EMG 85-8H 8-String Active Humbucker Pickup in Brushed Gold
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- Brand new in original box
- Full EMG manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- EMG4144
Description
EMG 85-8H 8-String Active Humbucker Pickup in Brushed Gold
The EMG 85-8H is a high-output active humbucker engineered for 8-string instruments, capturing the aggressive midrange punch and clarity essential for modern extended-range metal and progressive production. This pickup excels in tight, heavily distorted tracking and mixing contexts where articulation and note separation remain paramount, even under extreme gain—critical for maintaining definition across dense arrangements and layered guitar parts.
Tone & Output Character
Close aperture coils loaded with Alnico V magnets produce a resonant peak at 1.87 kHz, emphasizing vocal mids and aggressive attack for superior recorded clarity. Output measures 3.10 V per string and 4.50 V strum, supplying ample gain into overdrive and high-gain preamps without sacrificing dynamic response—essential for capturing transparent tracking takes and achieving powerful, controlled mixes.
Electronics & Installation
This active design runs on a standard 9V battery with 3000-hour life and supports supply voltages up to 27V DC for maximum headroom in powered studio rigs and multi-amp setups. The solderless install system includes 25K potentiometers, battery bus, output jack, mounting hardware, and all necessary cables, eliminating complex wiring and minimizing studio downtime during installation or replacement.
Key Features
- Close aperture coils with Alnico V magnets
- Model: 85-8H — purpose-built for 8-string instruments
- Resonant Frequency: 1.87 kHz
- Output Voltage (String): 3.10 V
- Output Voltage (Strum): 4.50 V
- Output Impedance: 10 kΩ
- Output Noise (60 Hz): −101 dBV
- Current Draw @ 9V: 80 microamps
- Power: 9V battery with 3000-hour battery life
- Maximum Supply Voltage: 27V DC
- Solderless install with included pots, battery bus, output jack, and cables
- Brushed Gold finish
The 85-8H combines high output, low noise, and straightforward installation into a pickup optimized for recording the low frequencies and articulate demands of 8-string tuning across session work and production.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG 85-8H is a high-output active humbucker engineered to capture tight low-end definition and articulate midrange on 8-string extended-range instruments, making it ideal for tracking modern metal and progressive productions. In the mix, its aggressive midrange character and strong note separation ensure every string stays present and defined, even when layered with other instruments or heavy processing. Solderless installation and a long battery life streamline studio setup, while the high output (3.10 V per string) provides plenty of headroom into your preamp or interface.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Djent
- ✓ Progressive
- ✓ Extended Range
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Blues
- – Folk
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this pickup suitable for 7-string or standard 6-string guitars?
No, the 85-8H is purpose-built for 8-string instruments and optimized for the frequency response and tuning range of 8-string guitars. If you need a similar tone on 6 or 7-string, EMG offers the standard 85 and 85-7H models respectively.
What kind of music does this pickup work best in?
The 85-8H excels in metal, djent, progressive, and other high-gain genres where tight articulation and note separation are critical. It is not designed for jazz, blues, or folk styles.
How long does the battery last, and how often will I need to replace it?
The 9V battery provides approximately 3000 hours of playing time (about 4 months with heavy daily use) before needing replacement. The solderless design makes battery swaps quick and straightforward.
What is included in the pickup package?
The 85-8H comes with the pickup itself, 25K potentiometers, battery bus, output jack, mounting hardware, and all necessary wiring cables needed for a complete solderless installation.
How does the output compare to other extended-range pickups?
At 3.10 V per string and 4.50 V strum with a 10 kΩ output impedance, the 85-8H delivers high output without noise (−101 dBV at 60 Hz), positioning it competitively with passive designs while offering active precision and headroom up to 27V DC supply voltage.
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. On this item that is roughly $10 less out the door than the same listed price at a national retailer or on a marketplace. 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.
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