What's the battery life, and how do I know when it needs replacing?

The EMG 60 runs on a single 9V battery and delivers approximately 3,000 hours of use at typical current draw (80 microamps). You'll notice a slight loss of clarity and output as the battery weakens; the included battery cable makes swaps quick and painless, so carry a spare 9V on the road to be safe.

Is this pickup right for blues and jazz, or strictly metal and hard rock?

The EMG 60 is optimized for metal, hard rock, and modern rock where tight lows and articulate highs shine. Its focused midrange and punchy character are less suited to jazz and blues, where warmth and natural breakup are typically preferred—consider a passive humbucker for those genres.

How does the EMG 60 compare to the EMG 81?

The EMG 60 has a lower output and smoother, more controlled tone than the high-output 81, making it better for clarity and articulation in dense mixes or when you want to preserve note definition. The 81 is louder and more aggressive; choose the 60 if you prioritize precision over raw volume.

Will this fit my guitar, and how hard is the installation?

The EMG 60 uses the classic humbucker footprint and fits any standard humbucker cavity. The solderless installation design—with included mounting hardware, pickup buses, and connecting cables—makes retrofit straightforward; no soldering iron or advanced wiring knowledge required.

What's included in the box?

You get the pickup, 25K volume/tone pot, battery bus, stereo output jack, pickup buses, mounting hardware, pickup cable, two connecting cables, output cable, and battery cable—everything needed for a complete install.

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 60 Active Humbucker Pickup in Black Chrome

The EMG 60 delivers a tight, articulate active tone in the classic humbucker footprint with smooth, controlled output that cuts through a live mix. Built around ceramic magnets with close aperture coils, this pickup excels in modern rock and metal where clarity and consistency define your stage tone. The solderless installation design means fast retrofitting with minimal downtime, and the compact electronics integrate cleanly into most guitar wiring schemes—critical when you're touring or gigging regularly.

Electrical Performance

A resonant frequency of 2.95kHz keeps the tone focused and punchy without excessive coloration, translating to tight definition on a live stage. Output sits at 1.25V on a single string and 3.5V on full strum, delivering ample drive to amplifier front ends while maintaining low noise at –89dBV @ 60Hz. The 10kOhms output impedance pairs well with standard guitar electronics and pedalboards, ensuring predictable performance night after night.

Power & Durability

A single 9V battery powers the circuit at just 80 microamps, yielding approximately 3,000 hours of battery life under typical use—meaning fewer mid-tour battery swaps. The stainless steel construction and ceramic magnet assembly resist corrosion and maintain consistent magnetic output over time, while the maximum supply rating of 27V DC provides headroom for experimental power configurations.

Key Features

Ceramic magnets with close aperture coils
Stainless steel construction
Resonant frequency: 2.95kHz
Output voltage (string): 1.25V
Output voltage (strum): 3.5V
Output impedance: 10kOhms
Output noise: –89dBV @ 60Hz
Powered by 1 × 9V battery; 80 microamps current draw
Battery life: approximately 3,000 hours
Maximum supply: 27V DC
Solderless installation design
Includes 25K volume/tone pot, battery bus, stereo output jack, pickup buses, mounting hardware, pickup cable, two connecting cables, output cable, and battery cable

The EMG 60 combines refined active circuitry with straightforward installation and extended battery life, making it a road-tested workhorse for players seeking transparent, controlled tone in a standard humbucker format.