What is the long-shaft potentiometer configuration, and why does it matter?

The long-shaft design (9.5 mm) accommodates guitars with deeper electronics cavities or custom control layouts, ensuring smooth operation and proper fitment without modification to your cavity. This makes installation cleaner in non-standard or heavily routed guitar designs.

How long does the 9V battery last, and how often will I need to replace it?

The battery delivers approximately 3000 hours of playing time per charge cycle. In typical gigging or recording use, that translates to several months of regular playing before replacement becomes necessary.

Is this pickup suitable for jazz, blues, or other clean/vintage styles?

No. This pickup is optimized for metal, djent, progressive, and modern high-gain applications; its aggressive midrange and focused compression are designed for heavy riffs and extended-range clarity, not the smooth, open voicing those styles require.

How does the solderless connection system work, and is professional installation required?

The solderless connectors allow you to plug the pickup into existing wiring schemes without soldering or permanent circuit modifications. Many guitarists can handle the installation themselves, though professional setup is recommended if you are unfamiliar with electronics work.

What comparable pickups should I consider for a 7-string guitar?

Direct alternatives include the Seymour Duncan Blackouts 7-String, DiMarzio D-Activator 7, and Fishman Fluence Modern 7, each offering different approaches to active 7-string voicing; the EMG 85-7H prioritizes aggressive midrange punch and harmonic clarity for tight rhythm and lead definition.

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 Gold

The EMG 85-7H delivers the aggressive, articulate midrange punch that cuts through dense arrangements on extended-range 7-string sessions. This active humbucker balances clarity and sustain across low tunings, recording with equal precision on lead passes and locked-in rhythm takes. The long-shaft potentiometer configuration accommodates guitars with deeper electronics cavities or custom control layouts.

Tone & Electronics

Alnico V magnets paired with active EMG circuitry produce a focused, compressed output with enhanced harmonic definition—ideal for separation in the mix without sacrificing definition across the full spectrum. The 9V battery system delivers consistent response across sessions with an exceptional 3000-hour battery life, reducing maintenance concerns during back-to-back recording days or extended production timelines.

Design & Specifications

The solderless connection system streamlines installation and allows straightforward integration into existing wiring schemes without permanent circuit board modifications. Included 25k potentiometers (both volume and tone) with long shaft configuration ensure proper fitment and smooth operation in custom or deep-cavity guitar designs.

Key Features

Active humbucker design optimized for 7-string electric guitar
Alnico V magnet construction
Gold finish
Solderless connection system for simplified installation
25k volume potentiometer with long shaft (9.5 mm)
25k tone potentiometer with long shaft (9.5 mm)
9V battery power requirement
3000-hour battery life per charge cycle

This pickup combines proven EMG active technology with 7-string voicing, delivering reliable tone capture across extended-range recording applications.