Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $98
Budget/Beginner
$99
$200+
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Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "EMG 85 Active Alnico Humbucker". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The EMG 85 Active Alnico Humbucker is a force to be reckoned with. This pickup has been designed to serve up a rich, full-bodied sound that's perfect for a wide array of musical styles. Featuring two Alnico magnet-loaded coils, the EMG 85 is capable of producing a beefy low end and a thick, fat top end.
Whether you're playing rhythm and blues or heavy metal, this pickup will deliver. It's the perfect match for the EMG 81 in the bridge, proving a dynamic duo that's hard to beat. The EMG 85 excels in maintaining a natural tone, even when producing loads of output. It's a great choice if you like the natural distortion that comes from overdriving the front end of your amp.
The power of the EMG 85 shines through when you're playing at high volumes, pushing your amp into the sweetest of overdrives and distortions. This high output humbucker will give you the beefy sound you need to stand out. Its tonal properties are virtually identical to molded cover caps, ensuring consistency and high quality.
Key Features:
- High output humbucker
- Two Alnico magnet-loaded coils
- Natural tone, even with lots of output
- Great for overdriving the front end of your amp
- Perfect companion to the EMG 81
- Beefy low end and fat top end
- Maintains a natural tone under any condition
- Includes all necessary components for installation
- Excellent for both rhythm and lead playing
- Works best at high volumes
- Designed and produced in the USA.
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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What kind of tone can I expect from the EMG 85 Active Alnico Humbucker?
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The EMG 85 provides a warm, smooth tone with a rich midrange and pronounced bass, making it ideal for both clean and lead tones. Its Alnico V magnets offer a slightly more vintage character compared to ceramic magnets, making it versatile for various music styles.
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Is the EMG 85 suitable for both bridge and neck positions?
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Yes, the EMG 85 is designed for use in both bridge and neck positions, allowing for flexibility in tonal setup. Its balanced output works well in either position, providing a full-bodied tone.
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How does the active nature of the EMG 85 affect its performance?
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As an active pickup, the EMG 85 offers higher output and lower noise compared to passive pickups. This makes it particularly suitable for high-gain applications and provides clarity and sustain, especially favored in heavier music genres.
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Does the EMG 85 require any special installation or power supply?
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The EMG 85 features a solderless installation system for easy setup, but it does require a 9-volt battery to power its active circuitry. This battery powers the preamp, enhancing the pickup's output and performance.
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Can the EMG 85 be used with a 6-string guitar?
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Yes, the EMG 85 is specifically designed for 6-string electric guitars, providing optimal performance and tonal balance across all strings.
Videos
Pete Cottrell
EMG 81 & 85 - Metal | Pete Cottrell
EMG 81 & 85 - Metal | Pete Cottrell
Pete Cottrell
EMG SA/SA/85 Test
Michel Oliveira Official
FISHMAN Fluence Classic vs EMG 85 - Active Bridge Pickup Guitar Comparison / Demo
Mike Stamper
Fishman FLUENCE MODERN (ceramic) vs EMG 85 - Active Bridge Pickup Guitar Tone Comparison Demo
Mike Stamper
Seymour Duncan NAZGUL vs EMG 85 - Bridge Pickup Guitar Comparison / Demo
Mike Stamper
Reviews
PROS
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Easy installation with no soldering required; great for beginners
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Reduces static and unwanted noise, perfect for computer recording
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Offers a powerful, chunky low-mid presence ideal for metal
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Bright and aggressive tone, but can be tamed with the volume pot
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Great balance with active single coils in the neck position
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Versatile for both bridge and neck positions in a guitar
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Excellent sustain and tonal clarity, enhancing your playing experience
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Works well for genres beyond metal, like jazz and blues
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Battery life can last up to four years with regular use
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Comprehensive kit includes all necessary components for installation
CONS
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Clean tones can be muddier compared to other pickups
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Battery compartment may be a tight fit in some guitars
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Requires slight modifications for wiring in certain guitar setups
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Volume pot can become scratchy over time
4.5 out of 5
Based on 5 Reviews and 48 Ratings
86
Everybody should replace stock pickups at least once
I bought the EMG's to replace the stock pickups in my PRS SE Custom 22 Semi-hollow guitar; I just wasn't happy with the original sound and was looking for a little more punch. I play 60s/70s/80s/90s rock, so these do well for some of the more aggressive songs in the catalog.
I basically gutted the electronics and replaced with EMG parts. I have EMG81 is in bridge position and EMG85 at the neck. The result: I got more grit than anything. Overall I'm pleased. There have been times that I forgot to unplug my guitar cable and was afraid the 9V battery drained on me. That wasn't the case - a bit of a nice surprise in that these things don't draw a huge amount of current from the battery. I replace the battery every 3-months or so. The volume pot is a little scratchy and probably should be replaced.
363
Works well with it's brother.
I use the 85 in pair with the 81 and it is just the perfect set up for all your metal needs. You can get some blazing hot distortion and some crisp cleans as well. I plan on using them in future shred machines! What else is there to say?
Does the heavy job over the years
Play it in my ebony Gibson Les Paul Custom in neck position.
Artist usage
Add artist
According to Guitar Geek, Greg used a EMG 81 (Bridge Pickup) and EMG 85 (Neck Pickup).
According to his website, Joel Stroetzel uses EMG 85 pickups.
It is in the neck of one of his signature guitars
At 1:02 in this video, Glenn Fricker's Jackson V can be seen equipped with EMG 81 and 85 pickups.
Travis' go-to guitar is a Gibson Custom Black Beauty Les Paul with custom Coheed & Cambria inlay in the body that's used in standard and dropped-D tuning. He also uses a Gibson Traditional Les Paul goldtop with a Bigsby a half-step down for "The Afterman" and "Wake Up," a Gibson Les Paul with EMG 81 and 85 pickups tuned a half-step down for "Welcome Home" and a lot of early Coheed material, a Gibson Les Paul with a Bigsby tuned standard, and a Gibson SG with the low E tuned to B for "Sentry the Defiant." Travis' acoustic is a Taylor used for "Iron Fist" and the VIP acoustic performances. He also uses the DR Drop-Down Tuning Strings in .010-.052.
These were made only for Japanese market (hence the Grover Jackson name) and are quite hard to find. Dan Spitz himself was rocking these in the early 90's, can be seen on Anthrax Live 1991 for example. This one is in near mint condition and all original (except for the Schaller straplocks being installed). The two EMGs are swapped - the bridge one is now EMG-85 and the neck one is EMG-81.
Josh Rand uses the EMG 85 Active Alnico Humbucker on several of his custom guitars, as demonstrated in the FRET12 YouTube video "Jim Root & Josh Rand of Stone Sour: The Sound and The Story."
In an old web page article on EMG's website, it is stated that Fink, at one point, used an EMG 81/85 set.
Marc Rizzo of Soulfly and Cavalera Conspiracy performs By "Great Odin's Beard" live at EMGtv. Hear the EMG 81 and EMG 85 humbucker pickups in action.
According to Guitar Geek's rig diagram, Lozinak uses the EMG 85 active pickup.
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brian uses emg 81 and 85 pickups in his guitars
Album Usage
The EMG 85 Active Alnico Humbucker has been featured on the following albums:
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 Active Alnico Humbucker, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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