What does the long shaft design mean, and do I need it?

The long shaft pole pieces extend further from the baseplate than standard single-coils, allowing proper magnetic field alignment in guitars with deeper or custom-routed cavities. If your guitar has non-standard mounting depth or a deeper cavity than typical Fender-style routing, this design lets the pickup sit correctly; if you have a standard single-coil cavity, you may not need the long shaft.

Does this pickup require a battery?

Yes, the EMG HX is an active design and requires a 9-volt battery to operate. You will also need to wire it with standard active electronics.

How does this compare to a passive single-coil?

The EMG HX delivers hotter output, minimal 60-cycle hum rejection, and consistent signal strength across your dynamic range—advantages passive single-coils don't offer. It maintains the articulate, bright single-coil voice but with the noise floor and output consistency of active electronics.

Will this fit my guitar without modification?

The EMG HX has a standard single-coil footprint, but the long shaft requires proper cavity depth alignment. Depending on your instrument's routing depth, existing single-coil cavities may need slight modification; measure your cavity depth before ordering.

What genres and playing styles work best with this pickup?

The articulate, piano-like tone and high output suit studio sessions, custom builds, and any playing style that benefits from bright, responsive single-coil character. It is not designed for traditional jazz applications or passive-only instruments.

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 Long Shaft Active Single Coil Pickup in Red

The EMG HX delivers the articulate, piano-like clarity of a single-coil with the noise rejection and output consistency of active electronics. The long shaft design accommodates deeper pickup cavities and non-standard mounting depths, making it a practical choice for retrofitting or building instruments with unconventional specifications. Its bright red finish stands out visually while the compact footprint integrates seamlessly into most single-coil routing.

Tone & Electronics

This is a true active single-coil voice—articulate highs, defined midrange, and minimal hum despite the single-coil design thanks to EMG's active circuitry. Output runs hotter than passive single-coils, delivering consistent signal strength across your entire dynamic range without the noise floor you'd get from a traditional Fender-style pickup. On stage, that means clear articulation and punch that cuts through the mix without fighting feedback or losing definition at volume.

Installation & Compatibility

The long shaft pole pieces extend further from the baseplate than standard single-coil pickups, allowing proper magnetic field alignment in guitars with deeper or custom-routed cavities. Requires a 9-volt battery and standard active electronics wiring; existing single-coil cavities may need slight modification depending on your specific instrument's routing depth. Perfect for players building or modifying their own rigs with non-standard body work.

Key Features

Active single-coil design with hum-canceling performance
Extended long-shaft pole piece design for deep cavity compatibility
Bright red finish for visual distinction
Higher output than passive single-coil pickups
Requires 9-volt battery power
Standard single-coil footprint for mounting
Articulate, piano-like tonal character
Consistent signal level across dynamic playing ranges
Minimal 60-cycle hum rejection
Integrates with EMG active electronics systems
Suited for retrofit applications and custom builds

The EMG HX Long Shaft solves a genuine compatibility problem while maintaining the bright, responsive single-coil voice players expect. Built for gigging musicians and builders who need reliable performance in non-standard setups.