EMG6037 vs EMG6168 — Compare
EMG F-57/66 Active Humbucker Pickup Set in Chrome vs EMG Crossroads Retro Active Single Coil Pickup Set in Black
The F-57/66 is a dual-humbucker set built for metal and high-gain aggression with active dual/single-coil voicing, while the Crossroads Retro is a three-pickup single-coil set designed for blues, rock, and jazz with vintage character and transparent response. Choose the F-57/66 for brutal clarity and controlled high-output punch; choose the Crossroads Retro for balanced, articulate vintage tone across multiple genres.
No sales tax on orders shipped outside California — total cost beats national retailers that charge sales tax in nearly every state.
EMG F-57/66 Active Humbucker Pickup Set in Chrome
EMG Crossroads Retro Active Single Coil Pickup Set in Black
Specs side by side
| EMG F-57/66 Active Humbucker Pickup Set in Chrome | EMG Crossroads Retro Active Single Coil Pickup Set in Black | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $269.00 | $269.00 |
| Brand | EMG Pickups | EMG Pickups |
| Condition | New | New |
Why choose EMG F-57/66 Active Humbucker Pickup Set in Chrome
- ✓ Higher output (3–4.5V) ideal for high-gain and metal applications
- ✓ Dual-coil and single-coil mode switching from one pickup set
- ✓ Articulate bridge pickup (2.11 kHz) emphasizes pick attack and definition
- ✓ Solderless installation with push-pull mode switching
Why choose EMG Crossroads Retro Active Single Coil Pickup Set in Black
- ✓ Three-pickup configuration covers neck, middle, and bridge positions
- ✓ Exceptional noise floor (-103 dB) and minimal power draw (630 µA)
- ✓ Over 830 hours battery life per charge
- ✓ Vintage single-coil character with modern active clarity and hum rejection
Frequently asked questions
Which set works better for metal and high-gain?
The F-57/66. Its higher output (4.5V on chords), articulate bridge pickup, and -100 dB noise floor are optimized for metal and aggressive high-gain tones. The Crossroads Retro is designed for blues and jazz, not metal.
Can I play blues or jazz on the F-57/66?
Not ideally. The F-57/66 is described as not suitable for jazz and blues; its tone is optimized for articulate attack and aggressive clarity. The Crossroads Retro is explicitly built for blues and jazz with warm, transparent response.
What's the main difference in installation?
Both use solderless quick-connect systems. The F-57/66 adds push-pull potentiometers for mode switching on each pickup. The Crossroads Retro includes a complete three-pickup wiring kit with volume, tone controls, and a 5-way selector for standard Strat-style configuration.
Which lasts longer on battery?
The Crossroads Retro draws only 630 microamps and delivers over 830 hours per 9V battery, versus the F-57/66 at 160 mA across the set for 1500 hours total runtime—the Crossroads Retro is more efficient per pickup.