Is this pickup suitable for neck position only?

Yes, the 85-7H is designed for neck position installation. Its controlled sustain and focused midrange are optimized for that role on 7-string instruments.

What genres and playing styles is this pickup best for?

The 85-7H excels in metal, progressive, djent, and other extended-range styles. It is not recommended for jazz, blues, or folk applications.

What's included, and how difficult is installation?

The pickup ships with a battery bus, output jack, pickup bus connectors, mounting hardware, complete cable set, and 25k volume and tone potentiometers (9.5 mm shaft). EMG's solderless quick-connect system eliminates traditional solder joints, making installation significantly simpler than vintage-style pickups.

How does the 85-7H compare to other 7-string active pickups?

The 85-7H offers the signature EMG 85 midrange clarity and tight articulation adapted for 7-string extended range. Comparable alternatives include the Seymour Duncan Nazgul-7, DiMarzio D-Activator 7, and Fishman Fluence Modern 7, each with slightly different voicings.

What power requirements does this pickup have?

The 85-7H runs on a single 9V battery, included via the battery bus connector. No external power supply is needed.

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. Marketplaces collect sales tax as the facilitator in most states, so the same listed price can cost more there. Buyers remain responsible for any use tax their state applies. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included.

EMG 85-7H Long Shaft 7-String Active Humbucker Pickup in Black Chrome

The EMG 85-7H delivers the articulate, focused midrange punch that defines the 85 voice across a 7-string platform. This active humbucker sits comfortably in the neck position, offering tight string definition and controlled sustain without muddiness—essential characteristics for extended-range instruments where clarity across seven strings can easily collapse into a wall of mud.

Active Electronics & Power

Powered by a single 9V battery, this pickup operates on EMG's solderless quick-connect wiring system, eliminating traditional solder joints and reducing installation complexity. The included 25k volume and tone potentiometers (9.5 mm shaft length) provide responsive gain and harmonic shaping without signal degradation.

Construction & Compatibility

Built on Alnico V magnets and housed in the traditional humbucker form factor, the 85-7H integrates into standard 7-string pickup cavities. The black chrome finish housing resists corrosion and maintains aesthetic consistency with modern extended-range instruments.

Key Features

Active humbucker design for 7-string electric guitars
Alnico V magnet material
Designed for neck position installation
9V battery powered operation
100% solderless quick-connect wiring
25k volume potentiometer with 9.5 mm shaft
25k tone potentiometer with 9.5 mm shaft
Black chrome housing finish
Includes battery bus, output jack, pickup bus connectors, mounting hardware, and complete cable set

The 85-7H combines EMG's proven midrange clarity with the extended-range architecture modern 7-string players demand, backed by plug-and-play installation.

Best suited for	Metal, Progressive, Extended Range, Studio Sessions, Djent
Tonal character	Articulate midrange, focused punch, tight string definition, controlled sustain, low mud
Less specialized for	Jazz, Blues, Folk (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily)
Skill level	Intermediate / Advanced / Professional