EMG 57-8H Active Humbucker Pickup in Gold

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  • Brand new in original box
  • Full EMG manufacturer's warranty
  • Free shipping in the continental US

In stock

SKU
EMG4534
Pre-Order — this item is built to order by the manufacturer and is expected to ship in January 2027 (the manufacturer is waiting on a delayed parts shipment). Order now to reserve yours.
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Description

EMG 57-8H Active Humbucker Pickup in Gold

The EMG 57-8H is a high-output active humbucker engineered specifically for eight-string guitars, delivering focused articulation and tight low-end response without sacrificing clarity across extended range tunings. This bridge-position pickup combines the sonic character of EMG's 57 design with the extended frequency range required for modern eight-string instruments, making it ideal for recording and mixing drop-tuned and progressive material with definition and punch.

Tone & Output Character

Built on Alnico V magnets with steel pole pieces, the 57-8H produces a balanced, articulate midrange with controlled output suitable for eight-string applications. The active circuitry ensures consistent signal strength and reduced noise floor, critical when capturing and processing the complex harmonic content of lower-tuned strings in the mix.

Installation & Electronics

This pickup ships with EMG's solderless installation system, eliminating the need for a soldering iron and making replacement straightforward for studio technicians and builders. The package includes everything required: 2 volume pots (25k), 2 tone pots (25k), battery bus, stereo output jack, mounting hardware, and connection cables—all you need to integrate into an eight-string guitar cavity for sessions.

Key Features

  • Eight-string humbucker for bridge position
  • Active pickup with 9V battery power requirement
  • Alnico V magnets with steel pole pieces
  • Includes solderless installation system
  • Two 25k volume potentiometers included
  • Two 25k tone potentiometers included
  • Battery bus and stereo output jack included
  • Gold finish
  • Mounting hardware and cables included
  • Made in the United States

The 57-8H delivers the proven performance characteristics of EMG's active platform in a format built for the unique recording and production demands of extended-range instruments.

More Information
Condition New
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At a Glance

The EMG 57-8H is a high-output active eight-string humbucker engineered to track cleanly and sit tight in extended-range mixes, delivering focused midrange and controlled low-end articulation across drop tunings. Its active circuitry ensures consistent signal strength and noise rejection in the studio, letting you capture powerful, defined tones without the frequency muddiness typical of passive extended-range pickups. The solderless system and complete wiring kit make it a plug-and-play upgrade for any eight-string recording rig.

Who This Is For

Great for

  • ✓ Drop Tunings
  • ✓ Extended Range
  • ✓ Progressive
  • ✓ Metal

Not the best pick for

  • – Jazz
  • – Blues
  • – Country

Skill level: Beginner · Intermediate · Advanced · Professional

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes this different from a standard EMG 57 or EMG 81?

The 57-8H is engineered specifically for eight-string guitars with extended frequency range tailoring. It balances the articulate midrange character of the 57 design with tight low-end control needed for drop tunings, whereas standard humbuckers can lose clarity and tighten up unpredictably on lower strings.

Do I need to solder to install this pickup?

No. The 57-8H ships with EMG's solderless installation system, so you can swap it in with just a screwdriver. The package includes two 25k volume pots, two 25k tone pots, battery bus, stereo output jack, mounting hardware, and all connection cables needed.

What genres and tunings is this pickup built for?

The 57-8H excels in drop tunings, progressive, and metal styles where extended-range clarity and tight low-end definition are critical. It is not designed for jazz, blues, or country playing, where warmer, more compressed tones are typically preferred.

Does this pickup require a battery?

Yes, the 57-8H is an active pickup powered by a single 9V battery. Active circuitry ensures consistent output and noise rejection, which is especially important when tracking complex harmonic content from eight-string tunings.

What's included in the box?

The complete wiring kit includes the pickup, two 25k volume potentiometers, two 25k tone potentiometers, battery bus, stereo output jack, mounting hardware, connection cables, and the solderless installation system—everything needed to install into an eight-string guitar cavity.

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 $10 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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