What's included in the package?

The EMG 81-7X comes with a Quik-Connect cable, prewired split shaft volume/tone control set, output jack, battery clip set, screws, springs, and all hardware needed for a complete drop-in retrofit. The pickup requires a 9V battery (not included) and solderless quick-connect wiring simplifies installation.

How long does the battery last?

At 80 microamps current draw, a 9V battery delivers approximately 3000 hours of playing time—roughly 6 months of regular use before replacement.

Is this pickup good for jazz or blues?

No. The 81-7X is optimized for metal, progressive, and drop-tuning applications where high output, aggression, and tight articulation define the tone. It will not suit jazz or blues playing styles.

How does it compare to the Seymour Duncan Blackouts 7-String or Fishman Fluence Modern 7-String?

All three are active 7-string pickups for high-gain play. The 81-7X distinguishes itself with EMG's classic low-impedance circuitry, compact soapbar form factor, and a -91 dBV noise floor for feedback-free high-gain. Direct specification comparison with competitors requires reviewing their individual output voltage and resonant frequency.

What 7-string guitars does this fit?

The 81-7X is a soapbar designed for contemporary 7-string instruments with soapbar pickup routing. Dimensions are 38 × 89 mm. Verify your guitar's pickup cavity matches soapbar dimensions before ordering.

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.

EMG 81-7X 7-String Active Soapbar Pickup in Black

The EMG 81-7X is a high-output active soapbar engineered for 7-string guitars, delivering the tight, articulate attack and clarity that define modern extended-range playing. Built for aggression without sacrifice, this pickup cuts through dense mixes and high-gain rigs with minimal noise—essential for metal, progressive, and any genre demanding controlled dynamics on stage. The compact soapbar form factor integrates cleanly into contemporary 7-string designs while preserving EMG's signature low-impedance stability.

Electrical Performance & Output

Grounded in humbucker technology with ceramic magnets and close aperture coils, the 81-7X achieves a resonant frequency of 2.25 kHz paired with a 1.25V RMS output voltage and 1.75V peak output. This configuration translates to controlled, focused gain with a noise floor of -91 dBV—meaning you get aggressive response through any high-gain amp without feedback, hum, or unwanted artifacts.

Installation & Power

The pickup draws just 80 microamps at 9V, yielding approximately 3000 hours of battery life on a single 9V cell—real-world longevity that gets you through months of gigs. Solderless quick-connect wiring cuts installation time, and the included EMG Quik-Connect cable, prewired split shaft volume/tone control set, output jack, battery clip set, screws, and springs make a complete retrofit straightforward.

Key Features

7-string soapbar active design with ceramic magnets
Humbucker technology with close aperture coils
2.25 kHz resonant frequency
1.25V RMS output voltage / 1.75V peak output voltage
Output noise: -91 dBV
Output impedance: 10 kΩ
Current draw: 80 microamps @ 9V
Battery life: 3000 hours (9V battery required)
Dimensions: 38 × 89 mm
Black finish
Solderless quick-connect wiring
Includes Quik-Connect cable, volume/tone control set, output jack, battery clip set, screws, and springs

The 81-7X combines proven active circuitry with extended-range engineering, giving 7-string players the articulation, gain control, and reliability that live performance demands.