Is this pickup suitable for seven-string guitars in drop tunings?

Yes—the 85-7H is specifically designed for extended-range and drop-tuned seven-string guitars. Its long-shaft design and tuned response maintain articulate sustain and low-end definition across all seven strings, even in extreme tunings used in metal and progressive music.

What genres and playing styles fit this pickup best?

The EMG 85-7H excels in modern metal, progressive, and high-gain applications where aggressive midrange presence and punchy articulation are priorities. It is not recommended for blues, jazz, or folk styles, which benefit from warmer, more resonant voicings.

What comes in the box and what do I need to install it?

The package includes the pickup, 25k volume and tone potentiometers, battery bus connectors, stereo output jack, pickup bus, mounting hardware, and all connecting cables needed for installation. EMG's solderless wiring system means no soldering is required—just connect the provided cables and mount the hardware.

How long does the 9V battery last and what are the power specs?

The 9V battery provides approximately 3000 hours of playing time and can handle supply voltages up to 27 V DC, offering flexibility in wiring configurations. Output noise is exceptionally low at −101 dBV (60 Hz), ensuring clean signal transmission to pedalboards or mixing consoles.

How does the EMG 85-7H compare to similar seven-string pickups?

The EMG 85-7H is a voiced alternative to pickups like the Seymour Duncan Nazgul-7, DiMarzio Crunchlab 7, and Fishman Fluence Modern 7. Its active Alnico 5 design prioritizes focused midrange and articulate sustain in high-gain contexts, with measured output of 3.10 V single-string and 4.50 V full-strum.

Do I pay sales tax on this order?

We collect sales tax only on orders shipped to California. Orders shipped to any other US state are charged $0 sales tax at checkout when you buy direct from our website. Marketplaces such as eBay, Reverb and Amazon collect sales tax in nearly every state as marketplace facilitators no matter who the seller is, so the same item at the same price costs less bought direct. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included. Some states ask buyers to self-report use tax on out-of-state purchases.

EMG 85-7H Long Shaft 7-String Active Humbucker Pickup in Brushed Gold

The EMG 85-7H cuts through a full band mix with aggressive midrange presence and articulate sustain across all seven strings, while keeping low-end definition tight enough for studio tracking or front-of-house clarity. This brushed gold finish model pairs EMG's stage-proven active circuitry with a long shaft design built for 7-string guitars, making it a direct drop-in replacement for players moving from 6-string rigs or spec'ing out new instruments built to tour.

Tone & Output Characteristics

Built around an Alnico 5 bar magnet and tuned to a resonant frequency of 1.87 kHz, this pickup sits hard in the midrange—the pocket where modern metal, progressive, and high-gain tones live and project on stage. Output measures 3.10 V on single strings and 4.50 V on full strums, with exceptionally low noise at −101 dBV (60 Hz), keeping your signal clean whether running through a pedalboard, into a live console, or direct to recording gear.

Power & Installation

The active circuitry operates on a 9V battery with a rated life of 3000 hours and can tolerate supply voltages up to 27 V DC, delivering dependable on-stage reliability and compatibility with different wiring setups. Installation uses EMG's solderless system, and the package includes 25k volume and tone potentiometers, battery bus connectors, stereo output jack, pickup bus, mounting hardware, and connecting cables—everything needed for a complete retrofit without the shop call.

Key Features

Active humbucker design optimized for seven-string guitars
Alnico 5 bar-shaped magnet for focused, articulate tone
Resonant frequency: 1.87 kHz
Output voltage (single string): 3.10 V
Output voltage (full strum): 4.50 V
Output noise: −101 dBV at 60 Hz
9V battery power with 3000-hour battery life
Maximum supply voltage: 27 V DC
Solderless installation system
Includes volume/tone pots, battery bus, stereo jack, and all necessary hardware and cables
Manufactured in the United States
Brushed gold finish

This 85-7H combines EMG's road-tested active circuit design with extended-range voicing that gigging and recording seven-string players rely on for both definition and punch.