Robert wasn’t originally a guitarist; he made his living as a drummer. However, after the band’s equipment was stolen and he found himself at a loss, Robert switched to repairing guitar amplifiers.

Having studied audio engineering in college, and with family members—including Bill—who were knowledgeable about electronics, he reportedly found it easy to learn the repair trade.

However, he eventually grew tired of repairing amps and set his sights on pickups—a guitar component that is particularly easy to modify.

(Excerpt from EMG Instagram)

Then came the first turning point for EMG.

That was his encounter with Steinberger.

Steinberger developed groundbreaking technologies such as the graphite neck and the Transtrem system.

For Steinberger, who was aiming to create instruments that could be used in a wide variety of situations, EMG pickups were the perfect fit.

At the time, with the development of synthesizers and the spread of CDs, Steinberger—which produced a sound with clear definition and forward projection—gained popularity, and the EMG pickups installed in them also became increasingly well-known.

Another factor in their popularity was that they were used by artists active as studio musicians, such as Steve Lukather.

Furthermore, when Metallica began using EMGs, their popularity among metal artists skyrocketed, solidifying the image of “EMG = Metal.” They also became standard equipment on guitars from brands like ESP, B.C. Rich, and Dean.

While I believe the reasons mentioned above played a major role in EMG’s rising popularity, I also think another key factor was how easy they were for anyone to install—specifically, the fact that they could be mounted without requiring major modifications to the body.

In recent years, various innovations have been introduced, such as the adoption of socket-style wiring, which allows for replacement without soldering. I look forward to seeing how EMG continues to evolve in the future!

(Excerpt from EMG Instagram)