Best Les Paul Style Guitars With EMG 81 Pickups in 2024

Here you'll find the best Les Paul style 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.

1. ESP Gary Holt EC

Compare
ESP Gary Holt EC
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
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)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
  • 3 Prices - New from $7,699 >
  • 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
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 3 Prices - New from $7,699 >
  • 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
  • See all specs and compare >
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

All Prices

2. ESP E-II RZK-II Burnt

Compare
ESP E-II RZK-II Burnt
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 80
Sound 78
Build quality 75
Value for money 68
Overall Score 78

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
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
  • 1 Prices - New from $3,152.56 >
  • From ESP E-II's 2010 Signature series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Rosewood 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 tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 1 Prices - New from $3,152.56 >
  • From ESP E-II's 2010 Signature series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Rosewood 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 tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP E-II RZK-II Burnt
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

All Prices

3. ESP LTD EC-1000 Evertune BB

Compare
ESP LTD EC-1000 Evertune BB
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoSweetwater logoReverb logo
Playability 82
Sound 82
Build quality 67
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)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoSweetwater logoReverb logo
  • 5 Prices - New from $1,104.15 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2021 EC series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany w/ Maple Cap body
  • 3Pc Mahogany neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 60TW-R (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Evertune (F model) bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Grover tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 5 Prices - New from $1,104.15 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2021 EC series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany w/ Maple Cap body
  • 3Pc Mahogany neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 60TW-R (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Evertune (F model) bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Grover tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD EC-1000 Evertune BB
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • 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

4. ESP RZK-II Burnt

Compare
ESP RZK-II Burnt
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 80
Sound 78
Build quality 77
Value for money 63
Overall Score 78

What our users think

  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
  • 2 Prices - New from $7,999 >
  • From ESP's 2010 Signature series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Rosewood 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 tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 2 Prices - New from $7,999 >
  • From ESP's 2010 Signature series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Rosewood 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 tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP RZK-II Burnt
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

All Prices

5. ESP E-II Eclipse BB

Compare
ESP E-II Eclipse BB
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 80
Sound 77
Build quality 75
Value for money 67
Overall Score 77

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
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
  • 1 Prices - Used from $1,600 >
  • From ESP E-II's 2014 Eclipse series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 60 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Gotoh TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 1 Prices - Used from $1,600 >
  • From ESP E-II's 2014 Eclipse series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 60 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Gotoh TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP E-II Eclipse BB
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

All Prices

6. ESP E-II Eclipse

Compare
ESP E-II Eclipse
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logo
Playability 80
Sound 77
Build quality 75
Value for money 67
Overall Score 77

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Easy (1 vote)
  • Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
  • Tuning stability: Not bad (1 vote)
  • Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
  • 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
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logo
  • 4 Prices - New from $2,499 >
  • From ESP E-II's 2021 Eclipse series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilted Maple top
  • Mahogany w/ Maple Cap body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 60 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Gotoh TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 4 Prices - New from $2,499 >
  • From ESP E-II's 2021 Eclipse series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilted Maple top
  • Mahogany w/ Maple Cap body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 60 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Gotoh TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP E-II Eclipse
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

All Prices

7. ESP LTD EC-1000FR

Compare
ESP LTD EC-1000FR
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoAmazon logoSweetwater logo
Playability 82
Sound 79
Build quality 70
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)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoAmazon logoSweetwater logo
  • 3 Prices - New from $1,199 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2021 EC series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3Pc Mahogany neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 60 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose 1000SE bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Grover tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 3 Prices - New from $1,199 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2021 EC series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3Pc Mahogany neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 60 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose 1000SE bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Grover tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD EC-1000FR
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • 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

All Prices

8. ESP LTD GH-600

Compare
ESP LTD GH-600
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoAmazon logoSweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 78
Sound 81
Build quality 67
Value for money 70
Overall Score 75

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)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoAmazon logoSweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
  • 7 Prices - New from $849 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2015 Signature series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3Pc Mahogany neck
  • Macassar 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 1000 bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • Grover tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 7 Prices - New from $849 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2015 Signature series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3Pc Mahogany neck
  • Macassar 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 1000 bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • Grover tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD GH-600
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • 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 Strap Lock

All Prices

9. ESP LTD EC-401

Compare
ESP LTD EC-401
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoAmazon logoSweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 83
Sound 72
Build quality 57
Value for money 76
Overall Score 71

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)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoAmazon logoSweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
  • 7 Prices - New from $751.99 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2012 EC series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3Pc Mahogany neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 60 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Grover tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 7 Prices - New from $751.99 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2012 EC series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3Pc Mahogany neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 60 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Grover tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD EC-401
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

Filter ResultsClear all filters×
Price
    • General
    Brand
    Country of Origin
    For Hand Size
    Genre
    Great for
    Handedness
    Max Weight
    • Type desired range in pounds (lbs):
    Strings
    Body
    Body Finish
    Body Shape
    Body Type
    Body Wood
    Comfortability
    Decorative Top
    Weight Relief
      Neck
      Custom 12th Fret Inlay
        Fret Material
        Fret Size
        Fretboard Radius
        Fretboard Wood
        Headstock
        Inlay Material
          Inlay Position
          Inlay Shape
          Luminescent Sidedots
            Neck Joint
            Neck Profile
            Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
            • Type desired range in inches:
            Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
            • Type desired range in inches:
            Neck Wood
            Number of Frets
            Nut Material
            Nut Width
            Playstyle
            Scale Length
            Electronics
            Bridge Pickups Brand
            Configuration
            Neck Pickups Brand
            Pickup Mods
            Pickup Selector
            Pickups Power
            Tone Knobs
            Volume Knobs
            Hardware
            Bridge
            Hardware Color
            Knob Style
            Retainer Bar
            Strap Lock
            Tuners Type
            By Score
            Build Quality Score
              Build Quality Score
            • Type desired score
            Features Score
              Features Score
            • Type desired score
            Material Quality Score
              Material Quality Score
            • Type desired score
            Pickups Quality Score
              Pickups Quality Score
            • Type desired score
            Playability Score
              Playability Score
            • Type desired score
            Quality Control Score
              Quality Control Score
            • Type desired score
            Sound Score
              Sound Score
            • Type desired score
            Value for Money Score
              Value for Money Score
            • Type desired score
            Versatility Score
              Versatility Score
            • Type desired score