What's included in the box, and do I need to solder?

The EMG 81 includes the pickup itself, a pair of 25k long-shaft potentiometers, battery bus, stereo output jack, pickup bus, connecting cables, and all mounting hardware. It uses solderless 2-wire connectivity, so no soldering is required—plug the included wiring kit together and mount.

What genres and tunings is this pickup best for?

The EMG 81 is designed for metal, hard rock, djent, and drop tunings where high gain and tight low-end articulation are essential. It is not recommended for jazz, blues, or folk styles, which favor warmer, more dynamic pickup characteristics.

How does the EMG 81 compare to other high-output active pickups?

The EMG 81 delivers 1.75 volts peak output with a -91 dBV noise floor and a tight midrange focus, making it comparable to the Seymour Duncan JB, DiMarzio D-Activator, and Fishman Fluence Modern. Its solderless design and included potentiometers set it apart for quick installation without modification.

Will this pickup fit my guitar without modifications?

Yes, the long-shaft design (19mm) with 78mm mounting screw spacing works in any standard humbucker route. The included long-shaft potentiometers fit modern guitar controls without modification, making installation straightforward.

How long does the battery last, and what's the noise performance like?

Battery life is rated at 3000 hours on a 9V supply (drawing only 80 microamps). The -91 dBV output noise specification ensures a clean signal even at high gain, making it ideal for heavy styles where noise rejection is critical.

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 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Black Chrome

The EMG 81 is a high-output active humbucker built for players who demand aggressive, articulate tones with minimal noise floor. Its ceramic magnet construction and solderless connectivity make it a straightforward retrofit into any humbucker route, while the long shaft design accommodates modern guitar controls without modification.

Tone & Performance On Stage

This pickup delivers 1.75 volts peak output with a 2.25 kHz resonant frequency that emphasizes midrange presence and upper harmonic clarity. The -91 dBV output noise specification ensures signal integrity even at high gain, cutting through live mixes and pushing your tone through heavy genres where noise rejection keeps your signal clean and focused.

Installation & Reliability

The long shaft (19mm) configuration integrates with the included 25k tone and 25k volume potentiometers, both long shaft, for plug-and-play installation. Solderless construction and a comprehensive wiring kit—including battery bus, output jack, pickup bus, cables, and mounting hardware—eliminate guesswork during setup and keep your rig roadworthy with zero solder joints to fail.

Key Features

Resonant Frequency: 2.25 kHz
Peak Output Voltage: 1.75 volts
RMS Output Voltage: 1.25 volts
Output Noise: -91 dBV
Output Impedance: 10 kOhm
Current Draw @ 9V: 80 microamps
Battery Life: 3000 hours
Ceramic magnet construction with covered design
Long shaft design (19mm) with 78mm mounting screw spacing
Solderless 2-wire connectivity
Includes 25k tone and 25k volume potentiometers (long shaft)
Complete wiring kit: battery bus, stereo output jack, pickup bus, cables, and mounting hardware

The EMG 81 combines low noise performance with the tight, punchy character that defines modern active humbucker tone.