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

The long shaft design accommodates deeper pickup cavities (23 mm mounting depth) than standard humbuckers, making it ideal for guitars with routed routes or custom builds. Standard humbucker routing dimensions (70 mm width, 78 mm screw spacing) apply, so measure your cavity depth before ordering.

How long does the 9V battery last?

EMG rates battery life at approximately 3000 hours of playing time on a single 9V battery, which translates to roughly 6 months of regular daily use. Solderless connectors make battery swaps quick and tool-free.

Is the EMG 81X good for blues or jazz?

No—this pickup is engineered for metal, hard rock, and high-gain styles. Its aggressive ceramic magnet voicing, tight low end, and punchy mids are optimized for drop tunings and extreme overdrive, not the smooth, warm tones blues and jazz players seek.

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

The 81X competes with the Seymour Duncan JB, Fishman Fluence Modern, and DiMarzio D Activator. Its active electronics and -105 dB noise floor give it an edge in noise rejection and consistency across gain settings, though some players prefer passive designs for darker, less compressed tone.

Will the 81X stay clean at extreme gain settings?

Yes—the active 9V circuit, ceramic magnet design, and 2.00 kΩ output impedance are built to maintain articulate definition and reject hum even under high-gain playing. The 1.72 kHz resonant frequency and low noise floor ensure clarity without feedback.

Do I pay sales tax on this order?

Sales tax is collected only on orders shipped to California; orders shipped to any other US state are not charged sales tax at checkout when you buy direct from our website. Marketplaces collect sales tax as the facilitator in most states, so the same listed price can cost more there. Buyers remain responsible for any use tax their state applies. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included.

EMG 81X Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Black

The EMG 81X is a high-output active humbucker engineered for aggressive modern playing styles, delivering tight, articulate response without sacrificing sustain. This long shaft variant accommodates deeper pickup cavities while maintaining the solid construction and noise rejection that define EMG's professional-grade pickups. The ceramic magnet design produces punchy mids and controlled treble, making it the go-to choice for metal, hard rock, and high-gain applications on stage and in the studio.

Tone & Electronics

Active electronics powered by a single 9V battery provide consistent output and superior noise rejection across long gigs and studio sessions, with a measured output voltage of 8.50V on strum delivering articulate definition across the frequency spectrum. The 1.72 kHz resonant frequency and -105 dB noise floor ensure clarity even at high gain settings and extreme stage volumes, while an output impedance of 2.00 kΩ maintains clean signal transmission to your amp with zero mud or tone loss over cable runs.

Design & Build

Constructed with a ceramic magnet core and finished in black, the 81X features solderless connectors for quick, tool-free installation in the field or at home. Dimensions of 70 mm width × 38 mm height with 78 mm mounting screw spacing ensure compatibility with standard humbucker routing, while the 23 mm mounting depth accommodates deeper cavities characteristic of the long shaft configuration. A touring guitarist can swap this in without routing delays.

Key Features

Active humbucker with ceramic magnet
Long shaft design for deep pickup cavities
Output voltage: 8.50V strum / 4.00V string
Resonant frequency: 1.72 kHz
Output noise: -105 dB (60Hz)
Output impedance: 2.00 kΩ
Current draw: 80 microamps @ 9V
Battery life: 3000 hours
Solderless connectors for fast installation
Width: 70 mm / Height: 38 mm / Depth: 23 mm
Mounting screw spacing: 78 mm
Made in USA

The EMG 81X delivers the aggressive tone and rock-solid reliability expected from EMG's active designs, trusted by touring musicians and session players for decades of demanding performance.

Best suited for	Metal, Hard Rock, Drop Tunings, High-Gain Playing
Tonal character	Tight low end, punchy mids, controlled treble, high output, articulate
Less specialized for	Jazz, Blues, Folk (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily)
Skill level	Intermediate / Advanced / Professional