What does 'reverse-coil' mean, and why does it matter?

Reverse-coil configuration uses opposing coil windings to cancel hum and electrical noise, resulting in that -104 dB noise floor—crucial for clean studio recordings and cutting through live mixes without buzz or hum.

Is this pickup solderless, and what's included?

Yes—the complete solderless system includes a 25k volume pot, 25k tone pot, battery compartment, stereo output jack, cables, and mounting hardware. You can install it without soldering if your bass cavity accepts the preassembled harness.

How long does the 9V battery last?

The battery powers the active electronics for approximately 3000 hours of playing time, meaning several months of regular use before replacement.

Will this fit my 5-string bass?

The 40P5-RC is designed for standard 5-string soapbar cavities with no modification needed in most modern basses; it measures 4 inches long (102mm) and fits into typical soapbar housing.

What tone should I expect, and what styles suit it best?

Expect punchy, articulate midrange with focused output—ideal for funk, progressive, and metal where clarity matters. The 3.20 kHz resonant peak cuts through dense arrangements; jazz and folk players typically prefer warmer, rounder pickups.

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.

EMG 40P5-RC 5-String Active Soapbar Bass Pickup in Black

The EMG 40P5-RC is a reverse-coil active soapbar pickup engineered for 5-string bass players who demand clarity, low noise, and articulate midrange presence. This ceramic magnet design delivers punchy, focused output with minimal hum, making it reliable for both studio tracking and live performance where signal integrity matters.

Active Electronics & Output Performance

Built on EMG's proven active architecture, this pickup maintains an extremely low noise floor of -104 dB at 60 Hz, ensuring clean signal transmission even in electrically noisy venues and stages. The 3.20 kHz resonant frequency sits in the sweet spot for articulate bass tone, while output voltages of 2.00V (fingerstyle) and 4.50V (thump) give you dynamic range without sacrificing headroom. A 9V battery runs the electronics for approximately 3000 hours of playing time.

Installation & Compatibility

The complete solderless system includes everything needed for straightforward integration: a 25k volume pot, 25k tone pot, battery compartment, stereo output jack, and all necessary cables and mounting hardware. Designed specifically for standard 5-string bass string spacing, this pickup fits into most modern soapbar cavities without modification.

Key Features

Reverse-coil configuration for reduced hum and noise
Ceramic magnet with split/dual coil design
4-inch housing length (102mm); 4" × 1.5" overall dimensions; 0.6" height
Resonant frequency: 3.20 kHz
Output noise floor: -104 dB @ 60 Hz
Output impedance: 10 kΩ
Current draw: 80 microamps @ 9V
Battery life: approximately 3000 hours
Maximum supply voltage: 27V DC
Includes 25k volume and 25k tone potentiometers
Complete solderless wiring system with cables and connectors
Optimized for 5-string bass applications

The EMG 40P5-RC combines low-impedance active performance with reverse-coil hum cancellation, delivering the clean, punchy tone bass players depend on for consistent stage and studio results.