EMG S/S/85 Active Single Coil Pickup in White
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- Brand new in original box
- Full EMG manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- EMG4096
Description
EMG S/S/85 Active Single Coil Pickup in White
The EMG S/S/85 configuration captures articulate transient detail from neck and middle positions while anchoring the bridge with the aggressive midrange punch of EMG's 85 humbucker. This three-pickup setup excels in session work, delivering clarity that cuts through dense arrangements without losing body in rhythm layers. The white finish pairs cleanly with bright or vintage instrument aesthetics.
Tone & Electronics
The neck and middle single coils reproduce transparent, bell-like articulation across the frequency spectrum—ideal for tracking clean passes and capturing fingerstyle nuance. The bridge 85 humbucker produces focused midrange presence and high output for layering overdrive and distortion passes with controlled aggression. Active circuitry eliminates cable and amp loading effects, preserving transient snap and dynamic response across all three positions during recording and mixing.
Installation & Compatibility
Drop-in compatibility with standard Fender-style single-coil and humbucker routing streamlines integration into most offset and solid-body instruments. EMG's integrated active electronics require a 9V battery and modest wiring adjustments; the supplied potentiometer values and circuit components are tuned for optimal gain staging and noise floor during tracking and overdubs.
Key Features
- Three-pickup configuration: two single coils (neck/middle) plus bridge humbucker
- Bridge pickup: EMG 85 humbucker with aggressive midrange character
- Neck/middle pickups: EMG single coils for articulate, transparent tone
- Active electronics powered by single 9V battery
- White cover finish
- High output design suitable for rock, metal, and hard fusion
- Low-impedance signal path minimizes cable and amp loading
- Standard Fender pole-piece spacing and mounting
- EMG integrated preamp circuit included
- Fast transient response and clear note definition
- Ceramic magnet construction
- Compatible with standard single-coil and humbucker routes
This pickup set balances single-coil articulation with the punch and sustain of active amplification, delivering versatility across clean passes, rhythm layers, and high-gain tracking.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
This three-pickup active set delivers single-coil articulation and bell-like highs in neck and middle positions while the bridge 85 humbucker adds focused midrange aggression and sustain for layered, transparent recordings. The active circuitry eliminates loading effects, preserving fast transient response and dynamic detail across all positions—ideal for capturing definition in lead overdubs and maintaining body in rhythm tracking. Drop-in compatibility with standard routing makes it a straightforward retrofit for most solid-body sessions.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Rock
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Hard Fusion
- ✓ Studio Sessions
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Folk
- – Country
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the S/S/85 configuration different from a standard three-single-coil setup?
The bridge position houses an EMG 85 humbucker instead of a single coil, delivering aggressive midrange and high output suited to overdrive and distortion while the neck and middle remain single coils for articulate, transparent tone. This hybrid approach balances lead punch with rhythm clarity across all three positions.
Does this require any special wiring or modifications?
The active electronics require a 9V battery and modest wiring adjustments beyond a passive installation; EMG supplies integrated preamp circuitry and tuned potentiometer values for optimal gain staging. Drop-in compatibility with standard Fender-style single-coil and humbucker routing makes retrofit straightforward on most solid-body and offset guitars.
What genres and playing styles is this pickup set designed for?
The S/S/85 is optimized for rock, metal, hard rock, and hard fusion where fast transient response, articulate lead work, and focused punch are priorities. It is not recommended for jazz, folk, or country applications where warm, smooth single-coil voicing without aggression is preferred.
How does the active circuitry affect tone and performance?
Active electronics eliminate loading effects from your cable and amp, preserving transient snap and dynamic response across all three positions. The low-impedance signal path delivers consistent, high-output performance with clear note definition and minimal noise floor.
Is the white finish durable and does it match standard Fender aesthetics?
The white cover finish integrates cleanly into bright or vintage-styled instrument aesthetics and is part of EMG's standard construction. Durability depends on normal handling and environment; the ceramic magnet construction and active circuit are designed for reliable, road-ready performance.
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 $20 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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