EMG 81 Gold
Professional music gear - detailed information and where to buy
EMG
81 Gold
Product Info
* Prices may vary. Check retailer for current pricing and availability.
The EMG 81 Gold is a powerhouse pickup, built for players who crave aggressive, modern tones. It’s a fantastic choice for metal, hard rock, and any genre needing serious cut and sustain – just be prepared for the active sound and battery dependency. It’s a premium-priced option but delivers a serious punch.
Product Description
- EMG 81 Gold
- Active pickup for electric guitar
- Humbucker
- Perfect for the bridge position
- Strong ceramic magnets and closely spaced coils produce a sound with detailed intensity
- lots of high-end cuts and a smooth sustain
- Due to very low susceptibility to feedback
- it is especially well suited for high gain applications
- Output: high
- String spacing: universal
- Connections: Solderless
- Magnet: Ceramic
- Width: 70 mm
- Height: 38 mm
- Mounting depth: 23 mm
- Mounting screw spacing: 78 mm
- Cap colour: Gold
- Made in USA
*Including EMG's Solderless Installation System:*
- 25k Tone poti
- 25k Push/pull potentiometer
- Battery bus
- Stereo output jack
- In/Out bus for two pickups
- Mounting screws and springs
- Pickup cable
- 2 Connecting cables
- Output cable
- Battery cable
PROS
- • Ceramic magnets deliver aggressive, high-output shredding tones.
- • Solderless system simplifies installation, even for less experienced users.
- • Tight coil spacing provides focused, articulate high-end response.
- • Excellent feedback rejection allows for extreme gain settings without issues.
CONS
- • Active circuitry requires a 9V battery, adding maintenance and weight.
- • Sound profile is relatively one-dimensional; lacks nuanced vintage character.
- • Gold finish, while aesthetically pleasing, can be prone to wear with heavy use.
Product Video
Key Features
Position
Bridge
Magnet
Ceramic
Output Level
High
DC Resistance
22k Ohms
Spacing
Universal
Mounting
Solderless with included hardware
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Gold version is generally brighter and more aggressive than the original 81, emphasizing the high frequencies and offering a slightly more scooped midrange.
The 25k pot is a good starting point, but for guitars with darker tonewoods or vintage-style wiring, a 500k pot might offer a wider frequency range.
While designed for the bridge, it *can* be used in the neck, but the high output and aggressive tone might clash with the neck pickup’s warmth; experimentation is key.
