The goal was to turn my Yamaha BB4 into a Metal Monster. the stock humbucking pickups had enough phatness and punch but they lacked in the clarity department, especially at lower tunings. We all know EMGs have superb definition, so going with them was a no-brainer. I ordered two of these.

Yes, this pickup here is intended for 6-stringed basses but this 4-string bass I modified has routing cavities that were close to 4.5 in length (I had to widen the hole). After a rather easy installation (amateurish routing job notwithstanding), I plugged in and played this bass and the sound was exactly what I intended. I love the sound of a Precision bass for rock and metal, and now this bass growls like a very angry Precision bass. Of course, with a lighter touch,

Comparing recordings of the old pickups to these - the PX has WAY more clarity in the highs, and deeper lows. It is very clean sounding, but also unforgiving - your mistakes have nowhere to hide. A pair of these will work for rock and metal, and could work for RnB/Slap also. It transformed a rather basic and inexpensive bass into something that just sounds fantastic! It growls like a Rottweiler!

If you want a more clear, sparkly sound with some real aggression, this is a great pick! Thank you Alex M. for your help, also!!

I’m extremely impressed with the tone and feel of this pickup. It has a very full range sound. And as advertised, it has the touch-sensitivity and dynamics of a passive pickup. The low end is deep, punchy, and defined. The midrange is very pronounced, and the high end is super clear.

I’ve been using EMG pickups in various basses since the mid 80’s. This is the first X-Series EMG pickup that I’ve tried, and I couldn’t be any happier with it’s sound and feel.

I have a 45PX/45JX in my Spector Euro 6LT, -along with the EMG BTS eq system. This combination is absolutely fantastic. It’s sound running the BTS at it’s “Flat” setting truly needs nothing left to be desired. And when I do make eq adjustments, they’re very slight. Maybe a touch more low end and a little less high end, to suit the song.

The 45PX is incredible. It’s very responsive to my touch, and it’s also very dynamic in sound. It truly does have the feel and response of a passive pickup, it has the classic P-Bass “Bark”, and because it’s active, you have all the advantages of an active pickup. Using my BTS eq system, I’m able to get a wide range of sounds, from warm and fat, to bright and cutting, yet it’s doesn’t sound overly harsh like other brands of passive P-Bass pickups can sound. The best way I can describe the overall tone of the 45PX is “Vibrant”. It’s quite an impressive pickup, in my opinion.

For reference, I have the 45PX (Reverse P) and the 45JX in my Spector Euro 6LT, along with an EMG BTS eq system. And for further reference, I also own a Spector NS4CRFM with EMG Original Recipe PJs and an EMG BTS eq system, so I’ve been able to compare the differences between the two models. I love both the standard “Original Recipe” version, and the X-Series version. Both have the classic EMG sound. I find the Standard model(s) sound slightly more aggressive in tone, and I find the X-Series model(s) sound a bit more “Full Range”.

I have EMG 45PX/45JX pickups in my Spector Euro 6LT, which is coupled with an EMG BTS eq system. I’ve owned this bass for a year, and this is the first review that I’ve posted. I waited this long to post a review because I wanted to get past the “Honeymoon Phase” with my bass.

Another important thing I should mention is that I’m very familiar with EMG’s “Original Recipe” pickups. I’ve been using them in various Fender basses since the mid 80’s. I also have “Original Recipe” PJs in my Spector NS4CRFM (with an EMG BTS eq system), and I once owned a Modulus Quantum-4 with Original Recipe EMG CS pickups and an EMG BQS eq system.

First of all, I’m VERY impressed with the tone and the feel of these 45PX and 45JX Series pickups. They truly feel like a passive pickup; they’re very dynamic and “open” sounding, and they sound less compressed than the Original Series EMGs, -which I still love very much, BTW.

These X-Series pickups definitely have extended lows and highs, and I’m hearing added high mids as well. They have all the “Punch” that EMGs are famous for. In a live setting, they’re very audible in a dense mix, without completely overpowering it, unless I want too! -Lol!

I absolutely recommend these pickups to anyone who’s on the fence about them.