What does active mean, and do I need a battery for this pickup?

Active means the pickup has a built-in preamp powered by a single 9V battery with 1000-hour battery life (about 42 days of continuous use). The battery provides the low-noise, hum-free output and consistent signal strength—you'll install it in the guitar body, and the included jack connects it to your output.

Will this pickup work in a standard Strat and fit my amp and effects?

Yes, it's a drop-in replacement for standard single-coil slots and includes mounting screws and springs. The 10 kΩ output impedance is fully compatible with standard guitar amplifiers and effect chains.

Is this pickup suitable for heavy metal or high-gain styles?

No—the EMG S is voiced for articulate lead work and clean tones and is not recommended for heavy metal or thrash metal. It excels in studio sessions, home recording, and genre-agnostic clean or moderately gained tones.

How does the EMG S compare to passive Strat pickups?

The EMG S eliminates the hum and noise that passive designs pick up, delivering a -90 dBV noise floor for transparent signal transmission. Its active preamp provides consistent output and low impedance, making it ideal for recording and high-gain effects where noise rejection is critical.

What's included with this pickup?

The EMG S includes the pickup itself, volume and tone controls, a 9V battery jack, mounting screws, and springs—everything you need to install it in a Strat-style guitar.

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 S Active Single Coil Pickup in Ivory

The EMG S ceramic active single-coil cuts through on stage with the classic Strat articulation players know, but with modern clarity and controlled output that sits tight in a mix. This pickup combines low-noise performance with the responsiveness serious players expect from a factory-fresh replacement or upgrade, delivering defined treble and midrange separation without the hum and noise that plague passive designs—crucial for live rigs where signal integrity matters.

Tone & Output Character

With a 4.35 kHz resonant frequency and 0.6V RMS output, this pickup produces a balanced, articulate voice suited to lead work and clean tones. The -90 dBV output noise floor ensures your signal stays clean and transparent through a full pedalboard and PA system, making it essential for touring and high-gain applications where noise rejection is non-negotiable.

Design & Electronics

Built around a ceramic bar magnet with internal shielding and low-impedance preamp, the EMG S runs on a single 9V battery with 1000-hour battery life at 240 microamps current draw. The 10 kΩ output impedance ensures rock-solid compatibility with standard guitar amplifiers and effects chains, while the included volume and tone controls let you dial in your voice without reaching for external gear.

Key Features

Active single-coil Strat pickup with ceramic bar magnet
Resonant frequency: 4.35 kHz
RMS output voltage: 0.6V
Peak output voltage: 0.85V
Output noise: -90 dBV
Output impedance: 10 kΩ
9V battery operation with 1000-hour battery life
Current draw: 240 microamps @ 9V
Internal shielding and low-impedance preamp
Includes volume and tone controls, jack, screws, and springs
Ivory finish
Dimensions: 3.38 × 2.25 × 4.75 inches

The EMG S in Ivory delivers articulate, low-noise performance with battery-powered consistency—a no-compromise upgrade for gigging players who demand clarity and bulletproof hum elimination.