Description
The EMG 85 came up alongside the 81 as one of EMG’s original designs, but it’s always had its own personality. Where the 81 goes for the jugular, the 85 leans into nuance – a rounder, more textured voice built on close-aperture coils and Alnico V magnets instead of ceramic.
- Active EMG circuit with close-aperture coil construction
- Alnico V magnets for a warmer, more dynamic pull than ceramic-loaded pickups
- Brushed chrome cover
Alnico V gives this pickup its character: a muscular midrange growl that never turns brittle, plus lead tones that stay smooth and vocal even when you’re pushing hard. It covers a wide stylistic range comfortably, from blues phrasing to full-on metal riffing, without ever sounding one-dimensional.
Most players reach for the 85 in the neck position, and it excels there – but don’t box it in. Its smoothness and depth make it a genuinely great bridge pickup too, especially if you want soul over sheer aggression. It also mixes well with nearly every other humbucker in the EMG line, so building a two-pickup set around it is straightforward.
Like other EMG active pickups, the 85 works with EMG’s solderless wiring system, which means swapping pickups or reconfiguring your tone doesn’t require a soldering iron – just a screwdriver and a bit of patience.
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