What position is this pickup designed for?

This is a middle-position pickup. Its 3.30 kHz resonant frequency and articulate character are optimized for the middle slot in a three-pickup guitar.

Does this pickup require a battery, and how long does it last?

Yes, it uses a 9V battery rated for approximately 830 hours of playable life. The active circuitry eliminates 60 Hz hum and keeps the noise floor at -103 dB, which would be impossible with a passive design.

What genres and playing styles is this pickup best for?

It excels in blues, country, rock, and studio sessions. The vintage-voiced tone and responsive dynamics suit gigging and recording, but it is not designed for metal or djent applications.

How does the output compare to other single-coils?

It produces 1.00V on a single string and 3.00V under strum, with a 3 kΩ output impedance that maintains clarity when driving amplifiers or processors. This balanced signal works cleanly in both lead and rhythm contexts.

What magnet type does it use?

The pickup uses an Alnico 2 magnet with flat pole pieces and 600 Gauss strength, delivering the warm, musical character associated with vintage single-coil designs.

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.

EMG Crossroads Middle Retro Active Single Coil Pickup in Black

The EMG Crossroads Middle captures articulate, responsive single-coil character with the noise floor control of active electronics—essential for tracking clean takes and maintaining definition in dense mixes. This middle-position pickup excels at carving out clarity without the hum that complicates post-production, delivering vintage-voiced tone with modern reliability for studio sessions.

Tone & Recording Performance

A 3.30 kHz resonant frequency positions this pickup to cut through in the critical midrange, translating well to tape and digital recording chains. The Alnico 2 magnet with flat pole pieces produces warm, musical character that sits naturally in stereo mixes, while the 600 Gauss strength ensures responsive dynamics that capture pick attack and finger nuance. Output measures 1.00V on a single string and 3.00V under strum, providing a balanced, articulate signal ideal for both isolated tracking and layered arrangements.

Studio Reliability & Signal Integrity

Active circuitry maintains a noise floor of -103 dB—eliminating 60 Hz hum that would require aggressive filtering in post-production. The 3 kΩ output impedance stays transparent through audio interfaces, preamps, and console chains without tone coloration. A 9V battery provides approximately 830 hours of playable life per cell, with maximum supply voltage rated to 27V DC for headroom during high-gain tracking sessions. System current draws 630 µA at nominal voltage, minimizing battery drain during extended studio work.

Key Features

Active Single Coil configuration
Alnico 2 magnet with flat pole pieces
3.30 kHz resonant frequency
1.00V output voltage (single string)
3.00V output voltage (strum)
3 kΩ output impedance
-103 dB output noise (60 Hz)
600 Gauss strength at poles
630 µA system current @ 9V
830 hours battery life per 9V cell
27V DC maximum supply voltage
Quick Connect wiring system
Black cover finish

This middle-position pickup combines vintage single-coil articulation with active-circuit noise rejection, delivering the clarity and consistency that professional tracking demands—critical for capturing performances that translate cleanly through the mixing chain.