Will the M-50 fit my guitar?

The M-50 is sized for standard Gibson mini humbucker cavities and handles a maximum string width of 2 inches (51 mm). If your guitar uses mini humbuckers, this pickup fits directly; if you have a full-size humbucker cavity, you'll need a different model.

What does the solderless install system include?

The kit includes the pickup itself, 25k volume and tone potentiometers, a battery bus, output jack, mounting hardware, and installation cables—everything you need to wire and power the pickup without soldering.

How long does a 9-volt battery last in this pickup?

The M-50 draws 1.3 milliamps in a two-pickup configuration, so battery life depends on your daily playing hours; EMG does not provide a specific runtime guarantee in this description.

Is this pickup good for jazz or blues?

No. The M-50 is voiced for metal and hard rock with aggressive character and tight lows; it is not recommended for jazz or blues genres that require warmer, smoother tone.

How does active electronics improve tone?

Active pickups use low-impedance output to deliver a clean, consistent signal that doesn't degrade with different cable lengths or qualities, eliminating the tone loss you sometimes hear with passive pickups on long cable runs.

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 M-50 Active Humbucker Pickup in Ivory

The EMG M-50 is a compact active humbucker engineered for tight, aggressive articulation in standard Gibson mini humbucker cavities. Its brighter voicing and low-impedance output deliver high signal clarity with minimal noise, making it a direct upgrade path for players seeking enhanced definition without extensive rewiring.

Tone & Electronics

Built around an Alnico 5 bar magnet with steel poles in a "U" shaped magnetic layout, the M-50 produces a focused, punchy character distinct from passive pickups. The low-impedance output transmits a cable-agnostic signal that remains consistent across different lengths and qualities of shielded cable—critical for live rigs where cable runs vary and signal integrity can't be compromised.

Installation & Power

This pickup operates on a single 9-volt battery drawing 1.3 milliamps in a two-pickup system, requiring no string grounding and simplifying both installation and maintenance. The EMG Solderless Install System includes 25k volume and tone potentiometers, battery bus, output jack, mounting hardware, and all necessary cables to get functioning quickly.

Key Features

Alnico 5 bar magnet with steel poles in U-shaped magnetic layout
Standard Gibson mini humbucker footprint
Maximum string width: 2 inches (51mm)
Active electronics powered by single 9-volt battery
Power consumption: 1.3 milliamps (two-pickup configuration)
Low-impedance output design
No string grounding required
Ivory finish
Includes EMG Solderless Install System
Includes 25k volume and tone potentiometers
Includes battery bus, output jack, and mounting hardware
Includes installation cables

The M-50 delivers the refined aggression and signal integrity of EMG's active platform in a format designed for gigging players already committed to mini humbucker architecture.

Best suited for	Metal, Hard Rock, Drop Tunings, Studio Sessions, Gigging
Tonal character	Tight low end, punchy articulation, high clarity, aggressive character, minimal noise
Less specialized for	Jazz, Blues, Folk (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily)
Skill level	Intermediate / Advanced / Professional