EMG6053 vs EMG6070 — Compare
EMG RA5 Pro Retro Active Prewired Pickguard Pickup in Black vs EMG ACB Barrel Pickup 6-String Bass Pickup (Banjo)
The RA5 Pro is a complete Strat pickguard assembly with three single-coil pickups for guitar, while the ACB Barrel is a specialized active humbucker designed to mount inside a six-string bass banjo. Choose the RA5 Pro if you're upgrading a Strat-style guitar; choose the ACB Barrel if you need amplification for a six-string bass banjo.
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EMG RA5 Pro Retro Active Prewired Pickguard Pickup in Black
EMG ACB Barrel Pickup 6-String Bass Pickup (Banjo)
Specs side by side
| EMG RA5 Pro Retro Active Prewired Pickguard Pickup in Black | EMG ACB Barrel Pickup 6-String Bass Pickup (Banjo) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.00 | $299.00 |
| Brand | EMG Pickups | EMG Pickups |
| Condition | New | New |
Why choose EMG RA5 Pro Retro Active Prewired Pickguard Pickup in Black
- ✓ Complete drop-in pickguard solution—no sourcing individual components
- ✓ Three vintage-style single-coil pickups with authentic Alnico 5 character
- ✓ Solderless installation with no modification required to guitar body
- ✓ Balanced harmonic response suited to blues, country, rock, and indie
Why choose EMG ACB Barrel Pickup 6-String Bass Pickup (Banjo)
- ✓ Purpose-built for six-string bass banjo with discrete barrel-format housing
- ✓ Minimal visual and structural intrusion into banjo head
- ✓ Maintains acoustic character while providing amplified output
- ✓ Ultra-low noise active electronics with extended battery life
Frequently asked questions
Are these pickups designed for the same type of instrument?
No. The RA5 Pro is a complete Strat pickguard assembly (three single-coil pickups for six-string guitar), while the ACB Barrel is a specialized active humbucker for mounting inside a six-string bass banjo. They serve entirely different instruments.
Which one requires soldering?
Neither. Both feature solderless installation systems—the RA5 Pro uses a solderless install system with a complete prewired pickguard, and the ACB Barrel includes a solderless quick-connect harness with mounting hardware.
What genres are each suited for?
The RA5 Pro excels in blues, country, rock, indie, and pop with its vintage single-coil character. The ACB Barrel is designed for folk, funk, live performance, and studio sessions on six-string bass banjo. Both are not ideal for metal genres.
How do they handle noise?
The RA5 Pro uses a discrete FET preamp and low-impedance output to eliminate noise susceptibility common in passive designs. The ACB Barrel delivers ultra-low noise through active electronics and consistent signal integrity across the dynamic range of a banjo.