EMG 40DCX 5-String Active Humbucker Bass Pickup in Black
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- Brand new in original box
- Full EMG manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- EMG2986
Description
EMG 40DCX 5-String Active Humbucker Bass Pickup in Black
The EMG 40DCX is a compact active humbucker engineered for tight, articulate response on five-string basses. Its extended soapbar housing spans the full string width while maintaining a focused magnetic field, delivering punchy mids and controlled low-end without mud. Built for gigging bassists and session players who need modern clarity and consistency across all five strings night after night.
Tone & Output Character
Dual ceramic bar magnets and a 3.50 kHz resonant frequency anchor a midrange-forward voice that cuts through live mix in slap, fingerstyle, and pick applications. Output sits at 2.50V (Finger/Thumb mode) and 8.50V (Thump mode), giving you flexible gain staging into standard or high-headroom preamps and interfaces without tone loss across venue sound systems.
Active System & Installation
The X Series preamp draws power from the included battery bus and requires no soldering—prewired quick connectors speed installation on compatible five-string platforms, keeping you on stage and out of the tech rabbit hole. You get a 25K volume pot, 25K active tone pot (VLPF), and full stereo output capability for blending or routing flexibility into stage rigs and recording chains.
Key Features
- Dual coils loaded with ceramic bar magnets
- Extended 4-inch (102mm) housing for 5-string basses
- Maximum recommended string width: 76.2mm (3.00")
- Active pickup system with solderless prewired installation
- Resonant frequency: 3.50 kHz
- Output voltage (Finger/Thumb): 2.50V
- Output voltage (Thump): 8.50V
- Includes 25K volume pot and 25K active tone pot (VLPF)
- Stereo output jack and quick connectors
- Includes battery bus, mounting screws, pickup cable, connect cables, output cable, and battery cable
- Soapbar humbucker model with X Series preamp
- Black cover
The 40DCX delivers the tonal precision and road reliability expected from EMG's active designs, making it a trusted upgrade for five-string players who demand articulation, consistency, and dependable performance in live and studio settings.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG 40DCX is a compact active humbucker designed for five-string basses, delivering punchy mids, tight low-end control, and articulate clarity across modern styles like funk, slap, and rock. Built with dual ceramic bar magnets and a focused magnetic field, it handles fingerstyle, thumb, and pick attacks without mud or loss of definition. Quick-connect solderless installation and dual-mode output (2.50V/8.50V) make it a practical upgrade for intermediate to pro players who need consistency and modern tone on the gig or in the studio.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Funk
- ✓ Slap Bass
- ✓ Studio Sessions
- ✓ Modern Rock
Not the best pick for
- – Traditional Jazz
- – Vintage Tone Pursuit
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What string spacing does the 40DCX support?
The extended 4-inch (102mm) soapbar housing is engineered for five-string basses with a maximum recommended string width of 76.2mm (3.00 inches). Check your bass bridge spacing before ordering to ensure compatibility.
Do I need to solder this pickup?
No. The 40DCX includes prewired quick connectors and a battery bus, so installation requires no soldering on compatible five-string platforms. Standard pickup mounting screws and all necessary cables are included.
What output levels should I expect?
The pickup offers flexible gain staging: 2.50V in Finger/Thumb mode for standard gain staging, and 8.50V in Thump mode for high-headroom preamps and interfaces. This dual-mode design lets you match your rig's input stage.
Is the 40DCX suitable for jazz or vintage-tone bass players?
No. This pickup is optimized for modern genres—funk, slap, studio sessions, and modern rock—with a midrange-forward, articulate character. Players seeking traditional jazz or vintage tones should consider other models.
What comes in the box?
The 40DCX includes the pickup with X Series preamp, a 25K volume pot, 25K active tone pot (VLPF), stereo output jack, battery bus, mounting screws, pickup cable, connect cables, output cable, battery cable, and all quick connectors.
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. 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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