--- product_id: 50186815 title: "EMG ZW Zakk Wylde Signature 81/85 Active Pickup Set" brand: "emg" price: "VT113354" currency: VUV in_stock: true reviews_count: 8 url: https://www.desertcart.vu/products/50186815-emg-zw-zakk-wylde-signature-81-85-active-pickup-set store_origin: VU region: Vanuatu --- # Solderless install system for quick setup Active EMG 81 & 85 pickups for killer tone Long shaft volume & tone controls for precision EMG ZW Zakk Wylde Signature 81/85 Active Pickup Set **Brand:** emg **Price:** VT113354 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 🎸 Unleash your inner metal god with Zakk Wylde’s signature scream! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** EMG ZW Zakk Wylde Signature 81/85 Active Pickup Set by emg - **How much does it cost?** VT113354 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.vu](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/50186815-emg-zw-zakk-wylde-signature-81-85-active-pickup-set) ## Best For - emg enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted emg brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Pro-Grade Build:** Crafted with premium maple wood components for durability and resonance. - • **Stage-Ready Performance:** Trusted by legends, designed for your next epic gig or studio session. - • **Versatile Sound Palette:** From warm, creamy cleans to screaming high-gain leads—dial your perfect tone. - • **Plug & Play Installation:** Solderless wiring means less hassle, more shredding—upgrade in minutes. - • **Signature Zakk Wylde Tone:** Get the aggressive sustain and scorching riffs that define metal royalty. ## Overview The EMG ZW Zakk Wylde Signature 81/85 Active Pickup Set features the iconic EMG-81 and EMG-85 active pickups, designed to deliver aggressive sustain and versatile tones favored by heavy metal pros. With a solderless installation system and long shaft volume and tone controls, this set offers easy upgrades and precise sound shaping. Built with premium materials and crafted in the USA, it’s the ultimate pickup set for electric guitarists seeking legendary performance and stage-ready reliability. ## Description With scorching riffs and remarkable stage presence, Zakk Wylde has earned his reputation as heavy metal's premier lead guitarist. From Ozzy Osbourne, Pride and Glory, and now Black Label Society, Zakk has always used EMG Active Pickups. The Zakk Wylde model features the EMG-85 and EMG-81, as used on his signature bullseye Les Paul. Review: They sound insane - Put them on my Ibanez EDR470EX (kind of something between a Radius and JS). Only small issues I had with the instalation was that: - I needed to buy the EMG 5-way switch (for strat-like guitars) as this pack comes with Les Paul type guitars wiring. - I couldn't get the new jack through the jack-hole as my original jack was narrower. I had to make the hole larger by scrapping it on the sides. - The EMG 5-way switch (not part of this package) just barely fits into the electronics cavity of the Ibanez. Guitar is too thin. However, once installed and wired... OMG! They sounds amazing! You need to get the height right though. I suggest start with the pickups as high as comfortably possible (as indicated by EMG). Plug your guitar on your favourite amp/setting (the one you are usually using) and start dropping them lower until you have the right amount of gain you like. Those babies aren't just good for heavy metal, set correctly you can get some pretty nice hard tones out of them, and you'll be blown away from the cleans. The 85 is a rounded, warm without losing any clarity (like a nice French red wine). Amazing to get those Slash, Zakk Wylde tones, but also pretty good to get your Gary Moore hot full tones and Dave Murray's signature warm neck tones. The 81 is a powerful, loud and tight. I found that there is slightly less clarity on the 81 (or perhaps I'm just a bad player), but the tone is insane. The tone this pickup gives is amazing. This pickup just wants to scream! All and all, I'm happy I bought those compared to DiMarzios or Seymours. The 81 can in times be a bit too hot. The great thing is that they are easily interchangeable and can get your 85 in the bridge position and 81 in the neck and see how that works for you. Review: Very happy with these pickups. They're emg's, enough said👍 - Replaced the stock seymour duncans in my washburn parallaxe. Was never really keen on them. Also replaced because I don't like push/pull coil splitting. The emg pickups were really easy to install. The instructions have a number of wiring options from les paul type to superstrat type(1 tone and 1 volume control) the only minor issue was a three way switch does not come with these pickups. Easy fix, just connect four wires into the main wiring buss, for earth, output, Bridge and neck pickups, and solder them to the relevant terminals on the toggle switch, 20 minute job. In fairness I've swapped countless pickups from dimarzio to seymour duncans, single coil and humbuckers etc. So I knew what I was doing. I appreciate this may not be the case if you're doing this for the first time. No fear, really is a simple fix. Anyway, I've always been curious about emg's, it's OK looking at youtube reviews etc but you never really know until they're in your guitar. I wasn't disappointed, excellent pickups. Cleans are crystal clear and hi gain is also great. Good clarity through hi, middle and low range so excellent for rhythm and lead work. Nice warm tone for blues and screaming tones for metal (especially harmonics) very happy. ## Features - Zakk Wylde Signature Pickup Set - Includes both EMG 81 & 85 active pickups - Long shaft volume and tone controls - Aggressive tone and sustain designed after Zakk Wylde' s sound - Solderless install system ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | ASIN | B0007TYQ7W | | Back Material | Wood | | Batteries | 1 9V batteries required. | | Best Sellers Rank | 49,071 in Musical Instruments & DJ ( See Top 100 in Musical Instruments & DJ ) 3,967 in Electric Guitar Parts | | Body Material | Maple | | Colour | Black | | Compatible Devices | Electric Guitar | | Connector | 1/4" Mono Phone Plug | | Country Produced In | USA | | Customer Reviews | 4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars (74) | | Date First Available | 19 Mar. 2010 | | Fretboard Material | Maple Wood | | Guitar Bridge System | Tremolo | | Guitar Pickup Configuration | H-H | | Item Weight | 454 g | | Item model number | ZW-SET | | Material Type | Maple Wood | | Musical Style | ROCK,HARD ROCK,METAL | | Neck Material Type | Maple | | Number of Strings | 6 | | Product Dimensions | 11.76 x 6.68 x 17.15 cm; 453.59 g | | Scale Length | 24.75 | | Size | small | | String Material | Maple | | Top Material | Wood | ## Product Details - **Back material type:** Wood - **Body material:** Maple - **Brand:** EMG - **Colour:** Black - **Fretboard material type:** Maple Wood - **Guitar pick-up configuration:** H-H - **Hand orientation:** Right - **Neck material type:** Maple - **String material type:** Maple - **Top material type:** Wood ## Images ![EMG ZW Zakk Wylde Signature 81/85 Active Pickup Set - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61JosbxELdL.jpg) ## Available Options This product comes in different **Style** options. ## Questions & Answers **Q: Does the zw 81/85 set include the solderless installation kit? i see some buyers saying "yes" and others saying "no."** A: yes. for me it did. It included everything that I needed to install the pickups. maybe others are saying "no" because they bought each pickup separately. I bought them together in one box. I bought them here on amazon. They arrived in one box with zakk wyldes picture on the box. I had to look at one or two videos that I found on youtube to help me with the installation, but it pretty much took me about an hour to install. just remember to measure EVERYTHING! from the height of the original pickups to the height of the volume and tone knobs. **Q: Will this fit in a Jackson kelly js32t?** A: I don't own a Kelley but fits perfect in my Jackson rhoads. So I would say it will fit. There's a diagram for 2 pot installation in the box. Make sure there's enough room for 9v battery in the pot cavity when you install. **Q: Will these fit in a jackson js32 dinky?** A: They fit into the cavity of my Jackson Soloist with no problem. **Q: Does a rechargeable battery work as sufficiently as a standard 9v?** A: Perfectly. Those pickups work from 7v (old worn battery) to 27v (three batteries in series). The more volts, bigger the headroom. One battery 9v is more than enough for a big sound, and it lasts thousands of hours. Just unplug the guitar cable to conserve the battery. But pay attention to your rechargeables: modern eneloop lithium batteries Keep good charge for years when left unused, while old ni-mh units decay within weeks, being used or not. ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ They sound insane *by G***S on 12 July 2019* Put them on my Ibanez EDR470EX (kind of something between a Radius and JS). Only small issues I had with the instalation was that: - I needed to buy the EMG 5-way switch (for strat-like guitars) as this pack comes with Les Paul type guitars wiring. - I couldn't get the new jack through the jack-hole as my original jack was narrower. I had to make the hole larger by scrapping it on the sides. - The EMG 5-way switch (not part of this package) just barely fits into the electronics cavity of the Ibanez. Guitar is too thin. However, once installed and wired... OMG! They sounds amazing! You need to get the height right though. I suggest start with the pickups as high as comfortably possible (as indicated by EMG). Plug your guitar on your favourite amp/setting (the one you are usually using) and start dropping them lower until you have the right amount of gain you like. Those babies aren't just good for heavy metal, set correctly you can get some pretty nice hard tones out of them, and you'll be blown away from the cleans. The 85 is a rounded, warm without losing any clarity (like a nice French red wine). Amazing to get those Slash, Zakk Wylde tones, but also pretty good to get your Gary Moore hot full tones and Dave Murray's signature warm neck tones. The 81 is a powerful, loud and tight. I found that there is slightly less clarity on the 81 (or perhaps I'm just a bad player), but the tone is insane. The tone this pickup gives is amazing. This pickup just wants to scream! All and all, I'm happy I bought those compared to DiMarzios or Seymours. The 81 can in times be a bit too hot. The great thing is that they are easily interchangeable and can get your 85 in the bridge position and 81 in the neck and see how that works for you. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very happy with these pickups. They're emg's, enough said👍 *by K***N on 7 January 2021* Replaced the stock seymour duncans in my washburn parallaxe. Was never really keen on them. Also replaced because I don't like push/pull coil splitting. The emg pickups were really easy to install. The instructions have a number of wiring options from les paul type to superstrat type(1 tone and 1 volume control) the only minor issue was a three way switch does not come with these pickups. Easy fix, just connect four wires into the main wiring buss, for earth, output, Bridge and neck pickups, and solder them to the relevant terminals on the toggle switch, 20 minute job. In fairness I've swapped countless pickups from dimarzio to seymour duncans, single coil and humbuckers etc. So I knew what I was doing. I appreciate this may not be the case if you're doing this for the first time. No fear, really is a simple fix. Anyway, I've always been curious about emg's, it's OK looking at youtube reviews etc but you never really know until they're in your guitar. I wasn't disappointed, excellent pickups. Cleans are crystal clear and hi gain is also great. Good clarity through hi, middle and low range so excellent for rhythm and lead work. Nice warm tone for blues and screaming tones for metal (especially harmonics) very happy. ### ⭐ Dissatisfied *by A***R on 18 May 2021* The 85 was completely nonfunctional. Unfortunately I didn’t find out until the return window was closed. ## Frequently Bought Together - EMG ZW Zakk Wylde Signature Humbucker Guitar Pickup Set, Black - EMG Solderless Toggle Switch with Cables 3 Position Lever Black Knob B289 - EMG Solderless Wiring Kit for 1-2 Active Pickups - Short Shaft (Strat) 10mm --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.vu/products/50186815-emg-zw-zakk-wylde-signature-81-85-active-pickup-set](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/50186815-emg-zw-zakk-wylde-signature-81-85-active-pickup-set) --- *Product available on Desertcart Vanuatu* *Store origin: VU* *Last updated: 2026-06-06*