Do I need soldering experience to install the H3A?

No. The EMG solderless installation system includes a complete wiring harness with pre-assembled connectors, dual 500k potentiometers, output jack, cables, and mounting hardware—everything connects via plug-and-play bus connectors.

Does this pickup require a battery?

No. The H3A is a passive design powered entirely by the magnetic field; there is no active electronics or battery to manage.

What genres and playing styles is the H3A best suited for?

The H3A excels in rock, hard rock, metal, and blues, delivering natural breakup and responsive dynamics that suit high-gain and classic tones. It is not optimized for jazz or folk applications.

What's included in the box?

The H3A comes with the pickup itself, dual 500k potentiometers (volume and tone), output jack, pickup bus connectors, pickup and connection cables, output cable, grounding cable, and mounting hardware for a complete electronics retrofit.

How does the H3A compare to active EMG pickups?

The H3A is passive and delivers organic responsiveness and natural dynamics without the noise floor or battery management of active systems; it trades some output punch for authenticity and simplicity, making it closer in character to designs like the Seymour Duncan 59 or DiMarzio PAF.

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 H3A Passive Humbucker Pickup in Black

The EMG H3A delivers the clarity and articulation of a passive design without sacrificing the output and definition that players expect from a quality humbucker. Built for musicians who demand natural dynamics and responsive feel across the full tonal spectrum, this pickup brings organic responsiveness to the stage. The included solderless installation system makes integration into most guitar electronics straightforward.

Tone & Electronics

Built with Alnico V magnets and over-wound coils, the H3A produces balanced output with clear articulation and natural breakup characteristics. The passive design requires no battery, eliminating the need for ongoing power management and delivering the organic responsiveness that many players prefer in passive circuitry. On stage or in the studio, this pickup maintains consistent performance without the worry of battery drain during a set.

Installation & Compatibility

The EMG solderless installation system bundles everything needed for a complete electronics retrofit: dual 500k potentiometers (volume and tone), output jack, pickup bus connectors, pickup cables, connection cables, output cable, grounding cable, and mounting hardware. This integrated approach reduces assembly complexity and ensures proper impedance matching out of the box, getting your instrument road-ready without extended downtime.

Key Features

Alnico V magnet construction
Over-wound coils for enhanced output
Passive design — no battery required
Pole distance: 9.85 mm
Inductance: 7.4 Henries
DC Resistance: 13.65 kOhm
Resonant Frequency: 1725 Hz and 3000 Hz
Includes EMG solderless wiring harness with dual 500k potentiometers
Complete installation kit with cables, connectors, output jack, and mounting hardware
Made in United States

The H3A combines passive pickup integrity with EMG's engineering and solderless convenience, delivering a reliable upgrade for players who need their instruments to perform night after night.