Detail 01
Alnico magnet
Warmer and rounder than ceramic. Softer attack, thicker mids, more forgiving on the high end.
Product detailSKU #1273887998321
EMGEMG-85 Humbucking Active Guitar Pickup Black
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Active alnico humbucker with high output and a thick midrange. The warmer half of the classic EMG pairing, usually run in the bridge or neck alongside an 81 or 60.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Rock and metal players wanting thick, saturated lead tones
- Pairing with an EMG-81 or 60 in a two-pickup set
- Players who find ceramic actives too brittle up top
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Clean-focused players after transparent, dynamic response
- Guitars with no room for a 9V battery
- Anyone who wants a low-output vintage humbucker sound
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
2.45kHz resonant frequency
Lower peak than the 60. That is where the thicker, less cutting character comes from.
Detail 03
2.1V string output
Higher output than the 60's 1.25V. Drives an amp's front end harder and saturates sooner.
Detail 04
Active with onboard preamp
Requires a 9V battery in the guitar. Output stays consistent regardless of cable length or amp input impedance.
Detail 05
-89dBV noise at 60Hz
Very low hum. Means quiet high-gain playing near screens and stage lighting.
Detail 06
3,000 hour battery life
Roughly a year of regular playing. Unplug the cable when not playing or the battery drains.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Requires a 9V battery and space in the guitar to house it
- 02Active pickups need a stereo output jack to switch the preamp on
- 03Do not mix with passive pickups in one guitar — volume and wiring conflicts
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Should I get the 85 or the 81?
The 85 uses an alnico magnet for a warmer, thicker voice with more output. Many players run an 81 in the bridge and an 85 in the neck, or an 85 bridge for a fuller lead tone.
02Is the 85 a bridge or neck pickup?
Both work. It is common in the bridge for thick lead tones and equally common in the neck paired with an 81 in the bridge.
03Do I need to modify my guitar?
It fits a standard humbucker cavity. The issue is battery space — guitars built for passive pickups often need a battery cavity routed.
04How is it different from the EMG-60?
The 85 uses alnico with a 2.45kHz peak and higher output, so it is warmer and thicker. The 60 uses ceramic with a 2.95kHz peak and is brighter and tighter.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
1 detailsSound
- Resonant Frequency
- 2.45
1 detailsPlayability
- Output Voltage String
- 2.1
1 detailsBody & build
- Color
- Black
4 detailsConnections & power
- Output Impedance
- 10kOhms
- Output Voltage Strum
- 4.5
- Battery Life
- 3,000 hours
- Output Noise 60hz
- -89dBV
3 detailsOther
- Current 9v
- 80 microamps
- Magnet Type
- Alnico
- Maximum Supply
- 27V DC
