Do I need to solder these pickups in, or can I install them myself?

EMG's solderless wiring system means no soldering iron required. The pickup includes all cables, pots, battery bus, and mounting hardware pre-configured—most players can complete installation with just basic hand tools.

How long does the battery last, and what's the monthly cost to operate?

A single 9V battery delivers approximately 1500 hours of playing time at 160 mA draw, which translates to several months of regular gigging or studio use. Battery replacement is straightforward and inexpensive.

Is this set suitable for blues or jazz, or is it only for metal and hard rock?

The 57/66 is voiced for metal, hard rock, and progressive styles and is not optimized for blues or jazz tones. If you play those genres, you'll want to explore other pickup options.

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

The bridge 57 resonates at 2.11 kHz with tight articulation for aggressive definition, while the neck 66 resonates lower at 1.61 kHz, delivering warmth and sustain. Together they provide balanced output across the frequency spectrum.

Will this set work with my current guitar wiring, or do I need new pots and a jack?

The complete set includes volume and tone potentiometers, battery bus, stereo output jack, and all necessary wiring—you get everything needed for a full active setup in one box, so replacement of those components is included.

Do I pay sales tax on this order?

Sales tax is collected only on orders shipped to California; orders shipped to any other US state are not charged sales tax at checkout when you buy direct from our website. At a typical 7% rate that is an estimated $19 less at checkout than the same listed price on a marketplace, which collects sales tax as the facilitator in most states. Buyers remain responsible for any use tax their state applies. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included.

EMG 57/66 Active Humbucker Pickup Set in Chrome

The EMG 57/66 set delivers the responsiveness and clarity of active electronics in a classic dual-humbucker configuration. The bridge-positioned 57 and neck-positioned 66 work together to provide balanced output across the frequency spectrum, with the bridge pickup offering tighter articulation for cut-through stage presence and the neck pickup sitting back for warmth and sustain. This is a direct-swap solution for gigging musicians seeking reliable, low-noise amplification without sacrificing traditional humbucker character or worrying about signal degradation on the road.

Tone & Electronics

Each pickup operates on independent active circuitry powered by a single 9V battery, drawing only 160 mA and delivering approximately 1500 hours of battery life—enough to cover extended touring cycles without mid-gig surprises. The 57 bridge pickup reaches a resonant frequency of 2.11 kHz with 3V single-note output and 4.5V strummed output, while the 66 neck pickup settles lower at 1.61 kHz for a complementary tonal response. Both pickups maintain a noise floor of -100 dB at 60 Hz and present 10 kOhm output impedance, ensuring clean, hum-free signal transmission to your amplifier regardless of venue grounding or RF interference.

Installation & Wiring

The solderless connectivity system eliminates the need for a soldering iron, making installation straightforward for most techs and DIY setups. The complete package includes two 25K volume potentiometers, two 25K tone potentiometers, a battery bus, stereo output jack, pickup in/out bus cables, and all necessary mounting hardware—everything required for a full active setup in one box.

Key Features

Active humbucker configuration: HH set (bridge 57 / neck 66)
Alnico V magnets with steel poles, covered design
Bridge pickup resonant frequency: 2.11 kHz
Neck pickup resonant frequency: 1.61 kHz
Output voltage: 3V single-note / 4.5V strummed (both pickups)
DC resistance: 10K ohms per pickup
Output impedance: 10 kOhm
9V battery operation; 160 mA draw; 1500-hour battery life
Maximum supply voltage: 27V DC
Solderless wiring system with 2-wire plus battery configuration
Includes volume and tone pots, battery bus, stereo output jack, and mounting hardware
Brushed chrome finish

This proven pairing balances aggressive bridge articulation with smooth neck response, making it ideal for performers who need consistent gain structure, minimal noise across multiple pickup positions, and dependable stage reliability night after night.

Best suited for	Metal, Hard Rock, Progressive, Studio Sessions, Gigging
Tonal character	Tight articulation, low noise, balanced output, warm sustain, high headroom
Less specialized for	Jazz, Blues, Folk (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily)
Skill level	Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced / Professional