EMG P

EMG P pickup

It is an active pickup that uses a 9 volt battery.

It is split coil.

Super easy installation: What is cool about the EMG products is that whole harness comes pre-wired and all you have to do is click in the connectors to the pickups and the solder two wires. The most difficult part for me was to figure out where and how to place the battery. I could have easily routed out the cavity if I had a routing tool.

I installed this pickup into a Fender MIM Precision Bass. I was hoping to improve the stock sound of the P Bass and it worked.

The lows became lower and and the highs clearer with more air and definition in them. The EMG tone knob also had more impact on the tone than the stock fender tone knob had.

The output level defintely improved.

The lows became lower and clearer
The mid range mudiness was gone with these pickups
The highs became clearer with more air and definition in them.
Overall all tones were improved with more clarity and fullness.

The EMG tone knob also has more impact on the tone than the stock fender tone knob had. All the way up I could go to peircing clarity or if rolled all the way down I get very close to the rolled off highs of a Jamerson sound.

I would definelty replace this pickup if something happened to it.

- Single coil or humbucking? Active or passive? If active, 9-, 18-, or 20-volt system?

Active, obvious. At 9 volt wiring

I replace the stock pickup of my '03 Squier Special Precision, alder body and rosewood fingerboard. It was a BIG difference, more gain, sustain... opposite to the stock pickups lol

MORE output, no point of comparison with stock pickups. I use an ampeg with my band and line 6 toneport for practice at home... very quiet, 0 hum, better and more control in tone. I play rock and metal, and now my bass suits perfect for my music

i'll only use EMG for bass, period.

Single split-coil 9v active. Simple to connect and use, as should be the way with everything regarding a P-Bass

I installed it into a 78 Fender P. Great, solid, reliable body and neck, replacing the old, corroded pickup. I had to rout a cavity under the pickguard, but the rest of the wiring was simple

I'll be honest, this particular pickup was not what i expected. I had heard so many people swear by EMG... but the results I got were sorely disappointing. I ran it through a compressor, limiter, sonic max, and into a hartke 3500 and a hartke 410 cab. The overall tone was considerably darker than I had wanted. WHat I needed is a brighter, Flea/Dirnt type sound and this didn't deliver. The biggest problem, however, made the bass almost unusable. The E string had almost double the output of the other strings. I tried to compensate for this by lowering that side of the pickup... AS FAR AS IT COULD GO!. It made it better but it was still considerably louder than the rest of the strings. Keep in mind that these were new DR's, so it wasnt the strings' problem. The bass hasn't been gigged or recorded with since, since i havent gotten around to getting a new pickup. Given how so many swear by EMG, I wonder if perhaps I did get a bad pickup.

If i still had the receipt, it return it and perhaps try EMG one more time... IF the tone from the rest of the strings werent so dark. All in all, two thumbs down.

Active
This is actually a review of the EMG P5 pickup, which is virtually the same pickup as EMG P but for a 5-stringed bass instead.

Installed on a Washburn XB 105, that I bought as second hand. Even though it was a cheap bass, I rather liked the touch of it. The original electronics and P style pickup were cheap and dull, so I decided to give EMG a go and see what it can do, as there was nothing to lose.

Woah! I was expecting the bass to sound decent but this pickup actually transformed the bass into something I can be proud of. The sound is very articulated and punchy and the signature P-bass rumble is highly present. Even the low B string sounds full and edgy without the unnecessary boom. Harmonics play clearly across the strings. The balance is the only thing one could complain about: the the D and A strings have higher output than the rest of the strings and the G string has noticeably lower output than any of the other strings. However, by stuffing enaugh supportive foam underneath the pickups allowed me to raise the G string end of the pickup and lower the middle parts, resulting in a nice and even output. The feeling that the G string is quiet might be due to my personal preference of the J-bass bark on the higher strings, but the pickup more than pays this flaw back with the lower string clarity and rumble.

I'm fully satisfied with this purchase and would buy it again without a second thought, it's not too expensive and offers an excellent, beefy sound for the money. The installation was relatively easy, if replacing a pickup in a Fender style instrument all you'd need is three very simple solderings. As my bass had a side-routed jack I also had to extend one of the wires with around an inch of extra wire or so. Although the balance from string to string is slightly uneven, this can be easily overcome with proper setup. As the bottom line I'd say that the pickup delivers what it offers for affordable price.

Pickup features: Active
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Standard Precision Bass (Made in Mexico)
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock, Blues, Funk, Everything else
Reason for pickup change: Previous pickups lacked punch, depth, and high-end response. Needed to cut through the mix more.

Perceived output level: Substantially louder than passive pickups, but not overwhelmingly loud.
Tone: Very clear, very balanced. Gets the classic P-bass sound but with more balls.
Sonic evaluation: This bass was originally a Standard MIM P that eventually had everything except for the original body replaced - neck, tuners, bridge, pickguard, knobs, pickups, and pots. I tried several pickups before settling on the EMG. I run the bass through a Pod for recording, and through an SVT for live sound.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I think the P-bass works for just about every style of music out there.

Comments: The EMG was the finishing touch on my bass. The tone with actives is clear and dynamic while still sounding like a P-bass. You either love active pickups or hate them. I'd buy these again in a second.

Pickup features: active
Impedence or other specs: emginc.com

Model of guitar or bass: '75 p bass
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: sock
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Victor. glen worf, Lee Sklarr (kinda uses earlier version)
You musical style(s): country, roots.jazz,
Reason for pickup change: wanted more thump

Perceived output level: hot even for active,
Tone: like sex on your wedding night
Sonic evaluation: 75 p bass alder body, rosewood neck, aguilar 359 (SVT all tube clone) and Aguilar 1-12 cabnets

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: country, roots.

Comments: Holy crap, I never knew a pickup was that important. I've got a Modulus Q5 with Bartolini's-it'll sit in the closet until I change pickups. I put the EMG into my P bass 4 hours ago. At first I thought it's Ok. then I thought about what I heard, it's like sex on your wedding night. I can't imagine a better sound.

Pickup features: Active, Humbucking
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Washburn XB 100
Position: middle
Pickup being replaced: Passive Washburn P Pickup
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Punk Rock
Reason for pickup change: Original washburn pickup sounded dull, not enough power, and also the pole pieces annoyed me when the strings hit off them, the emg doesn't

Perceived output level: way more than my orignal pickup, it blew me away. it had an extra sort of presence that my other pickup didn't have.
Tone: Deep when you want it deep, and bright and punchy with lots of treble when you want that to, the tone contol is very responsive. the treble side is good for slapin'!!!
Sonic evaluation: Washburn XB 100, Ashdown After Eight(15 watt, 8" Speaker)

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Punk Rock also now i can play Metal cos' the sound jsut cuts through the heavy guitars, oh and i like playing round' with a bit of slapping and also some synth bass. This pickup can handle it all.

Comments: If i lost the pickup to some accident i would buy more, maybe two. one as a spare in case the other gets lost. i've been playing bass for 2 years but also guitar before that 6 years stopped when i started playing bass but plan to start again some time soon. Its a great little pickup, although where i live, in Ireland, its almost impossible for me to get control knobs for the pots so i've done with out them up until now, should get some in soon, they're ordered. This bass now has everything i want for the next few years. it has a great sound and i plan to keep it with this pickup in it for ever. it was my first bass, it sounds great and thats it. I thought about getting a Seymore Duncan Bassline but my brother has two EMG 81's in his guitar (b.c. rich ironbird) so they sounded great and i got the EMG instead.

Pickup features: active
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: SD Curlee
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Dimarzio
Other pickups on guitar: p bass in both neck and bridge position
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): All of the above
Reason for pickup change: I wasn't happy with the depth of sound so I gutted my bass and installed emg pickups and guts. It made a huge difference.

Perceived output level: Needed a wider variety of tone
Tone: wired at 18 volts . Ican get any amp to soound good.
Sonic evaluation: I use a wide variety of amps from small trace elliot 1-15 practice to hartke 5000, ashdown rpm1 with a mackie 1400i, alembic fb2, boss gl100, and a really wide variety of cabinets- bag end 1-15 sunn 2-15, crate 2-10+1-18, avatar 2-10, and avatar 2-12. With the emg preamp and pickup combination I can get very close to any sound I want with any amp. This bass is the one I take when I am not using my standard rig.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I didn't cut into the bass so I replaced the pick up combination that was there. I can not give a real technical evaluation here.

Comments: Extremely happy with the results. I have been playing 37 years and also own a GL 1000 and an Ibanez VWB1. The GL is what I use as my standard bass. As I have said the EMGs did exactly what I wanted them to do and would reccommend them to anybody make sure you use them with the emg preamp. I wasn't using this bass much and now I use it all the time.

Pickup features: active humbucker
Impedence or other specs: about 10k

Model of guitar or bass: Yamaha RBX250 Fretless
Position: middle
Pickup being replaced: stock
Other pickups on guitar: -
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s): Prog Metal, Acoustic
Reason for pickup change: I wanted an active high output p.u. for my fretless.

Perceived output level: Pretty high, my practice combo cannot take it at full volume (on guitar).
Tone: Strong bass and treble, midtones are missing at some frequencies.
Sonic evaluation: Warwick Sonic2 + custom 4x10 box.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I use it in a fretless. With a little mid boost on the amp you can get nice fretless tone.

Comments: Very good buy, for low price. Previously I used it in a fretted P-bass and was good there too. You can built it in your base very easy, almost plug-n-play. Can be upgraded simple as well with other EMGs.

Pickup features: Active
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: mid 80s BC Rich NJ Ironbird
Position: middle
Pickup being replaced: DiMarzio
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Heavy Metal
Reason for pickup change: wanted cleaner, quieter, louder pickup

Perceived output level: 10 times more than passive pickups
Tone: fat and punchy
Sonic evaluation: hartke 3500 head and 410 BXL cab

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: play heavy metal...and this pickup is perfect for it...but it has such good tonal qualities, it would be suitable for any type of music with a little tweaking of the tone pot!

Comments: i would definately buy it again if it ws destroyed. i have been playing for 14+ years. I own a Schecter Stiletto Elite 5 string with EMG HZ pickups with active preamp setup, hartke amplification, both head/cab and combo setups, Samson Airline wireless, Korg DTR2 tuner, morley volume pedal, BC Rich ironbird mentioned earlier

Pickup features: active humbucking
Impedence or other specs: low

Model of guitar or bass: washburn P bass
Position: middle
Pickup being replaced: stock
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: hmm.. that would be me
You musical style(s): funk, metal
Reason for pickup change: stock pickup hum, low output, and sucks

Perceived output level: it is hot if you wired in 18 volt, but it is surely hotter than stock
Tone: it is flat if you dont try anything on your EQ (nearly the same with stock), for the first time i was dissapointed, but after working on the EQ you can get almost any tone you want, it is very versatile
Sonic evaluation: i use a keyboard amp (mostly) but i like to use trace elliot amp. it doesnt matter what amp you use, cause the EMG kickass !!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: i like to play slap 'n pop ,its suitable for this style

Comments: i've been playing for about 7 years, but it took me about a year to replace the pickup (it is quite a money to buy it)

Pickup features: acitve humbucker
Impedence or other specs: don't remember

Model of guitar or bass: 20 year old Vogue P-bass copy
Position: middle
Pickup being replaced: I think it was the stock pickup
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: Many, but can't think of any who use the p bass, saw it on the Lynnard Skynard bass in Fender
You musical style(s): Punk, Metal, Funk, Emo, Heavy Rock, Rap, Hip Hop, Jazz, Blues, no country or disco
Reason for pickup change: the other pickup was dead

Perceived output level: Louder than standard p and j pickups, and most pickups without active preamp
Tone: Loud muddy E, softer muffled A, D, G, but they are defined, but can't meet the E string in output. Sounds better than any of my friends pickups though!
Sonic evaluation: I use a used Fender BXR 100 (I think thats what its called, its at my friends house where we practice), the old Vogue bass has a maple neck/fingerboard (fretted), don't know the body wood, but the bass weighs 10 lbs., which will be a must for me in the bass department, realize usually only 5 strings and up weigh 10 lbs or more. Heavy basses for me. I have used effects pedals only in messing around, Line 6 filter modeler, cool for crazy fills in the synth, L6 MM4 flanger ok the rest kinda hard to keep the low end in, a DOD distortion and MXR Jimi Hendrix octave fuzz, neither really good, the octave fuzz didn't really work with the bass, I remember reading something about that in a emg tele pickup review. Also have used a Fender Champ 25 for one party gig, not bad, funny noises with the reverb on, and a Line 6 flextone II combo in tube preamp mode. The bass has low end that is good for support, the slap tone is great, the best slap bass tone out of all the bass of any of my friends. So what am I comparing, a Fender Jazz, Squier Bronco Bass, Another no name P-bass, Gretsch Bass, some hollowbody bass. Now they are all stock, and have some hum problem or another problem, they are not grounded, some sound good the jazz and the p bass sound good, both hum, and the p-bass has some electronic problems. the Gretsch and Squier sound thin and feel light, the hollowbody sounds like a guitar, so I guess I have the best bass in the bunch due to the weight, sound, and electronics. Still I seem to think that the pickup takes away dynmanics, I hear that emgs make all instrutments sound the same, can't comment on that, the emg sound is depenedable, I haven't had battery problems, they've lasted with some thinking and care, the wiring inside the cavity broke during a session at church, fixed with a soldering iron, wish it was a solderless system that they have now, small detail. Ok a lot of rambling, but I prefer an indepth review as to a short negative/postive review that just says it sucks or its great. I wish the pickup had balanced output on all strings, put you know if I got off my lazy guitar playing rear probably lowering the bass side of the pickup and raising the other parts would equal it out probably, should use the bill lawrence method (look at the website) to fix it. As a whole the bass pickup is still in the air as whether it sucks, to me Warwicks sound better, and Ibanez ergodynes sound better, but that is probably the active preamp tone controls, and I'd probably be good if I got the bass with a preamp, but then I'd want a jazz pickup in the bridge, or an EMG 35CS or the TW. Every bass that has a J pickup has had a great tone to me, so I'd like to try the EMG pickup.
The pickup sound good, I'm still looking for that sound, though I believe Warwicks have the tone- Growl, wood, definition, low end you can stand on, but they do hum a bit, but I judge all tone by how a warwick sounds, just me, I know everyone praises Fender basses, haven't reached that understanding, Warwick 5-strings have become my standard, but are they expensive, my dream will be to have a Warwick 5-string or something that sounds just as good. Wal, Sadowsky, Dingwall, Ibanez, may have it too, but we will see.
So far best pickup I've tried has been the EMG P, the musicman humbuckers sound good too, and the MEC are great, but hard to get a bass with them. Want to try the Bill Lawrence pickups.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: So far this pickups sounds good for all styles, I think with a little help it will sound better, funny how writing htis review has made me think about how to improve the tone.

Comments: If destroyed or Stolen, i'd want to try the Bill Lawrence pickups first before trying the EMGs again, but I'd probably need a new bass, which would suck, because the Vogue was free, a birthday present from an old rock musician here in Seattle, pickup was dead, replaced with this from a EMG fanatic who is the father of the guitar player at time in my band. I'd like to make the bass fretless and also get the neck tweeked because there are some deadspots and high spots, but it will cost me, at least with Mike Lull, great sevice, great people. Will see, this pickup sounds good, but at times it seems boring, its EMG for me I don't know.
Playing for 6 years, still looking for that tone, in pickup and bass, but for all i know this could be it, but also it may not be. I'll give it an 8 due to smoking all the other basses I've played with, minus in store expensive bass, which I don't think I'll ever have, once again will see.

Pickup features: humbucking active
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: 97 or 98 Squier Affinity P-bass
Position: middle
Pickup being replaced: stock
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: No clue
You musical style(s): Rock, Shoegazer, Experimental
Reason for pickup change: Original cheap-o pickups sounded bad, had a lot of hum when plugged into my J-station.

Perceived output level: Definately hotter than stock. I used the extra battery for 18v as recommended by the lit.
Tone: It's the EMG tone. It is said that EMGs make basses sound alike. If that is the case, this is the best possible choice for Squier players short of a classier bass...
Sonic evaluation: Recording direct, and using a J-station and Samson Keyboard amp otherwise. This pickup set woke up my lowly Squier. The sound is louder, clearer, and punchier than stock could ever hope to be. It makes the thing sound like what people think a bass should sound like.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: It's a good match for my styles. It is sort of a standard bass sound that many people like

Comments: A good playing (you have to search for one) Squier P-bass with a set of EMGs in it is a great value if the total cost is under $200. If I couldn't manage that I would probably shop around if mine were destroyed or abducted by aliens or something. I have been playing a few years now. I really like what it's done for my lowly bass. Installing it was a pain, though (if they recommend 18v in the instructions, why not include the second battery clip?)--I had to route a compartment for the second battery, but there was room in the bass for the first.

Pickup features: Humbucking, and Active
Impedence or other specs: ?

Model of guitar or bass: 2000 American Standard Precision
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Stock Vintage '62
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s): Rock and Jazz
Reason for pickup change: The vintage style pickup wasn't for me. I need more clarity and attack.

Perceived output level: Definitely hotter than the Vintage '62
Tone: Very balanced!!!
Sonic evaluation: I use Eden amplification.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Rock and Jazz. It is a good match for all Rock music, I prefer my Jazz Bass for actual Jazz applications. But my Precision would do just fine as well.

Comments: I would definitely buy them again. I was considering selling my Precision because of the sound. I kept telling myself, 'this is why it's taken you 10 years to buy a Precision, because you don't like the sound!'. But now it's Number 2 in my arsenal rather than #5 thanks to the EMG pickups.

Pickup features: Active
Impedence or other specs: Low

Model of guitar or bass: '62 Fender P Reissue
Position: middle
Pickup being replaced: '62 Fender P Reissue
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): All
Reason for pickup change: Safety on outdoor gigs (I saw a guy kiss a mike while holding a grounded-tailpiece axe in the rain; 110 needn't kill ya but he ran down the street and puked his guts out, not a lovely sight).

Perceived output level: Louder
Tone: Balanced, detailed, both as clear and as characteristically P as I could want.
Sonic evaluation: I plug into a Sansamp Bass DI II into an SWR Baby Blue or a Roland keyboard amp (through which I also run a monitor signal). White Bassman with ancient Peavey 115 for recording.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: A P-bass is a P-bass, which of course works for every style.

Comments: The EMG enhances the characteristic warm P-grunt with less noise, more signal, improved clarity, and of course it's much safer. The sound is "right" for me, relaxed and unstrained. I once owned a '63 P. No question the one with the EMG sounds better than that one did. Battery drain (one 9-volt) is the same as battery shelf life. I also have EMG J pickups on a J body with a '65 P-neck. That works, too.

Pickup features: active, humbucking
Impedence or other specs: output impedence : 10k Ohms

Model of guitar or bass: Japanese Fender Precision (w/a Badass 2 bridge)
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: stock Precision pickups
Other pickups on guitar: n/a
Artists using this pickup: no idea. probably quite a few.
You musical style(s): jazz,punk,ska.
Reason for pickup change: The standard Fender pickups were very noisy (i.e. hummed badly)
and sounded a bit 'thin' sometimes.

Perceived output level: Depends. I have mine running at 18V, so it is a LOT louder than the stock pickups. If you ran them at 9V I think they would probably be a little bit louder than the standard pickups.
Tone: Very 'even' and consistent sounding across the board. You can get some very bassy, almost compressed sounding tones with the pot set in the correct position.
Sonic evaluation: I am using them through a H&H 250w head going into a H&H 2*15 cabinet.
For the music I play they sound great. The fact that I run them at 18V means that the bass sometimes overloads the amp slighty which adds a cool (at least to my ears) dirty sound when I hit the strings hard.
Run at 9V I think these pickups would be very versatile and sound great in any playing situation.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: For jazz/ska/punk this pickup (s) is cool.

Comments: I would buy these pickups again. I have been completely satisfied with them except for the fact that (this isn't EMG's fault) to run them at higher than 9V the body of the Precision needs extra routing to bo done.