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EMG EMG-81 Humbucking Active Guitar Pickup

Item # 301504 | Customer Ratings: Ratings (Based on 21 reviews)

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EMG EMG-81 Humbucking Active Guitar Pickup
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      EMG EMG-81 Humbucking Active Guitar Pickup (301504)
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The EMG-81 is a high-output pickup designed especially for the lead guitarist. The 81 is at its best for high volume overdrive and amps with a master volume. Whether you're playing power rock 'n' roll, or overdriving your amp, there's a razor sharp attack, and incredible sustain for brilliant soloing. If you're looking for exceptional qualities in a rock pickup, the EMG-81 is the one.

Distortion during lead passages is consistent, sustain is long and the breakup fades smoothly. The ceramic magnet in combination with wide aperture steel poles lend a quick attack but the tone stays nice and fat at the same time. Perfect if you're the only guitarist in the band, and need to switch from rhythm to lead and still keep the band moving. Another great thing about the EMG-81 is it's quiet. If you're playing at really high gain the last thing you need is noise.

EMG EMG-81 Humbucking Active Guitar Pickup Features:

  • Package includes:
    EMG's exclusive Quik-Connect cable
    Prewired split shaft volume/tone control set
    Output jack
    Battery clip set
    Screws and springs


EMG EMG-81 Humbucking Active Guitar Pickup Specifications:

  • Resonant Frequency (kHz): 2.00
    Magnet Type: Ceramic/steel
    Output Voltage (String): 2.0
    Output Voltage (Strum): 4.5
    Output Noise @ 60Hz: -91 dBV
    Output Impedance: 10 kOhms
    Current @ 9V: 80 microamps
    Battery Life: 3,000 hours
    Maximum Supply: 27V DC


Product Reviews
Based on 21 reviews)
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Viewing Reviews 1 - 3 of 21 |

  • Incredible

    As reviewed by Dan Setters on 1/12/2012

    I started out with my epiphone sg, and decided I wanted a new guitar, people advised me against getting EMGs because replacing batteries was annoying, but the emg 81/85 combo is the best I've ever used and will never go back to a passive, except for the EMG hz4. Sounds better than my dimebuckers, too. It's so much cleaner. I also can get those incredible zakk wylde pinch harmonics with the EMG81. It's a great buy and I would recommend nothing else.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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  • Incredible.

    As reviewed by Sandra Bowen on 12/19/2011

    This is my very first set of active pickups, and theyre just fantastic. They sound so full and clear, and they seem quite durable. The 60 sounds great for clean and solos, and the 81 sounds insane for distortion and solos. The only problem I've encountered is that in order to really get that full, metal sound, you need to crank your amp up. If your a home player, I would reccomend passives. But if you get to turn up you amp occasionally or all the time, get them. I'd reccomend these to anyone. They are fantastic.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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  • sickest pickups ever

    As reviewed by Travis on 2/16/2011

    You don't realize that all the pickups on all the guitars you've ever played before sound like crap, until you play these. I dropped them in my ESP Viper 100fm and the sound was amazing, the 81 is crisp and crunchy with a very full bodied sound, paired with the 85 you can't go wrong. I used to play through HZ's on my schecter and I thought they were amazing but now playing the actives, it's like watching high def compared to standard...you can tell a difference. I don't even want to play with my HZ's anymore :(

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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