The EMG81 is an active humbucker guitar pickup manufactured by EMG Inc. It was developed in 1979 along with the EMG85 and released in 1981. The construction is similar to traditional U-shaped rail pickups with ceramic magnets.

The EMG 81 is commonly used in the bridge position, giving high end cut and fluid sustain. It has a three pin header output which makes it easy to replace and mod without iron solder. The EMG81 has two variants:

• EMG81TW features two separate pickups and preamps in a single pickup housing, allowing for single-coil and humbucking configuration.
• EMG81-X provides increased headroom giving the voicing an organic and open tone while still maintaining clarity and response.

EMG81 Pickup Specifications:
     Resonant Frequency: 2.25 kHz.
     Average/Max Output Voltage: 1.25/1.75.
     Noise: -91 dBV.
     Output Impedance: 10K Ohm.
     Current Consumption: 80uA.

Coil Specifications:
     Magnet: Ceramic 56x3x13mm.
     Wire: 0,06mm PE.
     Core: 54x3x12, 5mm solid steel.
     Coil: 4,18 KΩ (one coil), wax potted, approx. 5500-6000 turns, h=7,5mm.
     Bobbin: 64x13x9mm (or with tube legs 12,2mm).