EMG 57/66 Active Humbucker Pickup Set in Chrome
- Brand new in original box
- Full EMG manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- EMG5039
Description
EMG 57/66 Active Humbucker Pickup Set in Chrome
The EMG 57/66 set brings active-electronics clarity and consistency to dual-humbucker tracking. The bridge-positioned 57 and neck-positioned 66 are voiced to sit distinctly in a mix—the bridge pickup captures tight, articulate transients for lead definition, while the neck pickup delivers warmth and sustain for fuller rhythm voices. Engineered as a direct-swap solution, this set eliminates background noise while maintaining traditional humbucker character across your recording sessions.
Tone & Electronics
Each pickup runs on independent active circuitry powered by a single 9V battery, drawing only 160 mA and delivering approximately 1500 hours of battery life per charge. The 57 bridge pickup peaks at a resonant frequency of 2.11 kHz with 3V single-note output and 4.5V strummed output for controlled dynamics, while the 66 neck pickup sits lower at 1.61 kHz for complementary midrange presence. Both maintain a noise floor of -100 dB at 60 Hz and present 10 kOhm output impedance, ensuring transparent signal transmission to your interface or amp.
Installation & Studio Integration
The solderless connectivity system streamlines installation without requiring a soldering iron, letting you get the kit in your guitar quickly and into tracking. The complete package includes two 25K volume potentiometers, two 25K tone potentiometers, a battery bus, stereo output jack, pickup in/out bus cables, and all necessary mounting hardware—everything needed for a full active setup in one box.
Key Features
- Active humbucker configuration: HH set (bridge 57 / neck 66)
- Alnico V magnets with steel poles, covered design
- Bridge pickup resonant frequency: 2.11 kHz
- Neck pickup resonant frequency: 1.61 kHz
- Output voltage: 3V single-note / 4.5V strummed (both pickups)
- DC resistance: 10K ohms per pickup
- Output impedance: 10 kOhm
- 9V battery operation; 160 mA draw; 1500-hour battery life
- Maximum supply voltage: 27V DC
- Solderless wiring system with 2-wire plus battery configuration
- Includes volume and tone pots, battery bus, stereo output jack, and mounting hardware
- Brushed chrome finish
This proven pairing balances aggressive bridge articulation with smooth neck response, delivering consistent gain structure and minimal noise across both pickup positions—essential for layered tracking, gain-stacking, and maintaining clean signal integrity through gain stages in your recording chain.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG 57/66 gives your tracking and mixing sessions tight, articulate highs from the bridge and warm, sustaining lows from the neck, with virtually no self-noise to work around. The independent active circuitry and 10 kOhm output impedance ensure clean, consistent signal flow into your interface or preamp across all positions. Pick this set for studio sessions where you need aggressive tone control, extended battery life between charges, and a complete wiring package that installs without soldering.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Progressive
- ✓ Studio Sessions
- ✓ Gigging
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Blues
- – Folk
Skill level: Beginner · Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to solder these pickups in, or can I install them myself?
EMG's solderless wiring system means no soldering iron required. The pickup includes all cables, pots, battery bus, and mounting hardware pre-configured—most players can complete installation with just basic hand tools.
How long does the battery last, and what's the monthly cost to operate?
A single 9V battery delivers approximately 1500 hours of playing time at 160 mA draw, which translates to several months of regular gigging or studio use. Battery replacement is straightforward and inexpensive.
Is this set suitable for blues or jazz, or is it only for metal and hard rock?
The 57/66 is voiced for metal, hard rock, and progressive styles and is not optimized for blues or jazz tones. If you play those genres, you'll want to explore other pickup options.
What's the difference between the bridge 57 and neck 66 pickups?
The bridge 57 resonates at 2.11 kHz with tight articulation for aggressive definition, while the neck 66 resonates lower at 1.61 kHz, delivering warmth and sustain. Together they provide balanced output across the frequency spectrum.
Will this set work with my current guitar wiring, or do I need new pots and a jack?
The complete set includes volume and tone potentiometers, battery bus, stereo output jack, and all necessary wiring—you get everything needed for a full active setup in one box, so replacement of those components is included.
Do I pay sales tax on this order?
We collect sales tax only on orders shipped to California. Orders shipped to any other US state are charged $0 sales tax at checkout when you buy direct from our website. On this item that is roughly $19 less out the door than the same listed price at a national retailer or on a marketplace. Marketplaces such as eBay, Reverb and Amazon collect sales tax in nearly every state as marketplace facilitators no matter who the seller is, so the same item at the same price costs less bought direct. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included. Some states ask buyers to self-report use tax on out-of-state purchases.
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