Is this pickup compatible with my Floyd Rose bridge?

Yes—the F-57 is specifically spaced for Floyd Rose and similarly-spaced bridge configurations on 6-string guitars. The Floyd Spaced design ensures proper pole-piece alignment with your trem system.

What's included in the box, and how hard is installation?

The F-57 uses EMG's solderless installation system, which dramatically reduces wiring complexity and downtime. It is battery-powered active electronics and comes with a 2-conductor output cable ready to integrate into your existing wiring harness.

How does the F-57 compare to the EMG 81/85 or Seymour Duncan Livewire?

The F-57 is purpose-built for Floyd Rose spacing with a balanced, modern active tone emphasizing articulate treble and quick transients. The 81/85 are more versatile across non-Floyd bridges, while the Livewire offers a different voicing philosophy; choose the F-57 if you need Floyd compatibility and refined high-end clarity.

Will this work for styles outside metal and hard rock?

The F-57 excels in hard rock, metal, and progressive music but is not voiced for jazz, blues, or folk. Its tight articulation and high output are optimized for high-gain and modern tones rather than warm, dynamic styles.

What's the noise floor like in a recording or live setting?

Active EMG electronics deliver a low-impedance signal with minimal noise. The F-57's battery-powered design ensures consistent output and rejection of hum and interference, making it reliable in both studio and touring rigs.

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. Marketplaces collect sales tax as the facilitator in most states, so the same listed price can cost more there. Buyers remain responsible for any use tax their state applies. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included.

EMG F-57 Active Humbucker Pickup in Black

The EMG F-57 is a bridge-position active humbucker engineered for players who demand articulate high-end clarity and controlled output in a Floyd Rose-compatible format. This pickup delivers the refined treble response and definition that modern players expect from a quality active bridge voice, with the precision spacing required for Floyd-equipped instruments.

Electronics & Tone Character

Built on Alnico V magnets and steel pole pieces, the F-57 produces a balanced, modern active tone with excellent sustain and minimal noise. The 10K DC resistance specification ensures tight articulation and quick transient response, making this pickup equally capable across aggressive high-gain playing and cleaner, more nuanced styles.

Installation & Configuration

This is a solderless installation bridge pickup, meaning simplified wiring and minimal downtime. Battery-powered active circuitry provides the consistent output and low-impedance characteristics that define EMG's active platform, while the Floyd Spaced design accommodates Floyd Rose and similarly-spaced bridge configurations on 6-string guitars.

Key Features

Floyd Spaced bridge pickup configuration
Active battery-powered electronics
Alnico V magnets with steel pole pieces
10K DC resistance
Solderless installation system
2-conductor output
6-string humbucker format
Made in the USA

The F-57 combines EMG's proven active architecture with Floyd Rose spacing to deliver a high-output, noise-free bridge tone for players whose instruments and playing styles demand precision and reliability.

Best suited for	Hard Rock, Metal, Progressive, Studio Sessions, Gigging
Tonal character	Articulate high-end, tight articulation, high output, low noise, quick transient response
Less specialized for	Jazz, Blues, Folk (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily)
Skill level	Intermediate / Advanced / Professional