Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 4 stores. Prices updated .

Amazon
5.0 (1)
$115.00
Reverb
$109.57 New
$50.00 Used
Thomann
4.6 (37)
$107.00 $106.00 $1.00 · All time low

Average Price: $102

Standard/Professional

$99

$200+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 3 merchants for "EMG 81TW". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

For guitarists seeking unparalleled versatility and tone, the EMG 81TW is your ticket to sonic freedom. This dynamic pickup revolutionizes your sound with its dual internal preamps, allowing seamless transitions between humbucker and single-coil modes. Whether you're dialing in the aggressive crunch that the EMG 81 is renowned for or exploring the deep, rich tones of a fatter single-coil, this pickup delivers a spectrum of sonic possibilities that will elevate your performance.

Designed for both bridge and neck positions, the EMG 81TW is crafted with a blend of ceramic and steel magnets, ensuring robust output and clarity. Its active design provides consistent performance and increased headroom, making it a reliable choice for any genre or playing style. With a resonant frequency tailored for each mode, the 81TW offers precise tonal control, allowing you to sculpt your sound with precision.

Installation is made easy with all necessary components included, so you can spend less time setting up and more time playing. Whether you’re in the studio or on stage, the EMG 81TW is engineered to inspire, offering a blend of tradition and innovation that only EMG can deliver.

Key Features:

  • Humbucker and Single-coil modes
  • Suitable for bridge or neck position
  • Active design
  • Copper logo color
  • Ceramic/Steel magnet composition
  • Resonant Frequency: 3.6 kHz (single-coil), 2.225 kHz (dual-coil)
  • Output Impedance: 10 Kohm
  • Battery Life: 1550 hours
  • Includes all necessary installation components

Product specs

Type Humbucker
Position Bridge, Neck
Active/Passive Active
Magnet Material Ceramic/Steel
Number of Conductors 5 wire plus ground and battery
DC Resistance 10K
Connectivity Solderless
Number of Strings 6
Covering Covered

FAQs

What is the difference between the EMG 81TW and the standard EMG 81 pickup?

The EMG 81TW offers coil splitting capabilities, allowing you to switch between a humbucking and single-coil sound, whereas the standard EMG 81 is solely a humbucker.

Is the EMG 81TW suitable for both the bridge and neck positions?

Yes, the EMG 81TW is designed to be used in both bridge and neck positions, offering versatility in tone and setup options.

Does the EMG 81TW require a battery for operation?

Yes, the EMG 81TW is an active pickup, which means it requires a 9V battery to operate.

Can the EMG 81TW be installed without soldering?

Yes, the EMG 81TW features a solderless installation system, making it easier for users to install without needing to solder connections.

What type of music is the EMG 81TW best suited for?

The EMG 81TW is ideal for genres that benefit from high output and clarity, such as metal and hard rock, due to its tight attack and focused midrange.

Sonic Drive Studio

Sonic Drive Studio

Pickup Comparison! (Duncan JB, Nazgul, Distortion, EMG81/81tw & Fishman Fluence Modern)

Video thumbnail for Pickup Comparison! (Duncan JB, Nazgul, Distortion, EMG81/81tw & Fishman Fluence Modern) by Sonic Drive Studio

Pickup Comparison! (Duncan JB, Nazgul, Distortion, EMG81/81tw & Fishman Fluence Modern)

Sonic Drive Studio

Sonic Drive Studio

Video thumbnail for EMG 81 vs 81TW comparison by Thevon

EMG 81 vs 81TW comparison

Thevon

Thevon

Video thumbnail for 81TW Single Coil Bridge Dirty by EMGSoundSamples

81TW Single Coil Bridge Dirty

EMGSoundSamples

EMGSoundSamples

Video thumbnail for 81TW Single Coil Bridge Clean by EMGSoundSamples

81TW Single Coil Bridge Clean

EMGSoundSamples

EMGSoundSamples

Video thumbnail for Tone Demo: ESP LTD M-HT ARCTIC METAL SWS (w. EMG 81TW pickup) [No Talking!] by Made by Miike

Tone Demo: ESP LTD M-HT ARCTIC METAL SWS (w. EMG 81TW pickup) [No Talking!]

Made by Miike

Made by Miike

Video thumbnail for EMG PICKUPS 81TW /  - DEMO by KIELL SHELBY

EMG PICKUPS 81TW / - DEMO

KIELL SHELBY

KIELL SHELBY

Reviews

PROS

  • Dual-mode design offers both humbucker and single-coil sounds for versatile tonal options

  • Push/pull pot allows easy switching between modes

  • Provides the classic EMG 81 crunch, punchy and tight sound

  • Delivers noise-canceling technology in both humbucker and single-coil modes

  • Ideal for high-gain settings, offering a thick and powerful sound

  • Maintains excellent clean tones, especially in single-coil mode

  • Solderless installation can simplify setup for some users

CONS

  • Installation may require drilling due to the larger connector size

  • Schematics lack clear basic instructions for first-time users

  • Weaker output in humbucker mode compared to standard EMG 81

  • Single-coil mode has a notably lower volume than humbucker mode

  • Plastic cover limits aesthetic options, only available in black

  • Some users find the tonal difference not significant enough to warrant the dual-mode design

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about EMG 81TW.

Features and functionality

  • The EMG 81TW is an active pickup, whereas the EMG ALX is passive with a push-pull knob for EQ settings.

    Source
  • The EMG 57TW has a dual mode and is thicker than other EMGs, measuring 1.1" compared to the typical 0.9".

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Switching from an active EMG 81TW to a passive EMG ALX may require additional wiring or electronics changes, potentially increasing costs.

    Source
  • The EMG pickups can be swapped using a quick connect system; a connector pack may be needed for certain models like the 81TW.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • A local shop quoted a $35 fee for a straight pickup swap but warned of higher costs if extra wiring or a circuit board are involved.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The EMG 57 is noted for its "huge" sound, competing well against other actives like Fishman and EMG 81x.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • ESP guitars have used the EMG solderless system since around 2000, facilitating easier pickup swaps.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • To swap for an 81TW, a new connector pack is recommended for ease of installation.

    Source

Critic Reviews

EMG-81TW Active Humbucker - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

The EMG 81TW active humbucker impresses with its versatility, shining in hard-rock settings with its powerful mids and tight low-end. It offers a unique coil-splitting feature, delivering an unexpectedly clean, Strat-like tone. While its humbucking mode may be too mid-heavy for some, pairing it with an EMG-60 yields bluesy, clean sounds. Ideal for rockers seeking a robust pickup with diverse tonal options, but less so for those prioritizing classic blues sounds.

positive

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
axisogai

Info

The 81TW humbucker doubles down on tone, taking the EMG 81 and adding a separate single coil pickup in the same housing. This is not your traditional coil-tap humbucker. EMG has designed the dual-mode to allow for maximum flexibility, featuring two pickups in one humbucker. The original 81 provides all the crunch and attack it's famous for and the additional single-coil now gives players two classic tonal options to choose from. Either mode is accessed through a push/pull pot for ease and versatility. The internal preamp gives the 81TW two distinct sounds while delivering EMG's well known noise cancelling technology in both modes. Along with our solderless installation, this is a great choice for guitar players looking to get more out of one pickup. NOTE: Standard EMG humbuckers are 0.9” thick. The 81TW thickness is 1.1”. Difference of 0.22”. ONLY AVAILABLE IN BLACK!

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Piotr Wiwczarek uses EMG 81TW

Piotr Wiwczarek

Guitarist

Vader

...
Verified via Emgpickups

PIOTR 'PETER' WIWCZAREK/ VADER

Vader is one of the best-known European death metal bands utilizing a style of death metal different from that of their American counterparts (most of which utilize the template created by Morbid Angel/Death, etc). Vader occasionally diverges from this though, and plays diminished, augmented, and minor scale solos. The band is also different in that guitarist/vocalist Piotr Wiwczarek's vocals do not follow the standard sound widely considered traditional for death metal. While his vocal delivery remains extreme, it is a much throatier approach, giving him the ability to enunciate words more clearly than most death metal vocalists. 'Peter' plays the EMG 81X/89 combo

See how Andrew Craighan uses EMG 81TW

Andrew Craighan

Guitarist

My Dying Bride

...
Verified via Ultimate-guitar

I used a Mayones Custom Regius 6 guitar that has a straight neck through and fixed bridge and is fitted with an EMG-81TW and an EMG-85

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 81TW, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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1

Community setups

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mrjburton

mrjburton

Gear IQ 1260

1 alternative for EMG 81TW, curated by the Equipboard community.

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