What's the difference between the EMG 60A and ceramic-magnet active humbuckers?

The EMG 60A uses an alnico magnet instead of ceramic, which delivers warmer, more nuanced tone with natural compression and articulation in the attack. Ceramic designs typically sound brighter and more aggressive; alnico offers a more balanced, vintage-inflected character while maintaining the low noise and impedance consistency of active electronics.

How long does a 9V battery last in this pickup?

An alkaline 9V battery provides approximately 3000 hours of playing time at typical current draw of 80 microamps. That translates to roughly 125 days of continuous use, or several months for regular players, before battery replacement is needed.

Do I need to solder this pickup into my guitar?

No. The EMG 60A uses EMG's Solderless Quik-Connect system, which eliminates the need for soldering and provides secure, repeatable connections. The pickup includes a pre-wired cable, output jack, battery clip, and controls—installation is straightforward for intermediate players.

Is the EMG 60A suitable for blues and traditional jazz?

The EMG 60A is optimized for rock, metal, and fusion; its active electronics, moderate output, and presence-peak character are not ideal for the dynamics and tonal responsiveness typical of blues and traditional jazz playing.

What output level does this pickup deliver?

The EMG 60A outputs 1.0V RMS with a peak output of 3.0V, providing headroom typical of professional-grade active designs and clean headroom when cascading gain through effects or amp front-end circuits.

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 60A Active Humbucker Pickup in Brushed Chrome

The EMG 60A is built for gigging players who need consistency night after night. Its balanced, articulate character sits perfectly in any mix—rock, metal, fusion, or beyond. The Brushed Chrome finish catches the stage lights while the moderate output and responsive midrange give you clarity without fighting through a dense band. Active electronics eliminate the impedance headaches that come with long cable runs and multiple pedals, keeping your tone locked in from stage to PA.

Tone & Electronics

Alnico magnet construction delivers warmth and nuance that ceramic designs can't touch, with natural compression that lets your attack cut through live. The 2.95 kHz resonant frequency centers the presence peak right in the vocal midrange for clarity that doesn't turn shrill in a room. 1.0V RMS output and 3.0V peak output give you the headroom you need when stacking gain before the PA or through your signal chain, and -89 dBV output noise means hum and hiss stay out of your signal regardless of what else is plugged in downstream.

Specification & Installation

10K DC resistance and 10 Kohm output impedance keep the pickup buffered cleanly from your pedalboard and amp input. Power draw is miserly at 80 microamps at 9V, stretching a single alkaline 9V cell to 3000 hours of battery life—plenty of touring between changes. Installation is hassle-free with EMG's Solderless connectivity system: no iron, no cold joints, just solid connections that stay put.

Key Features

Alnico magnet material for warm, articulate response
Covered humbucker design with Brushed Chrome finish
Resonant frequency: 2.95 kHz
RMS output voltage: 1.0V
Peak output voltage: 3.0V
Output noise: -89 dBV
Output impedance: 10 Kohm
DC resistance: 10K ohms
Powered by single 9V battery (3000-hour battery life)
Current draw: 80 microamps at 9V
Solderless quick-connect installation system
Includes Quik-Connect cable, pre-wired controls, output jack, and battery clip set

The EMG 60A is the pickup for working musicians—active-electronics dependability with alnico character, articulation without losing vintage feel, and the kind of consistent performance that lets you focus on playing instead of troubleshooting.