Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 6 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (2)
$129.00
Amazon
4.9 (13)
Amazon Prime
Reverb
5.0 (4)
$119.00 New
$49.99 Used
zZounds
5.0 (2)
$129.00
Thomann
4.6 (54)
$104.00

Average Price: $112

Standard/Professional

$99

$200+

Price Tier

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Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "EMG 89 Active Pickups Black". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Dive into the realm of sonic versatility with the EMG 89 Active Pickups in Black, a masterpiece that seamlessly blends the worlds of single-coil sparkle and humbucker warmth. Ideal for the guitarist seeking to explore diverse genres, this pickup offers the unique ability to switch between the crisp, bell-like tones of a single-coil and the rich, full-bodied sound of a humbucker with a simple push or pull. Crafted with the renowned Alnico magnets, the EMG 89 ensures a smooth, balanced output, regardless of your musical direction.

Equipped with EMG's exclusive Solderless Installation system, setting up your EMG 89 is hassle-free, ensuring you spend less time tinkering and more time playing. Whether you're laying down tracks in the studio or commanding the stage live, this pickup adapts to your needs, providing a consistent, noise-free performance that modern players demand. Embrace the power of both worlds without compromise with the EMG 89 Active Pickups.

Key Features:

  • Versatile switching between single-coil and humbucker modes for diverse soundscapes.
  • Alnico V magnets deliver a harmonious balance between warmth and clarity.
  • Suitable for any position on the guitar, offering flexibility in setup.
  • Includes EMG's patented Solderless Installation system for quick and easy setup.
  • Comes with all necessary components for installation, including a pre-wired push/pull potentiometer, output jack, and battery clip.
  • Designed and manufactured in the USA, ensuring top-notch quality and reliability.

Product specs

Type Humbucker
Position Bridge, Neck
Active/Passive Active
Magnet Material Alnico V
Number of Conductors 5 wire plus ground and battery
DC Resistance 10K
Connectivity Solderless
Number of Strings 6
Covering Covered
Format Stacked Coil (Single-coil Mode)

FAQs

What tones can I expect from the EMG 89 Active Pickups?

The EMG 89 offers a rich, warm, and powerful humbucker sound, as well as a traditional Strat single coil sound, thanks to its separate preamps and coils for both configurations.

Are the EMG 89 Active Pickups suitable for both bridge and neck positions?

Yes, the EMG 89 is designed to be used in both bridge and neck positions, providing versatile tonal options for your guitar setup.

What type of magnets are used in the EMG 89 Active Pickups?

The EMG 89 Active Pickups utilize Alnico V magnets, which contribute to their powerful and warm tone.

How are the EMG 89 Active Pickups installed?

The EMG 89 Active Pickups feature a solderless installation system, making it easy to install them without needing to solder any connections.

Can the EMG 89 Active Pickups switch between humbucker and single coil modes?

Yes, the EMG 89 features stacked coils that allow you to switch between humbucker and single coil modes, offering diverse sound options.

Riff Up

Riff Up

EMG SA/SA/89 Unboxing & Sound Demonstrations

Video thumbnail for EMG SA/SA/89 Unboxing & Sound Demonstrations by Riff Up

EMG SA/SA/89 Unboxing & Sound Demonstrations

Riff Up

Riff Up

Video thumbnail for Fishman Fluence Classic vs. EMG 89 (R), active Humbucker [ comparison / review clean & overdrive ] by Ben`s all about music channel

Fishman Fluence Classic vs. EMG 89 (R), active Humbucker [ comparison / review clean & overdrive ]

Ben`s all about music channel

Ben`s all about music channel

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about EMG 89 Active Pickups Black.

Comparisons

  • Owners mention the Sustainiac functions as a standard passive humbucker when sustain settings are off, contrasting with the active nature of EMG 89s.

    Source
  • EMG 89's output is often compared to EMG 81, with the 89 frequently used in neck positions for its tonal versatility.

    Source
  • Users suggest Seymour Duncan Blackouts for high-gain applications, describing them as hitting the mids nicely compared to EMG models.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Users find the EMG 89 particularly effective for lead tones, offering rich, bassy depth unexpected in neck pickups.

    Source

User experience

  • A player reports no interference from the pickup selector when using the EMG 89 on a Schecter Hellraiser, even during intense playing.

    Source
  • Some owners prefer the single-coil sound of the EMG 89 in neck positions for jazz and clean tones, appreciating its roundness and mids.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • EMG 89 is essentially a single coil SA paired with an 85, with their own preamps, offering versatility between humbucker and single-coil tones.

    Source
  • The EMG 89 includes a hum-canceling coil, contributing to its quiet operation, especially when engaging the single-coil mode.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • EMG 89 can be wired with a push/pull pot for switching between its humbucker and single-coil modes, enhancing tonal options.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 4 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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2 star
1 star

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Kurt Ballou uses EMG 89 Active Pickups Black

Kurt Ballou

Guitarist, Music Producer

Converge

...
Verified

According to the EMG website, Kurt Ballou uses EMG 89 Active Pickups Black.

See how Syu uses EMG 89 Active Pickups Black

Syu

Guitarist

Galneryus

...
Verified via Espguitars

In this website it is mentioned that Syu used EMG 89 in the bridge position of his Crying Star Phoenix.

See how Jun Senoue uses EMG 89 Active Pickups Black

Jun Senoue

Guitarist, Composer

Crush 40

...
Verified via Espguitars

The pickup is on some of his guitars from his esp artist models page.

See how Jonas Jarlsby uses EMG 89 Active Pickups Black

Jonas Jarlsby

Guitarist

Avatar

...
Verified via YouTube

at 1:01, Jonas states that he uses this pickup in his guitar

See how Piotr Wiwczarek uses EMG 89 Active Pickups Black

Piotr Wiwczarek

Guitarist

Vader

...
Verified via Emgpickups

Piotr Wiwczarek, renowned for his work in the metal genre, uses EMG 89 Active Pickups in his guitar setup. EMG Pickups, known for their popularity among hard rock and metal musicians, offer a powerful and dynamic sound ideal for Wiwczarek's intense playing style. This information is supported by the manufacturer's site, where EMG's association with prominent artists is highlighted.

See how Patrik Jensen uses EMG 89 Active Pickups Black

Patrik Jensen

Guitarist

THE HAUNTED

...
Verified via YouTube

at 33:35, he talks about the pickups in his guitar

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 89 Active Pickups Black, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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