EMG 89 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Gold
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- Brand new in original box
- Full EMG manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- EMG6207
Description
EMG 89 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Gold
The EMG 89 delivers a hybrid character that bridges single-coil clarity with humbucker presence, offering responsive articulation without sacrificing output punch. This active design cuts through in high-gain live contexts while maintaining note definition across the frequency spectrum—critical for keeping your chord voicings readable on stage and in the mix. The gold cover provides distinctive visual appeal alongside its proven sonic performance.
Design & Build Quality
Constructed with an AlNiCo 5 magnet and engineered as an active hybrid configuration, the 89 combines the responsiveness of single-coil construction with the body of a humbucker. The long shaft variant accommodates thicker guitar bodies and custom builds, while the solderless connections streamline installation and allow straightforward wiring modifications—essential when you need reliable electronics on a gigging instrument. Made in USA, this pickup maintains EMG's manufacturing standards for consistent performance night after night.
Tone & Electronics
The medium output character sits between high-gain brutality and articulate subtlety, ideal for players seeking clarity in chord voicings without sacrificing presence in a dense mix. The active circuitry requires battery power but delivers consistent signal strength and low impedance output, particularly effective in drop-tuned and extended-range applications where passive designs lose definition—an asset for touring and session work.
Key Features
- Active hybrid humbucker/single-coil design
- AlNiCo 5 magnet construction
- Medium output level
- Long shaft for deep guitar bodies and custom installations
- Dimensions: 69.9 × 38.1 × 22.9 mm (width × height × installation depth)
- Mounting screw spacing: 78.5 mm
- Solderless connections for quick wiring
- Gold cover finish
- Includes 25k tone pot and 25k push/pull volume pot
- Battery bus, stereo output socket, and two pickup in/out bus included
- Complete with fastening hardware, springs, pickup cable, output jack, and battery clip set
- Made in USA
This pickup pairs technical refinement with practical ease of installation, making it a solid choice for builders and gigging players upgrading to active electronics.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG 89 is an active hybrid humbucker that combines single-coil clarity with punchy humbucker presence, delivering tight note definition even in high-gain and drop-tuned contexts. Built in the USA with AlNiCo 5 magnets and solderless connections, it handles thick custom builds via the long shaft design and excels for metal, hard rock, and progressive players who need articulate highs without sacrificing output. Choose it for responsive, road-ready performance where passive pickups lose definition.
Who This Is For
| Best suited for | Metal, Hard Rock, Progressive, Drop Tunings, Extended Range |
|---|---|
| Tonal character | Articulate highs, punchy output, single-coil clarity, humbucker presence, tight definition |
| Less specialized for | Jazz, Blues, Folk (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily) |
| Skill level | Intermediate / Advanced / Professional |
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between the EMG 89 and EMG 81 or 85?
The 89 is a hybrid active design combining single-coil responsiveness with humbucker presence, offering more articulate highs and tonal clarity than the higher-output 81 or the mid-range 85. It sits between them in output and excels when you need note definition in heavy contexts rather than pure brutality or smooth warmth.
Does this pickup require a battery, and what's included?
Yes, active EMGs require battery power for consistent signal and low-impedance output. The package includes a battery clip set, output jack, pickup cable, fastening hardware, springs, and potentiometers (25k tone and 25k push/pull volume), so you have everything to wire and install.
What does long shaft mean, and who needs it?
The long shaft accommodates thicker guitar bodies and custom builds where standard pickups won't fit deep enough. Choose this variant if you're working with semi-hollow or thick solid-body guitars or building a custom instrument.
Is the EMG 89 good for drop tunings and extended-range guitars?
Yes; the active circuitry and hybrid design maintain tight definition and responsive articulation even in drop-tuned and extended-range applications where passive designs typically lose clarity and punch. This is one of its core strengths for metal and hard rock.
How do solderless connections help with installation?
Solderless connections eliminate the need to solder wires during installation and make it easy to swap pickups or modify your wiring later without desoldering, streamlining both initial setup and future tweaks.
Do I pay sales tax on this order?
Sales tax is collected only on orders shipped to California; orders shipped to any other US state are not charged sales tax at checkout when you buy direct from our website. At a typical 7% rate that is an estimated $10 less at checkout than the same listed price on a marketplace, which collects sales tax as the facilitator in most states. Buyers remain responsible for any use tax their state applies. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included.
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