EMG 85

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.

History and design

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. 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 that 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.

18V Mod

The EMG 85 power source can be modified from 9V to 18V by adding a second 9V battery wired in series. This increases the headroom of the pickup and decreases distortion, particularly with regard to transients.^[1] Although the majority of EMG's pickups are rated for 27V operation, they recommend a maximum of 18V, citing the negligible performance increase.^[2]

There are two main ways to perform this modification. One method involves using separate battery harnesses for each battery. There are several different ways to achieve this, and wiring diagrams can be found all over the internet.^[3] The other involves using a separate 9V snap leading to the control cavity to wire two batteries in series outside of the battery compartment.^[4]

Guitars with EMG 85

ESP LTD Viper
Esp LTD H1001
Schecter C-1 Hellraiser
Schecter Damien Elite and Elite FR
Schecter Hellraiser Deluxe
Schecter Omen Extreme
Steinberger Synapse ST-2FPA
Jackson Warrior WRMG [Neck pickup]
Jackson Dinky DKMG [Neck pickup]
Jackson SLSMG [Neck pickup] (After July 2006)
Maxes Harmony Les Paul copy [Neck and Bridge]
Godin LG EMG
Godin Freeway EMG
Godin Redline 2 [Neck Pickup]
Godin Redline 3 [Neck Pickup]
Epiphone 1984 Explorer EX [Neck pickup]
Epiphone Les Paul Custom Plus (Zakk Wylde Bullseye, 2011 edition) [Neck Pickup]
Epiphone Les Paul Custom EMG
Epiphone SG prophecy EX
Epiphone les paul prophecy EX
Epiphone Limited Edition G-400 Electric Guitar with EMG Pickups
Dean Guitars Razorback 255
Dean Guitars Razorback V 255
Dean Guitars Deceiver
Dean Guitars Deceiver FG
Dean Guitars Deceiver FMF
B.C. Rich Kerry King Signature Wartribe [Neck pickup]
B.C. Rich Kerry King Signature KKV Flying V [Neck pickup]
Gibson Custom Zakk Wylde Signature Les Paul [Neck Pickup]
Suhr Reb Beach Signature Model [Bridge Pickup]
Music Man Steve Lukather Signature Model [Bridge Pickup]
Washburn X50Pro FE [Bridge Pickup]
Washburn Wi-200 PRO E
Washburn Wm24v PRO E
Washburn Wm526
Agile AL-2500 EMG Black/Green/Blue [Neck Pickup]
Agile Reaper Custom Black/White [Neck Pickup]
Ibanez RGT6EX [Neck Pickup]
PRS SE Torero [Neck Pickup]
B.C Rich Asm Pro [Neck Pickup]

References

EMG data sheet (an Adobe PDF file)