What's the difference between the neck and bridge pickups in this set?

The neck pickup uses an Alnico 2 magnet with a 3.0 kHz resonant peak and 4.50V output for warm, articulate response ideal for rhythm and lead clarity. The bridge pickup uses an Alnico 5 magnet with a 2.8 kHz resonant peak and 4.0V output for punchy midrange and controlled aggression, giving you 8.0V maximum strum output combined.

What's included in the box and what do I need to install it?

The set includes both pickups, an external active preamp, two 25K volume pots, two 25K tone pots, battery bus, stereo output jack, mounting hardware, and all necessary cables. You'll need a 9V battery (rated for 715 hours) to power the preamp and basic soldering skills or professional installation to wire everything into your guitar.

How much noise rejection does this active system provide?

The low-impedance active output delivers exceptional electromagnetic interference rejection with a noise floor of -106 dB on the neck pickup and -102 dB on the bridge—virtually eliminating hum and ensuring clean signal transmission whether you're recording or playing live.

Will these pickups work for genres other than hard rock and metal?

These pickups are optimized for hard rock and metal where their punchy midrange and noise rejection shine. They're less suited to traditional jazz and folk styles, which typically favor the thinner, warmer tone of vintage passive designs.

How long does the 9V battery last, and can I use a higher voltage?

The included 9V battery is rated for 715 hours of use. The preamp also accepts supply voltages up to 27V DC if you want to explore alternative power solutions, giving you flexibility in circuit design and potentially longer runtime.

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 $15 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.

EMG Fat 55 Long Shaft Retro Active Humbucker Pickup Set in Black

The EMG Fat 55 set pairs Alnico magnets with modern active electronics to deliver a refined balance of organic warmth and contemporary clarity in the studio. This retro active design captures the natural responsiveness of vintage-style pickups while maintaining the noise rejection and output consistency that active systems provide—essential for clean recording chains and mixing versatility. The included preamp and control components make this a complete retrofit solution for humbucking-equipped instruments, streamlining session setup and signal integrity.

Tone & Output Character

The neck pickup uses an Alnico 2 magnet with a 3.0 kHz resonant frequency and 4.50V output, delivering warm, articulate response that sits well in the midrange for rhythm tracking and layered lead work. The bridge pickup employs an Alnico 5 magnet with a 2.8 kHz resonant frequency and 4.0V output, providing punchy definition and controlled sustain; combined, they achieve 8.0V maximum strum output with virtually no hum or added noise—critical for keeping your recordings clean and mix-ready.

Electronics & Power

The external preamp operates on a single 9V battery with a rated life of 715 hours, accepting supply voltages up to 27 Volts DC for flexibility in your recording signal chain. Current draw remains minimal at 350 microamps, and the low-impedance output ensures transparent signal transmission with -106 dB noise floor (neck) and -102 dB (bridge)—exceptional rejection of electromagnetic interference, keeping your tracks free from unwanted artifacts.

Key Features

Set of 2 humbucker pickups with Alnico 2 (neck) and Alnico 5 (bridge) magnets
Traditional open coil bobbin construction
Neck pickup: 3.0 kHz resonant frequency, 4.50V output
Bridge pickup: 2.8 kHz resonant frequency, 4.0V output
Maximum strum output: 8.0V
Output impedance: 3.1 Kohm
External active preamp with 9V battery (715-hour life); accepts up to 27V DC
Current draw: 350 microamps @ 9V
Included: 2 × 25K volume pots, 2 × 25K tone pots (split shaft), battery bus, stereo output jack, mounting hardware, and all necessary cables
Output noise: -106 dB (neck), -102 dB (bridge)

This set delivers the articulation and warmth of traditional Alnico magnets with the noise immunity and output consistency of modern active electronics, making it a reliable choice for producers and engineers who demand both vintage character and studio-grade performance across diverse session work.