EMG SA/SA/85 Active Single Coil Pickup in Black

The EMG SA excels in rock, metal, fusion, and hard rock applications where tight articulation and noise rejection matter. It is not voiced for jazz, blues, or country—those styles benefit from warmer, more vintage-focused single-coil designs.

A standard 9V battery delivers approximately 3000 hours of operating life, as the preamp draws only 80 microamps. This translates to several months of regular playing before replacement is needed.

Yes. The low-impedance active preamp topology and internal shielding deliver a -101 dBV noise floor at 60 Hz, ensuring whisper-quiet operation even under extended sustain and distortion.

Single-string output is 1.00V; full-strum output is 3.00V. The 3.70 kHz resonant frequency produces focused midrange articulation and percussive attack suitable for modern high-output rigs.

The SA uses active electronics to deliver consistent output, noise rejection, and midrange control that passive designs cannot match. You sacrifice vintage warmth for reliability, clarity, and modern tonal character across rock, metal, and fusion.

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. On this item that is roughly $20 less out the door than the same listed price at a national retailer or on a marketplace. 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.