What five-string bass models is the P5A compatible with?

The P5A is engineered specifically for five-string bass instruments with standard pickup routing. It includes mounting screws and a complete component set for installation; verify your bass's pickup cavity dimensions match a standard P-style five-string format before purchasing.

How long does the battery last, and what's the power draw?

The P5A draws only 80 microamps at 9V and delivers approximately 3000 hours of battery life on a standard 9V battery. It can also tolerate supply voltages up to 27 volts DC if you choose a larger power solution.

How easy is installation compared to traditional pickups?

EMG's solderless wiring system makes installation straightforward—no soldering required. The pickup includes a stereo jack, battery bus, cables, and mounting screws; you'll simply route the wiring into your bass cavity and integrate it with your existing electronics.

What's the tone character, and is it suitable for traditional jazz?

The P5A is voiced for modern bass styles: articulate lows, defined mids, and a punchy upper-midrange peak at 3.20 kHz that emphasizes note definition and clarity. It is not optimized for traditional jazz playing, which typically benefits from warmer, more rounded tone profiles.

How quiet is this pickup, and will it pick up hum or buzz?

The P5A delivers -99 dBV noise performance at 60 Hz, ensuring clean, interference-free operation in both live and studio environments. The active electronics and shielding design minimize hum and buzz common in passive setups.

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 P5A 5-String Active Bass Pickup in Red

The EMG P5A is built for five-string bass players who need rock-solid articulation and punch night after night. This red-finished active pickup uses a split-coil precision design with Alnico V magnets to cut through a mix with defined mids and tight lows. EMG's solderless wiring system makes installation straightforward—no soldering hassles, just reliable integration into your rig.

Electronics & Power Characteristics

Rated at 10 Kohm output impedance with minimal current draw of 80 microamps at 9V, the P5A runs efficiently with approximately 3000 hours of battery life between changes. The pickup tolerates supply voltages up to 27 volts DC, offering flexibility in circuit design and future upgrades without requiring component replacement.

Tone & Performance

The 3.20 kHz resonant frequency positions the P5A's peak response in the upper-midrange, delivering the note definition and articulation that modern bass lines demand on stage. Output voltage reaches 4.50V on thump mode and 1.00V on string mode, with noise performance of -99 dBV at 60 Hz, ensuring clean, quiet operation without hum or interference.

Key Features

Split-coil precision design with Alnico V magnets
Engineered for five-string bass instruments
10 Kohm output impedance
80 microamps current draw at 9V
3000-hour battery life
Maximum supply voltage: 27 volts DC
3.20 kHz resonant frequency
Output noise: -99 dBV (60 Hz)
Includes 25K volume and 25K tone potentiometers
Solderless wiring installation system
Complete component set: battery bus, stereo jack, mounting screws, cables
Red finish

The P5A combines EMG's proven active electronics with a compact form factor and user-friendly installation to deliver consistent, noise-free performance for five-string players who refuse to compromise.

Best suited for	funk, modern bass, studio sessions, live performance
Tonal character	Articulate lows, defined mids, punchy, noise-free, upper-midrange peak
Less specialized for	traditional jazz, upright bass applications (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily)
Skill level	Intermediate / Advanced / Professional