EMG 89 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Gold
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- Brand new in original box
- Full EMG manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- EMG6207
Description
EMG 89 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Gold
The EMG 89 captures a hybrid character that bridges single-coil clarity with humbucker presence, delivering responsive articulation without sacrificing output punch. This active design excels in high-gain tracking while maintaining note definition across the frequency spectrum—critical for capturing tight, articulate performances in dense mixes. The gold cover provides distinctive visual identity alongside its proven sonic performance.
Recording Architecture & Build
Constructed with an AlNiCo 5 magnet and engineered as an active hybrid configuration, the 89 combines the responsiveness of single-coil construction with the body of a humbucker. The long shaft variant accommodates thicker guitar bodies and custom builds, while the solderless connections streamline installation and enable straightforward wiring modifications for session flexibility. Made in USA, this pickup maintains EMG's manufacturing standards and consistent performance across production runs.
Tone & Signal Performance
The medium output character sits between high-gain brutality and articulate subtlety, ideal for recording sessions where chord voicings demand clarity without sacrificing presence in the final mix. The active circuitry requires battery power but delivers consistent signal strength and low impedance output—particularly effective in drop-tuned and extended-range applications where passive designs lose definition in dense arrangements. This consistency translates to predictable tracking and minimal session-to-session tonal variance.
Key Features
- Active hybrid humbucker/single-coil design
- AlNiCo 5 magnet construction
- Medium output level
- Long shaft for deep guitar bodies and custom installations
- Dimensions: 69.9 × 38.1 × 22.9 mm (width × height × installation depth)
- Mounting screw spacing: 78.5 mm
- Solderless connections for quick wiring
- Gold cover finish
- Includes 25k tone pot and 25k push/pull volume pot
- Battery bus, stereo output socket, and two pickup in/out bus included
- Complete with fastening hardware, springs, pickup cable, output jack, and battery clip set
- Made in USA
This pickup combines technical refinement with practical ease of installation, making it an effective choice for home-studio builds and players upgrading to active electronics for recording work.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG 89 is an active hybrid pickup engineered to cut through dense mixes with articulate highs and punchy midrange while maintaining humbucker body—ideal for tracking heavy music, extended-range guitars, and drop-tuned sessions. The active circuitry delivers consistent low-impedance signal that sits well in a mix without muddying, and the medium output character keeps individual notes clear even in aggressive, high-gain productions. Perfect for studio sessions requiring clarity, definition, and tonal consistency across takes.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Progressive
- ✓ Drop Tunings
- ✓ Extended Range
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Blues
- – Folk
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between the EMG 89 and EMG 81 or 85?
The 89 is a hybrid active design combining single-coil responsiveness with humbucker presence, offering more articulate highs and tonal clarity than the higher-output 81 or the mid-range 85. It sits between them in output and excels when you need note definition in heavy contexts rather than pure brutality or smooth warmth.
Does this pickup require a battery, and what's included?
Yes, active EMGs require battery power for consistent signal and low-impedance output. The package includes a battery clip set, output jack, pickup cable, fastening hardware, springs, and potentiometers (25k tone and 25k push/pull volume), so you have everything to wire and install.
What does long shaft mean, and who needs it?
The long shaft accommodates thicker guitar bodies and custom builds where standard pickups won't fit deep enough. Choose this variant if you're working with semi-hollow or thick solid-body guitars or building a custom instrument.
Is the EMG 89 good for drop tunings and extended-range guitars?
Yes; the active circuitry and hybrid design maintain tight definition and responsive articulation even in drop-tuned and extended-range applications where passive designs typically lose clarity and punch. This is one of its core strengths for metal and hard rock.
How do solderless connections help with installation?
Solderless connections eliminate the need to solder wires during installation and make it easy to swap pickups or modify your wiring later without desoldering, streamlining both initial setup and future tweaks.
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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