What output and noise specs does the 85-8XH have?

The pickup delivers 3.10V on single strings and 4.50V on strums, with an ultra-low noise floor of –101 dBV @ 60 Hz and a 1.87 kHz resonant frequency for crystal clarity and articulation.

How long does the 9V battery last, and what are the power specs?

A single 9V battery lasts roughly 3,000 hours of typical use, drawing only 80 microamps @ 9V. The pickup supports up to 27V DC maximum for users running custom preamp systems.

Is the 85-8XH suited to genres outside of metal and djent?

The pickup is optimized for tight, controlled aggression and articulation in djent, metal, and extended-range drop-tuning work. It is not designed for jazz, blues, or folk applications, where a different sonic character and output profile would be more appropriate.

What comes in the box, and what are the magnet and coil specs?

The package includes 25K volume and tone potentiometers, battery bus, stereo output jack, mounting hardware, and all necessary connecting cables. The pickup features Alnico V magnets paired with close-aperture coils for punchy, defined response.

How does the 85-8XH compare to other 8-string pickups?

The 85-8XH competes with models like the Seymour Duncan Pegasus 8-String, Fishman Fluence Modern 8-String, and DiMarzio Crunchlab 8-String. EMG's offering emphasizes tight low-end articulation and high output with a low noise floor, making it ideal for precision djent and saturation-heavy metal recordings and live rigs.

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 $11 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.

EMG 85-8XH 8-String Active Humbucker Pickup in Brushed Chrome

The EMG 85-8XH captures the articulate, controlled aggression essential to modern 8-string recording and production. This active humbucker combines tight low-end definition with responsive midrange clarity, tracking fast picking articulation and complex harmonic content with precision. The brushed chrome finish pairs polished aesthetics with the proven performance of EMG's 8-string platform.

Recording & Tracking Performance

Output runs 3.10V on single strings and 4.50V on strums, providing ample signal into your interface preamp without saturation or headroom collapse. The 1.87 kHz resonant frequency maintains articulation and pick definition during tracking, while the 10 kΩ output impedance ensures clean, consistent signal path from instrument through your chain. Ultra-low noise floor of –101 dBV @ 60 Hz translates to pristine recordings free from hum—critical for layered tracking and post-production clarity.

Circuit & Power Efficiency

Alnico V magnets paired with close-aperture coils deliver the signature EMG punch—defined transient response and punchy attack ideal for drop-tuned sources and fast picking articulation in the mix. Running on just 80 microamps @ 9V, this pickup draws minimal current; a single 9V battery lasts roughly 3,000 hours of typical studio use. The pickup accepts up to 27V DC maximum supply for users running custom preamp systems.

Key Features

Resonant Frequency: 1.87 kHz
Output Voltage (String): 3.10 V
Output Voltage (Strum): 4.50 V
Output Noise: –101 dBV @ 60 Hz
Output Impedance: 10 kΩ
Current Draw: 80 microamps @ 9V
Battery Life: 3,000 hours typical
Maximum Supply: 27V DC
Magnet Type: Alnico V with close-aperture coils
Includes 25K volume and tone potentiometers, battery bus, stereo output jack, mounting hardware, and all necessary connecting cables

The 85-8XH is engineered for serious 8-string tracking and production where articulation and tonal definition sit clean in a mix—a pickup that resolves detail from drop tunings through fast positional work.