What kind of music and amp settings is the 85X designed for?

The 85X excels in metal, hard rock, and progressive music with high-gain amplification. Its articulate midrange and controlled output are engineered to cut through dense, distorted tones without muddying fast lead work or palm-muted rhythms. It is not recommended for jazz, blues, or folk applications.

How does installation work, and what comes in the box?

The 85X uses EMG's solderless Quik-Connect system, eliminating the need for traditional soldering. The package includes the pickup, 25K volume and tone potentiometers, stereo output jack, pickup cables, connection cables, output cable, battery cable, and mounting hardware.

How long does a battery last, and what are the power requirements?

A single 9V battery draws 80 mA and delivers approximately 3000 hours of playing time per cell. The pickup also supports supply voltages up to 27V DC for users wanting extra output and dynamic headroom.

How does the 85X compare to other high-output pickups like the 81X, JB, or Crunchlab?

The 85X differs from the tighter 81X by favoring a more balanced, articulate midrange while maintaining controlled output and minimal hum. Compared to passive options like the Seymour Duncan JB or DiMarzio Crunchlab, the 85X's active design offers lower noise, higher signal integrity, and user-friendly solderless installation—valuable for both studio tracking and consistent live performance.

What is the noise floor, and why does it matter for recording?

The 85X has a -101 dB noise floor at 60 Hz, meaning it rejects hum and interference far better than passive pickups. This is critical in studio sessions and high-gain tracking, where noise can muddy layers or require extra gating and editing.

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 85X Active Humbucker Pickup in Ivory

The EMG 85X is a tight, articulate active humbucker engineered for precision and clarity across all registers. Its close aperture coils and Alnico V magnet deliver controlled output without sacrificing punch, making it a workhorse for players who demand definition in fast-moving passages and aggressive dynamics. The ivory finish blends seamlessly with a wide range of instrument aesthetics.

Tone & Output Characteristics

This pickup produces a 3.10V string output and 4.50V strum output with a 1.87 kHz resonant frequency, yielding a balanced midrange-focused voice that cuts through a live mix without harshness. The 10 kOhm output impedance and -101 dB noise floor at 60 Hz ensure signal integrity and minimal hum, essential for stage reliability and high-gain amplification in any venue.

Installation & Power

Installation is straightforward via EMG's Quik-Connect solderless system, eliminating the need for traditional soldering and reducing setup time—critical for touring musicians and quick swaps between instruments. The pickup runs on a single 9V battery drawing 80 mA at nominal voltage, delivering approximately 3000 hours of battery life per cell, with support for supply voltages up to 27V DC for users seeking boosted output and dynamics.

Key Features

Magnet Type: Alnico V
Configuration: Close aperture coils
Pickup Type: Humbucker (6-string)
Color: Ivory
Body Material: Metal
Output Voltage (string): 3.10V
Output Voltage (strum): 4.50V
Output Impedance: 10 kOhm
Output Noise (60 Hz): -101 dB
Resonant Frequency: 1.87 kHz
Power Source: 9V battery with 80 mA draw and 3000-hour battery life
Maximum Supply: 27V DC
Solderless installation with EMG Quik-Connect system
Complete installation package includes 25K volume and tone potentiometers, stereo output jack, pickup cables, connection cables, output cable, battery cable, and mounting hardware

The 85X combines controlled gain, low noise, and user-friendly installation into a package that delivers on stage night after night and holds up through the rigors of touring.