EMG4493 vs EMG4546 — Compare
EMG H4A Passive Humbucker Pickup in Brushed Black Chrome vs EMG HA Active Single Coil Pickup in Brushed Gold
The H4A is a passive, vintage-voiced humbucker ideal for blues and classic rock players who want natural dynamics and no battery maintenance, while the HA is an active single-coil design built for metal and djent players who prioritize noise rejection and articulate attack in high-gain settings. Choose based on your genre and whether you want passive simplicity or active noise immunity.
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EMG H4A Passive Humbucker Pickup in Brushed Black Chrome
EMG HA Active Single Coil Pickup in Brushed Gold
Specs side by side
| EMG H4A Passive Humbucker Pickup in Brushed Black Chrome | EMG HA Active Single Coil Pickup in Brushed Gold | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.00 | $129.00 |
| Brand | EMG Pickups | EMG Pickups |
| Condition | New | New |
Why choose EMG H4A Passive Humbucker Pickup in Brushed Black Chrome
- ✓ No battery required—set and forget passive operation
- ✓ Warm, vintage character with natural dynamic response to playing technique
- ✓ Budget-friendly retrofit for blues, rock, and classic rock styles
- ✓ Dual resonant peaks preserve balanced midrange body and articulation
Why choose EMG HA Active Single Coil Pickup in Brushed Gold
- ✓ Active electronics deliver exceptional noise rejection (-101 dBV) for recording and live use
- ✓ Single-coil clarity and articulate attack in a humbucker-sized housing
- ✓ Tight low end with upper midrange peak perfect for metal and djent
- ✓ 600 hours battery life per 9V cell reduces maintenance burden
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a battery with either pickup?
The H4A is fully passive and requires no battery. The HA is active and requires one 9V battery, which lasts approximately 600 hours of use.
Which pickup is better for high-gain and metal?
The HA is specifically designed for metal and djent with its tight low end, upper midrange peak at 3.70 kHz, and active noise rejection that prevents hum in high-gain chains. The H4A is voiced for blues and rock and is not ideal for metal applications.
What's the main tonal difference between them?
The H4A delivers warm, balanced, vintage-character tone with dual midrange peaks suited to classic styles. The HA offers bright, articulate single-coil character with a pronounced upper midrange peak and noise-free operation ideal for modern high-gain genres.
Can I use either pickup in the same guitar?
Both fit standard humbucker cavities, but the H4A is passive and requires standard guitar wiring, while the HA is active and requires a 9V battery cavity and active circuit wiring—check your guitar's wiring capacity before installing the HA.