What's the difference between series and parallel switching on this pickup?

The 5-wire cable lets you toggle between series mode (full output) and parallel mode (slightly thinner voicing). Series gives you the pickup's full warmth and compression; parallel opens up the midrange for a leaner tone. Both sound musical and sit well in a mix.

Will this pickup fit my guitar?

The H2A-B is designed for standard humbucker cavities with a 0.388-inch pole spread. If your guitar has a standard humbucker route, you're set. Installation includes mounting screws and springs, and no soldering or routing is required.

Is this pickup active or passive?

It's fully passive—no battery, preamp, or power supply needed. You get dependable tone right out of the box with none of the active-electronics complexity or maintenance.

What genres and tones does the H2A-B handle best?

It's voiced for blues, rock, jazz, country, and indie music. The Alnico V magnets and dual resonant peaks deliver articulate highs, defined lows, and natural compression that works for clean tones and overdrive alike. It's not optimized for thrash metal or djent.

How does this compare to other passive humbuckers?

The H2A-B sits between the warmth of a Seymour Duncan 59 and the midrange punch of a DiMarzio Super Distortion. It trades the high-output aggression of EMG's active 81/85 for a more balanced, musical tone that's easier to control and doesn't require batteries.

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. Marketplaces collect sales tax as the facilitator in most states, so the same listed price can cost more there. Buyers remain responsible for any use tax their state applies. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included.

EMG H2A-B Passive Humbucker Pickup in Black Chrome

The EMG H2A-B is a versatile passive humbucker built for players who want classic warmth and zero dependence on active electronics. Its compact footprint and balanced response make it a solid retrofit for modern instruments or vintage-style builds, delivering articulate highs and defined lows that cut through on stage across any genre.

Tonal Character

Built on Alnico V magnets, this pickup generates a DC resistance of 8.40 kOhm and an inductance of 4.90 Henries, producing warm, musical output with natural compression. The dual resonant peaks at 2.12 kHz and 3.82 kHz create clarity in the midrange while maintaining body—ideal for both clean tones and overdrive, whether you're tracking in the studio or pushing it live.

Switching & Installation

A 5-wire cable enables series/parallel switching, allowing you to toggle between full output and a slightly thinner voicing for on-the-fly tonal flexibility. Installation is straightforward with included mounting screws and springs, fitting standard humbucker cavities with a 0.388" pole spread—no tech required.

Key Features

Alnico V magnet construction
DC Resistance: 8.40 kOhm
Inductance: 4.90 Henries
Impedance at Resonance: 65.4 kOhm
Resonant Frequency: 2.12 kHz (1) and 3.82 kHz (2)
Pole Spread: 0.388" (9.85mm) standard
5-wire cable for series/parallel switching
Dimensions: 2.75 x 2.38 x 6 inches
Includes mounting screws and springs
Passive design requires no batteries or power supply

The H2A-B delivers dependable passive performance with configuration flexibility—a practical choice for gigging musicians and builders who prioritize reliable tone and the freedom to reshape your voicing without power dependencies.

Best suited for	Blues, Rock, Jazz, Country, Indie
Tonal character	Warm, articulate highs, defined lows, natural compression, musical midrange clarity
Less specialized for	Thrash Metal, Djent (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily)
Skill level	Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced / Professional