EMG James Hetfield Het Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup Set in Brush
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- Brand new in original box
- Full EMG manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- EMG5356
Description
EMG James Hetfield Het Long Shaft Active Humbucker Pickup Set in Brushed Gold
The EMG Het Set captures aggressive, high-output tone engineered for recording heavy riffs with precision articulation and studio-ready clarity. Designed in collaboration with Metallica's James Hetfield, this active humbucker pair combines ceramic magnets with DLC-plated caps for aggressive midrange bite and cutting sustain that translates through the mix. The brushed gold finish adds visual distinction in the studio while the solderless wiring system streamlines installation and session setup.
Active Electronics & Power
These pickups run on a single 9V battery (not included) with up to 1000 hours of battery life, delivering clean, noise-free operation without hum—essential for tracking without unwanted artifacts. The bridge pickup outputs 2.10 V while the neck delivers 1.60 V, with bridge DC resistance at 13.71 kΩ and neck at 10.38 kΩ—spec'd for high-gain tracking where articulation and frequency separation remain clear across dense arrangements.
Installation & Recording Setup
The set includes matched JH-N (neck) and JH-B (bridge) pickups in traditional humbucker format with standard spacing and steel pole pieces on the bridge for additional punch and consistency across takes. Installation is simplified via the solderless wiring system with 2 conductors; the package includes 2×25k volume pots, 2×25k tone pots (both long shaft at 18.7mm threaded), a stereo output jack, and battery bus—letting you get to tracking without soldering delays.
Key Features
- Active, battery-powered design with 9V battery (not included)
- Up to 1000 hours battery life per charge cycle
- Bridge pickup DC resistance: 13.71 kΩ
- Neck pickup DC resistance: 10.38 kΩ
- Bridge output voltage: 2.10 V; Neck output voltage: 1.60 V
- Current draw: 160 microamps @ 9V
- Ceramic magnet construction with steel pole pieces (bridge)
- Diamond-like carbon (DLC) plated caps
- Traditional humbucker format, standard spacing
- Solderless installation system with 2-conductor wiring
- Long shaft pots (18.7mm threaded) with matched 25k volumes and tones
- Brushed Gold finish
This set delivers the high-output, articulate aggression required for tracking drop-tuned riffs, heavy rhythms, and lead work where every note needs to cut through dense mixes and maintain clarity on playback.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG Het Set brings aggressive, high-output active humbuckers to your recording rig, engineered to track heavy riffing and lead work with articulate midrange bite and tight sustain. These pickups sit aggressively in a mix without sacrificing clarity—ideal for metal and hard rock sessions where every note needs to cut through while staying noise-free on a single 9V battery. The solderless wiring system and included long-shaft pots streamline installation, so you can get to tracking fast.
Who This Is For
| Best suited for | Metal, Thrash Metal, Hard Rock, Drop Tunings |
|---|---|
| Tonal character | Aggressive high output, articulate midrange bite, cutting sustain, noise-free clarity, tight precision |
| Less specialized for | Jazz, Blues, Folk (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily) |
| Skill level | Intermediate / Advanced / Professional |
Frequently Asked Questions
What skill level do I need to install these pickups?
The EMG Het Set is designed for intermediate to advanced players and features a solderless wiring system that simplifies installation compared to traditional solder-in pickups. The package includes all necessary components—matched pots, stereo output jack, and battery bus—so you can wire them into your guitar or have a tech handle the setup.
How long does the battery last, and what battery does it need?
These pickups run on a single 9V battery (not included in the set) and deliver up to 1000 hours of battery life per charge cycle. Current draw is minimal at 160 microamps at 9V, so the battery lasts through extended playing sessions and practice.
Are these pickups good for genres other than metal?
The EMG Het Set is engineered specifically for metal, thrash metal, hard rock, and drop-tuning applications. The aggressive high-output voice and tight articulation are not ideal for jazz, blues, or folk styles.
What's included in the set, and will it fit my guitar?
The set includes matched JH-N (neck) and JH-B (bridge) pickups in traditional humbucker format with standard spacing, 2×25k volume pots, 2×25k tone pots (long shaft, 18.7mm threaded), a stereo output jack, and battery bus. It fits any guitar with standard humbucker routing and typical control cavities.
How do these compare to other active metal pickups like the EMG 81/85?
The Het Set delivers higher output and more aggressive midrange bite than the 81/85 pair, with bridge and neck DC resistances of 13.71 kΩ and 10.38 kΩ respectively. The ceramic magnets and DLC-plated caps add cutting sustain and precision articulation tailored to Hetfield's heavy rhythm and lead style.
Do I pay sales tax on this order?
Sales tax is collected only on orders shipped to California; orders shipped to any other US state are not charged sales tax at checkout when you buy direct from our website. At a typical 7% rate that is an estimated $19 less at checkout than the same listed price on a marketplace, which collects sales tax as the facilitator in most states. Buyers remain responsible for any use tax their state applies. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included.
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