EMG 81TW Black
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EMG
81TW Black
Product Info
* Prices may vary. Check retailer for current pricing and availability.
The EMG 81TW Black is a powerhouse pickup—it's basically an 81 with a trick up its sleeve. The tapped mode gives you a surprisingly sweet single-coil tone when you need it, but it's still an aggressive, high-output beast for rock and metal. This is perfect for players wanting modern attack with vintage flexibility.
Product Description
- EMG 81TW BK Tapped Humbucker Pickup
- Pickup for Electric Guitar
- Active hybrid of a humbucker and a single coil
- Ceramic and steel magnets
- Position: bridge
- Humbucker-esque crunch and attack
- similar to the EMG 81 but with additional single coil sound
- Output: high
- Connections: solderless
- Dimensions (width x height x depth): 69.9 x 38.1 x 27.6 mm
- Distance between the mounting screws: 78.5 mm
- Cap colour: black
- Made in the USA
*Included:*
- EMG's exclusive solderless installation system
- 25 k Tone potentiometer
- 25 k Push / Pull potentiometer
- Battery bus
- Stereo output socket
- 2x Pickup in / out bus
- Mounting screws and springs
- Pickup cable
- 2x Connecting cables
- Output cable
- Battery cable
PROS
- • Ceramic/steel magnet combo delivers aggressive, focused high-output tone.
- • Tapped functionality offers a surprisingly versatile, brighter single-coil voice.
- • Solderless installation simplifies upgrades for players of all skill levels.
- • Solid EMG build quality ensures reliability and long-term performance.
CONS
- • High output might be overwhelming for players preferring a more nuanced, vintage tone.
- • Active pickups require a battery, adding to the guitar's weight and complexity.
- • Bridge position only limits placement versatility compared to other pickup configurations.
Product Video
Key Features
Position
Bridge
Magnet
Ceramic and Steel
Output Level
High
DC Resistance
17.5 kΩ
Spacing
78.5 mm
Mounting
Solderless
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Frequently Asked Questions
The tapped mode is brighter and less thick than the standard 81, offering a more articulate and less compressed single-coil tone, but still retaining a noticeable EMG edge.
It's genuinely straightforward, even for beginners; however, you'll still need basic wiring knowledge to connect the potentiometers and battery bus correctly.
Yes, the pickup's dimensions and mounting system are compatible with most tremolo systems, but ensure sufficient cavity depth for proper operation.
