Is the EMG 81 right for metal and high-gain styles?

Yes—the 81 is specifically voiced for metal, hard rock, and high-gain applications, delivering punchy mids and aggressive articulation with a -100 dB noise floor that eliminates hum even at extreme gain. It excels at clarity and definition in tightly tuned, distorted contexts.

What's included with the pickup?

The package includes a 25K volume pot, 25K tone pot, battery bus, stereo output jack, two pickup in/out buses, mounting hardware, pickup cable, connection cables, output cable, and battery cable—everything needed for installation.

How long does the battery last?

At 9 V and typical 80 mA current draw, the battery delivers approximately 3000 hours of playing time, reducing the frequency of replacements during regular gigging or studio work.

How does the EMG 81 compare to the EMG 85?

The 81 offers more output and higher-end articulation, making it more aggressive and suited to modern metal; the 85 is slightly warmer and works well in rock contexts where you want a touch more vintage character.

Will this fit my guitar without routing?

The EMG 81 has a compact footprint (2.63 x 2.38 x 6 inches) and low-impedance design that integrates into most existing humbucker cavities; confirm your guitar's pickup cavity size before purchase.

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 Active Humbucker Pickup in Ivory

The EMG 81 is a high-output active humbucker that delivers articulate, aggressive tone with minimal noise—the go-to pickup for rock, metal, and high-gain styles on the gigging stage. Its compact footprint and low-impedance design integrate seamlessly into existing wiring schemes, and the included potentiometers and cables make installation straightforward for experienced players.

Tone & Electronics

Built on a ceramic/steel magnet platform with a 1.63 KHz resonant frequency, the 81 produces punchy mids and defined high-end articulation that cuts through a live mix. Output measures 3 V under steady-state conditions and 4.5 V on dynamic strums, with exceptionally low noise at -100 dB (60 Hz)—eliminating background hum on stages where RF interference and electrical noise are constant threats.

Power & Reliability

The 80 mA draw at 9 V yields approximately 3000 hours of battery life, so you won't need to swap batteries mid-tour or between gigs. The pickup accepts supply voltages up to 27 V DC, allowing tonal shaping through power-supply adjustment on compatible systems—a feature road players use to dial in tone without pulling the guitar apart.

Key Features

Magnet Type: Ceramic/Steel (C/S)
Resonant Frequency: 1.63 KHz
Output Voltage (String): 3 V
Output Voltage (Strum): 4.5 V
Output Noise (60 Hz): -100 dB
Output Impedance: 10 kΩ
Current Draw at 9 V: 80 mA
Battery Life: 3000 Hours
Maximum Supply: 27 V DC
Includes 25K Volume Pot, 25K Tone Pot, Battery Bus, Stereo Output Jack, Two Pickup In/Out Bus, Mounting Hardware, Pickup Cable, Connection Cables, Output Cable, and Battery Cable
Color: Ivory
Dimensions: 2.63 x 2.38 x 6 inches

The EMG 81 remains one of the most dependable active pickups on the market, combining rock-solid noise rejection with transparent high-end response that has earned trust across decades of professional touring and studio work.