What's included in the box?

The EMG P5X comes with mounting screws, pickup cable, connect cables, output cable, battery cable, and a 25k active tone potentiometer with low-pass filtering for tone shaping.

How long does the battery last?

The 9V battery provides approximately 3000 hours of runtime thanks to an exceptionally efficient 80 microamp current draw, meaning you can go months between replacements in typical use.

Will this pickup fit my 5-string bass?

The P5X is designed for 5-string basses with standard string spacing up to 3.125 inches maximum; confirm your bass's pickup cavity dimensions and string spacing match before ordering.

What tone should I expect?

Expect articulate, punchy output with controlled highs and low-end definition at a 4.5 kHz resonant frequency; the included active tone pot lets you dial brightness without muddying your fundamental tone, making it ideal for funk and modern bass work.

How does it compare to passive pickups?

The active design delivers cleaner signal transmission (10 Kohm output impedance, -90 dBV noise floor) and responsive touch sensitivity that passive pickups cannot match, plus onboard tone shaping gives you studio-grade control without external pedals.

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 P5X 5-String Active Bass Pickup in Black

The EMG P5X delivers the articulate punch and responsive touch sensitivity that five-string players need for tight, defined stage performance. This active humbucker pickup pairs ceramic magnets with the refined X Series preamp to cut through a mix with clarity while maintaining solid low-end grip. Built for touring bassists and studio players who demand precision and reliability in modern rigs.

Tone & Electronics

The P5X combines ceramic magnets with short, squat coils engineered specifically for five-string configurations. Output measures 1.0V RMS with 1.40V peak voltage, delivering articulate midrange and controlled highs at 4.5 kHz resonant frequency. The included 25k active tone pot with low-pass filtering lets you dial in brightness and shape your tone on the fly without muddying the fundamental note—essential for live work where your tone needs to sit right in a dense mix.

Reliability & Road Performance

This active system runs on 9V battery power with an exceptionally efficient draw of 80 microamps, yielding approximately 3000 hours of battery life per charge—so you won't be changing batteries mid-tour. Output impedance of 10 Kohm and -90 dBV noise floor ensure clean, transparent signal transmission to preamps and amplifiers with zero coloration, keeping your tone intact through any venue's front-of-house chain.

Key Features

X Series active preamp with increased touch sensitivity
Ceramic magnet construction with short, squat coils
Designed for 5-string basses with standard string spacing (3.125" max)
Active humbucker configuration
25k volume potentiometer and 25k active tone pot (VLPF)
1.0V RMS output voltage / 1.40V peak output voltage
4.5 kHz resonant frequency
80 microamp current draw at 9V for extended battery life (~3000 hours)
10 Kohm output impedance
-90 dBV output noise specification
Manufactured in the United States
Includes mounting screws, pickup cable, connect cables, output cable, and battery cable

The P5X is purpose-built for five-string bass players who prioritize articulation, active tone shaping, and dependable performance in a compact, road-ready pickup platform.