EMG FAT 55

$209.00

4.7 (15)

$209.00

5.0 (3)

$171.47 6 available New

$168.03 1 available Used

$209.00

5.0 (5)

$209.00

4.9 (14)

$176.00 $174.00 $2.00 · All time low

Average Price: $195

Standard/Professional

$99

$200+

Price Tier

In the Electric Guitar Pickups category, EMG FAT 55 is priced in the upper end of the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "EMG FAT 55". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

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Inspired by the iconic tones of the '50s and '60s, the EMG FAT 55 humbucker set masterfully bridges the gap between vintage artistry and modern innovation. These pickups honor the essence of the original PAF design, bringing rich, warm bass and clear treble to your sound with the help of Alnico magnets. But don't let the classic look fool you; beneath the hood lies a cutting-edge, newly designed external preamp. This ingenious addition offers a low-impedance output, ensuring your tunes are virtually free from hum and added noise, while preserving the soulful, passive character of your tone.

The FAT 55 is more than just a pretty face. Its ability to smoothly transition from laid-back blues riffs to soaring overdriven solos gives it a unique versatility that guitarists crave. Whether you're diving into a deep groove or taking center stage with a blistering lead, this pickup set has got you covered. And with EMG's exclusive solderless installation system, upgrading your sound has never been easier, leaving more time for what really matters—playing your heart out.

Key Features:

Pair of open-coil, PAF-inspired passive pickups with Alnico magnets
Newly designed external preamp for low-impedance output and noise reduction
Versatile sound capable of handling blues riffs and overdriven solos
Solderless installation system included
Complete with volume and tone potentiometers, battery bus, and stereo output jack
Includes all necessary mounting hardware and cables

Product specs

Type	Set: Humbucker
Active/Passive	Active
Configuration	HH Set
Magnet Material	Alnico V
Number of Conductors	2 wire plus battery
DC Resistance	3.1K
Connectivity	Solderless
Number of Strings	6
Covering	Uncovered

FAQs

What type of music genres are the EMG FAT 55 pickups best suited for?: The EMG FAT 55 pickups are designed to deliver a vintage-inspired tone with modern clarity, making them ideal for rock, blues, and classic metal genres.
How do the EMG FAT 55 pickups differ from traditional passive pickups?: Unlike traditional passive pickups, the EMG FAT 55 pickups are active, featuring an onboard preamp for higher output and enhanced tonal clarity.
Are the EMG FAT 55 pickups easy to install?: Yes, the EMG FAT 55 pickups feature a solderless installation system, simplifying the process for both experienced and novice guitarists.
What is the tonal characteristic of the EMG FAT 55 pickups?: The EMG FAT 55 pickups offer a warm and articulate tone with a balanced output, thanks to their Alnico V magnets and active circuitry.
Can the EMG FAT 55 pickups be used for both rhythm and lead guitar parts?: Yes, the EMG FAT 55 pickups provide versatile tonal qualities that are well-suited for both rhythm and lead guitar applications.

Videos

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Bryce VanHoosen

EMG Retro-Active Fat 55 Bridge Pickup Demo

Bryce VanHoosen

EMG Retro Active Super 77 VS Fat 55 (Bridge Pickups)

Masaki Murashita

EMG Fat 55 Metal Demo

moises salcido

EMG Retro-Active Fat 55 Neck Pickup Demo

Bryce VanHoosen

EMG 57 vs Fat 55 Retroactive comparison by Gav King

Gav King

EMG FAT55 TEST

加藤税

EMG Fat 55 & Super 77 Retroactives vs MF passive pickup comparison video by Gav King

Gav King

Seymour Duncan Full Shred/Alnico Pro II vs. the EMG Fat 55, ISP Technologies Theta Pro, Charvel DK24

McLeanAB88

EMG Fat 55 Retro Active w/ ESP LTD MHB-401 -demo

Late Honkola

Reviews

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PROS

Exceptional clarity with both clean and overdriven tones
Solderless installation makes setup quick and easy
Versatile sound, suitable for rock, metal, and blues
Maintains classic Gibson sound with a modern twist
Handles dynamics well, responsive to picking intensity
Fat and full tone with pronounced mids and highs
Great for achieving clear pinch harmonics
Wide range of tones, from smooth cleans to heavy distortion
Perfect for adding vintage character to modern guitars
Long battery life for active pickup convenience

CONS

Bridge pickup may have noticeable feedback issues
Lacks coil tap/phase reversal options
Lower output compared to some other EMG models
Not as dynamic as true passive pickups
May require adjustments to amp settings for optimal sound

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about EMG FAT 55.

Mods and upgrades

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The EMG Fat 55s are easily swappable with existing EMG sets due to the plug-in pins, eliminating the need for soldering or rewiring.
Source
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Some owners recommend pairing the Fat 55 with a coil-splitting switch to access single-coil tones, expanding its tonal versatility.
Source

Setup and maintenance

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Switching from active to passive pickups requires a complete rewire, including changing pots and jacks, as active pickups use a stereo jack.
Source

Use cases and applications

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The EMG Fat 55s are described as vintage-voiced with lower output, suitable for hard rock, stoner rock, and blues but not ideal for clean tones without significant EQ adjustments.
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The Fat 55 is highlighted for its ability to handle a variety of musical styles, particularly those requiring a vintage tone with modern clarity.
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The EMG Fat 55 handles low tunings like D standard and drop Bb effectively, offering a chunky tone that surpasses the EMG 81 in depth for these settings.
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Comparisons

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The EMG Fat 55s are likened to Seymour Duncan '59s, providing a less dynamic yet more versatile sound than the EMG 60/81 set, appropriate for genres beyond metal.
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The EMG Fat 55 is compared favorably to the Fishman Fluence Retroactive series, with some users preferring the Fat 55's PAF-like qualities.
Source
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For players seeking low-output pickups for better clarity in drop tunings, the Fat 55 provides superior performance compared to higher-output models, avoiding muddiness.
Source

Features and functionality

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Users find the Fat 55s handle distortion well but require a boost or overdrive pedal to work effectively with fuzz pedals, especially at lower volumes.
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EMG Fat 55 is noted for its ability to deliver a vintage PAF sound with a modern edge, making it suitable for classic rock tones.
Source

User experience

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Users have reported that the EMG Fat 55 provides a more pronounced midrange compared to other EMG models, enhancing its versatility.
Source

Critic Reviews

EMG RetroActive Fat 55 pickup set review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The EMG RetroActive Fat 55 pickup set impresses with a seamless blend of active and passive qualities. It offers superb performance with a classic look and sound, enhanced by an active preamp for noise reduction and consistent output. Installation is hassle-free, thanks to a no-solder setup. The pickups deliver versatile tones from clean jazz to rock, maintaining a passive sound with active benefits. While lacking covered options, the set is a cost-effective choice for diverse playing styles. With its innovative design, the Fat 55 is a standout for players seeking both tradition and modernity.

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Artist usage

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Maycown Reichembach

Guitarist, Composer

Verified via Emgpickups

Maycown Reichembach uses the EMG FAT 55 humbucker set, known for its blend of vintage PAF-inspired tones and modern technology. Featuring Alnico magnets in traditional open coil bobbins, the FAT 55 delivers rich, warm lows and clear highs, suitable for both blues riffs and overdriven solos. Its innovative external preamp reduces noise while maintaining a passive tone character. This set, highlighted on the EMG Pickups website, offers a solderless installation and comes in black and zebra color options.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Jazz

Folk, World, & Country

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