What does active operation mean, and what are the battery implications?

Active operation means the pickup uses a 9V battery to power internal electronics that eliminate the noise floor of passive designs. The battery lasts approximately 3000 hours of playing time between changes, and the quick-connect cables and battery bus included in the kit make installation and battery swaps straightforward.

Will this pickup fit my guitar without routing?

Yes. The EMG HA is a single-coil pickup housed in a humbucker-sized shell, so it drops into any standard humbucker cavity without modification. It includes all mounting hardware needed for installation.

What styles and tones is this pickup best suited for?

The HA excels in clean tones and articulate lead work where note separation and dynamic response matter. It's designed for studio sessions and home recording; it's not optimized for heavy metal or thick rhythm tones, where darker, thicker pickups are more appropriate.

How does the EMG HA compare to passive single-coil pickups?

The HA delivers single-coil clarity and articulation while eliminating the noise floor associated with passive designs. Its -90 dBV output noise floor ensures whisper-clean operation even at high gain levels, a core advantage of active EMG designs.

What's included in the package?

The kit includes quick-connect cables, volume and tone control components, a battery bus, an output jack, complete mounting hardware, and the black-finished pickup itself—everything needed for installation.

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 HA Active Single Coil Pickup in Black

The EMG HA delivers single-coil clarity and articulation in a compact humbucker-sized housing, making it an excellent retrofit for players seeking vintage-style definition without routing modifications. Its active circuitry eliminates the noise floor associated with passive designs, while the Alnico magnet and optimized voice produce an articulate, responsive tone that cuts through a mix on stage. This pickup excels in both clean and driven applications where note separation and dynamic response matter for gigging reliability.

Tone & Electronics

The 3.7 kHz resonant frequency positions this pickup in the upper-midrange sweet spot, favoring articulation and presence that stands out in a live setting. With a peak output voltage of 0.85V and RMS output of 0.6V, the HA delivers sufficient drive to modern amplifiers while maintaining controlled, predictable gain staging. The -90 dBV output noise floor ensures whisper-clean operation even at high gain levels—critical for active setups where hum rejection matters during long sets.

Design & Build

This active pickup operates at 80 microamps from a single 9V battery, yielding approximately 3000 hours of battery life between changes—solid endurance for the road. The package includes quick-connect cables, volume and tone control components, battery bus, output jack, and complete mounting hardware—everything required for straightforward installation. The black cover matches modern instrument aesthetics while the 10 kΩ output impedance provides broad compatibility with standard guitar electronics and live rigs.

Key Features

Single-coil pickup in humbucker housing
Alnico magnet for articulate, responsive tone
Active operation with noiseless performance
Resonant frequency: 3.7 kHz
Peak output voltage: 0.85V
RMS output voltage: 0.6V
Output noise: -90 dBV
Output impedance: 10 kΩ
Current draw: 80 microamps at 9V
Battery life: 3000 hours
Includes quick-connect cables, controls, battery bus, output jack, and hardware
Black cover finish

The EMG HA combines vintage single-coil character with modern active circuitry, making it a dependable choice for gigging musicians seeking clarity and noise rejection in a drop-in format.