What does active pickup mean, and how is the 85X powered?

Active pickups have an internal preamp that boosts signal and reduces noise, requiring power. The 85X runs on a single 9V battery with 3000-hour battery life—roughly three to six months of typical playing—and draws only 80 microamps, so battery changes are infrequent.

Is soldering required to install this pickup?

No. The 85X ships with a solderless Quik-Connect system, output jack, battery clip, control set, and all hardware needed for drop-in installation without any soldering.

What genres and tuning styles is the 85X designed for?

The 85X excels in metal, hard rock, progressive, and drop-tuning applications where aggressive tone, articulation, and noise-free operation are essential. It is not recommended for jazz, blues, or folk.

How does the 85X compare to the EMG 81X or other high-output active pickups?

The 85X uses an Alnico V magnet for more resonant midrange punch and clarity compared to the 81X's ceramic magnet. It delivers the same professional noise floor and solderless convenience, making it a choice between Alnico V warmth and definition versus ceramic brightness.

Will this pickup work in my guitar, or do I need specific routing?

The 85X is a humbucker-sized pickup with a long shaft designed to fit standard humbucker cavities. Confirm your guitar has a humbucker route and that the long shaft matches your guitar's pickguard or top-mounted configuration.

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 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in White

The EMG 85X is built for players who need articulate, aggressive tone that cuts through on stage without hum or feedback. This white finish with gold logo active humbucker pairs Alnico V output with a tight internal preamp, delivering the clarity and sustain that modern metal and hard rock players rely on night after night.

Tone & Electronics

Alnico V magnet and internal preamp combine to produce a resonant frequency of 1.91 kHz that sits in the midrange where you need definition—aggressive on rhythm, articulate on leads. Output specs of 4.00V on single strings and 8.50V when strumming, paired with a -108 dB noise floor at 60Hz, mean tight, hum-free performance at venue volumes and high-gain settings.

Power & Setup

Active design runs on a standard 9V battery rated for 3000-hour battery life with minimal current draw of only 80 microamps at 9V—months between battery swaps under normal gigging conditions. Ships complete with solderless Quik-Connect system, split shaft volume/active tone control set, output jack, battery clip, screws, and springs, ready for drop-in installation without soldering.

Key Features

Alnico V magnet construction
Internal preamp for noise reduction
Output impedance: 2.00 kΩ
Maximum supply: 27 volts DC
9V battery power with 3000-hour battery life
Current draw: 80 microamps @ 9V
Resonant frequency: 1.91 kHz
Output noise: -108 dB at 60Hz
String output voltage: 4.00V
Strum output voltage: 8.50V
Solderless Quik-Connect system included
White finish with gold logo

The 85X combines proven active circuitry with reliable battery life and straightforward installation—a direct, dependable choice for touring musicians and session players.