EMG 66 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Black Chrome
- Brand new in original box
- Full EMG manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- EMG4665
Description
EMG 66 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Black Chrome
The EMG 66 is a refined active humbucker engineered to deliver articulate, controlled output with minimal noise—critical assets in the studio and live tracking environment. Its stainless steel housing and black chrome finish provide durability and aesthetic consistency, while the solderless installation system eliminates complex wiring, enabling rapid setup for session work or instrument modification.
Recording & Tone Character
Alnico V magnets paired with ceramic pole pieces produce a balanced, articulate response that sits cleanly in a mix without excessive midrange buildup. The active design maintains consistent output across the frequency spectrum and delivers exceptional noise rejection—essential for high-gain tracking, layered productions, or any session where signal integrity and clarity are non-negotiable.
Installation & Wiring
The solderless connectivity system ships with a 25K volume potentiometer, 25K tone potentiometer, battery bus, stereo output jack, and dual pickup in/out bus, eliminating traditional soldering and reducing setup time. The long shaft design accommodates standard guitar control cavities, and included mounting screws and springs ensure secure, stable installation for reliable studio performance.
Key Features
- Active humbucker configuration for neck position, 6-string guitars
- Alnico V magnets with ceramic pole pieces for articulate, controlled tone
- Stainless steel housing with black chrome finish
- Solderless installation system with quick-connect leads
- 25K volume potentiometer included
- 25K tone potentiometer included
- Battery bus and stereo output jack for flexible wiring options
- Dual pickup in/out bus configuration
- Long shaft potentiometer design
- Mounting screws and springs supplied
The EMG 66 combines professional-grade active electronics with plug-and-play installation, making it ideal for producers and engineers upgrading existing instruments or building instruments suited to session work with minimal technical overhead.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG 66 is a professional-grade active humbucker that captures articulate, controlled tone with exceptional noise rejection—perfect for recording high-gain material where signal purity and mix clarity are non-negotiable. Its consistent output across the frequency spectrum sits cleanly in dense mixes, and the solderless wiring system accelerates session setup and re-patching without soldering downtime. The included potentiometers and flexible battery/output configuration adapt to most recording and layering workflows.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Studio Sessions
- ✓ High-Gain Applications
Not the best pick for
- – Traditional Jazz
- – Folk
- – Vintage Tone Purists
Skill level: Beginner · Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
Is solderless installation really beginner-friendly?
Yes—the EMG 66 ships with quick-connect leads, a 25K volume pot, 25K tone pot, battery bus, and stereo output jack, eliminating the need for soldering. Mounting screws and springs are included, so installation requires only basic screwdriver work and careful wiring of the included components into your guitar's cavity.
What genres and playing styles fit this pickup best?
The EMG 66 excels in metal, hard rock, studio sessions, and any high-gain application where articulate, noise-free tone and mix clarity are priorities. It is not ideal for traditional jazz, folk, or vintage tone work, as its active design and balanced character prioritize cut-through over warm coloration.
How does the EMG 66 compare to the EMG 81/85 or other active models?
The EMG 66 uses Alnico V magnets with ceramic pole pieces for a more articulate, balanced response than the 81/85, which lean toward aggressive output and compressed mids. Compared to passive models like the Seymour Duncan JB or DiMarzio D Activator, the 66's active circuit delivers superior noise rejection and consistent output—critical for studio recording and high-gain live rigs.
What is included in the box?
The EMG 66 includes the pickup itself with stainless steel housing and black chrome finish, a 25K volume potentiometer, a 25K tone potentiometer, battery bus, stereo output jack, dual pickup in/out bus configuration, long shaft design, and mounting screws and springs for installation.
Will this work in my existing guitar?
The long shaft design accommodates standard guitar control cavities, making it compatible with most 6-string guitars designed for neck-position humbuckers. Verify your cavity dimensions and potentiometer shaft depth before purchase to ensure fit.
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 $10 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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