Compare
EMG S vs EMG SA
Compared with the EMG S, the EMG SA has an Alnico magnet (warmer, smoother).
Specs side by side
differs marks specs where they part ways| Spec | EMG S | EMG SA |
|---|---|---|
| DC resistance | not published | not published |
| Inductance | not measured | not measured |
| Magnetdiffers | Ceramic | Alnico |
| Coil | Single coil | Single coil |
| Resonant peakdiffers | 4.05 kHz (EMG's own test load) | 3.7 kHz (EMG's own test load) |
| Slot | active Strat single-coil | active Strat single-coil |
| Traits | active, tight & aggressive | active |
How close on each spec
100 means identical on that spec. The score weighs these, and counts anything we couldn't compare as a typical difference. How scoring works
Magnet
40
Ceramic vs Alnico
Coil
100
same coil type
Brightness
74
the maker's resonant peaks
Not compared: output, mids, bass (a spec is missing for at least one of them).
Videos
No videos for either pickup collected yet.
What players and reviewers say
On the EMG SA
“"The EMG-SA pickup combines the attributes of the early Strat* sound but with an added midrange response and higher output, giving it "bell-like" ringing harmonics and increased sustain.”