What's the difference between the 57 bridge and 66 neck pickup?

The 57 bridge uses Alnico V magnets with steel pole pieces, resonating at 2.11 kHz and outputting 3.00V for articulate, focused response. The 66 neck uses Alnico V magnets with ceramic pole pieces, resonating at 1.61 kHz and outputting 4.50V for a warmer, fuller tone—together they balance definition and warmth across the fretboard.

How long does the battery last, and what's included for installation?

At 9V, each charge yields approximately 1500 hours of playing time. The package includes solderless Quick Connect cables, two 25K potentiometers, a battery bus, stereo output jack, mounting screws, and springs for straightforward installation into most guitar electronics cavities.

Is this set good for jazz or blues?

No, the EMG 57/66 is engineered for metal, hard rock, studio sessions, and modern rock. The active design and output characteristics are optimized for high-gain and clean electric tones in those genres rather than the dynamic subtlety and breakup character preferred in jazz and blues playing.

How does the active design affect noise and signal consistency?

The active circuit operates at 27V DC and maintains a -100 dB noise floor at 60 Hz, ensuring consistent performance regardless of cable length or output impedance of connected gear. This low-noise platform is ideal for recording and live use where cable runs vary.

What finish does this set come in?

The EMG 57/66 features a brushed gold finish that provides visual distinction while maintaining the durability and performance of the active humbucker design.

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.

EMG 57/66 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup Set in Brushed Gold

The EMG 57/66 is a versatile active humbucker pairing engineered to capture articulate, controlled recordings with minimal noise floor—essential for producers tracking high-gain and clean tones in the same session. The brushed gold finish provides visual distinction while the active design ensures consistent signal integrity regardless of cable runs or interface impedance in your studio chain. This set balances the bridge pickup's definition with the neck pickup's warmth, delivering professional-grade separation and blend for modern rock, metal, and multi-tracked production work.

Tone & Output Characteristics

The 57 bridge uses Alnico V magnets with steel pole pieces, resonating at 2.11 kHz and delivering 3.00V output for focused, articulate tracking. The 66 neck employs Alnico V magnets with ceramic pole pieces, resonating at 1.61 kHz and producing 4.50V for a warmer, fuller tone that sits well in mix—together they provide balanced versatility across fretboard positions for layered overdubs and rhythm/lead separation.

Power & Installation

This active set operates on 27V DC and draws only 160 microamps at 9V, yielding approximately 1500 hours of battery life per charge—eliminating mid-session power concerns during long tracking days. Installation is simplified with solderless Quick Connect cables, and the package includes two 25K potentiometers, battery bus, stereo output jack, mounting screws, and springs for straightforward integration into most guitar electronics cavities.

Key Features

Active humbucker configuration, 6-string
57 bridge: Alnico V magnets with steel pole pieces
66 neck: Alnico V magnets with ceramic pole pieces
Bridge resonant frequency: 2.11 kHz
Neck resonant frequency: 1.61 kHz
Bridge output voltage: 3.00V
Neck output voltage: 4.50V
Output noise floor: -100 dB (60 Hz)
Output impedance: 10 kΩ
Supply voltage: 27V DC
Current draw: 160 microamps @ 9V
Battery life: approximately 1500 hours
Solderless installation with Quick Connect cables
Brushed gold finish

The EMG 57/66 combines low-noise active electronics with proven humbucker voicing, making it a dependable upgrade for engineers seeking studio-grade clarity and signal reliability in a recognizable, field-tested design.