Will the EMG 81-8H fit my 8-string guitar?

The pickup dimensions are 8 x 4 x 1 inches. Confirm your guitar's humbucker cavity is standard-spaced; EMG 8-string humbuckers are designed for standard bridge and neck positions on extended-range instruments. Consult your guitar's spec sheet or measure your existing pickup cavity to verify fit.

How long does the battery last?

A single 9V battery lasts approximately 3000 hours (about 125 days of continuous use). Active electronics draw only 80 microamps, making this one of the most efficient active pickups available.

Is the EMG 81-8H suitable for jazz or blues?

No—this pickup is voiced specifically for metal, progressive, and djent applications. Its midrange emphasis and noise rejection are optimized for high-gain, distorted tones; it is not recommended for jazz, folk, or traditional blues styles.

How does the EMG 81-8H compare to the Seymour Duncan Pegasus 8 or Fishman Fluence Modern 8-String?

The EMG 81-8H is an active humbucker with a 1.45 kHz resonant peak for articulate aggression and cutting clarity. The Seymour Duncan Pegasus 8 and Fishman Fluence Modern 8-String offer different voicings and design philosophies; compare the resonant frequencies and output curves against your amp chain and genre demands to find the best fit.

What is the noise floor, and will it hum in a live or studio setting?

Output noise measures -107 dBV at 60 Hz, which is extremely low and inaudible in typical live and studio scenarios. Active circuitry and high output impedance (10 kΩ) maintain signal integrity through long cable runs and effects chains without picking up interference.

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 81-8H 8-String Active Humbucker Pickup in Black

The EMG 81-8H is a ceramic/steel humbucker engineered for 8-string instruments, delivering the articulate midrange punch and controlled output that defined EMG's signature voice. This active pickup cuts through heavily distorted riffs while rejecting noise, making it a trusted choice for modern metal and progressive players running extended-range rigs on stage and in the studio.

Tone & Output Characteristics

The 1.45 kHz resonant frequency positions the tonal sweet spot in the upper midrange, cutting through dense band mixes without sacrificing definition on the low end. Single-string output reaches 2.00V, while full strum output peaks at 4.50V, providing sufficient headroom for high-gain amplifier stages and ensuring responsive dynamics across the extended 8-string range during live performance.

Active Electronics & Reliability

Active circuitry draws only 80 microamps at 9V operation, yielding an exceptional 3000-hour battery life per 9V cell—plenty of endurance for touring and long venue days. The pickup handles supply voltages up to 27V DC, and output impedance of 10 kΩ maintains signal integrity through long cable runs and effects chains, with measured noise floor at -107 dBV (60 Hz) for clean signal delivery to your rig.

Key Features

Ceramic/Steel magnet construction
Resonant frequency: 1.45 kHz
Single string output voltage: 2.00V
Full strum output voltage: 4.50V
Output noise: -107 dBV (60 Hz)
Output impedance: 10 kΩ
Current draw @ 9V: 80 microamps
Battery life: 3000 hours
Maximum supply voltage: 27V DC
Dimensions: 8 x 4 x 1 inches
Active electronics design
Black finish

The EMG 81-8H combines efficient power delivery, noise rejection, and voiced aggression in a format optimized for 8-string instruments, making it a dependable choice for players who demand consistency and stage-ready reliability across extended tuning systems.