EMG 45PX 6-String Active Soapbar 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
- EMG3589
Description
EMG 45PX 6-String Active Soapbar Bass Pickup in Black
The EMG 45PX delivers articulate, punchy response across all six strings with the clarity that active electronics bring to modern bass recording and production. Built with ceramic magnets and short, squat coils, this pickup excels in tight string spacing configurations and cuts through dense mixes with precision. Extended range housing positions the treble magnet closer to the neck—a design borrowed from Spector and Yamaha bass orientation—for balanced output across the full fingerboard, ensuring even capture and controllable presence in the mix.
Design & Build
This extended-cap soapbar measures 114.3mm (4.50") in length and 38.1mm (1.50") in width, fitting standard 6-string bass cavities with a maximum recommended string width of 92.0mm (3.62"). The pickup integrates seamlessly with EMG's solderless wiring system, eliminating the need for traditional soldering during installation and enabling quick swaps during session work.
Electronics & Integration
The X Series preamp included with this pickup provides increased touch sensitivity and dynamic range, translating subtle articulation and aggressive attack with clarity through your recording chain and monitoring setup. The complete system ships with a 25k volume pot, 25k active tone pot with VLPF (variable low-pass filter), battery bus, stereo output jack, mounting screws, pickup cable, connect cables, output cable, and battery cable—everything required for a full active installation and ready for tracking or layering bass parts.
Key Features
- 6-string active soapbar pickup with extended cap housing
- Ceramic magnets with short, squat coil design
- Extended range voicing with treble magnet positioned for neck-oriented response
- Length: 114.3mm (4.50")
- Width: 38.1mm (1.50")
- Maximum recommended string width: 92.0mm (3.62")
- X Series preamp with increased touch sensitivity and dynamic range
- 25k volume and 25k active tone pot (VLPF) included
- Solderless wiring system for straightforward installation
- Complete wiring harness: battery bus, stereo output jack, pickup cable, connect cables, output cable, and battery cable included
- Designed for 6-string bass models with maximum 3.75" string spacing
- Black finish
This 45PX brings definition and responsiveness to modern 6-string bass recording, pairing aggressive active electronics with refined string-to-string balance for consistent tone capture across multiple takes and extended sessions.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG 45PX is a 6-string active soapbar pickup engineered for studio recording with exceptional articulation, punchy midrange punch, and a controlled low end that sits cleanly in a dense mix. The included X Series preamp offers increased touch sensitivity and dynamic range, allowing subtle fingerstyle nuance and aggressive plucking to both translate clearly to tape or DAW. This pickup shines in modern recording sessions—funk, progressive, and any session where tight string definition and active EQ control are essential to the final product.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Funk
- ✓ Progressive
- ✓ Studio Sessions
- ✓ Gigging
Not the best pick for
- – Traditional Jazz
- – Folk
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What's included in the complete system?
The 45PX ships with the pickup, X Series preamp, 25k volume pot, 25k active tone pot with variable low-pass filter, battery bus, stereo output jack, mounting screws, pickup cable, connect cables, output cable, battery cable, and all wiring harness components needed for a full active installation.
Will this fit my 6-string bass?
The pickup measures 114.3mm length × 38.1mm width and fits standard 6-string bass cavities with a maximum recommended string width of 92.0mm (3.62 inches). If your bass has tight string spacing at or under 3.62 inches, this pickup is designed for it; the extended-cap housing and treble-magnet positioning support balanced output across all six strings.
Do I need to solder during installation?
No—the 45PX integrates with EMG's solderless wiring system, eliminating traditional soldering. The complete harness with battery bus, output jack, and all connection cables ships ready to install in your bass cavity.
How does the active electronics affect tone and dynamics?
The included X Series preamp increases touch sensitivity and dynamic range, allowing subtle fingerstyle articulation and aggressive attack to both translate clearly through your amplifier. The variable low-pass filter in the active tone pot gives you additional EQ control for dialing in the exact amount of treble and punch your mix needs.
What genres and playing styles is this pickup best for?
The 45PX excels in funk, progressive, and studio session work where articulation, punchy midrange, and tight string definition are priorities. Its high-output, treble-focused voicing cuts through dense mixes and isn't designed for traditional jazz or folk, where vintage warmth and mellowness are preferred.
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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