EMG Zakk Wylde Short Shaft 81/85 Active Humbucker Pickup Set in Black
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- Brand new in original box
- Full EMG manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- EMG6254
Description
EMG Zakk Wylde Short Shaft 81/85 Active Humbucker Pickup Set in Black
The EMG Zakk Wylde Short Shaft 81/85 set captures the articulate aggression and clarity that defined Zakk Wylde's recorded tone across decades of high-gain work. The short shaft design accommodates guitars with tighter pickup cavities while maintaining the full sonic character of EMG's flagship active system. This is a straightforward, session-ready upgrade for producers and engineers tracking hard rock and metal who demand transparent lead definition and punchy rhythm response without compromise.
Tone & Output Characteristics
The bridge 81 uses a ceramic magnet with a 1.63 kHz resonant frequency and delivers 3.00V single-note output and 4.50V strummed output, producing the tight, focused aggression that cuts through dense mixes. The neck 85 employs an Alnico V magnet with a 1.87 kHz resonance, yielding 3.10V and 4.50V outputs respectively—the warmer magnet structure provides slightly smoother character in the neck position without sacrificing clarity or output consistency during session tracking. Both pickups maintain a 10 kΩ output impedance and industry-leading noise floors at -100 dB and -101 dB, ensuring silent operation even under heavy gain for clean layer stacking and multi-take flexibility.
Design & Installation
Built in the USA, this set ships with EMG's Solderless Install System, eliminating downtime during instrument prep and allowing rapid swaps between takes or between session guitars. The short standard pot shafts (10mm) fit guitars designed for compact cavity dimensions, while the black caps integrate seamlessly into dark-finished instruments used in the studio. A single 9V battery powers the entire system, drawing just 160 microamps and delivering approximately 1500 hours of runtime between changes—sufficient for extended tracking sessions without interruption.
Key Features
- Bridge pickup: Ceramic magnet, 1.63 kHz resonant frequency
- Neck pickup: Alnico V magnet, 1.87 kHz resonant frequency
- Bridge output: 3.00V (single note), 4.50V (strummed)
- Neck output: 3.10V (single note), 4.50V (strummed)
- Output impedance: 10 kΩ (both pickups)
- Noise floor: -100 dB bridge, -101 dB neck @ 60Hz
- Solderless Install System for tool-free wiring
- Short shaft design (10mm pots) for compact guitar cavities
- 9V battery power, 160 microamps current draw
- Approximately 1500 hours battery life per charge
- Black finish caps
- Made in the USA
The Zakk Wylde Short Shaft 81/85 combines proven active pickup engineering with practical installation features, delivering the transparent punch and noise rejection required for modern high-gain recording and production.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG Zakk Wylde Short Shaft 81/85 is an active humbucker set built for recording sessions that call for articulate, high-output tones with exceptional noise rejection in the mix. The ceramic-magnet bridge 81 cuts through with aggressive character while the Alnico V neck 85 provides warmer definition without losing clarity, giving producers and engineers flexibility across lead and rhythm layers. Solderless installation and approximately 1500 hours of battery life per 9V charge make this a reliable, low-maintenance choice for home studios and professional recording setups.
Who This Is For
| Best suited for | Metal, Hard Rock, Drop Tunings, High-Gain Playing, Studio Sessions |
|---|---|
| Tonal character | Tight low end, articulate cleans, high output, aggressive character, noise rejection |
| Less specialized for | Jazz, Folk, Blues (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily) |
| Skill level | Intermediate / Advanced / Professional |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the short shaft design and why does it matter?
The short shaft (10mm pot shafts) accommodates guitars with tighter or compact pickup cavities that standard full-shaft designs won't fit. This set delivers the complete Zakk Wylde tone character without requiring cavity modifications.
Do I need a soldering iron to install these pickups?
No. The set includes EMG's Solderless Install System, allowing tool-free wiring and quick swaps or trial installations without any soldering required.
How long do the batteries last?
A single 9V battery powers both pickups and delivers approximately 1500 hours of runtime before replacement, drawing only 160 microamps during use.
What tone should I expect, and what styles are these designed for?
These pickups deliver tight low end, articulate cleans, and aggressive high-output character optimized for metal, hard rock, and drop-tuning applications. They excel in high-gain scenarios and studio sessions but are not designed for jazz, folk, or blues playing.
How quiet are these pickups under high gain?
Both pickups maintain industry-leading noise floors at -100 dB (bridge) and -101 dB (neck), ensuring silent operation even under heavy distortion and sustained high-gain playing.
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. At a typical 7% rate that is an estimated $15 less at checkout than the same listed price on a marketplace, which collects sales tax as the facilitator in most states. Buyers remain responsible for any use tax their state applies. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included.
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