EMG James Hetfield Het Active Humbucker Pickup Set 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
- EMG4539
Description
EMG James Hetfield Het Active Humbucker Pickup Set in Gold
The EMG James Hetfield Het active humbucker set captures the aggressive, articulate tone that defined Metallica's heavy metal sound. Designed in collaboration with James Hetfield himself, these pickups combine ceramic magnets with active electronics to produce tight, punchy response across high-gain and moderate-gain recording and tracking scenarios. The gold finish provides visual distinction while the solderless installation system streamlines integration into your existing rig.
Tone & Electronics
Active circuitry powered by a single 9V battery provides consistent output and extended battery life of 1500 hours—ideal for long session work without mid-tracking power loss. The neck pickup (JH-N) resonates at 2.11 kHz for definition in rhythm tracking, while the bridge pickup (JH-B) sits at 1.61 kHz to control feedback and sustain in lead overdubs. Both pickups deliver 3.00V output per string and 4.50V output on strum with 10 Kohm impedance, ensuring tight articulation without muddiness in dense mixes.
Installation & Controls
The EMG Solderless Installation System eliminates the need for soldering, reducing integration time and potential for wiring errors during setup. Two independent 25K volume potentiometers and two 25K sound potentiometers allow precise control of each pickup during tracking, with shaft length options in short (10mm) or long (19mm) to match your hardware configuration.
Key Features
- Set includes JH-N (neck) and JH-B (bridge) active humbucker pickups
- Traditional humbucker format with ceramic magnet construction
- Active electronics requiring single 9V battery; 160 microamps current draw
- Battery life rated at 1500 hours of continuous use
- Neck pickup resonant frequency: 2.11 kHz; Bridge pickup resonant frequency: 1.61 kHz
- Output voltage: 3.00V per string, 4.50V on strum; 10 Kohm output impedance
- DC Resistance: 10K
- Includes EMG Solderless Installation System for fast, solder-free wiring
- Two 25K volume potentiometers and two 25K sound potentiometers included
- Potentiometer shaft length options: short (10mm) or long (19mm)
- Standard string spacing at 49mm (Tune-O-Matic bridge compatible)
- 6-string configuration with 2-conductor design
This pickup set delivers the direct signature tone James Hetfield developed for heavy recording work, paired with the convenience of solderless installation for efficient studio integration. The result is aggressive, controlled high-gain response tailored for tracking and mix-ready results.
More Information
| Condition | New |
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At a Glance
The EMG James Hetfield Het Active Humbucker Set brings articulate, tight high-gain tone to your recordings, with active circuitry and ceramic magnets tuned to cut through dense mixes without feedback or muddiness. Ideal for metal and hard-rock tracking and overdubs, the neck and bridge pickups are voiced at different resonant frequencies to deliver definition on rhythm passes and control on lead layers. The solderless installation and independent volume and sound controls per pickup make these straightforward to integrate into any session guitar and dial into your mix.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Thrash Metal
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ High-Gain Applications
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Blues
- – Clean Tone Focused
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to solder these pickups, or is installation simple?
No soldering required. The EMG Solderless Installation System is included, eliminating wiring errors and reducing setup time. You will need two 25K volume potentiometers and two 25K sound potentiometers (included) and to choose potentiometer shaft length (short 10mm or long 19mm) to match your hardware.
What genres and amp settings are these pickups best suited for?
These pickups are optimized for metal, thrash metal, hard rock, and high-gain applications. They are not recommended for jazz, blues, or clean-tone focused playing.
How long does the 9V battery last?
The battery is rated for 1500 hours of continuous use, providing reliable uptime for regular touring and session work without frequent changes.
What is the output and tone character of each pickup?
Both pickups deliver 3.00V output per string and 4.50V on strum. The neck pickup (JH-N) resonates at 2.11 kHz for rhythmic definition, while the bridge pickup (JH-B) sits at 1.61 kHz to control feedback and sustain in lead work.
Are these active pickups compatible with standard guitar wiring?
Yes. These are 2-conductor pickups with 10 Kohm output impedance and standard 49mm string spacing, compatible with Tune-O-Matic bridges and standard 6-string guitar wiring when paired with the included potentiometers and 9V power source.
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.
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