EMG 85 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Red
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- Brand new in original box
- Full EMG manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- EMG5645
Description
EMG 85 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Red
The EMG 85 is a high-output active humbucker engineered to cut through dense mixes with articulate, punchy tone and exceptional clarity across the frequency spectrum. Its wide-aperture dual Alnico 5 coils capture fast transients and defined note separation, translating to clean tracking during recording and consistent performance through compression and EQ. The solderless installation system and included electronics streamline the retrofit process, reducing setup time without compromising signal integrity during tracking sessions.
Recording Tone & Output Characteristics
This pickup generates 3.10 V RMS and 4.50 V peak output with a resonant frequency of 1870 Hz, producing focused midrange punch that sits well in dense arrangements and controlled high-end articulation for definition without harshness. The 10 kΩ impedance and –101 dBV noise floor ensure a clean signal path with minimal hum, critical for layered recording and high-gain overdubs.
Active Electronics & Studio Setup
The active circuit runs on a single 9 V battery with 3000-hour battery life, eliminating passive pickup noise while maintaining consistent response across multiple takes and overdub sessions. The solderless mounting system and included 25K volume and tone potentiometers, battery bus, stereo output jack, and connection cables enable quick installation and swapping during tracking without permanent modifications to your instrument.
Key Features
- Alnico 5 bar magnet with two Alnico magnet-loaded coils
- Wide-aperture coil design for enhanced clarity and detail
- 3.10 V RMS output / 4.50 V peak output
- 10 kΩ impedance
- 80 µA current draw
- –101 dBV noise specification
- 1870 Hz resonant frequency
- Active 9 V battery power with 3000-hour battery life
- Solderless installation system
- Includes 25K volume pot, 25K tone pot, battery bus, and stereo output jack
- Includes mounting screws, springs, and pickup/connection cables
- Long shaft configuration
The EMG 85 combines the noise rejection of active electronics with the tonal clarity of Alnico magnetics, delivering reliable performance across recording sessions and straightforward installation for home studios requiring both output headroom and definition.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG 85 is a high-output active humbucker that brings articulate, focused tone to studio sessions and heavy recording work, delivering punchy midrange and tight low-end definition that cuts through dense mixes. Its wide-aperture Alnico 5 design captures fast transients and note separation with minimal noise, making it ideal for layering aggressive rhythms or recording lead passages that need clarity and presence. The active circuit ensures a clean signal path with a noise floor of –101 dBV, and solderless installation makes retrofitting into a project guitar quick and non-destructive.
Who This Is For
| Best suited for | Metal, Hard Rock, Progressive, Studio Sessions, Gigging |
|---|---|
| Tonal character | High output, articulate, punchy midrange, controlled highs, tight low end |
| Less specialized for | Jazz, Blues, Folk (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily) |
| Skill level | Intermediate / Advanced / Professional |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the EMG 85 good for metal and hard rock, or is it better suited to blues and jazz?
The EMG 85 is purpose-built for metal, hard rock, and progressive music. Its high output, punchy midrange, and controlled highs excel in heavy genres and tight rhythm work, but it is not optimized for jazz or blues playing styles.
What comes in the box, and do I need to solder anything?
The EMG 85 includes a 25K volume pot, 25K tone pot, battery bus, stereo output jack, mounting screws, springs, pickup cables, and connection cables. The solderless installation system means no soldering required—just wire and mount.
How long does the battery last, and what are the key specs?
The 9V battery delivers 3000 hours of playable life and draws only 80 µA of current. Output is 3.10 V RMS and 4.50 V peak, with a noise floor of –101 dBV and 10 kΩ impedance, ensuring a clean signal under high-gain conditions.
How does the EMG 85 compare to the EMG 81 or other active humbuckers?
The EMG 85 has a slightly lower output and more articulate, focused midrange compared to the harder-hitting EMG 81, making it better for clarity and note definition. It compares favorably to the Seymour Duncan JB Custom and DiMarzio D Activator in its balance of output and articulation.
What is the long shaft configuration?
Long shaft refers to the pickup's mounting ring height, which fits certain guitar body types and neck-through designs. Confirm your guitar's pickup cavity depth before ordering to ensure proper fit.
Do I pay sales tax on this order?
Sales tax is collected only on orders shipped to California; orders shipped to any other US state are not charged sales tax at checkout when you buy direct from our website. Marketplaces collect sales tax as the facilitator in most states, so the same listed price can cost more there. Buyers remain responsible for any use tax their state applies. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included.
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