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EMG 85X Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Ivory vs EMG 58X Active Humbucker Pickup in White
The 85X is a long-shaft specialist with a focused midrange suited to guitars with deeper cavities, while the 58X is a standard-install pickup with built-in active tone control for real-time brightness shaping. Choose the 85X if your guitar needs a longer shaft or demands maximum articulation; pick the 58X if you want tone-shaping flexibility and easier installation on typical guitar geometries.
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EMG 85X Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Ivory
Specs side by side
| EMG 85X Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Ivory | EMG 58X Active Humbucker Pickup in White | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $125.00 | $125.00 |
| Brand | EMG Pickups | EMG Pickups |
| Condition | New | New |
Why choose EMG 85X Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Ivory
- ✓ Long shaft design fits guitars with deeper pickup cavities and specific mounting geometries
- ✓ Focused, aggressive midrange with articulate string definition ideal for clarity in high-gain
- ✓ Exceptional noise floor (-101 dBV) for studio work and noise-sensitive applications
Why choose EMG 58X Active Humbucker Pickup in White
- ✓ Active Tone Control (VLPF) lets you shape high-frequency content in real time during play
- ✓ Increased headroom in X series preamp keeps signal articulate even at extreme gain settings
- ✓ Complete potentiometer set included; easier plug-and-play installation on standard guitars
Frequently asked questions
What's the main physical difference between these pickups?
The 85X uses a long shaft configuration to fit guitars with deeper pickup cavities, while the 58X uses a standard shaft suited to typical guitar geometries. Both are active humbuckers with 9V battery operation, but the shaft length determines which guitar frames accommodate each one.
Which one is better for live performance versus studio?
Both excel in both contexts. The 85X's -101 dBV noise floor and focused tone make it ideal for studio tracking and noise-critical recording. The 58X's Active Tone Control (VLPF) gives live players real-time brightness adjustment to match room acoustics and PA systems on the fly.
Do I need to buy potentiometers separately?
The 58X includes a complete potentiometer set (two 25k volume, one 25k tone) ready to integrate into your wiring. The 85X specifications do not mention included potentiometers, so you may need to source them separately or check compatibility with your existing guitar electronics.
Which pickup has higher output?
The 85X produces 3.10V single-note and 4.50V strummed output. The 58X emphasizes increased headroom and controlled dynamics over raw output numbers, meaning it maintains clarity under extreme gain rather than simply pushing more volume into the signal chain.