Best Guitars With EMG 81 Pickups in 2024

Here you'll find the best guitars with EMG 81 pickups.

After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.

There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.

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1. Jackson American Series Soloist SL2MG

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Jackson American Series Soloist SL2MG

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Playability 77

Sound 81

Build quality 89

Value for money 72

Overall Score 82

What our users think

Neck profile shape: D (5 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (7 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)

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From Jackson's 2024 American series
Made in United States
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose 1500 Series Double-Locking Tremolo bridge
Jackson Standard Neck-Through neck
24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Gotoh MG-T Locking tuners
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From Jackson's 2024 American series
Made in United States
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose 1500 Series Double-Locking Tremolo bridge
Jackson Standard Neck-Through neck
24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Gotoh MG-T Locking tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson American Series Soloist SL2MG

Stainless Steel Frets
Locking Tuners
Made in United States
Expensive Wood
Locking Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Neck-Through Build
Luminescent Inlay
Tremolo
Compound Radius Fretboard
Strap Lock
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Weight Relief
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Retainer Bar

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2. ESP E-II Arrow

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ESP E-II Arrow

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Playability 80

Sound 81

Build quality 79

Value for money 70

Overall Score 80

What our users think

Neck profile shape: Baseball / U (3 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (6 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)

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From ESP E-II's 2014 Arrow series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose Original bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
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From ESP E-II's 2014 Arrow series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose Original bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP E-II Arrow

Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Locking Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Neck-Through Build
Tremolo
Retainer Bar
Strap Lock
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

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3. ESP Gary Holt EC

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ESP Gary Holt EC

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Playability 78

Sound 81

Build quality 77

Value for money 64

Overall Score 79

What our users think

Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)

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From ESP's 2015 Signature series
Made in Japan
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Maple top
Mahogany body
1Pc Mahogany neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 89R (Humbucker/Active)
2 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose Original bridge
Thin U Set neck
22 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh tuners
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From ESP's 2015 Signature series
Made in Japan
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Maple top
Mahogany body
1Pc Mahogany neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 89R (Humbucker/Active)
2 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose Original bridge
Thin U Set neck
22 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Gary Holt EC

Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Locking Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Coil Split Pickups
Tremolo
Retainer Bar
Strap Lock
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
No Neck-Through Build
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

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4. ESP LTD Arrow-1000

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ESP LTD Arrow-1000

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Playability 80

Sound 78

Build quality 74

Value for money 77

Overall Score 77

What our users think

Neck profile shape: D (23 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)

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From ESP LTD's 2021 Arrow series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
3pc Maple neck
Macassar Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose 1000SE bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Grover tuners
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From ESP LTD's 2021 Arrow series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
3pc Maple neck
Macassar Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose 1000SE bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Grover tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD Arrow-1000

Stainless Steel Frets
Expensive Wood
Locking Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Neck-Through Build
Tremolo
Retainer Bar
No Locking Tuners
Made in Indonesia
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

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5. Schecter DJ Ashba USA SIgnature

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Schecter DJ Ashba USA SIgnature

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Playability 73

Sound 87

Build quality 74

Value for money 63

Overall Score 78

What our users think

Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)

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From Schecter's 2018 Artist series
Made in United States
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
14" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: Sustainiac (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose Original w/ D-Tuner bridge
Schecter Custom C Bolt-On neck
22 XL Jumbo frets
Locking tuners
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From Schecter's 2018 Artist series
Made in United States
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
14" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: Sustainiac (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose Original w/ D-Tuner bridge
Schecter Custom C Bolt-On neck
22 XL Jumbo frets
Locking tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter DJ Ashba USA SIgnature

Locking Tuners
Made in United States
Expensive Wood
Locking Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Sustainer Pickups
Tremolo
Retainer Bar
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Neck-Through Build
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

6. Dean Kerry King V

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Dean Kerry King V

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Playability 82

Sound 81

Build quality 65

Value for money 76

Overall Score 76

What our users think

Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)

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From Dean's 2020 Artist series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Maple top
Eastern Mahogany body
3 Piece Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Kahler Hybrid bridge
Kerry King Spec. C Shaped Set neck
24 Jumbo frets
Grover tuners
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From Dean's 2020 Artist series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Maple top
Eastern Mahogany body
3 Piece Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Kahler Hybrid bridge
Kerry King Spec. C Shaped Set neck
24 Jumbo frets
Grover tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean Kerry King V

Expensive Wood
Locking Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Boost Pickups
Tremolo
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
Made in Indonesia
No Neck-Through Build
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Retainer Bar
No Strap Lock

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7. Ibanez RG6PKAG Premium

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Ibanez RG6PKAG Premium

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Playability 73

Sound 81

Build quality 70

Value for money 70

Overall Score 75

What our users think

Neck profile shape: D (2 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Herman Li fast (2 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)

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From Ibanez's 2021 RG series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
16" Fretboard Radius
Koa top
African Mahogany body
11pc Maple/Walnut/Bubinga neck
Rosewood fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Middle pickup: EMG SA (Single Coil/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG SA (Single Coil/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
5-way Switch
Edge bridge
Wizard Bolt-On neck
24 Jumbo Gold frets
Gotoh machine heads tuners
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From Ibanez's 2021 RG series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
16" Fretboard Radius
Koa top
African Mahogany body
11pc Maple/Walnut/Bubinga neck
Rosewood fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Middle pickup: EMG SA (Single Coil/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG SA (Single Coil/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
5-way Switch
Edge bridge
Wizard Bolt-On neck
24 Jumbo Gold frets
Gotoh machine heads tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez RG6PKAG Premium

Gold Frets
Expensive Wood
Locking Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Luminescent Inlay
Tremolo
No Locking Tuners
Made in Indonesia
No Neck-Through Build
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Weight Relief
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Retainer Bar
No Strap Lock

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8. Jackson American Series Soloist SL2MG HT

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Jackson American Series Soloist SL2MG HT

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Playability 78

Sound 76

Build quality 89

Value for money 71

Overall Score 81

What our users think

Neck profile shape: D (5 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (7 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)

Own it? Share your opinion

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From Jackson's 2024 American series
Made in United States
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Hipshot 6 Fixed .175 bridge
Jackson Standard Neck-Through neck
24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Gotoh MG-T Locking tuners
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From Jackson's 2024 American series
Made in United States
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Hipshot 6 Fixed .175 bridge
Jackson Standard Neck-Through neck
24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Gotoh MG-T Locking tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson American Series Soloist SL2MG HT

Stainless Steel Frets
Locking Tuners
Made in United States
Expensive Wood
Ivory Tusq Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Neck-Through Build
Luminescent Inlay
Compound Radius Fretboard
Strap Lock
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Weight Relief
No Tremolo
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

All Prices

9. ESP E-II M-II

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ESP E-II M-II

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Playability 80

Sound 81

Build quality 80

Value for money 70

Overall Score 80

What our users think

Neck profile shape: Baseball / U (3 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (6 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)

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From ESP E-II's 2014 M series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Flamed Maple top
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose Original bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
Compare Specs >

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From ESP E-II's 2014 M series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Flamed Maple top
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose Original bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
Compare Specs >

Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP E-II M-II

Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Locking Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Neck-Through Build
Tremolo
Retainer Bar
Strap Lock
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

All Prices

10. ESP E-II M-II Neck Thru

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ESP E-II M-II Neck Thru

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Playability 80

Sound 81

Build quality 79

Value for money 70

Overall Score 80

What our users think

Neck profile shape: Baseball / U (3 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (6 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)

Own it? Share your opinion

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From ESP E-II's 2014 M series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose Original bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
Compare Specs >

Show all Specs

From ESP E-II's 2014 M series
Made in Japan
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Alder body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose Original bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
Compare Specs >

Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP E-II M-II Neck Thru

Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Locking Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Neck-Through Build
Tremolo
Retainer Bar
Strap Lock
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

All Prices