What skill level do I need to install this pickup?

The EMG 85 is designed for intermediate to advanced players; installation involves soldering and wiring an active circuit with a 9V battery system. If you're comfortable with pickup swaps and basic electronics, you can manage it, but many players have a tech handle the job to ensure proper preamp wiring and battery integration.

How long will the 9V battery last?

The EMG 85 draws only 80 microamps at 9V, yielding approximately 3000 hours of battery life—roughly four months of regular playing before you need a swap. The low current draw makes it one of the most efficient active pickups available.

Will this pickup work in my blues or jazz setup?

No—the EMG 85 is voiced specifically for metal, hard rock, and progressive contexts where punchy articulation and tight low-end control matter most. Its high output and aggressive character don't suit traditional blues or jazz tones; consider passive alternatives for those genres.

What's included with the pickup?

The package includes the EMG 85 pickup itself, 25K volume and tone potentiometers, a stereo output jack, battery bus, pickup in/out bus, mounting hardware, and all necessary cables for installation.

How does the EMG 85 compare to the EMG 81?

The 85 delivers more midrange warmth and articulation than the brighter, more scooped 81, making it better suited to balanced high-gain tones and recording clarity. The 81 is often preferred for pure metal aggression; choose the 85 if you want definition and cut without losing body.

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 Active Humbucker Pickup in Red

The EMG 85 delivers punchy, articulate output with tight low-end response and controlled midrange presence. This active humbucker cuts through on stage in high-gain contexts where clarity matters, slicing through dense live mixes without losing definition. The red finish adds visual distinction to any guitar's electronics cavity.

Tone & Output Characteristics

Built around Alnico V magnets and a bar-shaped Alnico 5 design, the 85 produces a 3.10 V RMS output (4.50 V peak) with a resonant frequency of 1870 Hz that emphasizes articulation over warmth. The two separate coils are summed electronically in the preamp, yielding controlled sustain and reduced noise floor at -101 dBV—critical for maintaining a clean, silent signal path in long cable runs from stage to FOH and through multiple pedal chains.

Electronics & Power Management

This active design runs on a single 9V battery with exceptional efficiency: 80 microamps current draw yields approximately 3000 hours of battery life—enough to get you through weeks of regular gigging without a change. The 10 kΩ output impedance ensures reliable interfacing with any amp input, preamp, or audio interface without signal degradation, even on longer cable runs.

Key Features

Alnico V magnets with bar-shaped Alnico 5 magnet construction
Two separate coils with electronically summed preamp output
Output voltage: 3.10 V RMS / 4.50 V peak
Output noise: -101 dBV
Output impedance: 10 kΩ
9V battery power with 3000-hour battery life
Current draw: 80 microamps @ 9V
Resonant frequency: 1870 Hz
Includes 25K volume and 25K tone potentiometers
Includes stereo output jack, battery bus, pickup in/out bus, mounting hardware, and all necessary cables
Red finish

The EMG 85 pairs precision electronics with straightforward integration, making it the dependable choice for gigging musicians demanding articulate, noise-free active pickup performance night after night.