What makes this pickup different from EMG's active pickups?

The H1A-N is completely passive—no active circuitry or battery required. This eliminates battery drain and noise concerns while delivering a warmer, more traditional humbucker character than EMG's active designs, making it ideal for players who want clarity without active coloration.

Can I use this pickup for metal or heavy genres?

The H1A-N is voiced for blues, rock, and jazz with a balanced, articulate tone. It is not recommended for thrash metal or djent, where higher output and more aggressive midrange characteristics are typically needed.

What does the 5-wire cable allow me to do?

The included 5-wire cable enables series/parallel switching and single/dual-coil combinations, giving you multiple tonal options beyond standard humbucker operation—all without changing pickups.

Will this fit my guitar?

The H1A-N is designed as a direct replacement for standard humbucker cavities with tune-o-matic bridge configurations and a standard pole piece spread of 0.388 inches. If your guitar has a standard humbucking cavity, it will fit.

How does this compare to the Seymour Duncan 59 or DiMarzio Super Distortion?

The H1A-N sits between those designs—offering the balanced, smooth midrange of a 59 with slightly more controlled output than a Super Distortion, and the added bonus of 5-wire switching for tonal shaping without active power requirements.

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.

EMG H1A-N Passive Humbucker Pickup in Brushed Chrome

The EMG H1A-N is a neck-position passive humbucker built for players who want articulation and clarity without the hassle of active electronics. Over-wound coils paired with Alnico V magnets deliver a balanced response that cuts through the mix without muddiness, while the passive design means no batteries to die mid-gig. This pickup is engineered for players who value tonal flexibility and the simplicity of a direct swap into existing cavities.

Electrical Characteristics

With an inductance of 7.80 Henries and DC resistance of 13.65 kOhm, this pickup is voiced for neck position with controlled output that works live. The resonant frequency range of 1.65–3.00 KHz with 80.80 kOhm impedance at resonance delivers a smooth, focused midrange—behaves transparently through clean channels and sits solid under overdrive without getting harsh or boomy.

Wiring & Compatibility

The included 5-wire cable unlocks series/parallel switching and single/dual-coil combinations, giving you real tonal range beyond a standard humbucker. Drops into any standard humbucking cavity as a direct replacement, with tune-o-matic bridge compatibility and a standard pole piece spread of 0.388" (9.85mm) for reliable installation.

Key Features

Over-wound coils with Alnico V magnets
Neck-position configuration (H1A-N)
Inductance: 7.80 Henries
DC Resistance: 13.65 kOhm
Resonant Frequency: 1.65–3.00 KHz
Impedance at Resonance: 80.80 kOhm
5-wire cable for series/parallel and coil-split operation
Standard pole piece spread: 0.388" (9.85mm)
Direct replacement for standard humbucking cavities
Passive design—no battery required
Brushed Chrome finish
Tune-o-matic bridge compatible

The EMG H1A-N pairs passive reliability with real wiring versatility—a smart move for anyone building a stage-ready instrument or refreshing a workhorse with tone-shaping options.