What routing and modifications does my guitar need to accommodate this pickup set?

This set requires standard Stratocaster-style single-coil cavities in the neck and middle positions and a humbucker route in the bridge. Critically, your guitar must have an existing active EMG electronics infrastructure with a battery cavity and control circuit integration, or you will need professional routing and wiring work to install it.

How does the tone differ between the neck, middle, and bridge pickups?

The two SX single coils (neck and middle) deliver classic articulate, chimey character with nuanced midrange clarity. The 81X bridge humbucker generates tight, compressed bass response and aggressive punch ideal for modern rock and metal lead work, bridging single-coil definition with high-output aggression.

Is this pickup set suitable for blues or jazz?

No. This set is engineered for hard rock, metal, progressive, and high-gain applications. The aggressive bridge punch, tight compression, and extended active output are optimized for modern styles and may feel too colored and high-output for traditional blues or jazz playing.

What are the benefits of active circuitry in this pickup configuration?

Active EMG electronics provide consistent output and extended frequency response across all three positions while eliminating the noise susceptibility of passive designs. This ensures low-noise performance in studio sessions and live settings, plus predictable signal strength regardless of pickup position.

What skill level and genres is this set designed for?

This configuration suits intermediate to advanced players and professionals working in hard rock, metal, progressive, and studio high-gain lead work. It excels in modern applications where both articulate midrange definition and aggressive bridge output are required.

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. At a typical 7% rate that is an estimated $22 less at checkout than the same listed price on a marketplace, which collects sales tax as the facilitator in most states. Buyers remain responsible for any use tax their state applies. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included.

EMG SX/SX/81X Active Single Coil Pickup in White

This EMG active pickup configuration gives you articulate single-coil clarity paired with the aggressive punch of a humbucker in the bridge position. The combination delivers both nuanced midrange articulation in the neck and middle positions and aggressive output for lead work and high-gain applications—all from one instrument.

Tone & Electronics

Active EMG circuitry provides consistent output and extended frequency response across all three positions, eliminating the noise susceptibility of passive designs. The dual single-coil setup in the neck and middle positions yields that classic articulate, chimey character, while the 81X humbucker bridge pickup generates tight, compressed bass response ideal for modern rock and metal. On stage, you get rock-solid reliability and the punch to cut through a full band.

Installation & Compatibility

This three-pickup set requires routing compatible with standard Stratocaster-style single-coil cavities in the neck and middle positions and a humbucker route in the bridge. Active circuitry demands a battery cavity and control circuit integration—verify your instrument has existing EMG electronics infrastructure or budget for routing and wiring modifications.

Key Features

Active EMG electronics with onboard preamp
Two SX single-coil pickups (neck and middle positions)
81X active humbucker in bridge position
White finish covers
Extended output and frequency response
Low-noise active circuitry design
Tight, compressed bass response in bridge position
Articulate midrange clarity in single-coil positions
Requires active circuit integration and battery cavity
Compatible with Stratocaster-style routing (neck/middle single-coil cavities, bridge humbucker cavity)

This mixed-configuration set bridges the gap between classic single-coil definition and modern high-output bridge aggression, delivering versatile tonal range that handles anything from clean articulation to saturated lead tones in a live setting.

Best suited for	Hard Rock, Metal, Progressive, Studio Sessions, High-Gain Lead Work
Tonal character	Articulate midrange, chimey single-coil character, tight compressed bass, aggressive bridge punch, low-noise active
Less specialized for	Blues, Jazz, Folk (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily)
Skill level	Intermediate / Advanced / Professional