EMG 85
Encyclopedia
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.
.
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 tap
s 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.
Humbucker
A humbucker is a type of electric guitar pickup, first patented by Seth Lover and the Gibson company, that uses two coils, both generating string signal. Humbuckers have higher output than a single coil pickup since both coils are connected in series...
guitar pickup manufactured by EMG, Inc.
EMG, Inc.
EMG, Inc. is the current legal name of a company based in Santa Rosa, California which manufactures guitar pickups and EQ accessories. Founded in 1976, the company was originally called Dirtywork Studios. The name was changed to "Overlend" in 1978 and then to the current name in 1983...
. It is usually installed in a guitar's neck position and often paired with the EMG 81
EMG 81
The EMG 81 is a popular active humbucker guitar pickup manufactured by EMG, Inc.. It is usually considered a lead pickup for use in bridge position, paired with EMG 85 as a rhythm pickup in neck position...
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. 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 81EMG 81
The EMG 81 is a popular active humbucker guitar pickup manufactured by EMG, Inc.. It is usually considered a lead pickup for use in bridge position, paired with EMG 85 as a rhythm pickup in neck position...
.
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 tap
Coil tap
A coil tap is a wiring feature found on some electrical transformers, inductors and coil pickups, all of which are sets of wire coils. The coil tap are points in a wire coil where a conductive patch has been exposed .When the coil taps are disconnected, the coil operates as normal...
s or coil splits. The EMG 89
EMG 89
The EMG-89 is an active humbucking pickup produced by EMG, Inc for use in electric guitars. It is customarily used in the neck position. It is essentially an 85 model humbucking pickup that can be electronically "split" to produce an output similar to that of the single-coil SA model.Inside the...
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.
18-Volt Mod
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.Guitars with EMG 85
- ESP LTD Viper
- Esp LTD H1001
- SchecterSchecterSchecter may refer to:* Schecter Guitar Research, an American guitar manufacturer* Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States, a landmark Supreme Court decision regarding the Commerce Clause...
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 DinkyJackson DinkyThe Jackson Dinky is a Superstrat-style double-cutaway electric guitar built by Jackson Guitars. The "Dinky" is aptly named for its slightly smaller than normal body size. Usually fitted with a two humbucker pickup configuration, some models also include single-coil pickups or just one bridge...
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 SG prophecy EX
- Epiphone les paul prophecy EX
- Epiphone Limited Edition G-400 Electric Guitar with EMG Pickups
- Dean GuitarsDean GuitarsDean Guitars is an American manufacturer of guitars. It was founded in 1976 by Dean Zelinsky in Chicago, Illinois and is currently under the ownership of Armadillo Enterprises in Tampa, Florida.- History :...
Razorback 255 - Dean GuitarsDean GuitarsDean Guitars is an American manufacturer of guitars. It was founded in 1976 by Dean Zelinsky in Chicago, Illinois and is currently under the ownership of Armadillo Enterprises in Tampa, Florida.- History :...
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Deceiver - Dean GuitarsDean GuitarsDean Guitars is an American manufacturer of guitars. It was founded in 1976 by Dean Zelinsky in Chicago, Illinois and is currently under the ownership of Armadillo Enterprises in Tampa, Florida.- History :...
Deceiver FG - Dean GuitarsDean GuitarsDean Guitars is an American manufacturer of guitars. It was founded in 1976 by Dean Zelinsky in Chicago, Illinois and is currently under the ownership of Armadillo Enterprises in Tampa, Florida.- History :...
Deceiver FMF - B.C. RichB.C. RichB.C. Rich is a manufacturer of guitars and bass guitars founded by the late Bernardo Chavez Rico in 1969. Currently, most B.C. Rich guitars are manufactured in Asia, but luthiers of the company's custom shop continue to hand-make instruments. The Hanser Music Group, based in Kentucky, operates B.C....
Kerry KingKerry KingKerry King is an American lead and rhythm guitarist. He is best known as the lead guitarist and cofounder of American thrash metal band Slayer. He co-founded the band with Jeff Hanneman in 1981 and has been a member ever since...
Signature Wartribe [Neck pickup] - B.C. RichB.C. RichB.C. Rich is a manufacturer of guitars and bass guitars founded by the late Bernardo Chavez Rico in 1969. Currently, most B.C. Rich guitars are manufactured in Asia, but luthiers of the company's custom shop continue to hand-make instruments. The Hanser Music Group, based in Kentucky, operates B.C....
Kerry KingKerry KingKerry King is an American lead and rhythm guitarist. He is best known as the lead guitarist and cofounder of American thrash metal band Slayer. He co-founded the band with Jeff Hanneman in 1981 and has been a member ever since...
Signature KKV Flying V [Neck pickup] - GibsonGibson Guitar CorporationThe Gibson Guitar Corporation, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently of Nashville, Tennessee, manufactures guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names...
Custom Zakk WyldeZakk WyldeZachary Phillip Wylde , best known by the stage name Zakk Wylde, is an American musician, songwriter, and occasional actor who is best known as the former guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne and founder of the heavy metal band Black Label Society. He was the lead guitarist and vocalist in Pride & Glory,...
Signature Les Paul [Neck Pickup] - SuhrSuhr GuitarsSuhr Guitars is an American company that manufactures electric guitars and basses, guitar amplifiers, and effect units...
Reb BeachReb BeachReb Beach is an American rock guitarist. He is a member of the bands Winger and Whitesnake...
Signature Model [Bridge Pickup] - Music ManMusic Man (company)Music Man is an American guitar, and bass guitar manufacturer. It is a division of the Ernie Ball corporation.-Early years:The Music Man story began in 1971 when Forrest White and Tom Walker talked with Leo Fender about starting a company they would call Tri-Sonic, Inc...
Steve LukatherSteve LukatherSteve "Luke" Lukather is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, arranger, and record producer best known for his work with the rock band Toto. Lukather has played with many artists, released several solo albums, and worked as a composer, arranger, and session guitarist on more than 1,500 albums...
Signature Model [Bridge Pickup] - Washburn X50Pro FE [Bridge Pickup]
- Washburn Wi-200 PRO E
- Agile AL-2500 EMG Black/Green/Blue [Neck Pickup]
- Agile Reaper Custom Black/White [Neck Pickup]
- IbanezIbanezis a Japanese guitar brand owned by Hoshino Gakki. Based in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan, Hoshino Gakki were one of the first Japanese musical instrument companies to gain a significant foothold in import guitar sales in the United States and Europe, as well as the first brand of guitars to mass produce...
RGT6EX [Neck Pickup] - PRS SE Torero [Neck Pickup]
External links
- EMG data sheet (an Adobe PDF file)