Is this pickup suitable for metal or high-gain genres?

No—the H4A is voiced for blues, rock, and classic rock. Its warm, vintage character and moderate 13.65 kOhm DC resistance make it better suited to clean and moderate-gain tones; players seeking metal or djent should consider higher-output alternatives.

Does this pickup require a battery or power supply?

No. The H4A is fully passive, meaning it operates without batteries or external power. It relies on Alnico V bar magnets and vintage-wound coils to generate its signal, eliminating battery maintenance and reliability concerns.

What skill level is this pickup designed for?

The H4A suits beginner through professional players. Its vintage character and straightforward passive design appeal to experienced players restoring classic tone, while its ease of installation and noise-free performance make it accessible to players new to pickup upgrades.

How does the wiring and installation work?

The H4A uses a 4-wire plus shield configuration with a 5-wire quik-connect output, streamlining both standard wiring and modification flexibility. The quik-connect design simplifies installation and makes swapping pickups faster than traditional soldered connections.

Will this pickup pick up hum and noise in live or studio settings?

No. The fully shielded design eliminates hum, making the H4A practical and quiet in both studio recording and live performance without noise compromises despite being passive.

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 H4A Passive Humbucker Pickup in Gold

The EMG H4A is a vintage-voiced passive humbucker built for gigging musicians who want warm, articulate midrange character without batteries or active circuitry to maintain on the road. Its fully shielded construction kills noise while preserving the organic response that players expect from classic humbucker designs. This pickup delivers authentic vintage tone with the reliability modern touring demands.

Tone & Resonance

Alnico V bar magnets paired with vintage-wound coils produce a balanced frequency response centered around 1600 Hz and 2875 Hz, yielding smooth highs and defined lows without harshness. The 8.00 Henry inductance and 13.65 kOhm DC resistance support full-bodied output suitable for blues, rock, and classic tonal palettes—transparent enough to cut live yet warm enough to sit in a mix.

Electronics & Wiring

The pickup uses a 4-wire plus shield configuration with a 5-wire quik-connect output, streamlining installation and modification flexibility. Fully shielded design eliminates hum, making this passive unit dependable for stage and studio work without noise compromises.

Key Features

Magnet Type: Alnico V bar magnets with steel components
Coil Design: Vintage-wound coils
Inductance: 8.00 Henries
DC Resistance: 13.65 kOhm
Resonant Frequency 1: 1600 Hz
Resonant Frequency 2: 2875 Hz
Impedance at Resonance: 80.5 kOhm
4-wire plus shield conductor configuration
5-wire quik-connect output for easy installation
Fully shielded for minimal noise
Passive design — no battery or external power required
Gold logo finish

The H4A combines passive simplicity with refined vintage character, making it the go-to choice for players who demand classic humbucker tone and hassle-free electronics that won't let them down on stage.