EMG H2A-B Passive Humbucker Pickup in Black Chrome
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- Brand new in original box
- Full EMG manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- EMG4458
Description
EMG H2A-B Passive Humbucker Pickup in Black Chrome
The EMG H2A-B is a versatile passive humbucker that captures classic warmth without active electronics, making it ideal for recording sessions where you need straightforward, reliable tone. Its compact footprint and balanced response track cleanly across genres, delivering articulate highs and defined lows that sit well in dense mixes.
Tonal Character
Built on Alnico V magnets, this pickup generates a DC resistance of 8.40 kOhm and an inductance of 4.90 Henries, producing warm, musical output with natural compression that works equally well on isolated takes and layered arrangements. The dual resonant peaks at 2.12 kHz and 3.82 kHz create clarity in the midrange while maintaining body—a combination that translates through different mixing chains, handling both clean tones and overdrive with clarity.
Switching & Session Flexibility
A 5-wire cable enables series/parallel switching, letting you toggle between full output and a slightly thinner voicing during recording—a useful production tool for adapting tone between tracks without rewiring. Installation is straightforward with included mounting screws and springs, fitting standard humbucker cavities with a 0.388" pole spread, so you can move the pickup between instruments during a session.
Key Features
- Alnico V magnet construction
- DC Resistance: 8.40 kOhm
- Inductance: 4.90 Henries
- Impedance at Resonance: 65.4 kOhm
- Resonant Frequency: 2.12 kHz (1) and 3.82 kHz (2)
- Pole Spread: 0.388" (9.85mm) standard
- 5-wire cable for series/parallel switching
- Dimensions: 2.75 x 2.38 x 6 inches
- Includes mounting screws and springs
- Passive design requires no batteries or power supply
The H2A-B delivers dependable passive performance with configuration flexibility—a practical recording tool for engineers prioritizing consistent tone capture and in-session voicing options.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG H2A-B is a passive humbucker that captures warm, musically compressed tone with dual resonant peaks tuned for midrange clarity and body—ideal for recording blues, rock, jazz, and indie sessions. Its Alnico V construction and balanced response sit cleanly in a mix without aggressive peaks, and the series/parallel switching gives you two voicing options to sculpt your sound across different takes and overdubs. No batteries means one less thing to manage in the recording workflow.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Blues
- ✓ Rock
- ✓ Jazz
- ✓ Country
- ✓ Indie
Not the best pick for
- – Thrash Metal
- – Djent
Skill level: Beginner · Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between series and parallel switching on this pickup?
The 5-wire cable lets you toggle between series mode (full output) and parallel mode (slightly thinner voicing). Series gives you the pickup's full warmth and compression; parallel opens up the midrange for a leaner tone. Both sound musical and sit well in a mix.
Will this pickup fit my guitar?
The H2A-B is designed for standard humbucker cavities with a 0.388-inch pole spread. If your guitar has a standard humbucker route, you're set. Installation includes mounting screws and springs, and no soldering or routing is required.
Is this pickup active or passive?
It's fully passive—no battery, preamp, or power supply needed. You get dependable tone right out of the box with none of the active-electronics complexity or maintenance.
What genres and tones does the H2A-B handle best?
It's voiced for blues, rock, jazz, country, and indie music. The Alnico V magnets and dual resonant peaks deliver articulate highs, defined lows, and natural compression that works for clean tones and overdrive alike. It's not optimized for thrash metal or djent.
How does this compare to other passive humbuckers?
The H2A-B sits between the warmth of a Seymour Duncan 59 and the midrange punch of a DiMarzio Super Distortion. It trades the high-output aggression of EMG's active 81/85 for a more balanced, musical tone that's easier to control and doesn't require batteries.
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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