EMG3632 vs EMG3693 — Compare
EMG H2A-N Passive Humbucker Pickup in Chrome vs EMG 58 Active Humbucker Pickup in Chrome
The H2A-N is a passive vintage-voiced pickup for warm, articulate tones in blues and jazz; the 58 is an active high-output pickup built for metal and modern rock's punchy aggression. Choose the H2A-N if you want natural responsiveness and tonal flexibility; choose the 58 if you need reliability, cut, and sustain in dense mixes.
No sales tax on orders shipped outside California — total cost beats national retailers that charge sales tax in nearly every state.
EMG H2A-N Passive Humbucker Pickup in Chrome
Specs side by side
| EMG H2A-N Passive Humbucker Pickup in Chrome | EMG 58 Active Humbucker Pickup in Chrome | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.00 | $129.00 |
| Brand | EMG Pickups | EMG Pickups |
| Condition | New | New |
Why choose EMG H2A-N Passive Humbucker Pickup in Chrome
- ✓ Passive design requires no battery or active circuitry maintenance
- ✓ Warm, naturally responsive tone with harmonic complexity ideal for blues and jazz
- ✓ 5-wire cable enables series/parallel switching for tonal customization
- ✓ Lower output suits players who rely on amp dynamics and natural breakup
Why choose EMG 58 Active Humbucker Pickup in Chrome
- ✓ High output (4.50 V) cuts through dense mixes with minimal effort
- ✓ Solderless installation system eliminates need for soldering
- ✓ Active circuit delivers hiss-free operation at high gains
- ✓ 3000-hour battery life with efficient 80 µA current draw keeps runtime long
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to solder either pickup?
The H2A-N uses a standard 5-wire cable that integrates with typical guitar wiring; soldering depends on your guitar's existing electronics. The 58 includes EMG's solderless installation system with built-in potentiometers and battery bus, eliminating soldering entirely.
Which pickup has higher output?
The 58 outputs 4.50 V on full strum, much higher than the H2A-N's passive design, which delivers balanced but lower output. This makes the 58 better for heavy distortion and cutting through dense arrangements.
What are the main tonal differences?
The H2A-N emphasizes warm, harmonic complexity with a naturally responsive midrange suited to blues and jazz. The 58 prioritizes articulate, punchy midrange and tight lows with emphasis around 1.70 kHz, ideal for modern rock and metal clarity.
Does the 58 require ongoing maintenance?
The 58 runs on a 9V battery lasting up to 3000 hours, so you will need to replace the battery periodically. The H2A-N is fully passive and requires no battery or maintenance.