EMG SA

3 x Single coil, single pole, active pickups

Installed in a Fender Mexican Standard Stratocaster Upgrade.

All 3 original Mex pickups replaced, as well as the components (knobs and jack connection).

Changed them to improve the sound and setup of the instrument.

The level is fantastic and the signal to noise ratio is unbelievable.

I've used it in studio through various pedals and through NI Guitar Rig and it never disappoints. I've also loaned it to friends to play live and they have had nothing but praise for it.

The tone is very even, and classic Strat replicated. Obviously a bit of setup is required but it's very easy using just a dB meter, a screw driver and your ears.

I play all sorts of music but mainly electrock and trip hop. It's well suited as the tone is clear and even enough that I don't have to worry about the guitar and can concentrate on the effects more.

The pickups sound good in all positions but, obviously, sound brighter towards the bridge.

If this guitar was destroyed, I would definitely buy them again for a new one. I bought the Mex for 400 Euro and the EMG SA set cost 210 Euro. They make the guitar sound like a 3,000 Euro guitar! They look fantastic and sound fantastic. Best musical choice I've ever made!

Having to change the battery is the only real down point but they're active so what do you expect! It's worth it.

The low magnetism and virtually no noise are huge plus points too. Cannot rate these high enough.

I reckon any bad reviews are from incorrect installation of individually sold pickups, incorrect setups or damaged goods because a correct installation of these pickups sound incredible.

Everyone should know what these are, they have been around since - the late 70s? Something like that.

Put these into a PRS SE EG to replace the crappy ceramic SCs. Funny, these SAs made those pickups sound OK!

Weak and insipid. Thin - smooth - bright, very transparent/polite sound. Their resonant frequency completely misses the quack you might be looking for from a strat sound. I had to do a lot of EQing to get these to even out with other guitars thru the same rig. No balls at all! Luckily I have a multiFX unit that allows me to re-EQ individual patches.
All in all, I have learned to live with these things with lots of tweaking. They cover my strat tones for the cover band I play in, but I will be moving on to other pickups when I can afford it. I understand why so many players use the SPC/EXG with these - they need lots of help to sound decent.
In their defense, they are DEAD SILENT!

I have been playing a long long time, recently getting back into guitar after playing bass and keys in various projects over the last 20 years. When I last played guitar full-time in the 80s, EMGs were supposed to be the be-all and end-all of pickups.
I am amazed at how disappointed I am at these insipid-sounding things. I searched long and hard to get them at a decent used price and will soon be returning them to the market - I hope no future buyers read this post!

It's that EMG-SA single coil sized active pickup. You can get more info on specifications on emginc.com or take read the other reviews. :o)
Obviously, you need a battery... find a place for it in your guitar, and don't get nervous thinking about battery change in the midst of a gig. No need to worry, just don't forget to unplug the guitar when you stop playing to have a drink or something (pull the cable out of the guitar, not the amp! :o)

I installed them into my self-assembled stratocaster, replacing the beautiful Rockinger ST-RAT single coil set because I wanted to get rid of the hum, and no more hassle with cable length and effects. I was also tired of pickups that are virtually unarmored against physical damage. Why pay a lot of money on pickups that aren't even properly encased?
While the Rockinger pickups are fine and sound great, I felt that I wanted something different, and as I am not a vintage-freak (playing a strat-type made of Korina... doesn't sound "vintage" to me... more like beautiful) I already flirted with the idea of a buffered output to overcome cable length or a preamp with active controls to dial-in different resonant frequencies and resonant peaks (that's more or less what EMG does with their pickups - they call it "Tone Modelling"). I bought the components but lacked routine and skill and time to complete the project - I came to the conclusion, that buying a similar thing might help me out :o) So, I started to look for different EMG players and how they sound and what they play, and played EMG-equipped guitar models in stores, that quest.

I installed a complete EMG SA-Set (ivory coloured - looks beautiful).

Output level is supposed to be higher than most passive pickups. It doesn't matter to me, though. I'm not into high-gain orgies, anyway. More important to high-gain playing is the clarity of the sound, much more than just output - muddy sound and high output? Wouldn't want that. So, EMG offers clear sound and high-output, which is fine.

I use a Hughes&Kettner Tube 50, a Yamaha DG-Stomp (instead of the Tube 50 for some live performances) and usually record straight into the mixer/sound-card.
Switching to EMGs you may need to re-configure you amp and effect settings, so don't be afraid or too annoyed if something sounds "scratchy" or trebly - just fiddle with the controls and get happy - I did :o)

The pickups are balanced - very. Before buying the SA-Set I was considering the SV-Set as an option, because I felt that string-to-string balance was better with staggered pole-pieces. But then I remembered my telly with that Rickinger Blade Screamer pickup - and how I liked the "feel" of a bladed pickup design. Possible intonation problems due to magetic pull wasn't an option either, so I went for the SA-Set.
Chord definition is near perfect. Strum-strum :o) Beautiful! single notes, or single strings get loud, if you play them to get loud. Well, that's the way it works with my Rockingers as well, but I feel to have more control over it, now with EMGs. (Yes, I'm happy.)

I play blues-jazz-classical-stuff (search for croon papillon on myspace... I'll put on recordings done with the EMGs in the future)and especially "jazzy" chords (all those 7/9,+,maj7 etc.) play and sound so much better - crystal clear, or slightly overdriven - and never muddy! That's what I like about them.

When using the DG-Stomp the EMGs excel over other pickups (at least those I own) the effects work, the sound and feel is great. It's clear, very much alive and finally it's a lot of fun to play with different effects (I usually don't like them. Not using any on my H&K Tube 50)

Crunch sound is fun, as well. When EMG brags about "sweet distortion" they are perfectly right. It's beautiful.
I'm not into high-gain, so I can't tell if it's better or worse than other "metal pickups", but I guess the SA-Set is not so much for metal playing (depends on what you call metal and what you want your music to sound like, anyway)

The Set was pre-wired, standard strat-configuration with neck and middle wired to individual tone controls, the bridge without one. I'll probably re-wire it in the future to have the bridge pickup with tone-control as well.

All pickups in the set are the same. There is no difference between the neck or the middle or the bridge position pickups! I think this leads to a balanced overall sound. While there is a difference to the positions, it's not drastic - just enough to get another quality to the sound. (That's very vintage in a way, since early strats came with the same pickup in all three positions - though due to the somewhat sloppy winding-process all pickups were different... so, what do you think of that? EMGs are precision-wound, which is necessary to apply "tone modelling" technology to get the required sound. Wouldn't work with sloppy "scatter-wound" coils or something... ;o)

I really love the in-between position with this set. It doesn't sound like my Rockinger ST-RAT set (it was easy to dial from Rory Gallagher to Stevie Ray to my own preferred sound...), but it doesn't have to. I have yet to find out the right amp settings to "imititate" the sound of the great players, but then, there's really no need to.

These pickups offer qualities that really help me with my playing. It may not be what you want, but I'm happy with the sound. I'll give them a 9 (hey, 9 is still great, as is 8 or seven!) - I feel there is no 10, because there are some things the guitar player has to work for... so, in order to make it a "perfect 10" (a fine mag, by the way ;o) you've got to play it. :o)

I would buy it again, and I will equip another guitar with EMGs. I'm opting for a Flaxwood guitar with EMGs as well (either a Laine with an EMG SA-Set or a Flaxwood Voima with an EMG 60A in the neck, SA in the middle and an 85 in the bridge position... :o)

I've been playing for about 7 years now. I built this strat about 3 years ago and it became my favourite (apart from a Flaxwood in the near future). I play heavy strings on all my guitars: usually dadarrio XL jazz light (12-16-24w-32w-42w-52w) or Dean Markley "jazz" JZ (012-015-026w-034w-044w-054w). And I use either standard tuning or one half-step down (all strings).

I can compare it only to the sound of the same strat with Rockinger ST-RAT single coils and my tellies (one with muddy-muddy Fender WideRange Humbuckers and one with Rockinger Telly Rhythm neck single coil and great Blade Screamer single coil-sized humbucker in the bridge position). I like the sound and "feel" (response, attack etc.) of the Rockingers (the WideRange Humbuckers being way too muddy and loud! They probably have more output than the EMGs...feeling-wise), but hate the hum and other problems. Now, that I have installed the SA-Set I have more control over the sound, although it's different in its qualities. I love it and it's not sterile. Oh, I better write that again - the sound of my EMG SA-Set is not sterile. Neither is it too trebly or anything. I fear though, that many guitar players don't know how to handle their equipment and configure their amp settings to fit their guitar(s), the location etc. I have talked to some, and there are those who state a pickup to be too bassy, or middle-ish, or trebly because it sounds that way using their preferred settings on an amp and equipment... They don't change their settings to fit a certain guitar (with different woods, pickups or any other hocuspocus/voodoo) - which comes close to comparing girl-friends (or boy-friends) with your favourite pin-up-girl(-boy) and stating they (them girl-friends...) can't kiss because they don't look like whoever in the pictures. (People have more qualities than their skill in kissing... and anyway, you can learn to kiss...there is a considerable improvement in skill and effect over the years - takes some practice, of course.)

Whatever, if you're happy with your pickups, don't change. If you'd like to improve, take some time (many hours, not just minutes) to test an EMG equipped guitar very thoroughly. Open your mind, learn some physics (electronics whatever) and read something on pickups - you might come to a conclusion similiar to the one the guys at EMG came up with.

I really like them.

It's that EMG-SA single coil sized active pickup. You can get more info on specifications on emginc.com or read the other reviews. :o)
Obviously, you need a battery... find a place for it in your guitar, and don't get nervous thinking about battery change in the midst of a gig. No need to worry, just don't forget to unplug the guitar when you stop playing to have a drink or something (pull the cable out of the guitar, not the amp! :o)

I installed them into my self-assembled stratocaster, replacing the beautiful Rockinger ST-RAT single coil set because I wanted to get rid of the hum, and no more hassle with cable length and effects. I was also tired of pickups that are virtually unarmored against physical damage. Why pay a lot of money on pickups that aren't even properly encased?
While the Rockinger pickups are fine and sound great, I felt that I wanted something different, and as I am not a vintage-freak (playing a strat-type made of Korina... doesn't sound "vintage" to me... more like beautiful) I already flirted with the idea of a buffered output to overcome cable length or a preamp with active controls to dial-in different resonant frequencies and resonant peaks (that's more or less what EMG does with their pickups - they call it "Tone Modelling"). I bought the components but lacked routine and skill and time to complete the project - I came to the conclusion, that buying a similar thing might help me out :o) So, I started to look for different EMG players and how they sound and what they play, and played EMG-equipped guitar models in stores, that quest.

I installed a complete EMG SA-Set (ivory coloured - looks beautiful).

Output level is supposed to be higher than most passive pickups. It doesn't matter to me, though. I'm not into high-gain orgies, anyway. More important to high-gain playing is the clarity of the sound, much more than just output - muddy sound and high output? Wouldn't want that. So, EMG offers clear sound and high-output, which is fine.

I use a Hughes&Kettner Tube 50, a Yamaha DG-Stomp (instead of the Tube 50 for some live performances) and usually record straight into the mixer/sound-card.
Switching to EMGs you may need to re-configure your amp and effect settings, so don't be afraid or too annoyed if something sounds "scratchy" or trebly - just fiddle with the controls and get happy - I did :o)

The pickups are balanced - very. Before buying the SA-Set I was considering the SV-Set as an option, because I felt that string-to-string balance was better with staggered pole-pieces. But then I remembered my telly with that Rickinger Blade Screamer pickup - and how I liked the "feel" of a bladed pickup design. Possible intonation problems due to magetic pull (I had my passive singe coils way low on my strat...) wasn't an option either, so I went for the SA-Set.
Chord definition is near perfect. Strum-strum :o) Beautiful! single notes, or single strings get loud, if you play them to get loud. Well, that's the way it works with my Rockingers as well, but I feel to have more control over it, now with EMGs. (Yes, I'm happy.)

I play blues-jazz-classical-stuff (search for croon papillon on myspace... I'll put on recordings done with the EMGs in the future), and especially "jazzy" chords (all those 7/9,+,maj7 etc.) play and sound so much better - crystal clear, or slightly overdriven - and never muddy! That's what I like about them.

When using the DG-Stomp the EMGs excel over other pickups (at least those I own) the effects work, the sound and feel is great. It's clear, very much alive and finally it's a lot of fun to play with different effects (I usually don't like them. Not using any on my H&K)

Crunch sound is fun, as well. When EMG brags about "sweet distortion" they are perfectly right. It's beautiful.
I'm not into high-gain, so I can't tell if it's better or worse than other "metal pickups", but I guess the SA-Set is not so much for metal playing (depends on what you call metal and what you want your music to sound like, anyway)

The Set was pre-wired, standard strat-configuration with neck and middle wired to individual tone controls, the bridge without one. I'll probably re-wire it in the future to have the bridge pickup with tone-control as well.
All pickups in the set are the same. There is no difference between the neck or the middle or the bridge position pickups! I think this leads to a balanced overall sound. While there is a difference to the positions, it's not drastic - just enough to get another quality to the sound. (That's "very vintage" in a way, since early strats came with the same pickup in all three positions - though due to the somewhat sloppy winding-process all pickups were different... so, what do you think of that? EMGs are precision-wound, which is necessary to apply "tone modelling" technology to get the required sound. Wouldn't work with sloppy "scatter-wound" coils or something...)

I really love the in-between position with this set. It doesn't sound like my Rockinger ST-RAT set (it was easy to dial from Rory Gallagher to Stevie Ray to my own preferred sound...), but it doesn't have to. I have yet to find out the right amp settings to "imititate" the sound of the great players, but then, there's really no need to. I found my own :o) These pickups offer qualities that really help me with my playing. It may not be what you want, but I'm happy with the sound. I'll give them a 9 (hey, 9 is still great, as is 8 or seven!) - I feel there is no 10, because there are some things the guitar player has to work for... so, in order to make it a "perfect 10" (a fine mag, by the way :o) you've go

I would buy it again, and I will equip another guitar with EMGs. I'm opting for a Flaxwood guitar with EMGs as well (either a Laine with an EMG SA-Set or a Voima with an EMG 60A in the neck, SA in the middle and an 85 in the bridge position... :o)

I've been playing for about 7 years now. I built this strat about 3 years ago and it became my favourite (apart from a Flaxwood in the near future). I play heavy strings on all my guitars: usually dadarrio XL jazz light (12-16-24w-32w-42w-52w) or Dean Markley "jazz" JZ (012-015-026w-034w-044w-054w). And I use either standard tuning or one half-step down (all strings).

I can compare it only to the sound of the same strat with Rockinger ST-RAT single coils and my tellies (one with muddy-muddy Fender WideRange Humbuckers and one with Rockinger Telly Rhythm neck single coil and great Blade Screamer single coil-sized humbucker in the bridge position). I like the sound and "feel" (response, attack etc.) of the Rockingers (the WideRange Humbuckers being way too muddy and loud! They probably have more output than the EMGs...feeling-wise), but hate the hum and other problems. Now, that I have installed the SA-Set I have more control over the sound, although it's different in its qualities. I love it and it's not sterile. Oh, I better write that again - the sound of my EMG SA-Set is not sterile. Neither is it too trebly or anything. I fear though, that many guitar players don't know how to handle their equipment and configure their amp settings to fit their guitar(s), the location etc. I have talked to some, and there are those who state a pickup to be too bassy, or middle-ish, or trebly because it sounds that way using their preferred settings on an amp and equipment... They don't change their settings to fit a certain guitar (with different woods, pickups or any other hocuspocus/voodoo) - which comes close to comparing girl-friends (or boy-friends) with your favourite pin-up-girl(-boy) and stating they (them girl-friends...) can't kiss because they don't look like whoever in the pictures. (People have more qualities than their skill in kissing... and anyway, you can learn to kiss...there is a considerable improvement in skill and effect over the years - takes some practice, of course.)

Whatever, if you're happy with your pickups, don't change. If you'd like to improve, take some time (many hours, not just minutes) to test an EMG equipped guitar very thoroughly. Open your mind, learn some physics (electronics whatever) and read something on pickups - you may come to a conclusion similar to what the guys at EMG came up with. You may want to read this as well: http://www.buildyourguitar.com/resources/lemme/index.htm

I'm satisfied with my EMGs - so very happy! ;o). So, here goes a "perfect 10"!

Active alnico single coil pickup

Installed in an Ibanez S2170fw
Installed in neck (here i used the HA, which is the same thing as the SA but with humbucking casing) and middle positions
Replacing the stock Dimarzio/Ibanez pickups
Another pickup used is the EMG 85 in the bridge position
David Gilmour is a notable EMG SA user
Reason for changing to EMG was initially to install a single coil pickup in the neck position, so i ended up changing all pickups to EMGs

Volume-wise, it was actually *as* loud as the passive pickups it replaces, and the output was *similar* to the latter
The EMGs are hooked up to a Marshall MG100DFX and ZOOM G2 effects pedal
The neck pickup sounds very balanced; not too bassy, not too trebly. Of course, it will never deliver what it supposedly promises of genuine Strat attributes, but the sound the EMG SA delivers is actually what I was looking for - utmost clarity and tone, classic distortion and, most importantly, versatility.
I mostly play alternative rock, metal and blues and I think this pickup delivers most of them. Obviously it falls short of performing decent metal, but it's a desired compromise - less brutality, more bluesy tones.
I haven't tried using the HA (SA in humbucking case) in the bridge position, so I cannot comment on that, though for now I can confidently say that the neck position is what this pickup is designed for.

I would most definitely buy this pickup again if I was to get an active pickup, not that I really want to replace passive for another passive. I love everything about this pickup; tone, versatility, looks and, of course, its quick connect plugs! I'm not sure what I hate about it. Many people mention that all EMGs are sterile; okay, sure, it doesn't offer natural sounds, but I can guarantee you that it's not sterile. Not being a purist, I frankly do not care. I am very satisfied with this pickup.

Single-Coil Active

Eleca Strat Copy 2007 Model
Replaced all stock pickups cuz they sucked, which wasn't suprising.

The Sound is only one thing, Amazing
I mostly play Hard Rock, Metal, Classic Rock boston style, and blues.
Using a 100 watt H&H 2x12 combo amp from the 70's and a Digitech Metal master pedel.
Tone is amazing exactly what i was looking for.

Been playing for about 8 years now and would consider changing the pickup's in my 78 les paul custom if my dad wasn't gonna kick my ass for doing it.

a set of active EMG SA, beige
I added two controlls by EMG that I never use :-) (a bosster and some super cleany thing, that is ok for studio work and emulating a mid70ies strat)

Squier 1984 JV-Japan Vintage Stratocaster
all positions
replaced original set
which caused to much noise when on stage, even though shielded professionally, (a rack full of effects made it worse)

moderate strong output, more than originals
50W Marshall over 4*12/25W,
Alesis Quadraverb, Yamaha SPX 90, etc. with Boogie 50/50 over Marshall cabinett (stereo 4*12)

All positions nice, especially bridge/middle clean rings the bell, the neck all alone is fine as well. No limitation.

It's a great combination that made me come back to this guitar whenever I have had periods of experimentation using others.

while an active set, it is in need of a 9v-block battery that has to be positioned somewhere, I had to slightly modify my Strat to make it fi in the spring section, the idea to place it under the pickguard, as EMG suggests us, is not what I would call a functional solution.

If you want a strat and silence in background, it's the thing (if your opinion of what a strat should sound like is related to EMG's, which seems to work for me with the SA, NOT with the S-set I found out)

Pickup features: single. active
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: custom mahogany strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: dave gilmoure
You musical style(s): rock, blues, jazz, funk
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: extreme
Tone: crap
Sonic evaluation: this into a fulldrive2 into a twin reverb, these pickups are gorrible they sound nothing like any strat ive heard, not sweet at all, not pleasing to the ear in asny way, switching to lindy fralin. too loud and not full souonding whatsoever, please dont buy these pickups you will be thouroughly dissapointed.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:

Comments: these stink Im going to sell them, or else i would melt them

Pickup features: Active Single Coil
Impedence or other specs: Low Impedance

Model of guitar or bass: 1995 Fender Standard Stratocaster
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Seymour Duncan Alnico II Pro humbucker, Classic Stack, and JB Jr.
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: Mark Knopfler, Mike Keneally, Peter Frampton, David Gilmour
You musical style(s): Progressive, Alternative, Classic Rock
Reason for pickup change: The Duncans I've used for years just started sounding a little too muddy for my tastes. I use a processor for recording and live sound now more than traditional amps and I wanted to restore my Strat single-coil sound as well.

Perceived output level: Smooth and clear when used clean, over-the-top on overdrive
Tone: Balanced to slightly scooped.
Sonic evaluation: I'm running the Strat through a Boss GT-3 processor I've had for a few years and it finally sounds like a real guitar! The old Duncans were great for just the guitar going through the amp, but they tended to sound muddy through any kind of processing or modeling. These EMGs are spectacular pickups and can be smooth and clear when used on a clean channel or model, or absolutely furious when used on overdrive.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Progressive rock, jazz, blues. Suitable for just about anything short of maybe nu metal.

Comments: I've been playing this Strat for ten years and it's never sounded better. Pick up a standard strat for $350, add $200 in EMGs and it will blow you away. I would never hesitate to purchase this product again if lost or stolen, and may even pick up an EMG-ZW set for the Les Paul. Spectacular, fully satisfied.

Pickup features: single coil active
Impedence or other specs: gold EMG

Model of guitar or bass: Fender american standard strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: stock
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Mark Knofler, Nicky Joe Sonya,Dave Liles Jr.
You musical style(s): blues ,rock ,country,swing,broadway
Reason for pickup change: stock pickups had that unpleasant hum and they didn't know the words!!!

Perceived output level: clear clean bell like through a clean amp
Tone: treble mid
Sonic evaluation: fender strat fender twin ts9 tube screaMER wah pedal some time a chorus(clean) Traynor Mark3 with sd1 and big muff (dirty)

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: these are very good pickups for bl;ues and classic rock add the FAT control and you get even more tones

Comments: if this guitar was ever stolen I'd hunt down the person and skin them for strap material
if the pickups died I'd have to replace them (have done the volune tone and switch a buncnh of times if you need a good starting off point throw away all your non emg pickups and get these!!!!!