EMG6849 vs EMG6974 — Compare
EMG H3A Long Shaft Passive Humbucker Pickup in Black vs EMG H2A-N Long Shaft Passive Humbucker Pickup in Black
The H3A is a higher-output, aggressive passive humbucker built for hard rock and metal with dual resonant peaks for clarity through distortion, while the H2A-N is a lower-output, vintage-voiced design optimized for blues, jazz, and clean tones with a solderless wiring harness included. Choose the H3A if you play heavy music and want articulate punch; choose the H2A-N if you need warm tone, easy retrofit installation, and play cleaner styles.
No sales tax on orders shipped outside California — total cost beats national retailers that charge sales tax in nearly every state.
EMG H3A Long Shaft Passive Humbucker Pickup in Black
EMG H2A-N Long Shaft Passive Humbucker Pickup in Black
Specs side by side
| EMG H3A Long Shaft Passive Humbucker Pickup in Black | EMG H2A-N Long Shaft Passive Humbucker Pickup in Black | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $109.00 | $109.00 |
| Brand | EMG Pickups | EMG Pickups |
| Condition | New | New |
Why choose EMG H3A Long Shaft Passive Humbucker Pickup in Black
- ✓ Higher DC resistance (13.65 kOhm) delivers more output for driven applications and metal tones
- ✓ Dual resonant peaks at 1.72 kHz and 2.92 kHz maintain clarity through high-gain settings
- ✓ Greater inductance (7.67 H) supports aggressive, controlled distortion without mud
Why choose EMG H2A-N Long Shaft Passive Humbucker Pickup in Black
- ✓ Lower DC resistance (8.40 kOhm) preserves clean signal and note definition for blues and jazz
- ✓ Includes complete solderless wiring harness with pots—ready to install without soldering
- ✓ Warm, vintage-focused tone suits traditional and classic rock styles better than the H3A
Frequently asked questions
Which pickup is better for metal and high-gain styles?
The H3A is designed for metal and progressive music. Its higher DC resistance (13.65 kOhm vs 8.40 kOhm) and dual resonant peaks provide the articulate midrange and controlled output needed to cut through distortion without muddiness.
Which one is easier to install?
The H2A-N includes EMG's solderless wiring harness with volume and tone potentiometers already included, requiring no soldering. The H3A has a 5-wire quick-connect output but does not include a complete wiring kit, making it better suited for players doing their own electronics work.
What tone difference should I expect?
The H3A delivers an articulate, balanced passive voice with aggressive clarity through high-gain. The H2A-N offers a warmer, vintage-focused tone with cleaner signal transmission and better note definition for clean and lightly driven applications.
Are both passive pickups?
Yes, both are passive humbuckers requiring no battery or external power. The H3A uses over-wound coils with an Alnico 5 magnet on a ceramic base, while the H2A-N uses a single Alnico V magnet for a different frequency response curve.