Do these pickups require a battery?

No. The EMG ALX is a passive humbucker design, so it requires no onboard battery or power supply—you get active-style tone shaping through the included ABQ 3-band EQ without the maintenance of active electronics.

What styles of music are these pickups best for?

The ALX excels in rock, metal, hard rock, and drop-tuning applications where high output and articulate midrange definition are priorities. They are not optimized for jazz, folk, or blues playing.

What's included in the set, and how difficult is installation?

The set includes both pickups, the ABQ 3-band EQ/Boost control, stereo output jack, battery bus, mounting hardware, and all necessary cables. The solderless install system eliminates typical wiring complexity, and 4-wire connections provide flexibility for future mods.

Will these fit my guitar's bridge type?

Yes. EMG offers two versions: the standard ALX for typical guitars and the F-ALX for Floyd Rose bridges, so compatibility is built in from the start.

How do these compare to other high-output passive humbuckers?

The ALX sits in the same performance tier as the Seymour Duncan JB and DiMarzio Super Distortion, delivering similar high output and aggressive response. The key difference is the integrated 3-band EQ, which gives you onboard tone control without an external pedal or preamp.

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. On this item that is roughly $12 less out the door than the same listed price at a national retailer or on a marketplace. 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 ALX Passive Humbucker Pickup Set in Black

The EMG ALX delivers articulate, high-output tone without requiring onboard batteries, making it an accessible entry point into active-style performance from a trusted manufacturer. Exposed pole pieces and ceramic/steel construction yield responsive string definition across the frequency spectrum. This set ships complete with everything needed for installation, including the ABQ 3-band EQ control system that lets you shape your sound at the instrument.

Tone & Electronics

High output paired with 8.4 kohm DC resistance provides aggressive pickup response suitable for rock and metal applications. The integrated 3-band EQ with push/pull boost gives you substantial midrange and presence control without complicated wiring or external pedals.

Installation & Compatibility

The solderless install system eliminates typical wiring complexity, and this set accommodates both Floyd Rose and standard Tunematic bridge configurations. 4-wire connections provide flexibility for future modifications or upgrades.

Key Features

Passive humbucker design with high output
3-band EQ with adjustable push/pull knob
Ceramic/steel magnetic material
8.4 kohm DC resistance
4-wire connections
Exposed pole pieces
Solderless install system
Includes ABQ EQ/Boost, stereo output jack, battery bus, mounting hardware, and all necessary cables
Available in Floyd Rose (F-ALX) and standard (ALX) versions
Manufactured in USA
Black finish

The EMG ALX bridges passive simplicity with active-style tone-shaping, offering straightforward installation and reliable performance for stage work and studio tracking alike.