What's included with the EMG H4?

The pickup ships with a 5-wire Quik-Connect cable for simplified wiring, mounting screws for secure installation, and fits into any standard humbucker cavity. No soldering is required if you use the Quik-Connect connection.

Do I need a battery to use this pickup?

No. The H4 is a passive humbucker powered entirely by its ceramic bar magnet and over wound coils, so there is no battery requirement or external power needed.

What genres and playing styles is the H4 best suited for?

The H4 excels in rock, hard rock, metal, and blues, where its tight bass, glassy mids, and crunchy highs provide articulate, punchy tone. It is not recommended for jazz or folk applications.

How does the H4 compare to active EMG pickups like the 81?

The H4 is a passive design with no battery, offering full tonal control from your guitar's electronics and a balanced, natural magnetic response. Active pickups like the 81 require a battery and deliver higher output and compressed tone; the H4 prioritizes simplicity and harmonic balance.

Will the H4 fit my guitar?

The H4 fits any standard humbucker cavity and measures approximately 8 x 4 x 1 inches. If your guitar has a standard humbucker slot, the pickup will fit securely with the included mounting screws.

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 H4 Passive Humbucker Pickup in Brushed Gold

The EMG H4 delivers articulate, punchy passive humbucker character with a refined aesthetic. This brushed gold finish model combines tight low-end control with glassy midrange clarity and crunchy high-end definition, making it reliable for stage use and studio work without the need for external power or battery replacement mid-set.

Tone & Stage Performance

Built with ceramic bar magnets and over wound coils, the H4 produces a well-balanced sonic palette: tight bass response, glassy mids, and crunchy highs that cut through a mix without harshness. The passive design means no battery requirement—pure magnetic pickup response with full tonal control from your guitar's electronics, giving you one less thing to worry about during a gig or tour.

Construction & Reliability

The pickup features full electromagnetic shielding to reject noise and interference, ensuring clean signal transmission on any stage. Measuring approximately 8 x 4 x 1 inches, the H4 fits standard humbucker cavities, and the included 5-wire Quik-Connect cable simplifies wiring integration while mounting screws provide secure, road-proof installation.

Key Features

Passive Humbucker design — no battery or external power required
Ceramic bar magnet construction
Over wound coils for enhanced signal output
Fully shielded to minimize electromagnetic interference
Brushed Gold finish
Tone profile: tight bass, glassy mids, crunchy highs
Approximately 8 x 4 x 1 inches (20.3 x 10.2 x 2.5 cm)
5-wire Quik-Connect cable included
Mounting screws included
Standard humbucker cavity mount

The EMG H4 offers straightforward passive performance with refined tone character and dependable construction for gigging musicians who value simplicity and harmonic balance.

Best suited for	Rock, Hard Rock, Metal, Blues, Studio Sessions
Tonal character	Tight low end, glassy midrange, crunchy highs, articulate, punchy
Less specialized for	Jazz, Folk (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily)
Skill level	Intermediate / Advanced / Professional