What does 'long shaft' mean, and will it fit my guitar?

Long shaft refers to the potentiometer connection, which accommodates standard guitar pot spacing. It's a direct retrofit compatible with most guitar designs and requires no modification to your existing electronics cavity.

How does an active single coil differ from a passive one?

The EMG HX uses active circuitry to eliminate hum and noise common to passive single coils, delivering a clean noise floor even at high gain settings while maintaining articulate treble and balanced midrange tone. Active electronics also ensure consistent output regardless of cable length or environmental interference.

Is this pickup suitable for jazz, blues, or only modern genres?

The EMG HX excels at clean tones and lead work, making it effective for blues and contemporary music. It's engineered for articulate, defined treble rather than warm vintage character, so it's better suited to players seeking clarity over traditional jazz warmth.

What comes in the box, and what else do I need to install it?

The pickup itself comes included with standard mounting hardware. You'll need a soldering iron and basic wiring knowledge, or professional installation, to connect it to your guitar's electronics and battery box for active operation.

How does the brushed chrome finish hold up with daily use?

The brushed chrome cover resists fingerprints and corrosion, maintaining its professional appearance through regular use and gigs. It's designed for durability and low-maintenance aesthetics.

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. Marketplaces collect sales tax as the facilitator in most states, so the same listed price can cost more there. Buyers remain responsible for any use tax their state applies. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included.

EMG HX Long Shaft Active Single Coil Pickup in Brushed Chrome

The EMG HX delivers articulate single-coil response with the noise immunity of active electronics, finished in brushed chrome that resists fingerprints and holds up through the road and the studio. The long shaft configuration works with standard guitar potentiometer spacing, making it a straightforward drop-in for players chasing clean single-coil definition without hum, hiss, or RF interference—especially critical on crowded stages or in tight venue rigs.

Design & Construction

The brushed chrome cover stays looking sharp under stage lights and handles the wear of regular gigging. Built on EMG's active platform, this pickup cuts through the noise floor that passive single coils struggle with, keeping your signal clear and articulate even pushing high-gain amp settings or running through long cable runs.

Tone & Electronics

The HX captures single-coil character with a balanced midrange and defined treble, tracking everything from clean sparkle to crunch and screaming leads without losing pick definition. Active circuitry locks in consistent output and shrugs off cable capacitance, humidity shifts, and other stage variables—your tone stays tight whether you're playing a basement bar or a theater.

Key Features

Active single-coil design with low-noise operation
Brushed chrome finish cover
Long shaft potentiometer compatibility
Hum-canceling active electronics
Balanced midrange and articulate treble response
Standard guitar mounting footprint
Consistent output across all playing dynamics
EMG-engineered active circuitry
Professional aesthetic and durability
Direct retrofit capability for most guitar designs

This EMG HX is the pick for players who need single-coil tone without the headaches—backed by decades of EMG's active pickup engineering and road-tested reliability.

Best suited for	Studio Sessions, Live Performance, Clean Tones, Lead Work
Tonal character	Articulate treble, balanced midrange, noise-free, high-gain clarity, consistent output
Less specialized for	Traditional Jazz, Vintage Passive Aesthetics (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily)
Skill level	Intermediate / Advanced / Professional