EMG4889 vs EMG4900 — Compare
EMG H1A-N Passive Humbucker Pickup in Gold vs EMG 57-7 Active Soapbar Pickup in Black
The H1A-N is a passive humbucker offering tonal flexibility and wiring versatility for standard six-string guitars, while the 57-7 is an active soapbar designed specifically for seven-string extended-range instruments with aggressive clarity and noise rejection. The H1A-N suits players wanting traditional passive tone-shaping; the 57-7 is built for modern metal and djent players prioritizing tight, focused output.
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Specs side by side
| EMG H1A-N Passive Humbucker Pickup in Gold | EMG 57-7 Active Soapbar Pickup in Black | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.00 | $129.00 |
| Brand | EMG Pickups | EMG Pickups |
| Condition | New | New |
Why choose EMG H1A-N Passive Humbucker Pickup in Gold
- ✓ Passive design requires no battery maintenance or active circuitry
- ✓ 5-wire Quik-Connect allows series, parallel, and split wiring options
- ✓ Balanced articulate mids and defined highs suit both clean and driven tones
- ✓ Standard 0.388" pole spacing works with traditional Tune-o-matic bridges
Why choose EMG 57-7 Active Soapbar Pickup in Black
- ✓ Active circuit eliminates hum and maintains consistent output across extended range
- ✓ Tight low end and focused articulation optimized for metal and djent
- ✓ 61mm pole spacing engineered specifically for seven-string instruments
- ✓ Solderless installation with included cables simplifies setup
Frequently asked questions
Which pickup works better for extended-range tunings?
The 57-7 is purpose-built for seven-string instruments with 61mm pole spacing and active circuitry designed for tight lows on extended ranges. The H1A-N has standard 0.388" spacing suited for six-string guitars with traditional bridges.
Do I need a battery with either pickup?
The H1A-N is completely passive and requires no battery. The 57-7 requires a battery via the included battery bus to power its active circuit.
Which has more wiring flexibility?
The H1A-N offers more wiring versatility with its 5-wire Quik-Connect supporting series, parallel, and split configurations. The 57-7 is designed for bridge-position active use with 25k volume and tone potentiometers and a stereo output jack for simpler, more direct configurations.
Are these pickups suitable for blues or jazz?
Neither pickup is ideal for jazz or blues. Both are marked as not suitable for these genres; the H1A-N and 57-7 are engineered for hard rock, metal, and aggressive modern styles.