Does the S1 require batteries or a preamp?

No. The S1 operates entirely passively, requiring no batteries, external power, or preamp—it's a drop-in retrofit that works with standard guitar electronics right out of the box.

Will this pickup hum like a traditional single-coil?

The S1 uses a fully shielded, stacked design that eliminates hum and interference while maintaining the articulate tone and clarity of a classic single-coil. You get single-coil character without the noise.

What genres and playing styles is the S1 best suited for?

The S1 excels in blues, country, rock, pop, and indie—anywhere you need vintage-informed tone with tight articulation and balanced midrange presence. It is not designed for metal or djent applications.

What's included, and how difficult is installation?

The pickup ships with 250K volume and tone controls, output cables, bridge ground wire, adjustment screws and springs, and EMG solderless connectors. Solderless connectors simplify wiring, and the stacked design fits standard single-coil routing on most instruments without modification.

How does the S1 compare to traditional passive single-coils?

The S1 maintains the tight, articulate midrange and balanced presence of vintage single-coils while the stacked shielded design eliminates hum that traditional designs are prone to—no compromise on tone, all the reliability.

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 S1 Passive Single Coil Pickup in Black

The EMG S1 delivers authentic single-coil tone in a stacked design that kills hum without trading away the clarity and responsiveness you need on stage. Running entirely passive—no batteries, no preamp—the S1 drops into any compatible guitar as a straightforward retrofit. The tight, articulate character gives you that vintage-informed punch with modern reliability and zero-maintenance operation.

Electrical Characteristics

With a DC resistance of 11.0 kOhm and inductance of 4.0 Henries, the S1 achieves a resonant frequency of 2.3 kHz under standard measurement conditions, yielding a balanced midrange presentation. The Type A magnet and fully shielded construction ensure low-noise performance across all volume and tone settings, while the 57.7 kOhm impedance at resonance pairs cleanly with standard guitar electronics.

Installation & Included Components

Everything arrives ready to install: volume and tone controls (both 250K), output cables, bridge ground wire, and adjustment screws and springs. EMG's solderless connectors eliminate soldering, and the stacked design fits standard single-coil routing without modification on most instruments.

Key Features

Stacked single-coil design with high output
Fully shielded to minimize hum and interference
Passive operation — no batteries or preamp required
Type A magnet configuration
DC resistance: 11.0 kOhm
Inductance: 4.0 Henries
Resonant frequency: 2.3 kHz (condition 2) / 3.95 kHz (condition 3)
Impedance at resonance: 57.7 kOhm
EMG solderless connectors for simplified installation
Includes 250K volume and tone controls
Includes output cables, bridge ground wire, and adjustment hardware
Made in United States

The S1 merges passive simplicity with engineered noise rejection, giving you single-coil tone without the hum baggage that comes with traditional designs.

Best suited for	Blues, Country, Rock, Pop, Indie
Tonal character	Tight articulate midrange, vintage-informed character, low hum, balanced presence, clear response
Less specialized for	Metal, Djent (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily)
Skill level	Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced / Professional