EMG 85X Active Humbucker Pickup in Black

The 85X excels in metal, hard rock, and progressive music where clarity and articulation matter at high gain. It is not designed for folk or traditional jazz, where warmer, less aggressive tones are preferred.

The 9V battery delivers approximately 3000 hours of playing time before replacement. The solderless wiring and included battery clip make battery swaps straightforward, minimizing downtime between gigs or sessions.

The package includes the pickup, a split shaft volume and active tone control set, output jack, battery clip, pickup cable, and 1/4 inch mono phone plug connector. Solderless connectivity simplifies wiring compared to traditional pickups.

The 85X produces 4.5V output (strum) with a 1.87 KHz resonant frequency that yields a more balanced, articulate midrange than the brighter 81. Compared to the Blackout, the 85X's Alnico V magnet delivers extended frequency response with similarly low noise and active circuit reliability.

Yes. The -101 dB noise floor ensures quiet recording sessions at high gain, while the 4.5V output provides robust signal headroom into any amp or interface on stage or in the studio. The covered design and compact form factor fit most double-cutaway and single-cutaway guitars.

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