What does the long shaft mean, and will it fit my guitar?

The long 19mm shaft is designed for set-neck and Les Paul–style guitars where the pickup cavity runs deeper than on bolt-on necks. If your guitar has a Les Paul, semi-hollow, or similar construction, it will fit without modification; check your current pickup shaft length if you're unsure.

Do I need to solder this pickup?

No. EMG's solderless installation system uses a two-wire plus battery connector and includes the output socket and battery clip. You'll need to install the supplied potentiometers and mount the pickup, but no soldering iron required.

How long does the 9V battery last?

The battery is rated for 3000 hours of use with an 80 µA current draw at idle, which translates to roughly 125 days of continuous playing before replacement.

Is the EMG 81 good for blues or jazz?

The EMG 81 is tuned for aggressive, articulate midrange and is optimized for metal, hard rock, and progressive styles. Blues and jazz players typically prefer warmer, less aggressive pickups with softer note separation.

What's included in the box?

The pickup ships with volume and tone potentiometers, output socket, battery clip set, mounting screws, springs, and all hardware needed for installation. You will need to provide your own 9V battery and any cables or wiring harness specific to your guitar.

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 Brushed Chrome

The EMG 81 Long Shaft is the high-output active pickup that shaped modern rock and metal tone. Built for stage reliability and cutting clarity, it delivers aggressive articulation and sustain without muddiness—essential when you're pushing through a loud mix or driving a high-gain rig. The long shaft (19mm) fits Les Paul–style and other set-neck instruments without modification, and the brushed chrome cover sits flush on most guitars. This is the workhorse pickup for gigging musicians and touring rigs that demand defined note separation across all registers.

Tone & Output Performance

Tuned to a 2.25 kHz resonance frequency, the 81 emphasizes midrange articulation and upper harmonics without sacrificing low-end body. Peak output reaches 1.75 V with an RMS of 1.25 V, delivering substantial gain without compression artifacts. The +91 dBV output noise floor and 10 kOhm output impedance ensure clean signal transmission to your amp or effects chain, even over long cable runs on noisy stages.

Design & Installation

EMG's solderless installation system simplifies retrofitting—no soldering iron required. The pickup ships complete with volume and tone potentiometers, output socket, battery clip set, mounting screws, and springs. Powered by a standard 9 V battery with 3000-hour battery life, the active circuitry draws only 80 µA at idle, maximizing runtime between changes so you're never stranded mid-set.

Key Features

Active humbucker with ceramic magnet
Long shaft (19mm) for Les Paul and set-neck guitars
Brushed chrome covered design
2.25 kHz resonance frequency for defined midrange articulation
1.75 V peak output, 1.25 V RMS
+91 dBV output noise specification
10 kOhm DC resistance and output impedance
Solderless installation system—no soldering required
9 V battery operation with 3000-hour battery life
80 µA current draw at 9 V
Two-wire plus battery connectivity
Includes potentiometers, output socket, battery clip, mounting hardware

The EMG 81 Long Shaft pairs aggressive output with straightforward installation and proven reliability across decades of professional use.