What tunings and genres are these pickups best for?

The Het set excels in metal, thrash metal, hard rock, and drop tunings, delivering aggressive tone with searing high-end clarity and tight low-end definition. They are not optimized for jazz, folk, or country styles.

How long does a 9V battery last, and how much power do these pickups draw?

Each 9V battery provides over 1500 hours of playing time. The active circuit draws only 160 microamps at 9V, so battery changes are infrequent and power consumption is minimal.

What comes in the package?

The set includes both neck and bridge pickups, two 25K volume potentiometers, two 25K tone potentiometers, a battery bus, a stereo output jack, pickup buses, mounting hardware, and all necessary cables—everything needed for installation.

How do the neck and bridge pickups differ in output and frequency response?

The neck pickup has a 2.11 kHz resonant frequency and delivers 4.50V on strum with 3.00V string definition for articulate note separation. The bridge pickup resonates at 1.61 kHz for a more aggressive, defined character suited to rhythm work and sustain.

What makes these pickups durable for heavy touring and gigging?

Ceramic magnets, vacuum-sealed epoxy construction, and active circuitry are engineered for consistent performance under demanding conditions. Made in the USA with professional-grade components, they deliver reliable high-output tone night after night.

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. On this item that is roughly $19 less out the door than the same listed price at a national retailer or on a marketplace. 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.

EMG James Hetfield Het Active Humbucker Pickup Set in Chrome

The EMG JH "HET" James Hetfield Active Humbucker Pickup Set captures the aggressive, articulate tone that defined one of metal's most recognizable guitar voices. These chrome-finished active humbuckers provide tight low-end definition and searing high-end clarity, with ceramic magnets and vacuum-sealed epoxy construction engineered for session stability and reliable tracking across extended recording sessions. Built in the USA, this is the signature electronics package designed in collaboration with Metallica's lead guitarist for studio-grade performance and consistent punch on every take.

Tone & Resonance for Recording

The neck pickup's 2.11 kHz resonant frequency and bridge pickup's 1.61 kHz resonant frequency establish a balanced yet aggressive frequency response that cuts through dense mixes while maintaining clarity. Neck output reaches 4.50V on strum with 3.00V string definition, delivering articulate note separation and powerful sustain ideal for tracking palm-muted rhythms, layered harmonies, and soaring lead passes without phase or muddiness in the mix.

Active Electronics & Power

Running on a single 9V battery, these active pickups draw only 160 microamps and deliver over 1500 hours of battery life per cell—eliminating mid-session battery concerns during tracking days. The 10 kΩ DC resistance and 10 kΩ output impedance maintain low noise and interference for clean signal paths to your preamp or interface, while support for supply voltages up to 27V DC offers headroom and flexibility in your recording signal chain.

Key Features

Ceramic magnet construction in both neck and bridge positions
Neck resonant frequency: 2.11 kHz
Bridge resonant frequency: 1.61 kHz
Neck output voltage: 3.00V (string), 4.50V (strum)
10 kΩ DC resistance per pickup
Active circuit draws 160 microamps @ 9V
Battery life over 1500 hours per 9V cell
10 kΩ output impedance
Maximum supply voltage: 27V DC
Vacuum sealed in epoxy for durability
Chrome finish
Includes 2 × 25K volume potentiometers, 2 × 25K tone potentiometers, battery bus, stereo output jack, pickup buses, mounting hardware, and all necessary cables
Made in the USA

This comprehensive electronics package combines aggressive, studio-ready tone, professional reliability, and USA manufacturing—everything needed for high-output, high-definition heavy music recording and mixing.