Best Guitars With EMG 81TW Pickups in 2024

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

1. ESP LTD F-1001

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ESP LTD F-1001
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Playability 77
Sound 78
Build quality 75
Value for money 77
Overall Score 77

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (6 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (10 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Hot (4 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • From ESP LTD's 2022 F series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81TW (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • Floyd Rose 1000SE bridge
  • Extra Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Grover tuners
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  • From ESP LTD's 2022 F series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81TW (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • Floyd Rose 1000SE bridge
  • Extra Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Grover tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD F-1001
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Retainer Bar
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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2. Schecter Hellraiser C-1 FR

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Schecter Hellraiser C-1 FR
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Playability 77
Sound 82
Build quality 67
Value for money 75
Overall Score 75

What our users think

  • Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
  • Weight: Heavy (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: C (42 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (37 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Hot (4 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • From Schecter's 2006 Hellraiser series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 14" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilted Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany 3-pc neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81TW (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 89R (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose 1000 Series bridge
  • Thin C Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Grover tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Schecter's 2006 Hellraiser series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 14" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilted Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany 3-pc neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81TW (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 89R (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose 1000 Series bridge
  • Thin C Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Grover tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter Hellraiser C-1 FR
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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3. ESP LTD EC Arctic Metal

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ESP LTD EC Arctic Metal
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Playability 83
Sound 73
Build quality 69
Value for money 75
Overall Score 75

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (23 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Hot (4 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • From ESP LTD's 2021 Arctic Metal series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3Pc Mahogany neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81TW (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From ESP LTD's 2021 Arctic Metal series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3Pc Mahogany neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81TW (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD EC Arctic Metal
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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4. ESP LTD Arrow-NT Arctic Metal

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ESP LTD Arrow-NT Arctic Metal
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Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 82
Sound 74
Build quality 70
Value for money 80
Overall Score 75

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (23 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Hot (4 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
  • From ESP LTD's 2021 Arctic Metal series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81TW (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • Tonepros Locking TOM w/ String Thru bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From ESP LTD's 2021 Arctic Metal series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81TW (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • Tonepros Locking TOM w/ String Thru bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD Arrow-NT Arctic Metal
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Coil Split, Killswitch Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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5. ESP LTD M-HT Arctic Metal

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ESP LTD M-HT Arctic Metal
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Playability 78
Sound 73
Build quality 75
Value for money 75
Overall Score 75

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (6 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (10 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Hot (4 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoAmazon logoSweetwater logo
  • From ESP LTD's 2021 Arctic Metal series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81TW (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • Hipshot w/ String Thru bridge
  • Extra Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From ESP LTD's 2021 Arctic Metal series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81TW (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • Hipshot w/ String Thru bridge
  • Extra Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD M-HT Arctic Metal
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

6. ESP LTD M-1001NT

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ESP LTD M-1001NT
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Reverb logoSweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 75
Sound 74
Build quality 72
Value for money 74
Overall Score 74

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (6 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (10 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Hot (4 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • From ESP LTD's 2022 M series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilted Maple top
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81TW (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • Tonepros Locking TOM w/ String Thru bridge
  • Extra Thin U Bolt-On neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From ESP LTD's 2022 M series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilted Maple top
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81TW (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • Tonepros Locking TOM w/ String Thru bridge
  • Extra Thin U Bolt-On neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD M-1001NT
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

7. ESP LTD Phoenix Arctic Metal

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ESP LTD Phoenix Arctic Metal
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Reverb logoMusician's Friend logoAmazon logoSweetwater logo
Playability 78
Sound 73
Build quality 72
Value for money 74
Overall Score 74

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (23 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Hot (4 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoMusician's Friend logoAmazon logoSweetwater logo
  • From ESP LTD's 2021 Arctic Metal series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3Pc Mahogany neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81TW (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From ESP LTD's 2021 Arctic Metal series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3Pc Mahogany neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81TW (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD Phoenix Arctic Metal
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

8. Schecter Hellraiser C-VI

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Schecter Hellraiser C-VI
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 78
Sound 79
Build quality 65
Value for money 74
Overall Score 74

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (42 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (37 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Hot (4 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
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  • From Schecter's 2011 Hellraiser series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 30"'' scale
  • 14" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilted Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany 3-pc w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81TW (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 89R (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • TonePros System w/Custom Brass Saddles bridge
  • Thin C Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Schecter Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Schecter's 2011 Hellraiser series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 30"'' scale
  • 14" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilted Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany 3-pc w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81TW (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 89R (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • TonePros System w/Custom Brass Saddles bridge
  • Thin C Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Schecter Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter Hellraiser C-VI
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

9. Schecter Hellraiser C-1

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Schecter Hellraiser C-1
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Sweetwater logoReverb logoAmazon logo
Playability 78
Sound 79
Build quality 62
Value for money 78
Overall Score 73

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Very Easy (3 votes)
  • Fret edges: Smooth (3 votes)
  • Tuning stability: Holds tune well (3 votes)
  • Weight: Lightweight (2 votes)
  • Neck profile shape: C (42 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (37 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Hot (4 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logoAmazon logo
  • From Schecter's 2006 Hellraiser series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 14" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany 3-pc neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81TW (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 89R (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • TonePros T3BT TOM w/ String Thru Body bridge
  • Thin C Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Schecter Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Schecter's 2006 Hellraiser series
  • Made in South Korea
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 14" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany 3-pc neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81TW (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 89R (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • TonePros T3BT TOM w/ String Thru Body bridge
  • Thin C Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Schecter Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter Hellraiser C-1
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Black Tusq XL Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in South Korea
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

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