EMG 85 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Black Chrome
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- Brand new in original box
- Full EMG manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- EMG4596
Description
EMG 85 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Black Chrome
The EMG 85 captures articulate, punchy transients with controlled dynamics and transparent high-end response. This active humbucker pairs aggressive midrange presence with tight low-end definition, translating equally well when recording high-gain material or layering into cleaner, more nuanced mixes. The brushed black chrome cover offers visual consistency with modern gear while maintaining the pickup's signature sonic character through the recording chain.
Recording Output & Frequency Response
Output measures 3.1V on individual string strikes and 4.5V on full strum, delivering strong signal headroom into any preamp, interface, or amp sim without clipping. The 1.87 kHz resonant frequency positions midrange presence precisely where recorded note articulation and definition sit in the mix, while -101 dB output noise at 60 Hz ensures clean tracking and layering without hum or interface noise contamination in standard studio environments.
Active Design & Studio Integration
This active design runs on a single 9V battery with 3000-hour battery life, requiring no soldering thanks to solderless connection architecture. The included system comprises 25K volume and tone potentiometers, stereo output jack, battery bus, two pickup in/out bus connectors, mounting hardware, and pickup cable—everything necessary for direct installation into compatible guitar cavities and immediate session readiness.
Key Features
- Alnico V magnet with close-aperture coil design
- Output Voltage: 3.1V (string) / 4.5V (strum)
- Resonant Frequency: 1.87 kHz
- Output Noise: -101 dB at 60 Hz
- Output Impedance: 10 KOhm
- Current Draw at 9V: 80 mA
- Battery Life: 3000 hours on single 9V cell
- Active electronics with solderless installation
- Includes 25K volume and tone pots, battery bus, stereo jack, dual bus connectors
- Brushed Black Chrome cover finish
- Dimensions: 4.00" W × 1.00" H × 8.00" D
- Long shaft design for direct mounting compatibility
The EMG 85 combines high-output active performance with straightforward installation and extended battery endurance, making it a reliable choice for producers and engineers seeking upgrade-level articulation, noise rejection, and consistent recording results across sessions.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG 85 is an active humbucker that captures punchy, articulate midrange with tight lows and transparent highs—ideal for modern metal, prog, and high-gain recording sessions. Its low noise floor (-101 dB at 60 Hz) and strong output headroom (4.5V on full strum) sit well in dense mixes without hum, while the 1.87 kHz resonant peak ensures defined note separation even when layering guitars. Perfect for studio work where you need clean, aggressive presence without post-processing noise gates.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Progressive
- ✓ Studio Sessions
- ✓ High-Gain Applications
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Folk
- – Traditional Blues
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What skill level do I need to install the EMG 85?
The EMG 85 features solderless connection architecture, meaning no soldering is required—just direct plug-in installation into a compatible guitar cavity. Intermediate players and above can handle the install; the package includes everything needed: mounting hardware, potentiometers, battery bus, and pickup cables.
How long does the 9V battery last?
The 9V battery runs for approximately 3000 hours of active operation before replacement. At typical gigging or studio use, expect several months of reliable performance per battery.
Will this pickup work in jazz or blues applications?
The EMG 85 is voiced for metal, hard rock, progressive, and high-gain work—its articulate midrange and aggressive presence are not optimized for jazz, folk, or traditional blues tones. For those genres, consider a passive alternative with warmer, darker voicing.
How does the EMG 85 compare to the EMG 81?
The 85 delivers more articulate midrange presence and slightly warmer character than the 81, while still maintaining tight low-end and high output. Both are active and solderless; the 85 suits players who want note definition alongside aggression, while the 81 is known for maximum gain and raw power.
What output level should I expect?
The EMG 85 produces 3.1V on individual string strikes and 4.5V on full strum, providing strong signal headroom into any amp, interface, or mixing console without clipping or distortion.
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.
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