What kind of guitar do these pickups fit?

The T-52 set is designed for instruments with standard single-coil routing compatible with EMG T-series dimensions and solderless connector standards. Check your guitar's pickup cavity and existing wiring setup against EMG's compatibility guide before purchasing, as retrofit requirements vary by instrument.

How long does the 9V battery last?

The battery is rated for 450 hours of typical use at a current draw of 1.3 mA. In regular playing sessions, this typically translates to several months between replacements; lighter use will extend battery life further.

Will these pickups work in a metal or djent setup?

The T-52 is voiced for rock, blues, country, and indie tones with articulate, noise-free single-coil character. Metal and djent players typically prefer higher-output humbuckers or active pickups with more aggression; the T-52's vintage-focused design is not optimized for those genres.

What's included in the box, and do I need any extra cables?

The set includes both pickups, a pre-wired control plate with volume, tone, 3-way switch, and stereo jack, plus four cables: 9-inch neck, 13.5-inch bridge, 6-inch output, and 7-inch battery cable. No additional wiring is required for standard installations on compatible guitars.

How much electrical noise will these pickups eliminate compared to passive single-coils?

Both pickups maintain a noise floor of -101 dB, virtually eliminating the hum and buzz inherent to passive single-coil systems while preserving the articulate, bright tone that makes vintage designs appealing.

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 $13 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 T-52 Retro Active Single Coil Pickup Set

The EMG T-52 delivers vintage single-coil character with modern active electronics, offering articulate, noise-free performance without sacrificing the snap and clarity of classic single-coil design. This set pairs an Alnico 5 bridge pickup with an Alnico 2 neck pickup, each engineered to preserve the harmonic complexity of traditional designs while eliminating hum and noise inherent to passive systems. Solderless connectivity and a pre-wired control plate make installation straightforward on compatible instruments.

Tone & Electronics

The bridge pickup (RT) operates at a 3.00 kHz resonant frequency with 1.00V output per string and 3.00V output during strummed passages, delivering punchy articulation and cut through a live mix. The neck pickup (FT) rises to 4.50 kHz for brighter, more defined articulation and responsive lead work. Both pickups maintain an exceptionally clean noise floor of -101 dB and a consistent 3.1 kΩ output impedance, ensuring transparent signal transmission and compatibility with standard instrument wiring—essential for reliable stage performance and direct-to-interface recording.

System Design & Installation

The active system runs on a single 9-volt battery with a rated life of 450 hours at a draw of 1.3 mA, minimizing battery replacements during regular touring and gigging. The included pre-wired control plate contains 25k volume and tone potentiometers, a 3-way switch, stereo output jack, and all necessary cables—9" pickup cable (neck), 13.5" pickup cable (bridge), 6" output cable, and 7" battery cable—eliminating guesswork during installation and reducing setup time between gigs.

Key Features

Bridge pickup (RT): Alnico 5 magnet, 3.00 kHz resonant frequency, 1.00V string output, 3.00V strum output
Neck pickup (FT): Alnico 2 magnet, 4.50 kHz resonant frequency, 1.00V string output, 3.00V strum output
Output noise: -101 dB (both pickups)
Output impedance: 3.1 kΩ (both pickups)
Maximum supply voltage: 27V
Active electronics: 9-volt battery operation at 1.3 mA current draw
Battery life: 450 hours
Solderless connectors for fast installation
Pre-wired control plate with 25k volume and 25k tone potentiometers, 3-way switch, stereo output jack
Included cables: 9" neck, 13.5" bridge, 6" output, 7" battery
Made in USA

The T-52 set bridges the gap between passive vintage tone and active system reliability, delivering clear, articulate single-coil character with the noise immunity and battery efficiency that touring and recording musicians depend on night after night.

Best suited for	Rock, Blues, Country, Indie, Pop
Tonal character	Articulate, noise-free, vintage character, snap and clarity, bright definition
Less specialized for	Metal, Djent (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily)
Skill level	Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced / Professional