EMG 45TWX 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
- EMG3296
Description
EMG 45TWX 6-String Active Soapbar Bass Pickup in Black
The EMG 45TWX is a versatile active soapbar pickup engineered for six-string bass recording and production work, delivering flexible tonal control and transparent output that translates clearly in the mix. Its dual-mode design—switchable between single-coil and humbucker configurations—lets you shape everything from articulate low-end definition to thick, hum-free low-mid presence without changing hardware. The compact 4.5-inch soapbar housing integrates cleanly into modern bass bodies while the solderless wiring system streamlines session setup and teardown.
Tone & Electronics
The X Series preamp with Active VLPF (Variable Low Pass Filter) tone control gives you surgical precision over your low-end response during tracking and mixing refinement. Ceramic and steel magnet options—resonating at 2.61 kHz and 4.00 kHz respectively—let you choose between punchy single-coil articulation and thick humbucker fundamentals depending on the session's requirements. An exceptionally low output noise floor of -101 dB (60 Hz) ensures your recorded signal remains clean and noise-free, even when pushing levels in the control room.
Studio Performance & Power
Built to professional recording specifications, this pickup runs cleanly on a single 9V battery with an impressive 3000-hour battery life and draws only 80 microamps—ideal for uninterrupted multi-hour tracking sessions. The 2.00 Kohm output impedance maintains phase coherence across your recording chain and monitoring system. All necessary components are included—25k volume and active tone pots, dual-mode push-pull pot, battery bus, stereo output jack, mounting hardware, and interconnect cables—so you're ready to record immediately after installation.
Key Features
- Housing length: 4.5 inches (115mm)
- Housing width: 1.50 inches (38.1mm)
- Maximum recommended string width: 3.75 inches (95.25mm)
- Dual-mode: single coil and humbucker configurations
- Magnets: ceramic and steel
- Active VLPF (Variable Low Pass Filter) tone control
- Resonant frequency: 2.61 kHz (ceramic mode), 4.00 kHz (steel mode)
- Output impedance: 2.00 Kohm
- Current draw @ 9V: 80 microamps
- Battery life: 3000 hours
- Output noise: -101 dB (60 Hz)
- Solderless wiring system with included 25k pots, battery bus, and all connection cables
The 45TWX combines precision engineering with session-ready flexibility, delivering studio-grade signal integrity for controlled recording and post-production work.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG 45TWX delivers studio-ready signal purity for six-string bass tracking and overdubs, with dual-mode switching that lets you capture articulate single-coil definition or thick humbucker body in a single session without repatching. The Active VLPF tone control gives you surgical precision over low-end resonance, while the -101 dB noise floor keeps your bass clean and phase-coherent in any mix context. Runs for 3000 hours on a single 9V battery and includes all preamp, pots, and wiring hardware, making setup and gain-staging transparent.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Studio Sessions
- ✓ Live Performance
- ✓ Extended Range
- ✓ Funk
- ✓ Progressive
Not the best pick for
- – Practice
- – First Serious Guitar
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What does dual-mode switching mean, and how does it change the tone?
The pickup switches between single-coil mode (ceramic magnet, 2.61 kHz resonance, bright articulation) and humbucker mode (steel magnet, 4.00 kHz resonance, thick fundamentals) using a push-pull pot. You can dial between punchy definition and warm body without changing pickups or hardware.
Is this pickup suitable for a first serious bass, or do I need experience to use it?
This is designed for intermediate, advanced, and professional players. The active electronics, VLPF tone shaping, and dual-mode switching reward players who understand low-end control; it's not ideal for bass beginners still learning fundamental technique and tone.
What's included, and how hard is installation?
The kit includes the pickup, 25k volume pot, active tone pot, dual-mode push-pull pot, battery bus, stereo output jack, mounting hardware, and interconnect cables. The solderless wiring system simplifies installation compared to traditional solder-in pickups, though you'll need basic bass electronics knowledge or professional help.
How long will the battery last, and what's the noise floor like?
The 9V battery lasts approximately 3000 hours with an ultra-low output noise of -101 dB at 60 Hz, ensuring clean, transparent signal at high gain levels and across PA or monitor systems without unwanted hum or noise.
Will this fit my six-string bass, and what's the maximum string width?
The soapbar housing is 4.5 inches long by 1.5 inches wide; the maximum recommended string width is 3.75 inches. Confirm your bass body routing matches these dimensions before ordering.
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. On this item that is roughly $11 less out the door than the same listed price at a national retailer or on a marketplace. 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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