. The 45JCS is a bass-specific soapbar pickup with bass-scaled dimensions and 6-string spacing. The 81TW is a guitar humbucker. They are not interchangeable.

Which pickup has lower output noise?

The 45JCS explicitly rates -101 dB output noise. The 81TW includes noise-cancelling circuitry in both modes but does not specify a noise floor figure in the product description.

How do the resonant frequencies differ?

The 45JCS has a single resonant frequency of 2.61 kHz for a centered articulate midrange. The 81TW offers two: 3.6 kHz in single-coil mode and 2.225 kHz in dual-coil mode, allowing tonal switching within one pickup.

Which genres suit each pickup best?

The 45JCS excels in funk, progressive, studio, and live bass applications. The 81TW is optimized for metal, high-gain, extended-range, and progressive guitar contexts.

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