What genres and playing styles is the EMG HX best suited for?

The HX excels in modern rock, metal, progressive, and studio work where bright, articulate tone and extended frequency response are priorities. It is not recommended for traditional jazz or blues styles that favor warmer, vintage single-coil character.

How does the active VLPF tone control work?

The active Voltage Low-Pass Filter lets you attenuate (reduce) high frequencies on demand, giving you dynamic tonal shaping that responds to your playing dynamics and touch. This gives you more control over brightness without sacrificing clarity.

What comes in the box and is solderless installation really simple?

The package includes the pickup, 25k volume potentiometer, active tone potentiometer, battery bus, stereo output jack, dual pickup connectors, all necessary cables, and mounting hardware. EMG's solderless system eliminates traditional soldering, making the swap into compatible guitars straightforward.

Why choose the HX over a traditional single coil or passive humbucker?

The HX combines single-coil articulation and harmonic richness with active circuitry that eliminates hum, provides increased dynamic range and headroom, and delivers a high-output signal that cuts through live mixes and studio recordings. It bridges single-coil tone with the noise rejection and circuit sophistication of an active system.

What skill level do I need to install this pickup?

The EMG HX is suited for intermediate to advanced players comfortable with guitar electronics work; the solderless design simplifies installation but assumes familiarity with pickup swaps and wiring.

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 HX Active Single Coil Pickup in Chrome

The EMG HX delivers single-coil articulation in a humbucker-sized housing, giving you bright, punchy tones with the noise rejection that matters on stage. This active pickup combines clarity and dynamic responsiveness without the hum that plagues traditional single coils—essential for modern players who need definition to cut through a full mix and stay clean across extended sets.

Tone & Electronics

Built around a ceramic magnet and wide frequency response design, the HX produces a bright, clear tone with rich harmonic content. The X Series preamp provides increased dynamic range and headroom, while the active VLPF (Voltage Low-Pass Filter) tone control lets you attenuate high frequencies on demand—giving you tonal shaping that responds to how hard you play.

Installation & Components

Solderless installation simplifies the swap into compatible guitars. The package ships complete with everything needed: 25k volume potentiometer, active tone pot (VLPF), battery bus, stereo output jack, dual pickup in/out bus connectors, mounting hardware, and all necessary cables—eliminating guesswork during installation.

Key Features

Single coil pickup in humbucker housing format
Ceramic magnet construction
Wide frequency response for clarity and harmonic richness
Solderless installation system
X Series active preamp with increased dynamic range and headroom
Active VLPF (Voltage Low-Pass Filter) tone control for high-frequency attenuation
Includes 25k volume potentiometer and active tone potentiometer
Battery bus, stereo output jack, and dual pickup in/out bus connectors included
Complete cable set: pickup, connect cables, output cable, and battery cable
Mounting screws and springs supplied
Chrome finish

The HX bridges single-coil tone with active circuitry sophistication, delivering the clarity and controlled output that keeps your stage sound reliable and articulate night after night.