EMG F-Fat 55 Retro Active Humbucker Pickup Set in Zebra
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- Brand new in original box
- Full EMG manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- EMG5973
Description
EMG F-Fat 55 Retro Active Humbucker Pickup Set in Zebra
The EMG F-Fat 55 captures warm, articulate humbucker tones with the reliability of active circuitry and the convenience of solderless installation. This set pairs Alnico 2 and Alnico 5 magnets for balanced neck and bridge response, making it a straightforward drop-in upgrade for studios and home rigs seeking vintage character with modern clarity and consistency.
Tone & Output Characteristics
Neck and bridge pickups operate at distinct resonant frequencies—3.0 kHz and 2.8 kHz respectively—yielding complementary harmonic profiles that sit well in dense mixes and maintain definition across positions. String output measures 4.50V (neck) and 4.0V (bridge), with maximum strum peaks at 8.0V on both; noise floors remain clean at –106 dB (neck) and –102 dB (bridge) at 60 Hz, preserving transparency during recording and overdub sessions.
Installation & Session Workflow
The complete solderless wiring system and EMG Quik-Connect headers eliminate traditional soldering, enabling quick instrument setup between takes and swift reconfiguration if needed. A single 9V battery powers the circuit at 350 microamps, delivering approximately 715 hours of playing time—reliable stability throughout extended recording days; the design also accepts up to 27V DC for extended headroom and tighter dynamics in the mix.
Key Features
- Neck pickup: Alnico 2 magnet; Bridge pickup: Alnico 5 magnet
- Neck resonant frequency: 3.0 kHz; Bridge resonant frequency: 2.8 kHz
- Neck output voltage: 4.50V per string; Bridge output voltage: 4.0V per string
- Maximum output voltage: 8.0V (both pickups, strum)
- Output noise: Neck –106 dB; Bridge –102 dB (60 Hz)
- Output impedance: 3.1 Kohm (both pickups)
- Active electronics: 350 microamps @ 9V; 715-hour battery life
- Supports up to 27V DC maximum supply voltage
- Short shaft design (9mm potentiometers)
- Open coil design without covers; Zebra color finish
- Completely wired solderless installation system with EMG Quik-Connect headers
- Includes 2× 25k volume pots, 2× 25k tone pots, battery bus, jacks, cables, and mounting hardware
This set combines warm vintage resonance with low noise and dependable active performance, delivering a confident mid-range humbucker voice that records with clarity and translates reliably across production and mixing tasks without the complications of traditional wiring.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG F-Fat 55 is an active humbucker set engineered for studio recording with warm, mid-range punch and a noise floor of –106 dB (neck) and –102 dB (bridge), making it ideal for tracking hard rock, metal, and blues. The solderless installation system and included wiring harness eliminate studio downtime, and the balanced neck (3.0 kHz) and bridge (2.8 kHz) resonances sit cohesively in a mix without phase issues. Choose it to capture articulate, low-noise recordings with vintage character and modern clarity, backed by active electronics that deliver consistent output across your session.
Who This Is For
| Best suited for | Hard Rock, Metal, Blues, Studio Sessions, Gigging |
|---|---|
| Tonal character | Warm articulate, balanced neck-bridge response, vintage character, modern clarity, low noise floor |
| Less specialized for | Traditional Jazz, Folk (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily) |
| Skill level | Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced / Professional |
Frequently Asked Questions
What magnet types are in each pickup, and how do they affect tone?
The neck pickup uses an Alnico 2 magnet tuned to 3.0 kHz for warmth, and the bridge uses an Alnico 5 magnet at 2.8 kHz for articulation and presence. This pairing creates balanced neck-to-bridge response without dramatic tonal shifts when switching positions.
Do I need to solder these pickups in, or can a beginner install them?
The entire set is completely solderless—it ships with a pre-wired loom, EMG Quik-Connect headers, volume and tone potentiometers, battery bus, jacks, and mounting hardware. Installation is swift and fully reversible, requiring no soldering experience.
How long does the 9V battery last?
A single 9V battery delivers approximately 715 hours of playing time at the circuit's standard 350 microamp draw. You can also supply up to 27V DC for extended headroom if you use an external power supply instead.
What genres are these pickups best suited for?
The F-Fat 55 excels in hard rock, metal, blues, and studio sessions. The warm, mid-range punch and low noise floor make them less ideal for traditional jazz or folk applications that rely on cleaner, more transparent tones.
What output levels should I expect?
Neck pickup outputs 4.50V per string, bridge outputs 4.0V per string, with maximum strum peaks reaching 8.0V on both. Noise floors remain clean at –106 dB (neck) and –102 dB (bridge) at 60 Hz, ensuring studio-quality recordings and low hum on stage.
Do I pay sales tax on this order?
Sales tax is collected only on orders shipped to California; orders shipped to any other US state are not charged sales tax at checkout when you buy direct from our website. At a typical 7% rate that is an estimated $15 less at checkout than the same listed price on a marketplace, which collects sales tax as the facilitator in most states. Buyers remain responsible for any use tax their state applies. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included.
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