What bass styles and genres is this pickup set best suited for?

The EMG JV excels in studio sessions, touring, funk, and jazz contexts where articulate midrange and punchy transient response are priorities. It is not recommended for thrash metal or drop-tuning applications, where heavier magnetic output and lower midrange emphasis are typically preferred.

How long does the battery last, and what batteries does it support?

The active circuit delivers 3000 hours of battery life on a single 9V charge and supports both standard alkaline and lithium batteries thanks to its 27V DC maximum supply voltage tolerance. Current draw is just 80 microamps at 9V, making it extremely efficient in the field or studio.

What comes in the box and what level of installation difficulty should I expect?

The set includes both neck and bridge pickups, 2× 25K volume pots, 1× 25K tone pot, stereo output jack, battery bus, mounting hardware, and all necessary cables. Installation is straightforward for experienced technicians or luthiers; you will need basic soldering skills and familiarity with bass wiring.

How does the output noise compare to other active J-bass pickups?

The EMG JV achieves -99 dB output noise at 60 Hz, delivering exceptionally clean signal coupled with 1.50V string output and 4.50V thump output for both clarity and punch. This low-noise performance is a hallmark of modern active electronics and ensures minimal hum in both live and studio environments.

What are the physical dimensions, and will these fit my bass?

Neck pickup measures 91.19mm × 18.54mm; bridge pickup measures 93.99mm × 18.54mm. Standard J-bass routing accommodates these dimensions; confirm your bass body cavity matches before ordering, as routing modifications may be necessary for some non-standard 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. On this item that is roughly $14 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 JV Active Bass Pickup Set in Red

The EMG JV/SET-R brings modern active noise rejection to the classic J-bass single-coil voice, delivering the articulate punch and clarity that cuts through live mixes and holds definition on record. This red-finished set pairs matched neck and bridge pickups tuned for tonal consistency across the neck, backed by a robust active circuit designed for touring reliability and zero-compromise noise performance.

Electronics & Tone Character

Built around Alnico 5 magnets and tuned to a 3.20 kHz resonant frequency, these pickups deliver defined midrange and articulate transient response. The active circuit achieves exceptionally low noise at -99 dB output noise (60 Hz) while maintaining responsive output—1.50V string output and 4.50V thump output give you both clarity and punch without sacrificing dynamic range.

Power & Specifications

The active circuit operates efficiently at 80 microamps @ 9V, delivering an impressive 3000-hour battery life on a single charge. Maximum supply voltage tolerance of 27V DC accommodates both standard alkaline and lithium batteries, ensuring flexibility in the field. 10 Kohm output impedance provides clean coupling to any preamp or interface.

Key Features

Alnico 5 magnet construction
3.20 kHz resonant frequency
1.50V output voltage (string)
4.50V output voltage (thump)
-99 dB output noise (60 Hz)
10 Kohm output impedance
80 microamps current draw @ 9V
3000-hour battery life
27V DC maximum supply voltage
Neck pickup: 91.19mm × 18.54mm; Bridge pickup: 93.99mm × 18.54mm
Includes 2× 25K volume pots, 1× 25K tone pot, stereo output jack, battery bus, mounting hardware, and all necessary cables
Gold logo finish

This complete active system ships with all supporting electronics and connectivity hardware, making installation straightforward for experienced technicians or luthiers.