EMG5645 vs EMG5706 — Compare
EMG 85 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Red vs EMG H4 Passive Humbucker Pickup in White
The EMG 85 is an active, high-output pickup built for heavy music and studio precision with battery power and solderless installation; the EMG H4 is a passive, balanced pickup suited for players who want articulate tone without active electronics or battery maintenance. Choose the 85 for metal and hard rock aggression, the H4 for versatile gigging and recording without gear dependencies.
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EMG 85 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Red
Specs side by side
| EMG 85 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Red | EMG H4 Passive Humbucker Pickup in White | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $115.00 | $115.00 |
| Brand | EMG Pickups | EMG Pickups |
| Condition | New | New |
Why choose EMG 85 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Red
- ✓ Higher output (3.10 V RMS) and active circuitry deliver aggressive punch ideal for metal and hard rock
- ✓ Solderless installation system speeds up retrofitting with included electronics
- ✓ Exceptionally low noise floor (–101 dBV) maintains clarity under high-gain conditions
- ✓ Focused midrange (1870 Hz resonance) cuts through dense mixes
Why choose EMG H4 Passive Humbucker Pickup in White
- ✓ Passive design requires no battery—zero maintenance and always ready to play
- ✓ 5-wire cable enables series/parallel switching and coil-voicing flexibility without rewiring
- ✓ Balanced output (13.65 kOhm DC resistance) suits both rhythm and lead across multiple genres
- ✓ Direct drop-in replacement for any standard humbucker-routed guitar
Frequently asked questions
Which pickup needs a battery?
The EMG 85 uses an active 9 V circuit with 3000-hour battery life and must be powered to operate. The EMG H4 is fully passive and requires no battery or external power.
Which is easier to install?
The EMG 85 includes a solderless mounting system and pre-assembled electronics (potentiometers, battery bus, cables) for faster retrofit. The EMG H4 ships with a 5-wire cable and bar pole pieces compatible with standard bridges but requires standard soldering.
Can I switch between pickup voicings with the H4?
Yes—the EMG H4's 5-wire cable supports series/parallel switching and single/dual-coil options without rewiring. The EMG 85's electronics are fixed and do not offer coil-switching capability.
Which pickup is better for genres beyond metal?
The EMG H4's balanced passive response suits studio, home recording, and live performance across multiple genres. The EMG 85 is optimized for metal, hard rock, and progressive music where high output and midrange punch are priorities.