What's the difference between the 2.00V and 4.50V output levels?

The lower 2.00V output is designed for finger and thumb playing positions, while the 4.50V boost activates when using the thump technique, giving you more punch and presence without changing pickups. This dynamic response lets you shape your tone based on playing style rather than gain-staging at your amp or interface.

Does this pickup come ready to install, or do I need to wire it myself?

The MMCS arrives fully prewired with a 25K volume pot, 25K tone pot, stereo output jack, and battery bus—all cables are included (pickup, output, connection, and battery leads). You'll need basic soldering skills or access to a tech, but the complete harness eliminates guesswork on wiring.

How long does the 9V battery last, and can I use a different power source?

The pickup delivers up to 3000 hours of battery life on a standard 9V cell. The maximum supply rating is 27V DC, so you can also run it from a bass preamp's onboard power if your instrument supports that.

Will this work in both bridge and neck positions?

Yes, the MMCS is compatible with standard bridge and neck positions. Its .950-inch aperture and 1-inch bobbins provide balanced string coverage in either location.

How quiet is this pickup compared to passive designs?

The active circuit achieves a –107 dB noise floor at 60 Hz, virtually eliminating hum and buzz that can plague passive pickups in high-gain live or studio scenarios. Combined with humbucker rejection, you get a clean signal path even in electrically noisy venues.

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 MMCS Active Humbucker Bass Pickup in Black

The EMG MMCS is a versatile active humbucker engineered to cut through live mixes with articulate, controlled bass tones and minimal noise. Its compact dual-coil design integrates seamlessly into bridge or neck positions, giving bass players a refined alternative to passive pickups without sacrificing responsiveness, clarity, or stage reliability.

Active Electronics & Output Character

This active pickup system operates on a single 9V battery, delivering distinct output levels across three playing techniques: 2.00V in finger and thumb positions, with 4.50V output when using the thump technique for added punch. The 10 Kohm output impedance and –107 dB noise floor at 60 Hz ensure a clean signal path to your amp and front-of-house, while the 2.50 kHz resonant frequency shapes midrange response for definition without harshness. Extended battery life of up to 3000 hours means fewer mid-set surprises in regular touring and session work.

Build & Installation

The dual-coil design features wide 1-inch bobbins with ceramic/steel magnets and a .950-inch aperture for balanced string coverage. Dimensions of 88.9 × 19.6 × 48.3 mm ensure compatibility with standard bass configurations. The complete system arrives prewired with a 25K volume pot, 25K tone pot, stereo output jack, battery bus, and all necessary cables—including a 13.5-inch pickup cable, 6-inch output cable, dual 5.5-inch connection cables, and 7-inch battery cable—making installation straightforward and minimizing setup time.

Key Features

Active humbucker dual-coil design with ceramic/steel magnets
Output levels: 2.00V (finger/thumb), 4.50V (thump)
10 Kohm output impedance for clean signal transmission
–107 dB noise floor at 60 Hz
2.50 kHz resonant frequency
80 microamps current draw at 9V supply
3000-hour battery life; maximum 27V DC supply rating
Wide 1-inch bobbins with .950-inch aperture
Dimensions: 88.9 × 19.6 × 48.3 mm
Prewired with 25K volume and tone pots, stereo jack, battery bus
Complete cable set: pickup (13.5"), output (6"), connection (2 × 5.5"), battery (7")
Bridge and neck position compatible; MPN 2640

The MMCS combines the noise rejection and output consistency of active electronics with the tonal versatility of a humbucker, backed by a complete prewired system ready for immediate gig deployment.