What guitar models or routing does this pickup fit?

The EMG SX/SX/89X uses a standard single-coil footprint and routed cavity, making it a drop-in replacement for most electric guitars designed for single-coil pickups. Installation requires a 9V battery and EMG wiring harness.

Is this pickup good for jazz and traditional styles?

This set is optimized for rock, pop, indie, and blues; it is not recommended for traditional jazz or folk where warmer, more vintage-voiced passive single coils are typically preferred.

What does active operation mean, and why choose it over passive pickups?

Active EMG circuitry is powered by a 9V battery and offers reduced noise floor, hum-free operation, consistent output, and tighter bass response compared to passive designs. The trade-off is a battery to monitor and replace periodically.

How does the SX/SX/89X configuration differ in tone?

The dual SX neck and middle pickups paired with the hybrid 89X bridge pickup deliver a flexible tonal range from transparent, glassy highs to warm mids, allowing players to work across genres without rewiring.

What output level should I expect?

The EMG SX/SX/89X has hot, high output suitable for aggressive playing dynamics and modern amplifiers; output is consistent and controlled by the active circuitry.

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 $21 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/89X Active Single Coil Pickup in Black

The EMG SX/SX/89X configuration delivers the articulate snap and clarity of single coils with the reliability of active electronics—no hum, no noise floor compromises. This is the setup for players who want traditional single-coil response with the stage-ready consistency that active circuitry provides. The black finish blends with any guitar's looks, and the standard form factor drops straight into your existing single-coil routes.

Tone & Electronics

Active EMG circuitry locks in consistent output night after night, crushes hum, and tightens the low end compared to passive pickups. The dual SX and hybrid 89X pairing covers serious tonal ground—glassy highs, warm mids, punchy lows—so you're ready across rock, blues, funk, and beyond without touching a soldering iron.

Installation & Specifications

Standard single-coil dimensions mean zero routing headaches on guitars already set up for single coils. Active operation runs on a 9V battery with EMG's wiring harness, keeping the install straightforward and your guitar ready to gig.

Key Features

Active circuitry with low-noise architecture
Single-coil pickup format (SX/SX/89X configuration)
Black finish
Hum-free operation via active shielding
Tight, articulate midrange response
Standard single-coil footprint and routing
Hot output for aggressive playing dynamics
9V battery-powered operation
Versatile across multiple playing styles and genres

The EMG SX/SX/89X combines the fast response and clarity of active electronics with the defined character serious players depend on from single coils—built for the road and the stage.

Best suited for	Rock, Pop, Indie, Blues, Studio Sessions
Tonal character	Bright, articulate, glassy highs, warm mids, tight bass
Less specialized for	Traditional Jazz, Folk (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily)
Skill level	Intermediate / Advanced / Professional