EMG H1-B Long Shaft Passive Humbucker Pickup in Gold
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- Brand new in original box
- Full EMG manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- EMG7179
Description
EMG H1A-B Long Shaft Passive Humbucker Pickup in Gold
The EMG H1A-B is a passive bridge humbucker built on Alnico V magnets with steel pole pieces, capturing the warmth and midrange character essential for recording instruments that sit clearly in a mix without active-electronics coloration. Its over-wound coil design produces articulate response with a low noise floor, making it an excellent choice for home studios and session work where tonal purity and tracking clarity matter. The gold-finish housing maintains professional aesthetics while delivering the workhorse reliability EMG is known for.
Tonal Character & Recording Response
A DC resistance of 13.65 kOhm paired with 7.80 Henries of inductance positions this pickup in the articulate midrange zone—thick enough for rock and metal tracking, yet responsive enough for cleaner, more defined note separation in the mix. The resonant frequency of 1.65 kHz (with 500K load) keeps the upper midrange controlled while the 80.80 kOhm impedance at resonance ensures stable, predictable interaction with standard studio preamps and outboard gear.
Installation & Studio Workflow
The long-shaft design with solderless quick-connect system streamlines installation and instrument swaps during session changes. A standard Tune-o-matic bridge pole piece spread of 0.388 inches (9.85mm) ensures reliable fit on most guitars, and the 6-inch output cable provides clean routing to your preamp or interface without excess cable noise in tight recording setups.
Key Features
- Magnet Type: Alnico V with Steel (A/S)
- Gold logo and housing finish
- Over-wound passive coil design
- DC Resistance: 13.65 kOhm
- Inductance: 7.80 Henries (series wiring)
- Resonant Frequency: 1.65 kHz (500K load) / 3.00 kHz (1MΩ/47pF load)
- Impedance at Resonance: 80.80 kOhm
- Pole Piece Spread: 0.388" (9.85mm) for Tune-o-matic bridges
- Bridge position (H1-B designation)
- Solderless quick-connect system
- 6" output cable included
- No external power required (passive circuit)
The H1A-B combines Alnico warmth with passive transparency, delivering direct capture and mix-ready character in a drop-in bridge format suited to multi-take sessions and overdub work.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG H1-B is a passive Alnico V bridge humbucker that tracks cleanly in the studio mix with warm midrange character and articulate response. Its 13.65 kOhm DC resistance and over-wound coil design sit well alongside other instruments without mud or noise, making it a versatile choice for rock and metal tracking. Solderless installation means fast swaps between sessions or guitars.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Rock
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Studio Sessions
- ✓ Gigging
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Folk
Skill level: Beginner · Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between this passive pickup and EMG's active 81/85 models?
The H1-B is passive—no battery required—and uses Alnico V magnets for natural warmth and tonal purity. Active models like the 81/85 rely on onboard electronics for higher output and lower noise. The H1-B trades some output for simplicity, clearer tone shaping, and no power management.
Will this fit my guitar?
The H1-B is designed for bridge position on Tune-o-matic equipped guitars (0.388-inch pole spread). The long-shaft design with solderless quick-connect simplifies installation on most standard electronics cavities; check your current pickup's connector type to confirm compatibility.
Is this pickup good for styles other than rock and metal?
The H1-B excels in rock, metal, hard rock, and studio sessions. Its warm midrange and thick low-end don't suit jazz or folk styles, where brighter, more articulate single-coil or cleaner humbucker tones are typically preferred.
Does this come with everything I need to install it?
Yes—the pickup includes a 6-inch output cable with solderless quick-connect, making swap-outs straightforward. No soldering is required if your guitar's wiring already supports the quick-connect system.
What's the output level compared to active pickups?
At 13.65 kOhm DC resistance, the H1-B produces moderate output typical of quality passive humbuckers. It's lower than active systems but still plenty for rock and metal amplification; level depends on your amp's gain and EQ rather than onboard preamp.
Do I pay sales tax on this order?
We collect sales tax only on orders shipped to California. Orders shipped to any other US state are charged $0 sales tax at checkout when you buy direct from our website. Marketplaces such as eBay, Reverb and Amazon collect sales tax in nearly every state as marketplace facilitators no matter who the seller is, so the same item at the same price costs less bought direct. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included. Some states ask buyers to self-report use tax on out-of-state purchases.
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