What's the difference between the single-coil and dual-coil modes?

The included push/pull volume or tone pot lets you toggle between the two modes: single-coil mode delivers articulate, punchy character with focused mids, while dual-coil mode thickens the tone for more body and aggression. Both are accessible without changing pickups or stopping recording.

What genres and setups does this pickup work best in?

The EMG 89 is built for high-gain metal, hard rock, progressive rock, and studio sessions where clarity and output are priorities. It excels in moderate to high-gain rigs but is not designed for traditional jazz or acoustic-folk applications.

What comes in the box and how hard is installation?

The pickup ships with a pre-wired push/pull control set, Quik-Connect cable, output jack, battery clip set, and mounting hardware. Solderless connectivity and the 5-wire plus ground and battery configuration simplify setup compared to traditional wired pickups.

How does the EMG 89 compare to the EMG 81?

The 81 is a traditional dual-coil active humbucker with fixed character, while the 89 adds switchable single-coil and dual-coil modes and uses a stacked-coil design for more articulate highs and focused mids. The 89 offers greater tonal range in one pickup.

Does this pickup require a battery?

Yes, the active electronics are powered by an internal battery system. The included battery clip set makes installation straightforward, and active operation ensures consistent output and clarity.

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 89 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Ivory

The EMG 89 is a versatile active humbucker built for players seeking switchable single-coil and dual-coil character in one compact package. Its stacked-coil design delivers articulate highs and focused mids without sacrificing the body that a full humbucker provides, making it equally at home in high-gain and moderate-gain setups.

Active Electronics & Tone Character

Powered by an internal battery system and built on Alnico V magnets, this pickup achieves a 10K DC resistance that balances clarity with output. The dual-mode functionality—accessible via the included pre-wired push/pull volume/tone control set—lets you toggle between single-coil and dual-coil operation, giving you tonal range from articulate and punchy to thick and aggressive without swapping hardware.

Build & Installation

The covered ivory design matches classic aesthetics while the solderless connectivity and 5-wire plus ground and battery configuration simplify installation. This pickup ships ready to integrate: the Quik-Connect cable, output jack, battery clip set, and mounting hardware eliminate guesswork during setup.

Key Features

Type: Active Humbucker
Magnet Material: Alnico V
DC Resistance: 10K
Format: Stacked Coil (Single-coil / Dual-coil switchable modes)
Dual-mode functionality with separate outputs for each mode
Solderless connectivity for simplified installation
5-wire plus ground and battery configuration
Covered finish in Ivory
Includes Quik-Connect cable and pre-wired push/pull control set
Includes output jack, battery clip set, screws and springs

This pickup delivers active clarity meets passive versatility, all wrapped in EMG's proven solderless ecosystem—road-ready tone that stays reliable night after night.