What is included in the EMG Zakk Wylde Pickup Set?

The set includes two active humbucking pickups, along with long-shaft volume and tone pots designed for thick-bodied guitars. It also features EMG's solderless wiring harness for easy installation.

Do I need to solder these pickups during installation?

No, this set features EMG's exclusive solderless design. You can connect the components using the provided cables and headers without a soldering iron.

Why are the control shafts long on this set?

Long shafts are specifically included to fit through the thicker wood tops of guitars like the Gibson Les Paul. Standard short-shaft pots often do not reach through these types of guitar bodies.

Is a battery required for these pickups?

Yes, as these are active pickups, they require a 9-volt battery to power the internal preamps. The battery is usually housed inside the guitar's control cavity.

Which artist is this pickup set associated with?

This set was designed for Zakk Wylde, the metal guitarist famous for his tenure with Ozzy Osbourne and as the leader of Black Label Society.

Can I install these in a guitar other than a Les Paul?

Yes, they can be installed in most dual-humbucker guitars. However, the long-shaft pots are specifically optimised for Les Paul-style builds; other guitars may require standard-length pots.

What genre of music is this set best for?

The set is designed for aggressive music styles, specifically heavy metal, thrash, and shred. It provides high output and clarity under heavy distortion.

How does the output compare to passive pickups?

The EMG Zakk Wylde set offers a significantly fuller sound and higher output than most passive pickups. This allows the guitar to drive amplifiers harder for more natural saturation.

Are the pickups noisy?

No, one of the benefits of EMG's active design is that it is very low-noise. It eliminates the hum often associated with high-gain playing and traditional single-coil pickups.

What is the typical price for this set in the UK?

The typical price range for this pickup set is approximately £180. Prices may vary slightly depending on the specific retailer.

What colour are the pickup covers?

This specific version of the Zakk Wylde signature set comes with classic black covers. They are also available in other finishes like bullseye patterns in different product listings.

Does this set include tone controls?

Yes, the set includes both long-shaft volume and tone controls. These allow you to shape your high-frequency output and overall signal level directly from the guitar.

Gear article

EMG Zakk Wylde Pickup Set

The EMG Zakk Wylde Pickup Set is an active electric guitar humbucker system designed in collaboration with the renowned metal guitarist Zakk Wylde. Engineered specifically for high-output styles like thrash and shred, the set is most commonly installed in Les Paul and similar dual-humbucker instruments.

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Background and Design

The EMG Zakk Wylde Pickup Set was developed to meet the specific requirements of the heavy metal virtuoso best known for his work with Ozzy Osbourne and Black Label Society. The goal was to provide a pickup configuration that could handle the high-gain environments of modern metal while maintaining clarity and note definition. The set typically comprises the classic EMG 81 and 85 humbucker combination, which has become a standard in the heavy music industry.

Historically, this specific signature set was created to ensure that fans and professional musicians alike could access the exact tonal profile used by Wylde on stage and in the studio. It is designed primarily for mahogany-bodied instruments, specifically the Les Paul template, to complement the natural resonance of those guitars with high-output active circuitry.

Technical Features and Installation

One of the standout technical features of this set is the inclusion of long shaft volume and tone controls. These are essential for guitars with thicker tops, such as carved-top Les Pauls, where standard short-shaft pots would not reach through the body. The controls allow players to shape their tone and manage the high output levels produced by the active magnets.

EMG has implemented its exclusive solderless installation design for this set. This system uses a header and plug approach, allowing users to connect the pickups to the pots and output jack without the need for a soldering iron. This simplifies the process for those looking to upgrade their sound quickly and reduces the risk of thermal damage to components during the installation process.

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Sound Character

The sonic profile of the Zakk Wylde set is described as exhilarating and aggressive. Because these are active pickups, they offer a fuller sound with significantly more output than traditional passive alternatives. This makes them highly suitable for 'shredding' and 'thrashing,' as they can push a high-gain amplifier into saturated distortion without losing the crispness of the individual notes.

The character is defined by a scintillating high-end response and a punchy, tight low-end. This ensures that even during fast, technical passages or low-tuned riffs, the guitar remains articulate and does not become 'muddy' or indistinct.

Suitability and Comparisons

This pickup set is primarily suited for guitarists playing heavy metal, hard rock, and high-energy genres. While it is highly specialised for aggressive tones, the active nature of the set provides a clean, noise-free signal that can be useful in studio environments.

When compared to standard parts like the Fender Stratocaster components or bass hardware such as the Gotoh 203B-4 Bass Bridge, the Zakk Wylde set represents a highly specific tonal modification rather than a general hardware replacement. Unlike passive components found in contemporary Jazz Bass setups, the active circuitry here requires a battery power source, typically 9V, to function, providing a much higher signal-to-noise ratio than traditional single-coil or passive humbucking systems.

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Frequently asked questions

What is included in the EMG Zakk Wylde Pickup Set?: The set includes two active humbucking pickups, along with long-shaft volume and tone pots designed for thick-bodied guitars. It also features EMG's solderless wiring harness for easy installation.
Do I need to solder these pickups during installation?: No, this set features EMG's exclusive solderless design. You can connect the components using the provided cables and headers without a soldering iron.
Why are the control shafts long on this set?: Long shafts are specifically included to fit through the thicker wood tops of guitars like the Gibson Les Paul. Standard short-shaft pots often do not reach through these types of guitar bodies.
Is a battery required for these pickups?: Yes, as these are active pickups, they require a 9-volt battery to power the internal preamps. The battery is usually housed inside the guitar's control cavity.
Which artist is this pickup set associated with?: This set was designed for Zakk Wylde, the metal guitarist famous for his tenure with Ozzy Osbourne and as the leader of Black Label Society.
Can I install these in a guitar other than a Les Paul?: Yes, they can be installed in most dual-humbucker guitars. However, the long-shaft pots are specifically optimised for Les Paul-style builds; other guitars may require standard-length pots.
What genre of music is this set best for?: The set is designed for aggressive music styles, specifically heavy metal, thrash, and shred. It provides high output and clarity under heavy distortion.
How does the output compare to passive pickups?: The EMG Zakk Wylde set offers a significantly fuller sound and higher output than most passive pickups. This allows the guitar to drive amplifiers harder for more natural saturation.
Are the pickups noisy?: No, one of the benefits of EMG's active design is that it is very low-noise. It eliminates the hum often associated with high-gain playing and traditional single-coil pickups.
What is the typical price for this set in the UK?: The typical price range for this pickup set is approximately £180. Prices may vary slightly depending on the specific retailer.
What colour are the pickup covers?: This specific version of the Zakk Wylde signature set comes with classic black covers. They are also available in other finishes like bullseye patterns in different product listings.
Does this set include tone controls?: Yes, the set includes both long-shaft volume and tone controls. These allow you to shape your high-frequency output and overall signal level directly from the guitar.