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EMG 85 Active Humbucker Pickup

This versatile pickup is perfect for use with everything from blues to hard rock and metal. It can be paired with any other EMG humbucker pickup.

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Product Description

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The EMG 85 is one of EMG's first pickups and is the slightly more sophisticated and well rounded half of its famous twin, the 81. Featuring close aperture coils loaded with Alnico V magnets, the 85 is a powerful pickup with exceptional organic tone and versatility. Most often used in the rhythm position, the alnico magnets of this model provide a muscular growl and smooth lead tones to enable you to play the muddiest of blues to the most extreme metal. Try it in the bridge position for exceptional smoothness and soul. This pickup pairs well with just about every other humbucker in their line.

During their search for sourcing the best available "chrome" finish cover cap, EMG found that the available products could not be ordered with any consistency. Most importantly, since the manufacturing process would not be controlled by them, there was no way of knowing how the sound and tonal performance characteristics of their pickups would be affected. This characteristic was something that also could vary from batch to batch. Finally, they could not find any US manufacturers. EMG knew at that point, that the "buy" solution would not work.

Since putting a nickel or chrome plating on a common base metal is just a low cost way to simulate polished stainless steel, EMG decided to look at the feasibility of doing the real thing. This was the "build" solution. EMG engineers worked out a way to produce a one piece, high quality, mirror polished, stainless steel cover cap while maintaining comparable pricing to the plated versions. In addition, the sound and tonal properties were virtually identical to their molded cover caps, and controlling the process guarantees the consistency and high quality level of the products. EMG is pleased to now offer humbuckers in the real deal, mirror polished stainless steel, known as "Chrome EMG's".

The "gold" version is the same polished stainless steel cover cap with a gold colored finish that is commonly used to harden machine tools. It is a finish that both hardens the cover cap surface and penetrates the stainless steel substrate, rather than surface coating it as a plating would. This assures a durable, longer lasting surface finish that will stand up to your pounding riffs and all the abuse the road can dish out.

Designed and produced in the USA.
Package Includes: EMG's exclusive Quik-Connect(TM) cable, prewired split shaft volume/tone control set, output jack, battery clip set, screws & springs. zZounds is an authorized dealer of EMG products.

Specifications

Logo Color: Gold

Resonant Frequency: 2.55 kHz

RMS Output Voltage: 1.25

Peak Output Voltage: 1.75

Output Noise: -89 dBV

Output Impedance: 10kOhms

Current @ 9V: 80 Microamps

Battery Life: 3000 Hours

A Brief FAQ

What's an active pickup, and why would I use one?
An active pickup is one that uses electronics to improve the sound and enhance its operation. There are a variety of ways to "Activate" a pickup. A simple "buffer" pre-amp will do the trick, but it will also amplify the hum and buzz the pickup produces. Just because a pickup is "active" doesn't guarantee you'll get great results. EMG pickups utilize an internal pre-amp (inside the pickup), which not only makes the pickup louder, it also reduces the noise!

What are the advantages of an EMG pickup?
The greatest is reduction in noise. No longer will the dimming of the house lighting system cause your guitar to buzz incessantly. You can use an extra long cable, or a wireless, and you'll get the same great tone every time.

Why an internal pre-amp?
It's the most efficient way to create an active pickup. All the coil connections are shielded, the pre-amp is shielded, and the output of the pickup cable is low-impedence, which makes it less susceptible to noise. Also, it avoids a spider web of wires and possible loose connections in your guitar and the installation is simple. All the benefits with none of the hassle.

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging
Black: Shipping Weight: 1 lbs; Shipping Dimensions: 6 x 3 x 3 in
Chrome: Shipping Weight: 1 lbs; Shipping Dimensions: 5 x 4 x 2 in
Gold: Shipping Weight: 1 lbs; Shipping Dimensions: 5 x 4 x 2 in

Specifications Sheet

EMG Warranty

EMG Warranty

If you have additional warranty questions, please call the manufacturer at 707-525-9941

zZounds is an
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This item must be exchanged directly through the manufacturer if it is found to be defective, and can only be returned to us if it is unopened. details

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In Stock

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Customer Reviews

5 out of 5 (9 ratings) Rate and Review This Product

Read all 3 EMG 85 Active Humbucker Pickup Reviews

EMG 85 Active Humbucker Customer Review

Sound: it gets great hard rock/metal tone and also works for the blues. overdrives my amp when playing clean. loads of sustain. Quality: nothing i would change about this pickup. Value: if you want your guitar to scream, get this pickup. Manufacturer Support: never dealt with them The Wow Factor: i wouldnt be caught dead playing with distortion without the 85. Overall: greatest active pickup produced.

Style of Music: Metal, Jazz, and Metal/Jazz Fusion

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EMG 85 Active Humbucker Customer Review

Sound: Sound quality is great. I saw a review that said some1 used this for the bridge pickup. I wouldn't think that would be a great idea as this is something ideal for the neck. I have 81 on my bridge and 85 on my neck and its a great ass setup. Lots of people have that same setup. If your goign to by an 85 or an 81 get them together. Zack wyld and one of the guys from slayer and kirt hammet from metallica all use that setup. 81 on bridge and 85 on neck. James hetfield from metallica uses 81 on the bridge and a 60 on the neck. What they all have in common is the use 81's on the bridge. Dont put an 85 on the bridge thats a dumb idea. Some people like passive pickups. I cant stand those. If your worryd about to much extra noise from actives grab a boss noisegate. Yes the active pickups take a battery. Only 1 9v which gives u like 4,000 hours. If your putting active pickups into your guitar I reccomend u take it to a store for them to do it since they will have to put a battery commparetment in it for you. Or you can just buy a new guitar with the active setup. I have the Esp ltdmh400nt which comes with 81 85's. Its a good guitar. Esp and LTd's are great for metal! Mine was 680 i got the best one in its class. Esp's are great as well but very very expensive. If your gonna by an ltd either get the best one in the standard series or get a deluxe. If u want to get the best sound plug your guitar into a good amp, the amp makes a huge diff on how the pickups sound. If your going to just buy these pickups and put them on your guitar dont put them on a crappy guitar cause then the pickups wont sound as good. Also dont mix passive with active. U can just get 1 active if u want and use that for a bridge and neck if you want to save money but ive never tried that. Ease of Use: Very easy to get harmonics out of these. Quality: Great quality Manufacturer Support: Havent used it Overall: Awesome sound in a tiny box

Style of Music: Metal

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Available on
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Need it now but short of cash? All we need is the first payment up front and the rest in easy monthly payments!

Fast approval.: We approve everyone, with very few exceptions, as long as we can verify your identity.
No interest. Ever.: It's just as if you paid the whole amount up front!
No paperwork. Nothing to track.: No application to mail or fax, no bills to pay. We automatically charge the payments to your credit card.

We'll wait on your money so you don't have to wait for your gear!

When you checkout, just click the Play as you Pay checkbox to indicate which installment plan you wish to use.

on most orders $49+

Just $2.99 on
smaller orders

Really heavy stuff might cost you a
little more

learn more

Why fight traffic and pushy salesmen when we'll bring your gear straight to your home, free of charge?

zZounds free shipping is really free!: No hidden charges or hassles on returns.
Fast, reliable delivery: We have warehouses on both coasts, so most shipments arrive in 3 days or less.
We don't collect sales tax. Bonus!: Only NJ residents pay tax during checkout.

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