Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 6 stores. Prices updated .

Reverb
5.0 (1)
$99.00 New
$125.00 Used
Thomann
4.8 (75)
$75.00
Gear4Music
£219.00

Average Price: $101

Standard/Professional

$99

$200+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "EMG SA". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Introducing the EMG SA, a vintage sound in a modern package. This active single-coil pickup delivers an iconic "early Strat" tone, with a unique twist. Designed with an Alnico V magnet, the EMG SA enhances your headroom, bringing out more bell-like harmonics and sustain, while retaining that familiar high end. Loved by many renowned guitarists including David Gilmour and Steve Lukather, this pickup is celebrated for its versatility.

What sets the EMG SA apart is its active noiseless feature. Traditional single-coil pickups might have a great tone, but they often come with an unpleasant hum and buzz. The EMG SA, however, solves these issues with internal shielding and an independent preamp in every pickup, ensuring a clean, clear tone over a background of silence.

Not only does the EMG SA offer vintage tones with modern performance, but it also includes essential accessories. The package comes with EMG's Quick-Connect cables, prewired tone and volume controls, and an output jack. This makes installation a breeze, even for the less tech-savvy musicians.

Key Features:

  • Active EMG SA single-coil pickup
  • Alnico V magnet for clear and balanced sound
  • Includes 3 Quick-Connect Cables with screws and springs
  • Comes with prewired controls for volume and two tone controls
  • Active noiseless feature for clean, clear tones
  • Made in the USA

Product specs

Type Single-coil
Position Bridge, Middle, Neck
Active/Passive Active
Magnet Material Alnico V
Number of Conductors 2 wire plus battery
DC Resistance 10K
Connectivity Solderless
Number of Strings 6
Covering Covered
Format Strat-sized

FAQs

What makes the EMG SA pickup unique compared to other Strat-style pickups?

The EMG SA is an active single-coil pickup with an Alnico V magnet, known for its high output and low noise. It offers a clear, powerful tone suitable for various genres, especially rock and metal.

Can the EMG SA pickup be installed in any position on my guitar?

Yes, the EMG SA is designed to be versatile and can be installed in the bridge, middle, or neck position of a guitar.

What type of connectivity does the EMG SA pickup use?

The EMG SA features solderless connectivity, making installation straightforward and hassle-free.

Is the EMG SA pickup suitable for all types of music?

While the EMG SA excels in rock and metal due to its high output and clarity, its versatile tone can also complement blues, pop, and other genres.

Does the EMG SA pickup require a battery to operate?

Yes, the EMG SA is an active pickup and requires a 9V battery to function, which powers its preamp for enhanced performance.

gilmourish

gilmourish

David Gilmour's EMG SA pickup tones

Video thumbnail for David Gilmour's EMG SA pickup tones by gilmourish

David Gilmour's EMG SA pickup tones

gilmourish

gilmourish

Video thumbnail for EMG SA Pickups Review/Demo/Comparison by Daniel Rettberg

EMG SA Pickups Review/Demo/Comparison

Daniel Rettberg

Daniel Rettberg

Video thumbnail for Soulful demo of EMG 85 and SA pickups, Michael Burks on EMGtv by EMGtv

Soulful demo of EMG 85 and SA pickups, Michael Burks on EMGtv

EMGtv

EMGtv

Video thumbnail for Watch This Before You Buy EMG DG20 David Gilmour Pickups by Kennis Russell

Watch This Before You Buy EMG DG20 David Gilmour Pickups

Kennis Russell

Kennis Russell

Video thumbnail for Active vs. Passive: EMG SA VS. Fender Custom Shop '69 by Per Pettersen

Active vs. Passive: EMG SA VS. Fender Custom Shop '69

Per Pettersen

Per Pettersen

Video thumbnail for Suhr V60LP vs.  EMG SA (Neck) by Petri Palmén

Suhr V60LP vs. EMG SA (Neck)

Petri Palmén

Petri Palmén

Reviews

PROS

  • Provides classic vintage Strat single-coil sound with creamy, expressive tones

  • Excellent noise reduction with internal shielding and low impedance preamp

  • Versatile for clean, crunchy, and light distorted sounds

  • Features solderless connections for easier installation

  • Outstanding build quality typical of EMG products

  • Produces clean jazzy tones, resembling an amplified acoustic guitar

  • Consistent sound quality in both live and studio settings

  • Articulate sound even when overdriven, suitable for a variety of genres

  • Popular choice among professional musicians, used in the EMG DG-20 set

CONS

  • Difficult installation process with confusing schematics for simple circuits

  • Requires close proximity to strings for balanced sound

  • Pickup wires have thick clip ends, complicating installation with small guitar holes

  • Underwhelming for neck leads when combined with certain pickups

Owner Insights

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

Comparisons

  • EMG SA pickups are noted for shifting the high mid spike lower compared to SSL-1s, reducing the "ice pick" effect without the low output issue.

    Source
  • The EMG 85 is noted for providing a thicker sound compared to the 81, which maintains clarity with a sharp attack suitable for high-gain settings.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Adjusting the height of EMG SA pickups can influence the tonal outcome, allowing for fine-tuning to achieve desired sound characteristics.

    Source
  • Combining EMG SA pickups with an 85 in the bridge offers a thicker sound with more low mids, appealing to those who prefer modern, mid-heavy tones.

    Source

User experience

  • Transitioning from SSL-1 to EMG SA pickups resulted in a guitar that remained slightly spikey but achieved a lower frequency spike, which was considered an improvement.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The EMG SA pickups are praised for their versatility, fitting genres from metal to blues and funk, making them suitable for a wide range of styles.

    Source
  • EMG SA pickups are recommended for players seeking a Strat tone with clarity and definition, without the typical hum of single coils.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The solderless installation system of EMG pickups is highlighted for its ease, allowing users to swap pickups effortlessly without soldering.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 5 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how David Gilmour uses EMG SA

David Gilmour

Guitarist

Pink Floyd

...
Verified via Gilmourish

Gilmour used EMG SA single coils on his Red Strat during the Division Bell era of Pink Floyd, usually with a EXG and SPC connected to them.

See how Tom Morello uses EMG SA

Tom Morello

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Angelfire

Morello's using this EMG SA in the neck position of his Ibanez AX Demon Custom.

See how Adam Dutkiewicz uses EMG SA

Adam Dutkiewicz

Guitarist, Drummer

Killswitch Engage

...
Verified via Photo

According to Guitar Geek's rig diagram, Adam uses EMG SA (Middle & Neck Position) Pickups.

See how Steve Winwood uses EMG SA

Steve Winwood

Singer, Guitarist

The Spencer Davis Group

...
Verified via Emgpickups

EMGpickups.com Steve Winwood can be found on the Artist page. He is spondered by EMG

See how Reb Beach uses EMG SA

Reb Beach

Guitarist

Whitesnake

...
Verified via Emgpickups

According to EMG's webiste, Beach uses EMG SA pickups.

See how Jun Senoue uses EMG SA

Jun Senoue

Guitarist, Composer

Crush 40

...
Verified via Espguitars

The pickup is on some of his guitars from his esp artist models page.

See how Joel Stroetzel uses EMG SA

Joel Stroetzel

Guitarist

Killswitch Engage

...
Verified via Photo

Joel Stroetzel's website lists EMG SA pickups among the gear he uses.

See how Leda uses EMG SA

Leda

Guitarist, Bassist

BABYMETAL

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, Leda is seen using his custom Sadowsky strat copy equipped with a Floyd Rose bridge and EMG pickups - the middle and neck pickups shown are EMG SA pickups.

See how Marco Sfogli uses EMG SA

Marco Sfogli

Guitarist, Composer

James LaBrie

...
Verified via Instagram

In an Instagram post, Marco Sfogli confirms that he is using two EMG SA pickups in his pink Charvel. The post's caption reads: "Emg's everywhere! SA/SA/85 on the pink Charvel and Crossroads/Super 77 on the Danhage. Tone for days!"

See how Per Nilsson uses EMG SA

Per Nilsson

Guitarist, Composer

Meshuggah

...
Verified via Pinterest

His signature model has red EMG SA and EMG 57 Bridge for seven string guitars.

See how Maycown Reichembach uses EMG SA

Maycown Reichembach

Guitarist, Composer

...
Verified via Reichembach

EMG SA used in his Signature Traditional Strat

Album Usage

The EMG SA has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

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

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use EMG SA, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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EMG 89 Active Pickups Black
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Ibanez AX Demon Custom Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
Charvel So-Cal Style 1 HH FR
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1
EMG 85
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1

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gtrplyr83

gtrplyr83

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