| EMG 85 | |
| Manufacturer | EMG, Inc. |
| Period | 1979–present |
| Type | Active humbucker |
| Magnet type | Alnico 5 |
| Output specifications | |
| Voltage (RMS), V | 3.10 |
| Voltage (peak), V | 4.50 |
| Noise, dBV | -101 |
| Impedance, kΩ | 10 |
| Current, µA | 80 |
| Power requirements | |
| Power source | 9 V battery |
| Battery life, hours | 3000 |
| Sonic qualities | |
| Resonant frequency, Hz |
1870 |
The EMG 85 is a popular active humbucker guitar pickup manufactured by EMG, Inc.. It is usually installed in a guitar's neck position and often paired with the EMG 81 in the bridge position, but can be used in the bridge position for a different result.
The EMG 85 can be recognized by a humbucker form-factor and gold embossed EMG logo.
The EMG 707 is the seven string version of the 85.
Contents |
The EMG 85 changed the previous EMG 58 pickup in the EMG product lineup as a popular rhythm pickup. Technologically, EMG 85 is an active humbucker with bar-shaped Alnico 5 magnet. This yields a warmer and more "natural" tone than most other pickup types. The bar-shaped magnet affects strings uniformly, without irregularities known in more traditional design with separate pole pieces. Alnico 5 magnets also contribute to a warmer tone than the harder-edged tone normally associated with ceramic magnets, which is why some players often use the 85 in the bridge, as opposed to the 81.
As the EMG 85 is an active humbucker, its two coils are not just connected in series or parallel with single output. Instead, they have two separate outputs and are summed electronically in the preamp. However, such sealed solution makes it impossible to do coil taps or coil splits. The EMG 89 is a recommended pickup with a coil tap/split option.
As is the case with most other modern EMG pickups, the EMG 85 has a 3-wire quik-connect output, which consists of a 3-pin male connector on the pickup body and a 3-wire cable to connect it. The easy wire color code scheme that is the same for all EMG products simplifies soldering and installation.
The 18-volt mod is commonly used by guitarists wishing to extend the headroom of their active pickup. It opens the sound and alleviates the "artificial" quality that most detractors use as their main problem with the pickup. The mod is very simple to do: you just wire another 9-volt battery in series with the first one. The only downside is that with the added clarity, the pickup loses some of the low-end "chug" that makes it a must for metal rhythm guitarists.