EMG 57-8 Active Soapbar Pickup in Black
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- Brand new in original box
- Full EMG manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- EMG4901
Description
EMG 57-8 Active Soapbar Pickup in Black
The EMG 57-8 is a bridge-position humbucker engineered for 8-string guitars, delivering the focused articulation and controlled dynamics that extended-range tuning demands in the studio. Its active electronics cut through dense harmonic content with definition and presence, making it essential for recording modern metal, progressive, and extended-range material with clarity and impact.
Recording & Tracking Performance
Active circuitry provides the headroom and punch that passive pickups struggle to match, especially critical when tracking the harmonic complexity of 8-string configurations. Alnico V magnets paired with steel pole pieces produce a focused, articulate response that maintains clarity across all eight strings—essential for clean separation and definition in multitrack sessions.
Installation & Setup
The solderless installation system streamlines the wiring process—no soldering iron, no flux, no downtime waiting for joints to cool. The included ecosystem covers everything needed: volume and tone controls, battery bus, output jack, pickup coupling bus, mounting hardware, and all necessary cabling for a complete, functional instrument setup.
Key Features
- Designed for bridge position on 8-string electric guitars
- Extended series cap measuring 4 x 1.5 inches
- Alnico V magnets with steel pole pieces
- Active electronics for headroom and punch
- Solderless installation system included
- Includes 25k volume potentiometer
- Includes 25k tone potentiometer
- Complete wiring harness: battery bus, stereo output jack, two-pickup in/out bus, mounting screws, pickup cable, connect cables, output cable, and battery cable
- Optimized for 8-string steel string configuration
- Black cap finish
The 57-8 combines EMG's proven active architecture with hardware designed explicitly for modern extended-range tuning systems, delivering the focused articulation and controlled sustain needed for professional recordings in one installation-friendly package.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG 57-8 is an active 8-string bridge pickup that captures aggressive, focused articulation and controlled sustain in recording sessions, making it essential for tracking modern metal, progressive, and extended-range material. Its Alnico V magnets and active circuitry deliver headroom and presence that cut through dense mixes without loss of clarity or punch across all strings. The solderless system and included complete wiring harness simplify studio installation, letting you focus on capturing performances rather than wrestling with electronics.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Progressive
- ✓ Extended Range
- ✓ Drop Tunings
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Blues
- – Folk
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this pickup right for my playing style?
The EMG 57-8 is optimized for metal, progressive, and extended-range tuning contexts where articulation and controlled dynamics matter most. It excels in modern, aggressive settings but is not designed for jazz, blues, or folk applications.
What's included in the box?
The package includes the active pickup, 25k volume and tone potentiometers, battery bus, stereo output jack, two-pickup in/out bus, mounting screws, pickup cable, connect cables, output cable, battery cable, and all mounting hardware. It's a complete wiring ecosystem—no soldering required.
How does solderless installation work?
The solderless system uses plug connectors instead of solder joints, eliminating the need for a soldering iron and flux. Setup is faster and more beginner-friendly while maintaining reliable connections.
Will this pickup work on my 8-string guitar?
Yes, the EMG 57-8 is engineered specifically for 8-string electric guitars in the bridge position, with Alnico V magnets and steel pole pieces tuned to maintain clarity and impact across all eight strings.
How does active electronics affect tone?
Active circuitry provides headroom and punch that passive pickups cannot match, especially important when dealing with the harmonic complexity of extended-range tuning systems. You get focused articulation and presence without losing definition.
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. 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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