EMG James Hetfield Het Active Humbucker Pickup Set in Brushed Black Ch
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- Brand new in original box
- Full EMG manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- EMG4535
Description
EMG James Hetfield Het Active Humbucker Pickup Set in Brushed Black Chrome
The EMG Het set delivers the aggressive, articulate voice James Hetfield engineered for modern metal—tight lows, cutting mids, and controlled feedback rejection across all playing dynamics. These active humbuckers respond instantly to pick attack and string vibration, producing consistent output for tracking or playing live. The brushed black chrome finish complements contemporary instrument aesthetics while the vacuum-sealed epoxy construction resists microphonic noise and extends component life.
Tone & Electronics
Each pickup operates on a 9V battery system (1500+ hours per battery) and employs ceramic magnets with tuned resonant frequencies—2.11 kHz in the neck and 1.61 kHz in the bridge—for tight definition and presence. Output measures 3.00 V per string and 4.50 V strummed with –100 dB noise floor at 60 Hz, ensuring transparent articulation and minimal hum in high-gain chains.
Design & Build
The set includes paired 25K volume and tone potentiometers (0.235" shaft diameter), battery bus, stereo output jack, and dual-pickup in/out connectivity for flexible wiring configurations. Vacuum-sealed in epoxy and manufactured in the USA, these pickups resist environmental stress and feedback while maintaining tonal consistency over extended use on the road and in the studio.
Key Features
- Ceramic magnet construction
- Active electronics with 9V battery (1500+ hour life)
- Neck resonant frequency: 2.11 kHz
- Bridge resonant frequency: 1.61 kHz
- String output voltage: 3.00 V (neck), strummed output: 4.50 V
- Output noise: –100 dB @ 60 Hz
- DC resistance per pickup: 10 kΩ
- Output impedance: 10 kΩ
- Maximum supply voltage: 27V DC
- Current draw @ 9V: 160 microamps
- Includes 2x 25K volume potentiometers and 2x 25K tone potentiometers
- Vacuum-sealed epoxy construction; made in the USA
Built for gigging musicians and collectors who demand controlled aggression and technical precision in every note.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The EMG Het set is James Hetfield's signature active humbucker designed for tight, articulate metal tones with cutting mids and controlled feedback rejection—ideal for thrash, drop-tuning, and high-gain live work. These ceramic-magnet actives respond instantly to pick attack and deliver consistent output across the neck and bridge, with vacuum-sealed epoxy construction built to survive the road. Choose this set if you're pushing hard rock or metal rigs and need pickups that track cleanly through distortion and stay out of your way when palm-muting.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Thrash Metal
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Drop Tunings
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Blues
- – Folk
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What tuning styles and genres is this set built for?
The Het set is engineered for metal, thrash metal, hard rock, and drop tunings. It excels in high-gain, pick-attack-driven contexts but is not voiced for jazz, blues, or folk applications.
How long does the 9V battery last, and what is the noise floor?
The 9V battery delivers over 1500 hours of continuous operation. The pickups maintain a –100 dB noise floor at 60 Hz, ensuring minimal hum in high-gain chains.
What's the difference between the neck and bridge frequencies?
The neck pickup is tuned to 2.11 kHz for fuller, warmer response, while the bridge is tuned to 1.61 kHz for tighter definition and presence—each voiced to match Hetfield's preference across the fretboard.
Does this set include pots and wiring hardware?
Yes, the set includes two 25K volume potentiometers, two 25K tone potentiometers, a battery bus, stereo output jack, and dual-pickup connectivity for flexible wiring.
What makes these pickups resist feedback in live or studio settings?
Vacuum-sealed epoxy construction eliminates microphonic noise, ceramic magnets provide tight definition, and the active circuit delivers a low –100 dB noise floor—all engineered to reject feedback and stay controlled even at volume.
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. On this item that is roughly $19 less out the door than the same listed price at a national retailer or on a marketplace. 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.
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