EMG T-52 Retro Active Single Coil Pickup Set
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- Brand new in original box
- Full EMG manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- EMG6401
Description
EMG T-52 Retro Active Single Coil Pickup Set
The EMG T-52 captures vintage single-coil character with modern active electronics, delivering articulate, noise-free recordings without sacrificing the snap and clarity of classic single-coil design. This set pairs an Alnico 5 bridge pickup with an Alnico 2 neck pickup, each engineered to preserve the harmonic complexity of traditional designs while eliminating hum and noise inherent to passive systems. Solderless connectivity and a pre-wired control plate streamline setup on compatible instruments, reducing session prep time.
Recording Character & Signal Path
The bridge pickup (RT) operates at a 3.00 kHz resonant frequency with 1.00V output per string and 3.00V output during strummed passages, positioning it to cut through dense mixes with controlled midrange presence. The neck pickup (FT) rises to 4.50 kHz for brighter, more defined articulation that sits well in layered arrangements. Both pickups maintain an exceptionally clean noise floor of -101 dB and a consistent 3.1 kΩ output impedance, ensuring transparent signal transmission and direct DAW integration without unwanted artifacts.
Active System & Studio Efficiency
The active system runs on a single 9-volt battery with a rated life of 450 hours at a draw of 1.3 mA, supporting extended tracking sessions without frequent battery replacements. The included pre-wired control plate contains 25k volume and tone potentiometers, a 3-way switch, stereo output jack, and all necessary cables—9" pickup cable (neck), 13.5" pickup cable (bridge), 6" output cable, and 7" battery cable—enabling fast installation and allowing you to focus on tracking and overdubs.
Key Features
- Bridge pickup (RT): Alnico 5 magnet, 3.00 kHz resonant frequency, 1.00V string output, 3.00V strum output
- Neck pickup (FT): Alnico 2 magnet, 4.50 kHz resonant frequency, 1.00V string output, 3.00V strum output
- Output noise: -101 dB (both pickups)
- Output impedance: 3.1 kΩ (both pickups)
- Maximum supply voltage: 27V
- Active electronics: 9-volt battery operation at 1.3 mA current draw
- Battery life: 450 hours
- Solderless connectors for fast installation
- Pre-wired control plate with 25k volume and 25k tone potentiometers, 3-way switch, stereo output jack
- Included cables: 9" neck, 13.5" bridge, 6" output, 7" battery
- Made in USA
The T-52 set bridges the gap between passive vintage tone and active system reliability, delivering clear, articulate single-coil character with the noise immunity and battery efficiency that modern studio work demands.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
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At a Glance
The EMG T-52 Retro Active Single Coil Set brings articulate, noise-free vintage character to home recording, with bridge and neck pickups tuned to complementary frequencies (3.00 kHz and 4.50 kHz) that capture snap, clarity, and harmonic complexity in the mix. Active circuitry eliminates hum at a -101 dB noise floor, making tracking clean and transparent across rock, blues, country, and indie sessions. The included pre-wired control plate and solderless connectors streamline installation on compatible instruments, and 450-hour battery life means reliable performance through long studio days.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Rock
- ✓ Blues
- ✓ Country
- ✓ Indie
- ✓ Pop
Not the best pick for
- – Metal
- – Djent
Skill level: Beginner · Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of guitar do these pickups fit?
The T-52 set is designed for instruments with standard single-coil routing compatible with EMG T-series dimensions and solderless connector standards. Check your guitar's pickup cavity and existing wiring setup against EMG's compatibility guide before purchasing, as retrofit requirements vary by instrument.
How long does the 9V battery last?
The battery is rated for 450 hours of typical use at a current draw of 1.3 mA. In regular playing sessions, this typically translates to several months between replacements; lighter use will extend battery life further.
Will these pickups work in a metal or djent setup?
The T-52 is voiced for rock, blues, country, and indie tones with articulate, noise-free single-coil character. Metal and djent players typically prefer higher-output humbuckers or active pickups with more aggression; the T-52's vintage-focused design is not optimized for those genres.
What's included in the box, and do I need any extra cables?
The set includes both pickups, a pre-wired control plate with volume, tone, 3-way switch, and stereo jack, plus four cables: 9-inch neck, 13.5-inch bridge, 6-inch output, and 7-inch battery cable. No additional wiring is required for standard installations on compatible guitars.
How much electrical noise will these pickups eliminate compared to passive single-coils?
Both pickups maintain a noise floor of -101 dB, virtually eliminating the hum and buzz inherent to passive single-coil systems while preserving the articulate, bright tone that makes vintage designs appealing.
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 $13 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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