What's included in the EMG Fat 55 set?

The package includes two active pickups (neck and bridge), two 25k volume potentiometers, two 25k tone potentiometers, battery bus, stereo output jack, pickup input/output buses, mounting hardware, screws, springs, and all necessary connection cables. Both 6.35 mm and 3.5 mm jack options are supported for flexible wiring into most guitar cavities.

How long does the battery last?

Battery life extends to 715 hours on a single 9V charge (approximately 30 days of typical use). The active circuit supports supply voltages up to 27V DC for extended headroom and longer runtime if you use a higher-voltage configuration.

Is the Fat 55 good for heavy gain and distortion?

Yes. The active circuit maintains composure in high-gain settings with punchy dynamics at both 8.0V maximum output, near-silent noise floor (-106 dB neck, -102 dB bridge), and note definition that resists muddiness even through heavily processed rigs.

What's the difference between the neck and bridge pickups?

The neck uses an Alnico 2 magnet with 3.0 kHz resonance and 4.50V single-string output for smooth, singing lead tones; the bridge uses Alnico 5 with 2.8 kHz resonance and 4.0V output to preserve articulation without brittleness across the lower strings.

What genres and playing styles is this set designed for?

The Fat 55 Retro excels in hard rock, metal, progressive, and studio session work. Its balanced articulation and noise-free active design suit intermediate to professional players; it is not voiced for folk or traditional jazz applications.

Do I pay sales tax on this order?

Sales tax is collected only on orders shipped to California; orders shipped to any other US state are not charged sales tax at checkout when you buy direct from our website. At a typical 7% rate that is an estimated $15 less at checkout than the same listed price on a marketplace, which collects sales tax as the facilitator in most states. Buyers remain responsible for any use tax their state applies. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included.

EMG Fat 55 Retro Active Humbucker Pickup Set in Zebra

The EMG Fat 55 delivers a balanced, articulate voice across both neck and bridge positions with a character that bridges classic warmth and modern clarity. These Alnico-magnet pickups—fitted with traditional open-coil bobbins—respond dynamically to pick attack while maintaining composure in high-gain settings. The retro zebra striping brings vintage visual appeal to a thoroughly contemporary active design that holds up night after night on stage.

Tone & Stage Reliability

The neck pickup's 3.0 kHz resonant frequency and 4.50V output yield smooth, singing lead tones that cut through a live mix, while the bridge's 2.8 kHz resonance and 4.0V output preserve note definition without brittleness under amp stress. Both positions reach 8.0V at full strum for punchy dynamics that translate to any venue size, and the active circuit's -106 dB noise floor (neck) and -102 dB (bridge) keep background hum negligible even in heavily processed rigs. Battery life extends to 715 hours on a single charge—meaning weeks of regular gigging between swaps—with support for supply voltages up to 27V DC for extended headroom on tour.

Installation & Wiring

The package includes a complete active electronics suite: two 25k volume and two 25k tone potentiometers (both with 9.9 mm shaft length), battery bus, stereo output jack, pickup in/out buses, mounting hardware, and all necessary cables. The 6.35 mm and 3.5 mm jack compatibility accommodates standard and compact output configurations, ensuring straightforward integration into most guitar cavities without modification.

Key Features

Neck: Alnico 2 magnet; Bridge: Alnico 5 magnet
Traditional open-coil bobbin construction
Neck resonant frequency: 3.0 kHz; Bridge: 2.8 kHz
Neck output 4.50V (single string), 8.0V (maximum strum); Bridge 4.0V (single string), 8.0V (maximum strum)
Output noise: Neck –106 dB, Bridge –102 dB @ 60 Hz
Output impedance: 3.1 kΩ (both pickups)
Active battery-powered design; 715-hour battery life at 9V
Set current: 350 microamps @ 9V; maximum supply: 27V DC
Includes 2× 25k volume pots, 2× 25k tone pots, battery bus, stereo jack, pickup buses, mounting screws and springs, pickup and connection cables
Connector options: 6.35 mm Jack or 3.5 mm Jack
Zebra coil finish
Package dimensions: 8 × 5 × 2 inches

The Fat 55 Retro set pairs transparent, noise-free actives with timeless aesthetics and road-tested durability. Built for gigging musicians who demand low-impedance clarity, extended battery life between gigs, and pickup reliability that doesn't quit.

Best suited for	Hard Rock, Metal, Progressive, Studio Sessions, Gigging
Tonal character	Balanced articulate voice, smooth singing leads, punchy dynamics, high-gain composure, vintage warmth with modern clarity
Less specialized for	Folk, Traditional Jazz (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily)
Skill level	Intermediate / Advanced / Professional