What genres and playing styles is this pickup set best suited for?

The S/S/81 configuration excels in metal, hard rock, progressive, and djent playing styles where articulate rhythm clarity and aggressive bridge aggression are priorities. It is not designed for jazz, blues, or folk applications.

How long does the 9-volt battery last, and how difficult is it to change?

The battery provides an estimated 1000 hours of runtime before replacement is needed. Battery changes are straightforward maintenance requiring removal of the battery cover, typically located on the guitar body or accessible via the electronics cavity.

Will this pickup set fit my guitar without routing modifications?

The two single-coil pickups fit standard single-coil routes with no modification, and the 81 bridge humbucker fits conventional humbucker cavities. You should verify your guitar's routing compatibility before ordering, as some instruments may require minor adjustment.

How does the active circuitry compare to passive pickups?

Active circuitry delivers a lower noise floor, greater dynamic range, and consistent output voltage across temperature and humidity changes—advantages passive designs cannot provide. The integrated preamp ensures stable signal strength whether you are playing softly or aggressively.

What soldering and installation skills are required?

Installation demands only basic soldering competence and standard routing compatibility verification. If you have installed pickups before or are comfortable with fundamental soldering, this set is well within reach.

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. On this item that is roughly $20 less out the door than the same listed price at a national retailer or on a marketplace. 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 S/S/81 Active Single Coil Pickup in Ivory

The EMG S/S/81 configuration pairs two ceramic single-coil pickups with an 81 bridge humbucker to deliver versatile tonal range from articulate highs to aggressive lows. This active system operates on a single 9-volt battery, eliminating passive pickup constraints and providing consistent output across the entire frequency spectrum. The ivory finish integrates cleanly into most instrument aesthetics while maintaining the proven performance characteristics EMG pickups are known for.

Tone & Output Character

The dual single-coil configuration in the neck and middle positions produces the clarity and snap essential for articulate rhythm work and expressive lead lines, while the 81 bridge humbucker delivers focused, high-output aggression suitable for heavy playing. Active circuitry ensures low noise floor and dynamic range that passive designs cannot match, with output voltage stability across temperature and humidity variations—critical for reliable stage performance night after night.

Active System & Installation

The integrated active preamp operates from a standard 9-volt battery with an estimated runtime of 1000 hours, allowing extended periods between battery changes on the road. Single-coil construction in ivory requires no modification to standard single-coil routes, and the 81 bridge humbucker fits conventional humbucker cavities—installation demands only basic soldering competence and standard routing compatibility verification.

Key Features

Two ceramic single-coil pickups (neck and middle positions)
EMG 81 active humbucker bridge pickup
Active preamp circuitry with 9-volt battery power
Estimated 1000-hour battery life
Low-noise active output design
Ivory color finish
Compatible with standard single-coil and humbucker routing
Consistent output voltage across operating range

The S/S/81 set balances articulate single-coil response with potent humbucker aggression, delivering the tonal flexibility and on-stage reliability active pickup performance demands across multiple playing styles.