EMG, Inc. is the current legal name of an American company based in Santa Rosa, California that manufactures guitar pickups and EQ accessories. Among guitar and bass accessories, the company sells active humbucker pickups, such as the EMG 81,

Products

Overview

EMG pickups are standard equipment on some models from guitar manufacturers such as BC Rich, ESP, Schecter, Cort, Gibson, Dean, Steinberger, Ibanez, and Jackson Guitars.

;HZ / SRO Series

The HZ / SRO Series is a variety of passive designs of humbucking and single coil pickups, as well as bass models for 4, 5, and 6 string basses. HZ pickups are commonly used in guitar and bass manufacturers as stock pickups.

;SA Series

The SA Series is an active single coil pick up with moderate gain output levels famous among Fender Stratocaster players for extra volume and gain while retaining that classic vintage tone.

thumb|EMG P-X Precision pickups on a bass guitar.

;X-Series

The X series is an active product designed to bridge the gulf between passive and active tonalities. They are active but are voiced to sound more organic, with a more rounded signal response like the passives, while retaining the active qualities such as noise reduction and high output.

;Signature Pickups and Sets

EMG has released several signature pickups and sets for various artists, the two longest signature artists being Kerry King ("KFK Set") and Zakk Wylde ("ZW Set"), both are which are based around the EMG 81 and EMG 85 set. There are also signature sets for Judas Priest's Glenn Tipton ("GTV Vengenace" set custom-made for Tipton, based on the 81 / 81 set with steel magnets), James Hetfield ("JH HET Set", set custom-made for Hetfield based on the 81 / 60 set with pole-pieces), and a complimentary set for fellow Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett ("KH Bonebreakers" based on the 81 / 60A set) Exodus' Gary Holt ("GH Set", based around the 81 / 89R in red covers), Children of Bodom's Alexi Laiho (passive custom EMG pickup with a custom-voiced boost preamp), and Black Sabbath's Geezer Butler (passive P and P/J voiced for Butler). Metallica's Robert Trujillo received a signature set ("RT Rip Tide" based on EMG's standard Jazz Bass pickups). Signature pickguards on offer include those made to the specifications of Steve Lukather, David Gilmour, and Vince Gill.

Endorsements

Some artists and bands who use or endorse EMG pickups include:

  • Anthrax
  • Dino Cazares
  • Premier Guitar Video: EMG Inc. Factory Tour
  • Rob Turner Interview NAMM Oral History Library (2009)