EMG 57 Service manual

Warranty
All EMG Pickups and accessories are warranted for a period of two years. This warranty does not cover failure due to improper installation, abuse or damage. If
upon examination the pickup is determined to be defective, a replacement will be made. Warranty replacement products are covered by this same warranty. This
warranty covers only those pickups and accessories sold by authorized EMG Dealers. This warranty is not transferable.
© 2011 Copyright EMG INC. All Rights Reserved.
PO BOX 4394
SANTA ROSA, CA
95402 USA
P [phone]
F [phone]
EMGPICKUPS.COM
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INSTALLATION INFORMATION
EMG MODEL: 57 PICKUP
**Note: Magnet Type: A (Alnico)
*Note: Logo Color is not distinguished on the 57 Pickup
Installation notes:
All EMG Pickups are compatible with each other. The connector system is an easy method of installation, avoiding the need to solder.
EMG accessories like the VLPF, EXG, SPC or RPC Controls can be added to any EMG Pickup System without the need for an extra battery.
SPECIFICATIONS: MODEL:
57
Logo Color* White
Magnet Type** A
Resonant Frequency (KHz) 2.11
Output Voltage (String) 3.00
Output Voltage (Strum) 4.50
Output Noise (60 Hz) -100
Output Impedance (Kohm) 10
Current @9V (Microamps) (Set) 160
Battery Life (Hours)(Set) 1500
Maximum Supply (Volts DC) (Set) 27
IMPORTANT INSTALLATION NOTES:
1) Only one 9-Volt battery is required to power the pickups and any
accessories such as the SPC, RPC, EXG, AB, PA-2, and Pi-2.
Use an Alkaline or Lithium battery for longest life.
2) The Volume and Tone Controls included with this EMG System are
25K Ohm. This value is required for the system to work correctly.
3) A stereo output jack (12B) is included with the EMG Pickups;
it grounds the black battery wire to turn on the pickups when
the plug is inserted into the jack. If you are replacing passive
pickups, make sure to use the jack included. If your guitar has a
long panel jack (see Page 3, bottom), make sure it is a stereo
type, a Switchcraft 152B is recommended.
4) When installing EMG Active Pickups, DO NOT connect the bridge
ground wire. This wire is usually soldered to a Volume or Tone
Control casing and goes to the bridge. This wire grounds the
strings and uses them and your body as a shield against hum and
buzz. It also creates a shock hazard.
EMG Pickups are shielded internally and DO NOT require string
grounding. This greatly reduces the possibility of reverse
polarity shock from microphones and other equipment.
5) EMG Active Pickups have very little magnetism compared to
passive pickups. We recommend you adjust the pickups as
close to the strings as possible. Sustain and string movement
will not be inhibited by close adjustment.
6) If your installation is different from the diagrams in these
instructions or you need additional diagrams visit our website:
emgpickups.com for a complete listing of available diagrams.
7) SPECIAL NOTE:
The diagrams shown are for EMG Active Pickups.
All diagrams show the Red Wire coming from the pickups
connected to the battery. If you are installing EMG-HZ
Passive Pickups refer to their diagrams. The Red Wire of
the HZ Pickup is NOT for battery power, it is a coil wire.
2.75
1.50
3.08
3/48 MOUNTING HOLES
.900 .735

General Notes:
Every attempt has been made to make this a solderless installation.
There are some instances where this is not possible;
1) If your instrument uses the long panel output jack and you had passive pickups
you will need a new stereo output jack, the Switchcraft 152B is recommended.
Soldering to the new jack will be required, see diagram #6.
2) Some instruments may already have a battery holder installed and in that case
see the diagram at the bottom of page 3.
3) Instruments with two pickups may need soldering to the selection
switch in some installations.
- 9V +
Installation Instructions:
EMG Models: EMG-57 Pickup
57 INSTRUCTIONS Page 2
****Tips and Tricks****
Start your installation by:
1) Read the General Notes on Page 2 if you haven’t already
and determine if you have the right output jack for your
instrument. A Stereo 12B type (Included) or a 152B Long Panel
Jack will be required.
2) Remove the strings
3) Remove any existing Pickups and controls
(remember the order and function of each control)
4) Determine a good spot for the Pickup Buss and make sure the
cable or wires from the selection switch will reach the Pickup Buss,
5) Install the EMG Volume and Tone Controls and tighten them in.
6) Then install the pickups keeping any excess cable under the pickup
rather than in the control cavity.
2 Pickups / Toggle Select Switch / Master Volume and Tone
Refer to Diagrams #1, #2, and #3
1) Install the Pickups ddedand and route the Pickup cables to the control cavity.
If the cables are too long, wind up the excess and keep it under the pickup.
2) Mount the Volume and Tone controls into the body.
Plug both Pickup cables onto the B157 Pickup Buss (BLACK Shroud) as shown,
Refer to diagram #2
Bridge Pickup to position 1
Neck Pickup to position 2.
3) Plug a coax cable from the Pickup Buss (position 3) to the Master Volume
control as shown in diagram #3.
4) Plug a coax cable from the Master Volume to the Master Tone as shown.
5) Strip the insulation from the switch wires and Insert them into the GREEN
Terminal Block and tighten the screws with a small screwdriver.
The Bridge pickup goes to the BR Terminal
The Neck pickup goes to the NK Terminal
The Output of the switch goes to the O Terminal
If there is a ground wire coming from the switch, insert it into one of the black
terminals on the terminal block.
6) Plug the output cable onto the Master Tone control and connect the output
wires to the output jack by pushing the connectors on as shown.
WHITE wire onto the TIP (T) contact,
BLACK wire onto the SLEEVE (S) contact
BLACK Battery Negative wire onto the RING (R) contact.
7) Plug the RED Wires of the pickups onto the V+ Buss (RED Shroud)
along with the RED of the battery clip.
Extra pins on the V+ Buss are for EMG Accessories.
8) Put the battery in the insulating foam piece provided and place it securely in the
control cavity.
We suggest that you plug in the instrument and test it before closing the
control cavity.
Diagram #3
2 Pickups
Toggle Style Select Switch
Master Volume & Master Tone
MASTER
TONE
FROM NECK PICKUP
FROM BRIDGE PICKUP
BATTERY
NEG (-)
MASTER
VOLUME OUTPUT
T
R
S
OUTPUT CABLE
RED
RED
RED
GROUND
BRIDGE P/U
NECK P/U
OUTPUT
BRIDGE PICKUP (POSITION 1)
NECK PICKUP (POSITION 2)
OUTPUT (POSITION 3)
NECK PICKUP
BRIDGE PICKUP
TO MASTER VOLUME
Diagram #2
Diagram #3a
2 Pickups
Lever Style Select Switch
Master Volume & Master Tone
1234
5
6
7
8
Diagram #1
Insert the plug onto the 3 pin header
of the pickup as shown above.
Note the orientation arrow.
Installation (Two Pickup Guitars with Selection switch):
Guitars with two pickups and a selection switch will use the EMG B157 Pickup Buss
as shown in diagram #2.
The Pickup Buss is a convenient way to wire your guitar without soldering.
There is a separate sheet attached to these instructions that describes the B157
Pickup Buss in detail.
In all installations it’s best to find a place to mount the Pickup Buss in the control
cavity before starting. Then, after the cables are routed use the velcro to mount it
securely.

TIP
RING
SLEEVE
Diagram #6
FROM TONE
OR VOLUME
57 INSTRUCTIONS Page 3
If the instrument has a Battery Holder:
If your instrument has a 9 or 18 Volt battery holder you can still
use the EMG Connectors to supply power to the pickups.
Simply cut and strip the wires from the battery clip provided.
Twist the wires together and use the shrink tubing included
to cover the connections. Soldering the wires is the preferred.
9/18 VOLT
BATTERY
HOLDER
BATTERY
NEG (-)
RED to BATTERY BUSS
Soldering to the 152B Panel Jack:
If your instrument has a long Panel Jack like the one below
you will have to solder the output cable as shown.
Ground (Black) to the sleeve
Signal (White) to the Tip
Battery Negative (Black) to the Ring
OUTPUT
T
R
S
NK VOLUME
FROM NECK PICKUP
FROM BRIDGE PICKUP
BR VOLUME
BATTERY
NEG (-)
MASTER
TONE
Diagram #5
2 Pickups
Toggle Style Switch
Volume each Pickup (Volumes are independent)
Master Tone
OUTPUT CABLE
RED
RED
RED
GROUND
BRIDGE P/U
NECK P/U
OUTPUT
1) Install the Pickups and route the Pickup cables to the control cavity.
If the cables are too long, wind up the excess and keep it under the pickup.
2) Mount the Volume and Tone controls into the body.
Plug both pickup cables onto the Volume controls as shown.
Plug a coax cable from the Bridge Volume control to the Pickup Buss (Position 1)
Plug a coax cable from the Neck Volume control to the Pickup Buss (Position 2)
3) Plug a coax cable from the Pickup Buss (position 3) to the Master Tone
control as shown.
4) Strip the insulation from the switch wires and Insert them into the GREEN
Terminal Block and tighten the screws with a small screwdriver.
The Bridge pickup goes to the BR Terminal
The Neck Pickup goes to the NK Terminal
The Output of the switch goes to the O Terminal
If there is a ground wire coming from the switch, insert it into one of the black
terminals on the terminal block.
5) Plug the output cable onto the Tone control and connect the wires to the
output jack by pushing the connectors on as shown.
WHITE wire onto the TIP (T) contact,
BLACK wire onto the SLEEVE (S) contact
BLACK Battery Negative wire onto the RING (R) contact.
6) Plug the RED Wires of the pickups onto the V+ Supply Buss (RED Shroud)
along with the RED of the battery clip. Extra pins are for EMG Accessories.
7) Put the battery in the insulating foam provided and place it securely in the
control cavity.
We suggest that you plug in the instrument and test it before closing the
control cavity.
2 Pickups / Toggle Select Switch / 2 Volumes and Master Tone
Refer to Diagrams #1, #4, and #5
BRIDGE PICKUP (POSITION 1)
NECK PICKUP (POSITION 2)
OUTPUT (POSITION 3)
TO MASTER TONE
Diagram #4
FROM NECK
VOLUME CONTROL
FROM BRIDGE
VOLUME CONTROL
Cover these connections with the
shrink tubing provided.
BLACK to RING terminal
of the Output Jack
RED to BATTERY BUSS
- 9V +
- 9V +

Diagram #9 Diagram #10
57 INSTRUCTIONS Page 4
OUTPUT
T
R
S
NK VOLUME
FROM NECK PICKUP
FROM BRIDGE PICKUP
BR VOLUME
BATTERY
NEG (-)
NK TONE
BR TONE
Diagram #8
2 Pickups
2 Volume (either volume will act as a master)
2 Tone
Toggle Style Switch
GROUND
BRIDGE P/U
NECK P/U
OUTPUT RED
RED
RED OUTPUT CABLE
2 Pickups / Toggle Select Switch / 2 Volumes and 2 Tones)
Refer to Diagrams #1, #7, and #8
1) Install the Pickups and route the cables to the control cavity.
If the cables are too long, wind up the excess and keep it under the pickup.
2) Mount the Volume and Tone controls into the body
Plug both Neck and Bridge pickup cables onto the Volume Controls as shown.
Plug a coax cable from the Bridge (BR) Volume control to the Pickup Buss
(Position 1). See Diagram #7
Plug a coax cable from the Neck (NK) Volume control to the Pickup Buss
(Position 2). See Diagram #7
3) Plug a coax cable from the Bridge (BR) Volume control to the Bridge (BR) Tone
control as shown.
4) Plug a coax cable from the Neck (NK) Volume control to the Neck (NK) Tone
control as shown.
5) Strip the insulation from the switch wires and Insert them into the GREEN
Terminal Block and tighten the screws with a small screwdriver.
The Bridge pickup goes to the BR Terminal
The Neck Pickup goes to the NK Terminal
The Output of the switch goes to the O Terminal
If there is a ground wire coming from the switch, insert it into one of the black
terminals on the terminal block.
6) Plug the output cable onto the Pickup Buss (Position 3) and push the connectors
onto the jack as shown.
WHITE wire onto the TIP (T) contact,
BLACK wire onto the SLEEVE (S) contact
BLACK Battery Negative wire onto the RING (R) contact.
7) Plug the RED Wires of the pickups onto the V+ Supply Buss (RED Shroud)
along with the RED of the battery clip. Extra pins are for EMG Accessories.
8) Put the battery in the foam insulator provided and place it securely in the
control cavity.
We suggest that you plug in the instrument and test it before closing the
control cavity.
B
ONK
BR GND
V+
NO
(OUTPUT)
(INPUT NECK PICKUP)
(BLACK WIRE=SHIELD)
(INPUT BRIDGE PICKUP) (WHITE WIRE=SIGNAL)
B
ONK
BR GND
V+
NO
SOLDER PADS FOR V+
Soldering to the V+ Buss
If you have an older EMG Pickup without the RED V+ connectors
you can solder to any of the 5 solder pads to supply voltage to
the pickup. Solder the RED of the battery to any one of these pads
to supply 9V+.
Soldering to the In/Out Buss
If you have an older EMG Pickup without the Black connectors
you can solder to the pads for pickup inputs. The output can be
routed to the jack or to other EMG Accessories, then to the jack.
RED WIRES
FROM PICKUPS
BATTERY
NEG (-)
RED WIRE
FROM BATTERY
BRIDGE PICKUP (POSITION 1)
NECK PICKUP (POSITION 2)
OUTPUT (POSITION 3)
FROM NECK
VOLUME CONTROL
FROM BRIDGE
VOLUME CONTROL
TO OUTPUT JACK
Diagram #7
- 9V +
- 9V +