EMG6840 vs EMG6841 — Compare
EMG H1-N Long Shaft Passive Humbucker Pickup in Black vs EMG H1-B Long Shaft Passive Humbucker Pickup in Black
Both are budget passive humbuckers with nearly identical electrical specs, but the H1-N is a complete pickup kit with solderless electronics, while the H1-B is a bridge-position-only unit designed for tune-o-matic bridges and offers series/parallel switching via 5-wire cable. Choose the H1-N if you need a full drop-in solution with potentiometers and output jack included; choose the H1-B if you already have passive wiring and want bridge-position flexibility with switching options.
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EMG H1-N Long Shaft Passive Humbucker Pickup in Black
EMG H1-B Long Shaft Passive Humbucker Pickup in Black
Specs side by side
| EMG H1-N Long Shaft Passive Humbucker Pickup in Black | EMG H1-B Long Shaft Passive Humbucker Pickup in Black | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $109.00 | $109.00 |
| Brand | EMG Pickups | EMG Pickups |
| Condition | New | New |
Why choose EMG H1-N Long Shaft Passive Humbucker Pickup in Black
- ✓ Complete solderless kit includes 500K pots, mono jack, cable, and hardware—ready to install
- ✓ Fits standard modern guitar cavities without bridge-specific limitations
- ✓ Overcomes learning curve for first-time passive pickup installers
Why choose EMG H1-B Long Shaft Passive Humbucker Pickup in Black
- ✓ 5-wire cable enables series/parallel switching for tonal flexibility
- ✓ Optimized pole piece spacing for tune-o-matic bridge guitars
- ✓ Simpler, lighter option if you already have passive electronics wired
Frequently asked questions
Are the electrical specs identical between these two pickups?
Nearly identical: both measure 13.6–13.65 kOhm DC resistance and 7.15 Henries inductance. The H1-N lists 1.65 kHz unloaded and 3.12 kHz loaded resonance, while the H1-B specifies 1.65 kHz at 500K load and 3.12 kHz at 1 MegOhm load. For practical tone, they behave very similarly.
Which one suits my Les Paul or semi-hollow guitar?
The H1-B is specifically engineered for tune-o-matic bridge spacing found on Les Pauls and similar guitars. If your guitar has a standard modern cavity, either will work, but the H1-B's bridge-optimized pole spread makes it the better fit for tune-o-matic guitars.
Do I need soldering skills for either pickup?
The H1-N comes with a solderless system and pre-wired electronics, requiring no soldering. The H1-B is a pickup-only unit; if your guitar already has passive wiring and a mono jack, you can drop it in without soldering, but new installations will require standard wiring.
What's the advantage of the 5-wire cable on the H1-B?
The 5-wire configuration allows you to wire the pickup in series or parallel mode, giving you two different tonal voicings from a single pickup without switching boxes or rewiring—useful for players who want tonal variety from a bridge position.