EMG SX/SX/85X Active Single Coil Pickup in White
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- Brand new in original box
- Full EMG manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- EMG6500
Description
EMG SX/SX/85X Active Single Coil Pickup Set in White
This three-pickup configuration pairs the clarity and articulation of EMG SX single-coil designs in the neck and middle positions with the punchy output of an EMG 85-X humbucker in the bridge, delivering a versatile tonal palette from vintage-inspired single-coil character to aggressive, modern bite. The active architecture ensures consistent output levels across all three pickups with minimal noise, making this set equally suited to studio recording and live performance settings.
Studio Tone & Recording Character
The SX pickups capture the transparency and responsiveness that sit cleanly in dense mixes—essential for blues, funk, and classic rock tracking where pick articulation and finger dynamics need definition. The 85-X bridge humbucker provides the gain and sustain demanded by hard rock and metal overdubs, with enough high-end clarity to cut through compression and EQ chains. All three pickups are active designs powered by an onboard preamp system, resulting in lower impedance, reduced noise floor, and high signal-to-noise ratio across the entire frequency spectrum—critical for clean DI captures and re-amping workflows.
Installation & Studio Integration
This set is engineered for drop-in replacement in any properly routed single-coil and humbucker cavity configuration, following standard Fender-style and Gibson-style mounting patterns respectively. The active electronics require battery power (typically a 9V supply housed in the control cavity), and all leads are pre-soldered to facilitate quick integration into your existing wiring harness and streamline session setup.
Key Features
- Two EMG SX single-coil pickups (neck and middle positions)
- One EMG 85-X active humbucker (bridge position)
- Active preamp system for low-impedance output and noise reduction
- White finish matches a wide range of body colors and finishes
- High signal-to-noise ratio across all frequency ranges
- Consistent output levels across all three pickups
- Standard Fender single-coil and Gibson humbucker mounting patterns
- Pre-soldered connections for streamlined installation
- Requires 9V battery power for active operation
- Suitable for blues, funk, rock, hard rock, and metal applications
- Drop-in replacement compatibility with most production and custom guitar bodies
This pickup set delivers the tonal flexibility and noise-free operation that studio tracking demands from high-output active electronics without sacrificing the dynamic response and clarity that define single-coil performance in the upper register—ideal for layers that maintain definition across multiple takes and overdubs.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG SX/SX/85X set brings active single-coil clarity to the neck and middle positions with a high-output bridge humbucker, capturing articulate, noise-free recordings across blues, rock, and metal sessions. The low-impedance active architecture ensures consistent levels and minimal noise floor across the entire frequency spectrum, sitting cleanly in dense mixes without requiring re-balancing between positions. Drop-in installation and pre-soldered leads speed up integration into your recording setup, letting you focus on capturing great tones rather than troubleshooting wiring.
Who This Is For
| Best suited for | Blues, Funk, Rock, Hard Rock, Metal |
|---|---|
| Tonal character | Transparent single-coil character, aggressive modern bite, low noise floor, high output bridge, articulate treble response |
| Less specialized for | Jazz, Folk (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily) |
| Skill level | Intermediate / Advanced / Professional |
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between the SX pickups and the 85-X bridge pickup?
The two EMG SX single-coils in the neck and middle positions deliver transparent, responsive tone essential to blues, funk, and classic rock. The 85-X bridge humbucker provides higher gain, punch, and sustain for hard rock and metal, creating a hybrid three-pickup setup that covers both vintage-inspired and modern aggressive voicings.
Do these pickups require special wiring or a battery?
Yes, the active preamp system requires a 9V battery housed in the control cavity. All three pickups come pre-soldered to streamline installation into your existing wiring harness, but you will need to integrate the battery supply as part of setup.
Will this set fit my guitar?
The SX/SX/85X is engineered for drop-in replacement in guitars with standard Fender-style single-coil cavities and a Gibson-style humbucker bridge cavity. Confirm your guitar has both routing types before ordering; custom or non-standard cavities may require modification.
What genres is this set best suited for?
This set excels in blues, funk, rock, hard rock, and metal. The active design and low noise floor make it equally capable in studio and live settings, though it is not optimized for jazz or folk applications.
How does the active design reduce noise compared to passive pickups?
The active preamp system uses low-impedance output and delivers a high signal-to-noise ratio across the entire frequency spectrum, resulting in a significantly lower noise floor than passive designs. This consistency holds across all three positions without tonal compromise.
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 $22 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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