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EMG 81TW Humbucker Pickup

Get thick tones from this updated EMG 81 humbucker pickup, which has a single coil option for added punch. 5 People rated this product:

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Product Description

zZounds is an
authorized EMG dealer

The EMG 81TW humbucking pickup takes an EMG classic to a new level. The dual-mode design allows for maximum flexibility, with the original 81 providing all the crunch and aggressiveness it's famous for and an all new single-coil that features a fatter tone with plenty of punch and clarity. Either mode is accessed through a push/pull pot for versatility. Dual internal preamps, one tuned for single-coil mode and the other for dual-coil mode, give the 81TW two distinct sounds while delivering EMG's well known noise cancelling technology in both modes. zZounds is an authorized dealer of EMG products.

Package Includes: EMG's exclusive Quik-Connect cable [easily connect to other EMG accessories like the SPC Presence Control, EXG Guitar Expander, or the PA2 Preamp Booster], push/pull pot, output jack, battery clip set, screws & springs.

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging
White: Shipping Weight: 1 lbs; Shipping Dimensions: 7 x 3 x 3 in
Black: Shipping Weight: 1 lbs; Shipping Dimensions: 7 x 3 x 3 in

Installation Instructions

EMG Warranty

EMG Warranty

If you have additional warranty questions, please call the manufacturer at 707-525-9941

zZounds is an
authorized EMG dealer

This item must be exchanged directly through the manufacturer if it is found to be defective, and can only be returned to us if it is unopened. details

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What Our Customers Are Saying About zZounds "I would recommend zZounds to anyone looking for quality, professional service." - customer on May 3rd, 2012

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Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5 (5 ratings) Rate and Review This Product

Read 2 EMG 81TW Humbucker Pickup Reviews

zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us. "Great pickup for 80's and 90's metal. You can effortlessly get great Metallica or Zakk Wylde tones out of this. Single-coil mode"

Sound: I bought this to replace the stock bridge pickup in my Epiphone SG Deluxe so I could get a more aggressive thrash metal tone from it. And it's blown me away! On humbucking mode with the lows and highs on my amp (Peavey ValveKing) maxed and mids all the way down it sounds almost exactly like mid-80's Metallica, which is a sound I couldn't even approach using stock pickups. This pickup has tons of low-end power and doesn't have much on the high-end and so it's great for chugging metal riffs. If I switch to clean and roll the tone down a bit it sounds just like the quiet clean part of Master of Puppets. And with a flat EQ on the amp it sounds very close to Zakk Wylde's Ozzy Osbourne sound. In single-coil mode the pickup sounds pretty similar to a stock Stratocaster, though the tone is somewhat lower. That's generally not my cup of tea, but more options are always better. I bought it for the humbucking tone. The only reason I picked the TW model is ZZounds had an open-box kit for slightly cheaper than a normal EMG-81 kit. There is pretty much no noise on this pickup, even with the gain maxed out on my amp. Feature: The solderless kit was awesome to work with, except I bought an open-box kit and it was missing one wire so I actually had to do a small amount of soldering to make up for that. The included wiring diagrams cover most common cases and are easy to follow. The push-pull knob to switch the pickup works great. Now my guitar can easily switch from thrash metal to a much twangier tone if I wanted to. Ease of Use: Easy to use once set up. Installing it was more complicated than installing passive pickups, but I knew that when I bought it. If you're not the adventurous type you might want to find a friend who can install it for you. Quality: Great quality. I bought it open box and it looked brand new. I'm not worried about it breaking or anything. Value: Great since I bought it open-box. I wouldn't have purchased the TW model otherwise since I was looking for a normal EMG-81. Manufacturer Support: Haven't had to deal with them. The Wow Factor: EMG pickups are a must for thrash metal. The single-coil mode doesn't help in that area at all, but it will give you a more versatile guitar. Overall: I highly doubt I'll be replacing this pickup. If I do it's because I might move it to another guitar, not because I'm dissatisfied with the sound.

Style of Music: 70's to 80's rock/metal/thrash

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zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us. "Great versatility, value, and sound."

Sound: I love the control I get from it. I play out weekly and am able to go from true single coil twang to all out heavy tones with ease. I have it wired as the bridge pickup in my emg david gilmour set. It works great with the active tone shaping controls and mixes well with the active emg sa's. Feature: I do wish that there were an included toggle switch option to switch from single coil to humbucker mode. Ease of Use: As with any pickup, you have to get used to how it interacts with your amp. I find it a bit difficult to pull the knob out very quickly on the fly. Quality: Excellent build quality. beefy knobs included. Value: if you want true versatility in one guitar, this is your answer. I can play anything on one guitar and control most tones froom the guitar without touching my m13 or my amp. Manufacturer Support: never had to use it Overall: This pickup is great. It isn't for the novice player to install, though. It involved wiring and routing of the guitar body. It is also not a good solution for the novice player to use on stage given that it is extremely reactive to volume and tone pots.

Style of Music: anything from country to pop to rock to metal

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Read 2 EMG 81TW Humbucker Pickup Reviews

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Need it now but short of cash? All we need is the first payment up front and the rest in easy monthly payments!

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No interest. Ever.: It's just as if you paid the whole amount up front!
No paperwork. Nothing to track.: No application to mail or fax, no bills to pay. We automatically charge the payments to your credit card.

We'll wait on your money so you don't have to wait for your gear!

When you checkout, just click the Play as you Pay checkbox to indicate which installment plan you wish to use.

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We'll beat any price: Really. It's not a problem for us. In fact, we'll thank you for the chance to live up to our lowest price guarantee!
It's fast and easy: Just tell us where you saw the lower price - another website, an email offer, your local store - and we'll send you our lowest price offer in a matter of hours.
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Fast, reliable delivery: We have warehouses on both coasts, so most shipments arrive in 3 days or less.
We don't collect sales tax. Bonus!: Only NJ residents pay tax during checkout.

Available on
orders $249+

learn more

Need it now but short of cash? All we need is the first payment up front and the rest in easy monthly payments!

Fast approval.: We approve everyone, with very few exceptions, as long as we can verify your identity.
No interest. Ever.: It's just as if you paid the whole amount up front!
No paperwork. Nothing to track.: No application to mail or fax, no bills to pay. We automatically charge the payments to your credit card.

We'll wait on your money so you don't have to wait for your gear!

When you checkout, just click the Play as you Pay checkbox to indicate which installment plan you wish to use.

on most orders $49+

Just $2.99 on
smaller orders

Really heavy stuff might cost you a
little more

learn more

Why fight traffic and pushy salesmen when we'll bring your gear straight to your home, free of charge?

zZounds free shipping is really free!: No hidden charges or hassles on returns.
Fast, reliable delivery: We have warehouses on both coasts, so most shipments arrive in 3 days or less.
We don't collect sales tax. Bonus!: Only NJ residents pay tax during checkout.

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