Is this pickup active or passive, and do I need a battery?

The H3 is fully passive—it requires no power supply or battery. It uses ceramic magnets and over wound coils to deliver its articulate, punchy tone without active electronics, making it ideal for straightforward wiring and reliable gigging.

What bridge style is this pickup designed for?

The H3 is optimized for standard Tune-o-matic bridge spacing with a 0.388" (9.85mm) pole piece spread. It works in both neck and bridge positions on guitars using that bridge type.

Can I use the H3 in parallel, series, or split-coil configurations?

Yes. The 5-wire quick-connect output provides flexibility for series, parallel, or split-coil wiring, allowing you to shape your tone and adapt to different playing styles.

Is the H3 good for jazz and blues, or is it really just a hard rock and metal pickup?

The H3 is engineered specifically for hard rock and metal with its articulate, presence-focused character and tight low end. It is not designed for jazz or blues playing styles.

What does fully shielded construction mean for my recording or live setup?

Fully shielded construction rejects electromagnetic noise and interference, keeping your signal clean in both high-interference live venues and studio environments with multiple electronics nearby.

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 H3 Passive Humbucker Pickup in Chrome

The EMG H3 is a ceramic-magnet humbucker built for players who want articulate, punchy tone without the power supply requirement of active electronics. This passive design delivers clarity and presence across the frequency spectrum, making it equally at home in neck or bridge positions on guitars with standard Tune-o-matic bridge spacing. On stage, it cuts through the mix with focused output and minimal noise—ideal for gigging musicians who need reliability night after night.

Electrical Performance & Tone Character

A DC resistance of 13.65 kOhm and 7.40 Henry inductance shape a distinctive voice with dual resonant peaks at 1.72 kHz and 3.00 kHz, creating presence and definition without brittleness. The 80.20 kOhm impedance at resonance ensures the pickup integrates smoothly with standard guitar electronics while maintaining tight, focused output that stays locked in through long sets and high-volume environments.

Design & Construction

Built in the USA with ceramic magnets and over wound coils, the H3 features a fully shielded construction to reject noise in high-interference environments—a must for players dealing with monitor systems, wireless units, and other stage RF sources. The 5-wire quick-connect output provides flexibility for series, parallel, or split-coil wiring configurations, while the 0.388" (9.85mm) pole piece spread is optimized for standard Tune-o-matic bridge spacing. No active circuitry means fewer things that can fail on the road.

Key Features

Ceramic magnets with over wound coils
DC Resistance: 13.65 kOhm
Inductance: 7.40 Henries
Resonant Frequency: 1.72 kHz (primary) and 3.00 kHz (secondary)
Impedance at Resonance: 80.20 kOhm
Pole piece spread: 0.388" (9.85mm) for Tune-o-matic bridges
5-wire quick-connect output with wiring flexibility
Fully shielded for minimal noise
Compatible with neck and bridge positions
Passive design — requires no power supply
Manufactured in the USA
Pickup only; no wiring, screws, or additional components included

The H3 combines passive circuit simplicity with refined resonant characteristics, delivering the kind of road-tested reliability that players and tech crews depend on—transparent, responsive tone without the complexity of active electronics.

Best suited for	Studio Sessions, Live Performance, Hard Rock, Metal
Tonal character	Articulate, punchy, tight low end, presence-focused, noise-rejecting
Less specialized for	Jazz, Blues (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily)
Skill level	Intermediate / Advanced / Professional