EMG 57 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Red
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- Brand new in original box
- Full EMG manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- EMG7812
Description
EMG 57 Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup in Red
The EMG 57 is a workhorse active humbucker that captures articulate, controlled output with minimal noise—essential for recording sessions where clarity and consistency matter across high-gain and moderate settings. This red-finished unit combines proven EMG reliability with the solderless installation system, making it a straightforward retrofit for most guitar configurations. Built on Alnico V magnets and steel pole pieces, it bridges the gap between vintage character and modern active performance, translating to recordings that cut through mixes without sacrificing definition.
Tone & Recording Performance
The 57 achieves a 2.11 kHz resonant frequency that emphasizes upper-midrange definition and string articulation, setting it apart from muddier passive alternatives. String output peaks at 4.50V (strum mode) with -100 dB noise floor, ensuring the clean signal chain every engineer expects during tracking and mixing—a critical advantage in studio contexts where background noise undermines mix clarity and forces corrective work downstream.
Installation & Power
The solderless wiring harness simplifies installation for home-studio setups and retrofit sessions, while four-conductor wiring enables flexible coil-split and series/parallel configurations if session needs demand tonal variety. A single 9V battery powers the preamp stage, yielding approximately 1500 hours of playable battery life and supporting supply voltages up to 27V DC for engineers who prefer higher-voltage biasing to optimize headroom.
Key Features
- Alnico V magnets paired with steel pole pieces for focused, defined response
- Active preamp design requiring 9V battery power
- Output voltage (strum): 4.50V
- Output voltage (string): 3.00V
- Output noise: -100 dB at 60 Hz
- Resonant frequency: 2.11 kHz
- Output impedance: 10 kΩ
- Current draw: 160 microamps @ 9V
- Battery life: 1500 hours typical
- Maximum supply: 27 Volts DC
- Four-conductor wiring for coil-split compatibility
- Solderless installation system
This pickup excels in tracking sessions and high-output applications where engineers and producers refuse to compromise on signal integrity or accept noise as an acceptable trade-off.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG 57 is a controlled, high-output active humbucker that brings articulate clarity and a focused response to recording sessions, especially in heavy and modern genres where signal integrity matters. Its -100 dB noise floor and 4.50V output ensure clean tracking with minimal hum, while the upper-midrange presence helps guitars cut through dense arrangements without muddiness. Four-conductor wiring opens coil-split options for session versatility, and the 9V battery design gives you consistent performance across long recording days.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Studio Sessions
- ✓ Live Performance
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Blues
- – Folk
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the EMG 57 different from the EMG 81?
The 57 has a lower resonant frequency (2.11 kHz) and slightly lower output than the 81, giving it more upper-midrange articulation and string definition rather than raw power. Both are active humbuckers with solderless installation, but the 57 sits between vintage character and modern performance, while the 81 is voiced more aggressively for maximum output and low-end punch.
Is this pickup good for styles outside metal and hard rock?
The EMG 57 is optimized for metal, hard rock, studio sessions, and live performance with high-gain settings. It is not recommended for jazz, blues, or folk, where its tight low end, upper-midrange peak, and active character do not align with those genres' tonal expectations.
How long does the 9V battery last?
The battery yields approximately 1500 hours of typical playable time, translating to months of regular use before replacement. The solderless harness design makes battery swaps quick and simple.
Can I coil-split or series/parallel this pickup?
Yes; the four-conductor wiring supports flexible coil-split and series/parallel configurations if your guitar's electronics accommodate those options. You will need to wire a suitable switch to enable these modes.
What's included, and is soldering required?
The pickup comes with the solderless wiring harness, so no soldering is necessary for basic installation. If you are adding coil-split or custom switching, you may need additional wiring work depending on your guitar's configuration.
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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