What's the difference between this and active EMG pickups like the 81/85?

The H3A is passive—no battery or preamp circuit needed—so it has a lower noise floor and more natural response to your playing dynamics. Active pickups like the 81/85 offer higher output and consistency, but the H3A delivers harmonic complexity and vintage-to-modern tone character without the active electronics footprint.

Will this work in my guitar without soldering?

Yes. The 5-wire quik-connect output with full shielding eliminates soldering during installation. It connects with standard EMG-compatible connectors, making swaps and adjustments straightforward.

What genres and playing styles is this pickup best for?

The H3A excels in metal, hard rock, and progressive music, and works well in studio sessions. Its articulate cleans and defined midrange make it less suitable for traditional jazz or folk where a warmer, smoother response is preferred.

What does the standard pole piece spread mean for my guitar?

The H3A has a standard 0.388-inch pole piece spread, which fits conventional pickup cavity routing found in most modern electric guitars. If your guitar uses non-standard spacing, verify cavity dimensions before purchasing.

How does the brushed gold finish affect the tone?

The brushed gold cover is cosmetic and visual—it adds distinction without changing the pickup's tonal character. The solid HZ cover cap itself shields against electromagnetic interference while maintaining tonal transparency.

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 Brushed Gold

The EMG H3A is a passive humbucker engineered to deliver articulate, balanced output without the noise floor of active electronics. Its over-wound coils and Alnico 5 magnet produce a responsive character that sits cleanly in modern and classic contexts alike. The brushed gold finish on the solid cover cap and logo adds visual distinction while the 5-wire quik-connect output with full shielding ensures trouble-free installation and minimal interference.

Electrical Character & Output

With a DC resistance of 13.65 kOhm and inductance of 7.67 Henries, this pickup maintains the harmonic complexity expected from a passive design. The dual resonant frequencies at 1.72 kHz and 2.92 kHz with 83.30 kOhm impedance at resonance provide a defined midrange presence and controlled high-end articulation suitable for both rhythm and lead work on stage.

Build & Installation

The HZ solid cover cap design shields against electromagnetic interference while maintaining tonal transparency. Standard pole piece spread of 0.388" (9.85mm) accommodates conventional pickup cavity routing, and the fully shielded 5-wire quik-connect output eliminates soldering during installation and allows seamless switching between coil configurations—ideal for touring musicians who need reliable, fast swaps.

Key Features

Magnet type: Alnico/Steel (A/S)
Over-wound coils with Alnico 5 magnet
DC resistance: 13.65 kOhm
Inductance: 7.67 Henries
Resonant frequency: 1.72 kHz (primary)
Resonant frequency: 2.92 kHz (secondary)
Impedance at resonance: 83.30 kOhm
Standard pole piece spread: 0.388" (9.85mm)
Solid HZ cover cap design
5-wire quik-connect output with full shielding
Brushed gold logo and cover finish

The H3A combines passive tone character with modern convenience, delivering a pickup that responds naturally to your playing dynamics while offering installation simplicity and electromagnetic protection for gigging reliability.