Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $98
Budget/Beginner
$99
$200+
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Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 6 merchants for "EMG 85". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Step into the realm of tonal excellence and versatility with the EMG 85 humbucker pickup, a masterpiece that redefines your guitar's voice. Unlike its counterparts, the EMG 85 humbucker pickup boasts a unique blend of power, clarity, and warmth, making it the perfect choice for musicians who seek to push the boundaries of rhythm and lead playing. Crafted with Alnico V magnets and featuring close aperture coils, this pickup is not just about high output. It's about delivering a rich, detailed sound that can go from the smooth, soulful blues to the most aggressive metal tones with ease. Its versatility is unmatched, whether installed in the neck position for thick, buttery leads or in the bridge for a tighter, more defined rhythm tone. The EMG 85 is a testament to EMG's commitment to quality, tone, and musicianship, making it a go-to choice for players who demand nothing but the best from their instrument.
Key Features:
- Alnico V magnets provide exceptional tonal versatility and organic warmth
- Close aperture coils for a powerful output without sacrificing tonal clarity
- Ideal for both rhythm and lead roles, offering smooth lead tones and a muscular growl
- Active circuitry ensures noise-free operation, letting the true voice of your guitar shine
- Designed and manufactured in the USA, ensuring top-notch quality and reliability
- Compatible with a wide range of musical styles, from blues to hard rock to metal
- Comes with EMG's exclusive Quik-Connect™ cable, making installation a breeze
Product specs
| Type | Humbucker |
| Position | Bridge, Neck |
| Active/Passive | Active |
| Magnet Material | Alnico V |
| Number of Conductors | 2 wire plus battery |
| DC Resistance | 10K |
| Connectivity | Solderless |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Covering | Covered |
FAQs
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Is the EMG 85 suitable for both neck and bridge positions?
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Yes, the EMG 85 is versatile and can be used in both the neck and bridge positions. It provides a smooth lead tone in the neck position and a muscular growl when used in the bridge, making it ideal for a range of music styles from blues to metal.
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What type of magnet does the EMG 85 use?
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The EMG 85 uses an Alnico V magnet, which contributes to its warm and smooth tonal characteristics, distinguishing it from other pickups that may use ceramic magnets.
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Is the EMG 85 an active or passive pickup?
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The EMG 85 is an active pickup, meaning it requires a battery to operate. This design typically provides a higher output and reduced noise compared to passive pickups.
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How does the EMG 85 connect to my guitar?
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The EMG 85 features a solderless installation system, making it easier and faster to install or swap out without the need for soldering tools.
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What type of sound can I expect from the EMG 85?
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The EMG 85 offers a thick and smooth sound with enhanced sustain, making it well-suited for both clean and overdriven tones. Its Alnico V magnet provides a warm and rich tonal quality that is favored by many guitarists for lead and rhythm playing.
Videos
megahurtz30
EMG 81 vs EMG 85 vs EMG 60 - Bridge Position
Reviews
PROS
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Minimal static and noise, even in high-gain settings
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Easy installation with no soldering required
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Includes all necessary components and clear wiring diagrams
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Versatile sound, suitable for metal, rock, and blues
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Balanced tone with fuller lows and highs compared to EMG 81
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Great sustain and power, enhancing overall guitar sound
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Ideal for players using computer recording setups
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Long battery life of up to four years with regular use
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Compatible with other EMG pickups for varied configurations
CONS
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Limited space for battery in guitars not designed for active pickups
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Clean tones can be slightly muddy for some preferences
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Requires minor modifications for certain guitar models
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about EMG 85.
Use cases and applications
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EMG 85/81 pickups are highly regarded for thrash and metal, offering high gain tones with clarity, even when using digital modeling amps like the Boss Katana.
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EMG pickups are praised for their ability to create Metallica's AJFA-style tones by effectively removing certain frequency registers.
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EMG 85 in the bridge position is favored for taming brightness in Floyd Rose-equipped guitars, enhancing clarity in shredding.
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Setup and maintenance
Features and functionality
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The EMG 85/81 set is noted for producing significant tone breakup earlier than passive pickups when used with digital amps, indicating their high output nature.
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The EMG 60 is praised for delivering exceptional clean tones in the neck position, especially when seeking versatility beyond metal.
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User experience
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Digital amps, like the Katana, can replicate tube amp tones to a significant degree, enhancing the EMG 85/81 pickups' performance when finely tuned via software.
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Owners note that EMG pickups require consistent battery changes to maintain sound quality, and fresh batteries can dramatically improve tone.
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Owners often recommend pairing the EMG 85 with the 60, as the 85/81 combination can lead to tonal imbalance, making the 81 sound shrill or thin.
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Mods and upgrades
Comparisons
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EMGs are often compared to Fishman and Seymour Duncan Blackouts, with some users preferring the less compressed sound of Fishmans.
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The EMG 85, with its Alnico V magnet, is noted for a darker, smoother sound compared to the brighter, more defined EMG 60 with a Ceramic magnet.
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Some players prefer the EMG 85 in the bridge over the EMG 81 due to its broader tonal versatility, despite the 81's signature metal sound.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings
Artist usage
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"He gets his aggressive crunch, overdrive and sick lead tones from the EMG 81, EMG 85 and the PA2 Gain Boost Switch that makes up his signature EMG KFK Set."
Nick Hipa, guitarist for As I Lay Dying, uses the EMG 85 pickup, as noted on a Google site dedicated to his gear.
In an Instagram post, Marco Sfogli confirms using the EMG 85 pickup in his pink Charvel guitar, stating: "Emg's everywhere! SA/SA/85 on the pink Charvel and Crossroads/Super 77 on the Danhage. Tone for days!"
At 2:18 in a Youtube video posted in April 2020 showing off part of his guitar collection, Sullivan King highlights a red Schecter Hellraiser C-1 FR. He mentions that the guitar is slightly modified with EMG 81 and 85 pickups instead of the stock EMG 81/89 setup Schecter initially sold the guitar with. Though the 81 pickup is stock on this model, the 85 is not.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use EMG 85, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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