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EMG 89

Featuring two pickups in one, the 89 is loaded with alnico V magnets and has separate preamps each providing custom outputs for both dual coil and single coil modes. In dual coil mode, the sound is rich, warm and powerful, but still very clear and is similar to the 85. The single coil mode, accessed via the included push pull pot, delivers the traditional Strat single...

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Who said EMGs aren't versatile?

Comments

Whilst EMG humbuckers have always provided great tone, they have always been a little held back by the fact that they were not able to be split to provide single coil tones like their passive brothers.

EMG have finally released a series of humbuckers that can provide single coil tones now, but for some time only the 89 was available with this feature.

The EMG 89 is a great sounding pickup, providing EMG 85 like tones in humbucker mode, and EMG SA in single coil mode.

The Alnico 5 magnets give the EMG 89 a beautiful, clear singing tone, even in high gain applications. I have my 89 in the neck position on my alder bodied custom, and when paired up with this tone wood it provides a nice bright (but not too bright) full rounded tone, perfect for solos and clean rhythm guitar parts. There is no mud what so ever from this pickup, just strong tone that can cut through nicely.

Switch the provided push/pull pot to single coil mode, and I am able to get fantastic strat like tones, which work well for both rhythm and lead style playing. It provides a great chimey, airy tone that would would expect from a strat (with the added benefit of no hum).

Unfortunately I have not tried this pickup with the 18 volt mod yet, but I'm sure it will make this great pickup even more amazing. I have another guitar with an EMG 81-85 with the 18 volt mod, and the difference in tone is phenomenal, and I am sure difference with the EMG 89 would be just the same.

The EMG 89 is a fantastic versatile pickup capable of producing great tones for any electric guitar genre. Play with your amp settings a bit if you have traditionally used passive pickups, and you will be rewarded for your efforts.

Liked about it	Huge tone, from blues through to metal. * Quick connect EMGs make for easy swaps. * Clean up nicely.
Didn't like	Should come with the 18 volt mod standard. * Would love to see a more standard humbucker as an addition to the range.