EMG 808X 8-String Active Guitar Pickup

4.8 (4)

Used

$122.87 1 available New

$90.00 1 available Used

4.0 (4)

$139.00

4.7 (59)

$116.00 $115.00 $1.00 · All time low

Average Price: $124

Standard/Professional

$99

$200+

Price Tier

In the Electric Guitar Pickups category, EMG 808X 8-String Active Guitar Pickup is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 3 merchants for "EMG 808X 8-String Active Guitar Pickup". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Unleash the full potential of your 8-string guitar with the EMG 808X Active Pickup. Designed for musicians who demand clarity and power across the entire tonal spectrum, this humbucker pickup transcends the conventional with its innovative features. At the core of the 808X is its X preamplifier, offering additional headroom for a rich, dynamic sound that faithfully captures every nuance of your playing. Whether you're chugging on the low F# or soaring through the upper register, the Alnico V blade magnets and wide coil design ensure your guitar's voice remains balanced and articulate.

Say goodbye to muddiness with each note ringing out with precision and clarity. Its soapbar housing makes it suitable for any position, providing versatility and ease of installation with EMG's exclusive solderless system. Perfect for both stage and studio, the EMG 808X is built to elevate your performance, offering the responsiveness and tonal depth that discerning guitarists crave.

Key Features:

Humbucker design for 8-string guitars
Suitable for all positions with soapbar housing
Alnico V blade magnets for balanced and articulated tones
Eliminates muddiness in low F# strings
X preamplifier for rich, responsive sound
Solderless connection for easy installation
Includes EMG's solderless installation system with volume pot, tone pot, battery bus, and more
Made in the USA

Product specs

Available since	December 2010
Type of pickup	Humbucker
Active Pickup System	Yes
Passive Pickup System	No
Wiring	Completely Wired
Colour	Black
Position	Bridge, Neck
Active	1

FAQs

What type of magnets does the EMG 808X use?: The EMG 808X pickup uses Alnico V magnets, which are known for their strong magnetic field and ability to produce a warm, smooth tone with enhanced midrange frequencies.
Is the EMG 808X suitable for both bridge and neck positions?: Yes, the EMG 808X is designed to be used in both bridge and neck positions, providing versatility for 8-string guitar setups.
How does the EMG 808X differ from passive pickups?: The EMG 808X is an active pickup, meaning it has a built-in preamp that provides higher output and a more consistent, noise-free tone compared to passive pickups.
Can the EMG 808X be used for genres like metal and djent?: Yes, the EMG 808X is well-suited for metal and djent genres due to its high output and clarity, which handle high-gain settings effectively.
Does the EMG 808X require a battery to operate?: Yes, as an active pickup, the EMG 808X requires a 9-volt battery to power its internal preamp, ensuring optimal performance and tone.

Videos

Add video

Alexandra Zerner

EMG 808X Pickups Review by Alexandra Zerner

Alexandra Zerner

EMG808X VS Fishman Modern (Metalriffs)

Cole Trent

Halo Custom Guitars GVK 8 String Guitar EMG 808X

Halo Custom Guitars

EMG 808X vs Fishman FLUENCE MODERN 8 - 8 String Bridge Guitar Pickup Comparison Tone Demo

Mike Stamper

EMG 808X vs 808 - 8 String Bridge Guitar Pickup Comparison Tone Demo

Mike Stamper

Reviews

Add review

PROS

Easy installation, even for beginners
Delivers a professional quality sound at a reasonable price
Offers an open and aggressive tone, better than standard 808
Ideal for achieving late 80's Metallica/Megadeth trashy tones
Enhances clarity, suitable for both distortions and cleans
Performs well with standard 9v power

CONS

Minimal improvement over standard 808, not significantly better
Lacks tightness in lower frequencies, can be muddy on low strings
Not ideal for a more organic and articulated feel
Alnico magnets may not provide desired tone compared to ceramic alternatives

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about EMG 808X 8-String Active Guitar Pickup.

Comparisons

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Fishman Fluence Modern Open Cores offer more tonal diversity and are recommended over EMGs for high gain tones, but require soldering.
Source
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It's noted that Fishman Fluence pickups offer a versatile sound but demand their own electronics, making them less straightforward to install compared to EMG pickups.
Source
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The Pegasus/Sentient combo is noted for balance and versatility, contrasting with the Nazgûl's more aggressive high-gain focus.
Source

Features and functionality

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808X pickups prioritize clarity and dynamic response over sheer output, enhancing clarity on lower notes compared to standard 808s.
Source
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EMG pickups use a snap-together electrical system, simplifying swapping pickups without soldering, unlike Fishman pickups that require a complete rewiring.
Source

Setup and maintenance

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Installing EMG 808X pickups may require soldering the output jack due to incompatible long jacks on some 8-string guitars.
Source
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Owners mention that switching from a 27-inch to a 28-inch scale length improves tuning stability, especially in drop E tunings on 8-string guitars.
Source

Use cases and applications

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808X pickups are praised for improving palm mute clarity on recordings, particularly for metal genres.
Source
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EMG 81/85 pickups in 8-string versions are suggested as alternatives for similar tonal qualities found in 6-string setups.
Source
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The EMG 808 pickups are considered dark-sounding, which some users find advantageous for clean tones but potentially muddy on the low end.
Source
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BKP Juggernauts are highlighted for versatility, excelling beyond just metal, and praised as a "jack-of-all-trades" pickup set.
Source

Mods and upgrades

0 0

Converting a kill switch to a coil split is not feasible for EMG 808 pickups, as they cannot be coil split.
Source
0 0

Wiring Fluence pickups for separate voice and coil-split control requires additional switches beyond standard setup.
Source

User experience

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Some users find the EMG 808 pickups too compressed for personal taste, suggesting the need for alternatives if seeking a less compressed sound.
Source
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Owners of Fluence Moderns report louder output and noticeable compression, affecting pedal response, unlike passive pickups.
Source

Add review

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

francesco1507

2562

about 10 years ago

Perfect

Good clarity, perfect for distortions and cleans.

Artist usage

Add artist

Stephen Carpenter

Guitarist

Deftones

Verified via Emgpickups

He has a number of ESP/LTD signature guitar models in production, both in six, seven string and baritone models featuring the EMG-707. Carpenter also uses a new 8-String guitar built for him by ESP featuring the EMG-808X.

Tosin Abasi

Guitarist

Animals as Leaders

Verified via YouTube

Installed in Tosin's (stolen) Ibanez RG2228, as noted in the video description.

Javier Reyes

Guitarist, Composer

Animals as Leaders

Verified via YouTube

"Javier Reyes of Animals as Leaders, T.R.A.M., and Mestis, plays Te Mato from his debut Mestis record 'Basal Ganglia'. Listen to Javier and his 8 string Ibanez RGA8, Fractal Audio Axe FX II and EMG 808x humbucking pickups."

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use EMG 808X 8-String Active Guitar Pickup, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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