EMG6001 vs EMG6203 — Compare
EMG F-57 Active Humbucker Pickup in Brushed Gold vs EMG 89 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Black Chrome
The F-57 is a fixed high-output bridge pickup optimized for metal and djent with maximum aggression and midrange punch, while the 89 is a versatile dual-mode pickup that switches between single-coil clarity and dual-coil power for broader genre flexibility. Choose the F-57 if you want raw, focused heaviness; choose the 89 if you need tonal variety and single-coil articulation without rewiring.
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EMG F-57 Active Humbucker Pickup in Brushed Gold
EMG 89 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Black Chrome
Specs side by side
| EMG F-57 Active Humbucker Pickup in Brushed Gold | EMG 89 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Black Chrome | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.00 | $149.00 |
| Brand | EMG Pickups | EMG Pickups |
| Condition | New | New |
Why choose EMG F-57 Active Humbucker Pickup in Brushed Gold
- ✓ Higher string output (3.00V) and strum response (4.50V) for maximum aggression and cut
- ✓ Midrange-focused tone specifically voiced for metal and djent clarity
- ✓ F-spaced design matches modern superstrat and solidbody pole spacing
- ✓ Brushed gold aesthetic stands out visually
Why choose EMG 89 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Black Chrome
- ✓ Dual-mode switching lets you flip between single-coil brightness (0.6V) and dual-coil power (1.0V) without rewiring
- ✓ Long shaft design fits guitars with deeper pickup cavities
- ✓ Extended battery life up to one year on a single 9V battery
- ✓ Included push/pull potentiometer for intuitive mode control and tone shaping
Frequently asked questions
Can either pickup handle clean playing or lighter genres?
The F-57 is designed primarily for high-gain applications and cuts through best with saturation. The 89 handles cleans better through its single-coil mode, which yields crisp articulate highs at 3.75 kHz, making it more versatile across clean, crunch, and heavy tones.
Which one has lower output for tighter control?
The 89's single-coil mode at 0.6V RMS is significantly lower than the F-57's 3.00V string output, giving you more headroom and tighter control if you prefer a less compressed tone or use high-gain amps responsibly.
What's the advantage of the F-57's higher output?
The F-57's 3.00V string and 4.50V strum output pushes harder into amp saturation for thicker, more aggressive tones that cut through dense band mixes—ideal if you want maximum sustain and sustain without additional boost pedals in metal and djent.
Does the 89 need the long shaft version for all guitars?
The long shaft accommodates guitars with deeper pickup cavities; most modern guitars work fine with standard shaft versions. Use long shaft only if your guitar has a deeper cavity or you're retrofitting an older instrument.