EMG 57 Active Humbucker Pickup in Chrome

The EMG 57 uses an Alnico magnet with a 2.11 kHz resonant frequency for articulate, midrange-forward tone that works well across rock and metal genres. The EMG 81 is voiced for brighter, high-output aggression and is often paired with the 57 in a dual-pickup setup; the 57 shines as a single or neck pickup where balance and clarity are priorities.

The EMG 57 delivers approximately 1500 hours of battery life on a single 9V battery, with current draw of 160 mA at 9V. The active circuitry is exceptionally efficient, so you'll get months of regular use between battery changes.

No—the EMG 57 features solderless connectivity with a 1/4 inch mono phone plug connector and 2-wire battery connection, streamlining installation and minimizing noise from poor solder joints. Standard instrument cables and audio interfaces are fully compatible thanks to its 10 kOhm output impedance.

The EMG 57 outputs 3V on single strings and 4.5V on strums with a -100 dB noise floor, providing enough gain to drive preamps and interfaces cleanly without excessive noise. The 10 kOhm output impedance ensures seamless compatibility with standard instrument cables and modern audio interfaces.

The EMG 57 is optimized for modern rock, metal, and high-definition recording applications. Its midrange-forward, articulate character is less suited to traditional jazz and folk styles, which typically benefit from warmer, less aggressive pickup voices.

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.