Detail 01
Ceramic/steel magnets
Ceramic gives a tighter low end and sharper attack than alnico. That is why this cuts through distortion.
Product detailSKU #1273887998168
EMG81-X Active Humbucker Pickup Black
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
EMG's active humbucker for the bridge, in black. For high-gain players who want tight, high-output, near-silent pickups and will run a 9V battery.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Metal and hard rock players needing tight, articulate high-gain tone
- Stages and studios where hum and noise are unacceptable
- Players wanting consistent output regardless of picking dynamics
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Players chasing vintage PAF warmth and touch-sensitive cleanups
- Guitars with no room for a 9V battery without routing
- Anyone who prefers passive pickups and dislikes battery maintenance
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
8.50V output on a strum
Very high output. It hits your amp's front end hard and pushes preamp gain well before you turn up.
Detail 03
Noise at -105dB at 60Hz
The noise floor sits far below the signal, so high-gain settings stay quiet even under fluorescent lights.
Detail 04
1.72kHz resonant peak
The presence peak sits in the upper mids, which is where pick attack and note definition live in a mix.
Detail 05
2kohm output impedance
Low impedance means long cable runs do not roll off your treble the way they do with passives.
Detail 06
3000-hour battery life at 80uA
Roughly a year of daily playing per 9V if you unplug the cable when you stop.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01No guitar included — this is a single pickup, typically installed at the bridge
- 02Needs a 9V battery and cavity space; some guitars require routing
- 03Uses EMG's solderless quick-connect system, so passive wiring gets replaced
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Bridge or neck position?
This is the bridge pickup. The 81-X is voiced for tight high-gain lead and rhythm at the bridge.
02How long does the battery last?
About 3000 hours of playing time. Unplug your cable when you stop, since the jack is what switches the circuit on.
03What is different about the X version?
The X preamp has more headroom and less compression than the standard 81, so it keeps more dynamics and open top end.
04Can I mix this with passive pickups?
Not in the same circuit without issues. EMG actives are designed to run with other actives and their own wiring system.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
1 detailsSound
- Resonant Frequency KHZ
- 1.72
1 detailsPlayability
- Output Voltage String
- 4.00
2 detailsBody & build
- Color
- Black
- Logo Color
- Silver
4 detailsConnections & power
- Battery Life Hours
- 3000
- Output Voltage Strum
- 8.50
- Output Impedance Kohm
- 2.00
- Output Noise 60hz
- -105
3 detailsOther
- Maximum Supply Volts DC
- 27
- Current 9v Microamps
- 80
- Magnet Type
- Ceramic/Steel
