Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $102
Standard/Professional
$99
$200+
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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
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What is the difference between the EMG 81TW and the standard EMG 81 pickup?
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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.
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Is the EMG 81TW suitable for both the bridge and neck positions?
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Yes, the EMG 81TW is designed to be used in both bridge and neck positions, offering versatility in tone and setup options.
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Does the EMG 81TW require a battery for operation?
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Yes, the EMG 81TW is an active pickup, which means it requires a 9V battery to operate.
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Can the EMG 81TW be installed without soldering?
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Yes, the EMG 81TW features a solderless installation system, making it easier for users to install without needing to solder connections.
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What type of music is the EMG 81TW best suited for?
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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.
Videos
Sonic Drive Studio
Pickup Comparison! (Duncan JB, Nazgul, Distortion, EMG81/81tw & Fishman Fluence Modern)
Reviews
PROS
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Dual-mode design offers both humbucker and single-coil sounds for versatile tonal options
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Push/pull pot allows easy switching between modes
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Provides the classic EMG 81 crunch, punchy and tight sound
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Delivers noise-canceling technology in both humbucker and single-coil modes
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Ideal for high-gain settings, offering a thick and powerful sound
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Maintains excellent clean tones, especially in single-coil mode
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Solderless installation can simplify setup for some users
CONS
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Installation may require drilling due to the larger connector size
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Schematics lack clear basic instructions for first-time users
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Weaker output in humbucker mode compared to standard EMG 81
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Single-coil mode has a notably lower volume than humbucker mode
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Plastic cover limits aesthetic options, only available in black
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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
Setup and maintenance
Value and pricing
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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
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The EMG 57 is noted for its "huge" sound, competing well against other actives like Fishman and EMG 81x.
Source
Software and compatibility
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ESP guitars have used the EMG solderless system since around 2000, facilitating easier pickup swaps.
Source
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings
160
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
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
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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