Do I need to solder these pickups, or is installation simple?

No soldering required. The EMG Solderless Installation System is included, eliminating wiring errors and reducing setup time. You will need two 25K volume potentiometers and two 25K sound potentiometers (included) and to choose potentiometer shaft length (short 10mm or long 19mm) to match your hardware.

What genres and amp settings are these pickups best suited for?

These pickups are optimized for metal, thrash metal, hard rock, and high-gain applications. They are not recommended for jazz, blues, or clean-tone focused playing.

How long does the 9V battery last?

The battery is rated for 1500 hours of continuous use, providing reliable uptime for regular touring and session work without frequent changes.

What is the output and tone character of each pickup?

Both pickups deliver 3.00V output per string and 4.50V on strum. The neck pickup (JH-N) resonates at 2.11 kHz for rhythmic definition, while the bridge pickup (JH-B) sits at 1.61 kHz to control feedback and sustain in lead work.

Are these active pickups compatible with standard guitar wiring?

Yes. These are 2-conductor pickups with 10 Kohm output impedance and standard 49mm string spacing, compatible with Tune-O-Matic bridges and standard 6-string guitar wiring when paired with the included potentiometers and 9V power source.

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.

EMG James Hetfield Het Active Humbucker Pickup Set in Gold

The EMG James Hetfield Het active humbucker set delivers the aggressive, articulate tone that defined Metallica's heavy metal sound. Designed in collaboration with James Hetfield himself, these pickups combine ceramic magnets with active electronics to produce tight, punchy response across high-gain and moderate-gain applications. The gold finish adds visual distinction while the solderless installation system makes retrofit work straightforward.

Tone & Electronics

Active circuitry powered by a single 9V battery provides consistent output and extended battery life of 1500 hours. The neck pickup (JH-N) resonates at 2.11 kHz for definition in rhythm playing, while the bridge pickup (JH-B) sits at 1.61 kHz to control feedback and sustain in lead work. Both pickups deliver 3.00V output per string and 4.50V output on strum with 10 Kohm impedance, ensuring tight articulation without muddiness.

Installation & Controls

The EMG Solderless Installation System eliminates the need for soldering, reducing setup time and potential for wiring errors. Two independent 25K volume potentiometers and two 25K sound potentiometers allow precise control of each pickup, with shaft length options in short (10mm) or long (19mm) to match your hardware configuration.

Key Features

Set includes JH-N (neck) and JH-B (bridge) active humbucker pickups
Traditional humbucker format with ceramic magnet construction
Active electronics requiring single 9V battery; 160 microamps current draw
Battery life rated at 1500 hours of continuous use
Neck pickup resonant frequency: 2.11 kHz; Bridge pickup resonant frequency: 1.61 kHz
Output voltage: 3.00V per string, 4.50V on strum; 10 Kohm output impedance
DC Resistance: 10K
Includes EMG Solderless Installation System for fast, solder-free wiring
Two 25K volume potentiometers and two 25K sound potentiometers included
Potentiometer shaft length options: short (10mm) or long (19mm)
Standard string spacing at 49mm (Tune-O-Matic bridge compatible)
6-string configuration with 2-conductor design

Built for gigging musicians and studio work, this pickup set combines Hetfield's proven heavy tone with reliable active circuitry and easy retrofitting. The controlled output and feedback resistance make these pickups dependable across different stages and amp setups.