What is included in the EMG 85-7H package?

The package includes the long-shaft pickup for neck or bridge position, a 9V battery bus, stereo output jack, pickup and connecting cables, output and battery cables, 25k volume and tone potentiometers (9.5mm shaft), mounting screws and springs, and all hardware needed for solderless drop-in installation.

How long does the 9V battery last?

Under typical playing conditions, the battery provides approximately 3000 hours of runtime before replacement is needed, making it practical for regular gigging and recording.

Is the EMG 85-7H suitable for jazz or blues?

No—this pickup is optimized for metal, progressive, djent, and extended-range applications. Its aggressive character and active circuit tuning make it poorly suited to jazz and blues styles.

What skill level is required to install this pickup?

The solderless installation system and included wiring harness make this suitable for intermediate players and above; however, basic guitar electronics knowledge and comfort with wiring is recommended.

How does the EMG 85-7H compare to other 7-string pickups?

The 85-7H balances articulation with controlled aggression through its medium output and active circuit, positioning it between the clarity of high-impedance pickups and the punch of higher-output models. Comparable options include the Seymour Duncan Blackout 7-String, Fishman Fluence Modern 7-String, and DiMarzio Crunchlab 7.

Do I pay sales tax on this order?

We collect sales tax only on orders shipped to California. Orders shipped to any other US state are charged $0 sales tax at checkout when you buy direct from our website. Marketplaces such as eBay, Reverb and Amazon collect sales tax in nearly every state as marketplace facilitators no matter who the seller is, so the same item at the same price costs less bought direct. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included. Some states ask buyers to self-report use tax on out-of-state purchases.

EMG 85-7H Long Shaft 7-String Active Humbucker Pickup in Chrome

The EMG 85-7H is a medium-output active humbucker engineered specifically for 7-string instruments, delivering the balanced articulation and controlled aggression that defines the 85 platform. The long shaft design accommodates modern 7-string guitar construction, while the chrome finish provides both visual contrast and proven durability. In the studio, this pickup excels across extended-range applications—from modern prog and metal to djent-oriented tunings—capturing note definition and dynamic response without losing clarity even under heavy compression or distortion.

Active Electronics & Power

The 9V battery-powered active circuit maintains consistent output and impedance characteristics independent of cable length, with an estimated battery life of approximately 3000 hours under typical use. The 10 kΩ impedance and medium output level strike a deliberate balance between clarity and aggression, remaining articulate in heavily compressed or distorted tracking contexts, making it predictable for layering and mixing extended-range instruments into dense arrangements.

Installation & Workflow Integration

This pickup features solderless installation, streamlining the electronics integration process and minimizing downtime during instrument setup or retrofit work. The package includes all necessary hardware: 25k volume and tone potentiometers (both 9.5mm shaft), battery bus, stereo output jack, pickup bus connectors, mounting screws and springs, pickup cable, connecting cables, output cable, and battery cable—everything required for a complete drop-in retrofit without additional sourcing.

Key Features

Active humbucker configuration optimized for 7-string instruments
Long shaft design for compatibility with extended-range guitar geometry
Medium output level with Alnico 5 magnet material
9V battery power with approximately 3000-hour battery life
10 kΩ DC impedance for consistent performance
Solderless installation system with integrated wiring harness
Chrome finish in neck and bridge positions
Includes 25k volume and tone potentiometers (9.5mm shaft)
Complete accessory package: battery bus, output jack, pickup bus, cables, and mounting hardware
Suitable for bridge and neck placement on 7-string instruments

The 85-7H combines EMG's proven active circuit design with purpose-built 7-string geometry, delivering reliable performance across a broad range of gain structures and tuning approaches in studio production.