EMG 60 Long Shaft Active Humbucker 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
- EMG2039
Description
EMG 60 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Black
The EMG 60 is a versatile active humbucker that captures clarity alongside traditional warmth, making it essential for both rhythm and lead tracking. Its ceramic magnet and close aperture coils deliver a tight, articulate response that translates well to mix, preserving the full-bodied character expected from a humbucker without muddying dense arrangements. The long shaft design fits standard guitar installations, and the included wiring harness with Quik-Connect cable puts you tracking quickly.
Tone & Output Characteristics
This pickup produces a 3.5V output on strum with clean headroom and minimal noise floor at -89 dBV @ 60Hz, ideal for layering multiple guitar takes without accumulating hum in the signal chain. The 2.95 kHz resonant frequency sits in the sweet spot for balanced midrange presence, neither too dark nor too bright, allowing the EMG 60 to adapt across genres from hard rock to fusion without requiring heavy EQ compensation during mixing. The controlled output impedance of 10 kOhms ensures stable signal transmission to your interface or amp chain without excessive treble loss.
Active Electronics & Battery Performance
Powered by a standard 9V battery, this pickup draws only 80 microamps at nominal voltage, delivering approximately 3,000 hours of battery life under typical session use—eliminating mid-session power loss during recording. The design supports up to 27V DC maximum supply, giving you the option to run higher voltages for increased headroom during hot takes, and the epoxy-cased electronics are built to withstand the demands of frequent studio swaps and consistent daily use.
Key Features
- Ceramic magnet construction
- Close aperture coil design
- Long shaft format for standard guitar cavities
- 3.5V output voltage on strum
- 1.25V output voltage on single string
- 2.95 kHz resonant frequency
- –89 dBV output noise @ 60Hz
- 10 kOhms output impedance
- 80 microamps current draw @ 9V
- 3,000-hour battery life
- 27V DC maximum supply rating
- Includes Quik-Connect cable, pre-wired control set, output jack, battery clip set, hardware, and springs
The EMG 60 remains a trusted choice for engineers and producers who need reliable, noise-free performance with genuine humbucker musicality in a compact active platform—consistent across overdubs, punch-ins, and multitrack sessions.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG 60 is a workhorse active humbucker that sits perfectly in dense mixes, offering a tight low end, articulate midrange, and noise-free output that cuts through without harshness. Home studio and project recordists will appreciate its 3.5V output, minimal noise floor, and balanced tone that translates well across hard rock, metal, fusion, and studio sessions without needing EQ rescue. The included wiring harness and Quik-Connect cable get you tracking fast, and the 3,000-hour battery life means you won't worry about power during long recording days.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Progressive
- ✓ Fusion
- ✓ Studio Sessions
Not the best pick for
- – Traditional Jazz
- – Folk
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the output level and headroom like compared to passive humbuckers?
The EMG 60 delivers 3.5V output on strum with clean headroom and a -89 dBV noise floor, sitting squarely in the articulate-yet-full-bodied sweet spot. Its active circuitry supports up to 27V DC maximum, giving you flexibility to increase headroom beyond the standard 9V if your rig demands it.
How long does the 9V battery last in real-world use?
You'll get approximately 3,000 hours of battery life under typical playing conditions, drawing only 80 microamps at nominal 9V. That's roughly 4–5 months of regular use before a swap.
Will this pickup work in my guitar without major routing or modifications?
Yes—the long shaft design fits standard guitar cavities, and the pickup comes pre-wired with a Quik-Connect cable, control set, output jack, battery clip, hardware, and springs, so installation is straightforward for intermediate players or a tech.
Is this pickup too aggressive for jazz or acoustic styles?
The EMG 60 is optimized for hard rock, metal, progressive, and fusion; it's not designed for traditional jazz or folk applications. Its articulate, driven character and noise-free output shine in high-output genres.
How does the EMG 60 compare to the EMG 81 or Seymour Duncan JB?
The EMG 60 trades slightly lower output than the 81 for greater midrange warmth and versatility across rhythm and lead; it sits tonally closer to the JB but with tighter lows and a more predictable active response. Choose the 60 if you want balanced musicality; pick the 81 for maximum aggression.
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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