EMG 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
- EMG5969
Description
EMG Fat 55 Retro Active Humbucker Pickup Set in Zebra
The EMG Fat 55 delivers a balanced, articulate voice across both neck and bridge positions with a character that bridges classic warmth and modern clarity. These Alnico-magnet pickups—fitted with traditional open-coil bobbins—respond dynamically to pick dynamics while maintaining composure in high-gain tracking and processing. The retro zebra striping brings vintage visual appeal to a thoroughly contemporary active design that captures detail without fatigue.
Recording & Mix Performance
The neck pickup's 3.0 kHz resonant frequency and 4.50V output yield smooth, singing lead tones that cut through dense arrangements, while the bridge's 2.8 kHz resonance and 4.0V output preserve note definition without brittleness in layered sessions. Both positions reach 8.0V at full strum for punchy dynamics that translates well to tape or DAW, and the active circuit's -106 dB noise floor (neck) and -102 dB (bridge) keep background hum negligible even with heavy compression, EQ, or multi-effect chains. Battery life extends to 715 hours on a single charge, eliminating noise-floor anxiety during extended recording days, with support for supply voltages up to 27V DC for extended headroom during demanding sessions.
Integration & Studio Setup
The package includes a complete active electronics suite: two 25k volume and two 25k tone potentiometers (both with 9.9 mm shaft length), battery bus, stereo output jack, pickup in/out buses, mounting hardware, and all necessary cables. The 6.35 mm and 3.5 mm jack compatibility accommodates standard and compact output configurations, ensuring straightforward integration into most guitar cavities without modification and flexible routing to your interface or preamp chain.
Key Features
- Neck: Alnico 2 magnet; Bridge: Alnico 5 magnet
- Traditional open-coil bobbin construction
- Neck resonant frequency: 3.0 kHz; Bridge: 2.8 kHz
- Neck output 4.50V (single string), 8.0V (maximum strum); Bridge 4.0V (single string), 8.0V (maximum strum)
- Output noise: Neck –106 dB, Bridge –102 dB @ 60 Hz
- Output impedance: 3.1 kΩ (both pickups)
- Active battery-powered design; 715-hour battery life at 9V
- Set current: 350 microamps @ 9V; maximum supply: 27V DC
- Includes 2× 25k volume pots, 2× 25k tone pots, battery bus, stereo jack, pickup buses, mounting screws and springs, pickup and connection cables
- Connector options: 6.35 mm Jack or 3.5 mm Jack
- Zebra coil finish
- Package dimensions: 8 × 5 × 2 inches
The Fat 55 Retro set pairs transparent, noise-free actives with timeless aesthetics, delivering clarity and stability through tracking, mixing, and mastering without introducing noise artifacts or requiring aggressive conditioning.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG Fat 55 Retro offers session-ready active humbuckers with balanced articulation across neck and bridge positions—smooth singing leads from the neck (3.0 kHz resonance, 4.50V output) and defined bridge dynamics (2.8 kHz, 4.0V) without brittleness or hum. Its -106 dB noise floor and low-impedance active circuit keep your recordings pristine through heavy processing and layered takes, while 715-hour battery life and support up to 27V DC headroom mean sessions stay uninterrupted. Select this set for transparent, genre-versatile recording character that translates professional clarity and punch into your mix.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Progressive
- ✓ Studio Sessions
- ✓ Gigging
Not the best pick for
- – Folk
- – Traditional Jazz
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What's included in the EMG Fat 55 set?
The package includes two active pickups (neck and bridge), two 25k volume potentiometers, two 25k tone potentiometers, battery bus, stereo output jack, pickup input/output buses, mounting hardware, screws, springs, and all necessary connection cables. Both 6.35 mm and 3.5 mm jack options are supported for flexible wiring into most guitar cavities.
How long does the battery last?
Battery life extends to 715 hours on a single 9V charge (approximately 30 days of typical use). The active circuit supports supply voltages up to 27V DC for extended headroom and longer runtime if you use a higher-voltage configuration.
Is the Fat 55 good for heavy gain and distortion?
Yes. The active circuit maintains composure in high-gain settings with punchy dynamics at both 8.0V maximum output, near-silent noise floor (-106 dB neck, -102 dB bridge), and note definition that resists muddiness even through heavily processed rigs.
What's the difference between the neck and bridge pickups?
The neck uses an Alnico 2 magnet with 3.0 kHz resonance and 4.50V single-string output for smooth, singing lead tones; the bridge uses Alnico 5 with 2.8 kHz resonance and 4.0V output to preserve articulation without brittleness across the lower strings.
What genres and playing styles is this set designed for?
The Fat 55 Retro excels in hard rock, metal, progressive, and studio session work. Its balanced articulation and noise-free active design suit intermediate to professional players; it is not voiced for folk or traditional jazz applications.
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.
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