Is this pickup suitable for a beginner bass player?

This pickup is rated for intermediate, advanced, and professional players. Its articulate, punchy character and active electronics are best suited to players with solid technique and familiarity with active bass systems.

What genres is the 40DC best suited for?

The 40DC excels in funk, progressive, studio sessions, and gigging. It is not recommended for folk or country styles, where warmer, mellower tones are typically preferred.

How long does the battery last, and what's the install process like?

At 9V operation, the pickup draws 220 microamps and delivers approximately 1200 hours of battery life per charge. Installation uses EMG's solderless system and includes a battery bus, 25k volume and tone potentiometers, and stereo output jack to minimize setup time.

Will this pickup fit my five-string bass?

The 40DC is designed for five-string basses with a compact soapbar housing measuring 101.6mm × 38.1mm and supports a maximum string width of 76.2mm (3.00 inches). Verify your bass body cavity dimensions match before purchase.

How does the 40DC compare to other five-string pickups?

The 40DC competes with models like the Seymour Duncan SPB-3, DiMarzio Model J, and Bartolini BC5. It distinguishes itself through active electronics, a 1.4V RMS output with low noise performance, and a 4.55 kHz resonant frequency that emphasizes punchy midrange articulation.

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. Marketplaces collect sales tax as the facilitator in most states, so the same listed price can cost more there. Buyers remain responsible for any use tax their state applies. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included.

EMG 40DC 5-String Active Humbucker Bass Pickup in Red

The EMG 40DC cuts through live and studio mix with a punchy, articulate voice built for five-string bass work. Its compact soapbar format fits snugly into most modern bass bodies, and the active circuit responds with immediate clarity and controlled dynamics. This is a workhorse pickup for players who demand clean low-end definition and reliable output across extended-range instruments—built to stay tight and responsive night after night.

Tone & Output Character

The ceramic bar magnet configuration and 1.4V RMS output yield a defined, articulate tone with excellent note separation—ideal for fingerstyle, slap, and pick playing on stage or in the box. A 4.55 kHz resonant frequency keeps the midrange present and punchy, while the -115 dBV output noise floor ensures clean amplification even at high gain settings and long cable runs.

Installation & Reliability

The solderless install system paired with included 25k volume and tone potentiometers, battery bus, and stereo output jack speeds setup and minimizes downtime on the road. The pickup draws only 220 microamps at 9V, yielding roughly 1200 hours of battery life per charge—practical for touring, festival rotation, and extended studio sessions without surprise failures mid-set.

Key Features

Dual coil, soapbar format with ceramic bar magnets
Housing dimensions: 101.6mm × 38.1mm (4.00" × 1.50")
Supports maximum string width of 76.2mm (3.00")
DC resistance: 10K ohms
RMS output voltage: 1.4V; peak output: 2.0V
Resonant frequency: 4.55 kHz
Output impedance: 2 kΩ
Active power: 18V recommended (maximum 27V)
Current draw: 220 microamps at 9V; 1200-hour battery life
Includes 25k volume pot, 25k tone pot, battery bus, stereo jack, and solderless install hardware

The 40DC combines straightforward active electronics, low noise performance, and genuine five-string sizing into a pickup that delivers direct, expressive tone night after night.

Best suited for	Funk, Progressive, Studio Sessions, Gigging
Tonal character	Punchy, articulate, clean low end, defined note separation, controlled dynamics
Less specialized for	Folk, Country (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily)
Skill level	Intermediate / Advanced / Professional