EMG 40DCX 5-String Active Humbucker Bass Pickup in Black
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- Brand new in original box
- Full EMG manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- EMG2986
Description
EMG 40DCX 5-String Active Humbucker Bass Pickup in Black
The EMG 40DCX is a compact active humbucker designed to capture tight, articulate response across all five strings. Its extended soapbar housing spans the full string width while maintaining a focused magnetic field, delivering punchy mids and controlled low-end that translates clearly to tape or DAW. This pickup excels at tracking slap, fingerstyle, and pick techniques with minimal phase issues and maximum definition in the mix.
Recording Tone & Output Character
Dual ceramic bar magnets and a 3.50 kHz resonant frequency establish a midrange-forward character that cuts through dense arrangements and sits naturally in both rock and contemporary sessions. Output options of 2.50V (Finger/Thumb mode) and 8.50V (Thump mode) let you optimize gain staging into your interface or mixing chain—dial in the level that suits your tracking headroom and post-production workflow.
Active System & Studio Integration
The X Series preamp draws power from the included battery bus and requires no soldering—prewired quick connectors streamline installation and setup time in the studio. You get a 25K volume pot, 25K active tone pot (VLPF), and full stereo output capability for blending multiple sources or routing to separate mix channels during overdubs and post-production refinement.
Key Features
- Dual coils loaded with ceramic bar magnets
- Extended 4-inch (102mm) housing for 5-string basses
- Maximum recommended string width: 76.2mm (3.00")
- Active pickup system with solderless prewired installation
- Resonant frequency: 3.50 kHz
- Output voltage (Finger/Thumb): 2.50V
- Output voltage (Thump): 8.50V
- Includes 25K volume pot and 25K active tone pot (VLPF)
- Stereo output jack and quick connectors
- Includes battery bus, mounting screws, pickup cable, connect cables, output cable, and battery cable
- Soapbar humbucker model with X Series preamp
- Black cover
The 40DCX delivers the tonal precision and reliability expected from EMG's active designs, making it a dependable choice for five-string players tracking professional recordings and building consistency across sessions.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG 40DCX is a five-string active humbucker that sits forward in the mix with punchy mids and controlled lows, ideal for recording funk, slap, and modern rock bass parts. Its dual-mode output lets you dial gain staging into your interface or preamp for clean headroom, while solderless installation and stereo output capability streamline session workflow. The 3.50 kHz resonant frequency and articulate response capture every nuance of fingerstyle, thumb, and pick techniques without sacrificing clarity in dense arrangements.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Funk
- ✓ Slap Bass
- ✓ Studio Sessions
- ✓ Modern Rock
Not the best pick for
- – Traditional Jazz
- – Vintage Tone Pursuit
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What string spacing does the 40DCX support?
The extended 4-inch (102mm) soapbar housing is engineered for five-string basses with a maximum recommended string width of 76.2mm (3.00 inches). Check your bass bridge spacing before ordering to ensure compatibility.
Do I need to solder this pickup?
No. The 40DCX includes prewired quick connectors and a battery bus, so installation requires no soldering on compatible five-string platforms. Standard pickup mounting screws and all necessary cables are included.
What output levels should I expect?
The pickup offers flexible gain staging: 2.50V in Finger/Thumb mode for standard gain staging, and 8.50V in Thump mode for high-headroom preamps and interfaces. This dual-mode design lets you match your rig's input stage.
Is the 40DCX suitable for jazz or vintage-tone bass players?
No. This pickup is optimized for modern genres—funk, slap, studio sessions, and modern rock—with a midrange-forward, articulate character. Players seeking traditional jazz or vintage tones should consider other models.
What comes in the box?
The 40DCX includes the pickup with X Series preamp, a 25K volume pot, 25K active tone pot (VLPF), stereo output jack, battery bus, mounting screws, pickup cable, connect cables, output cable, battery cable, and all quick connectors.
Do I pay sales tax on this order?
We collect sales tax only on orders shipped to California. Orders shipped to any other US state are charged $0 sales tax at checkout when you buy direct from our website. Marketplaces such as eBay, Reverb and Amazon collect sales tax in nearly every state as marketplace facilitators no matter who the seller is, so the same item at the same price costs less bought direct. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included. Some states ask buyers to self-report use tax on out-of-state purchases.
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