Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $104
Standard/Professional
$99
$200+
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Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "EMG PICKUPS". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Transform your guitar’s voice with the EMG 81 Pickup, a staple in the world of electric guitar pickups renowned for its potent combination of sensitivity, tone, and power. This high-output active ceramic humbucker is engineered to deliver everything from a rich, thunderous growl to a piercing metallic scream, making it a favorite among metal guitarists and tone enthusiasts alike.
The EMG 81 is equipped with beefy ceramic magnets and close aperture coils, which contribute to its unyielding intensity and unparalleled detail. Whether you’re shredding at high speeds or laying down a heavy groove, this pickup ensures your sound cuts through the mix with incredible high-end clarity and fluid sustain. Perfectly suited for the bridge position, it can also be paired in both positions for a full-on sonic assault.
One of the standout features of the EMG 81 is its solderless installation system. This innovation simplifies the process of swapping pickups, allowing you more time to focus on your music without the hassle of complex wiring. The short shaft design makes it an ideal choice for Fender-style guitars, and it comes with all necessary components for a smooth installation experience.
Key Features:
- High-output active ceramic humbucker
- Delivers a wide range of tones from growls to screams
- Loaded with ceramic magnets and close aperture coils
- Solderless installation for easy swapping
- Short shaft design suited for Fender-style guitars
- Includes all necessary installation components
Product specs
| Type | Humbucker |
| Position | Bridge |
| Active/Passive | Active |
| Magnet Material | Ceramic |
| Number of Conductors | 2 wire plus battery |
| DC Resistance | 10K |
| Connectivity | Solderless |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Covering | Covered |
FAQs
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What kind of sound can I expect from the EMG 81 pickup?
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The EMG 81 is known for its high-output, aggressive tone, making it ideal for metal and hard rock. It delivers a tight, focused sound with pronounced high-end frequencies and a sharp attack, perfect for lead guitar work and heavy riffs.
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Is the EMG 81 pickup suitable for both bridge and neck positions?
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While the EMG 81 is primarily designed for the bridge position to achieve its signature aggressive tone, it can also be used in the neck position, depending on the player's tonal preference and setup.
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How does the active design of the EMG 81 affect its performance?
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The active design of the EMG 81 provides a higher output and reduced noise compared to passive pickups. This results in a cleaner, more powerful signal that's ideal for high-gain applications and recording.
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What is the installation process like for the EMG 81 pickup?
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The EMG 81 features a solderless installation system, making it relatively easy to install without the need for soldering skills. This system allows for quick and straightforward setup or replacement in your guitar.
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Can the EMG 81 pickup be used with a 6-string guitar?
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Yes, the EMG 81 is specifically designed for use with 6-string guitars, providing optimal performance and tonal characteristics for this string configuration.
Videos
Riffs, Beards & Gear
EMG Pickup Shootout - Demo
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about EMG PICKUPS.
Use cases and applications
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EMG's 81/85 set is suited for thrash and metal, but may require amp adjustments for more classic rock tones like Guns N' Roses or Aerosmith.
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The ZW EMGs are particularly praised for replicating Zakk Wylde's sound on "No Rest for the Wicked," appealing to fans of older metal.
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EMG pickups are described as a "blank canvas," ideal for recording due to their neutral tone.
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EMG pickups are favored for aggressive, hi-fi sounds suitable for modern bass tones, but less so for classic, mellow sounds.
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User experience
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One user notes EMG pickups can make a good guitar sound great, but a great guitar sound merely good, highlighting their polarizing nature.
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EMG pickups are praised for their high output and brightness, but users suggest adjusting amp settings to manage treble and gain for optimal sound.
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Owners report EMG pickups deliver a clean, noise-free signal, ideal for live performances and recording.
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Features and functionality
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The built-in preamp in EMGs provides more compression, making them effective for live performances by helping the guitar sit well in the mix.
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EMG pickups can be plugged directly into a mic input on a mixer due to their low impedance, eliminating the need for a high-impedance input.
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The EMG pickups' plug-and-play system eliminates the need for soldering, making installation hassle-free.
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EMG's modular design allows for easy experimentation with different pickup combinations in bass guitars, useful for customizing tone profiles.
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Comparisons
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The ZW 81-85 set is compared to Fishman pickups, with some preferring Fishman's versatility for modern metal and shred styles.
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The EMG 81/85 set is noted for its '80s metal scooped tone, while the 57/66 set provides more rock-oriented tones.
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Despite their clarity, some users find EMG pickups compress dynamics, making instruments sound uniform compared to more dynamic alternatives like Seymour Duncan or Nordstrand.
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Mods and upgrades
Setup and maintenance
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Switching from passive to EMG active pickups requires replacing the pots and jack, and making room for a battery in the control cavity.
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While solderless connections are convenient, some users experience issues with quick-connect systems, such as wiring problems not covered in instructions.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating
Artist usage
Add artist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPEpBzGhv_4&ab_channel=DeanGuitars 0:51 in to the video you can see the EMG PICKUPS, and then he talks about them later in to the video where he says that he likes to use them.
"Just like most guitarists, I’m a bit of a gear nerd, always trying out different amps, guitars, cabs, etc., but I think no particular piece of equipment was essential in the creation of our sound. We don’t have the Boss HM-2 sound or anything like that. I recorded the album using an Ampeg v4, Marshall Silver Jubilee and Soldano SLO with a Fender with EMG pickups and bass was done on a Precision Bass through an Orange amp, but I think any of these ingredients could be left out without hugely affecting the final outcome. The tuning and the way we play are more important."
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 PICKUPS, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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