Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .

Average Price: $98

Budget/Beginner

$99

$200+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 1 merchant for "EMG 89R Active Alnico Coil Splitting Neck Humbucker Guitar Pickup". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 7, 2026.

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Experience a new dimension of sound with the EMG 89R Active Alnico Coil Splitting Neck Humbucker Guitar Pickup. This versatile pickup combines the robust power of a humbucker with the crisp clarity of a single coil, offering separate preamps and coils for each mode. Designed with Alnico V magnets, its reversed coil design places the single coil closer to the neck, capturing the sweet spot and delivering a rich tonal palette that can go from warm and powerful to bright and bell-like.

Ideal for musicians who crave flexibility, the EMG 89R delivers a humbucker sound reminiscent of the EMG 85 and a single coil tone akin to the EMG SA. Its medium output ensures a balanced performance across genres, making it a perfect fit for both hard-hitting rock and delicate jazz melodies. The pickup's 2-wire connection promises a straightforward installation, while EMG’s exclusive solderless system simplifies the process even further, allowing you more time to focus on what matters most—your music.

Elevate your guitar's voice with a pickup that promises both tonal diversity and ease of use, and get ready to redefine your sound.

Key Features:

  • Active hybrid of a humbucker and single coil
  • Alnico V magnet
  • Neck position with reversed coils for optimal tonal capture
  • Includes separate preamps and coils for versatile sound options
  • Humbucker sound: full, warm, and powerful
  • Single coil sound: bright, airy, and bell-like
  • Medium output
  • 2-wire connection system
  • Made in USA
  • Includes EMG’s exclusive solderless installation system: 25k tone potentiometer, push/pull pot, and more.

Product specs

Active Yes
Wiring 4-Conductor
Output Medium
Cap Yes
Colour Black
Position Neck

FAQs

What makes the EMG 89R different from the EMG 89 pickup?

The EMG 89R features reversed coils compared to the EMG 89, placing the single coil side closer to the neck for a sound favored by Strat enthusiasts. It offers both humbucker and single coil tones with separate preamps for versatile sound options.

Can the EMG 89R pickup be coil split?

Yes, the EMG 89R is designed for coil splitting, allowing you to switch between humbucker and single coil modes, providing versatile tonal options suitable for a variety of musical styles.

Is the EMG 89R suitable for metal and hard rock music?

The EMG 89R's active design offers high output and noise reduction, making it well-suited for metal and hard rock genres, as it can drive amp inputs more aggressively than lower output pickups.

What type of wiring does the EMG 89R use?

The EMG 89R uses a 4-conductor wiring system, which facilitates coil splitting and offers flexibility in wiring configurations for different tonal possibilities.

What position is the EMG 89R pickup intended for?

The EMG 89R is designed specifically for the neck position, providing a unique blend of humbucker and single coil sounds that enhance the tonal palette of your guitar.

Julian Daniels

Julian Daniels

Let's Try the EMG Gary Holt Signature Set | EMG 81TW/89R | Gibson Les Paul Studio

Video thumbnail for Let's Try the EMG Gary Holt Signature Set | EMG 81TW/89R | Gibson Les Paul Studio by Julian Daniels

Let's Try the EMG Gary Holt Signature Set | EMG 81TW/89R | Gibson Les Paul Studio

Julian Daniels

Julian Daniels

Reviews

PROS

  • Dual-mode versatility for both classic EMG 85 and convincing single-coil sounds

  • Coil splitting offers a bassier response for neck-position tones

  • Excellent for black metal with tight distortion and alternate picking

  • Simple solder-less installation with clear wiring instructions

  • Great for emulating acoustic sounds with fat, round tones

  • Strat-like neck pickup sound in single-coil mode

  • Cost-effective alternative to the EMG 89

CONS

  • Clean tones may have slight fuzziness, not completely crystal clear

  • Volume and tone adjustments needed when switching modes

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about EMG 89R Active Alnico Coil Splitting Neck Humbucker Guitar Pickup.

Comparisons

  • The EMG 89 is essentially an EMG 85 with a coil-splitting feature, commonly paired with the 81 for metal genres.

    Source
  • The 57/66 set is described as having a vintage voice compared to the modern-sounding 81/89, with the 57 offering less output but more clarity.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The EMG 57 has a smaller magnetic field due to its weaker alnico magnets, resulting in less bass and clearer sound compared to higher output pickups.

    Source
  • Active pickups like the EMG 57 allow for closer placement to strings without producing boomy bass, compensating for lower output.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners with multiple guitars report the EMG 57/66 set as dynamic and capable of enhancing even lower-quality pedal chains.

    Source
  • Owners transitioning to passive pickups find improved dynamic range and tone, reducing reliance on 9-volt batteries for active setups.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Transitioning from EMG 81TW/89 to passive pickups may require drilling larger pot holes and a ground wire route if not already present.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Consider replacing EMG active electronics with a wiring harness designed for passive pickups to simplify installation and avoid soldering.

    Source

4.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Gary Holt uses EMG 89R Active Alnico Coil Splitting Neck Humbucker Guitar Pickup

Gary Holt

Guitarist

Slayer

...
Verified via Premierguitar

Gary Holt uses EMG 89R pickups, according to this Premier Guitar article.

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 89R Active Alnico Coil Splitting Neck Humbucker Guitar Pickup, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

ESP LTD GH-600
ESP LTD GH-600 Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
EMG 81TW
EMG 81TW Electric Guitar Pickups
1
ESP LTD TE-401 FM
ESP LTD TE-401 FM Solid Body Electric Guitars
1

Community setups

Show yours
mrjburton

mrjburton

Gear IQ 1260

More EMG Electric Guitar Pickups

Similar

Gear Guides

  • Added to Equipboard on by

    ssquires
    ssquires

    Gear IQ 2008