EMG JH “HET” James Hetfield active humbucker set

Pickup colour	gold, brushed metal
Pickguard colour	not applicable
Magnet material	ceramic
passive or active pickup	active
Pre-wired pickguard	no
set	yes

Pickup colour	chrome
Pickguard colour	not applicable
Magnet material	ceramic
passive or active pickup	active
Pre-wired pickguard	no
set	yes

Pickup colour	chrome, brushed metal
Pickguard colour	not applicable
Magnet material	ceramic
passive or active pickup	active
Pre-wired pickguard	no
set	yes

Pickup colour	black, chrome
Pickguard colour	not applicable
Magnet material	ceramic
passive or active pickup	active
Pre-wired pickguard	no
set	yes

Pickup colour	gold
Pickguard colour	not applicable
Magnet material	ceramic
passive or active pickup	active
Pre-wired pickguard	no
set	yes

Pickup colour	black, chrome
Pickguard colour	not applicable
Magnet material	ceramic
passive or active pickup	active
Pre-wired pickguard	no
set	yes

EMG JH “HET” James Hetfield active humbucker set
Product no: 9000-0021-5154 Bax Music Warranty: This product comes with a 3-year warranty.

General

When Metallica started using active pickups by EMG back in late '80s, the brand really took off. Soon, the combination of an EMG81 at the bridge and an EMG85 at the neck became the standard for metal guitarists. Now, more than 20 years later, you can get your hands on this set of EMG JH active humbucker pickups that were designed according to James Hetfield's own requirements. As such, they have a classic look and the bright, warm sound of a passive pickup with all the advantages of an active model.

Best of both worlds

One of the biggest differences between these pickups and classic EMGs are the magnetic rods used. Not only do they give the JH pickups the appearance of passive models, they also affect the sound. Both humbuckers have six individual magnetic rods for a clean sound that is lively too. The pickup at the bridge uses steel magnets, while the pickup at the neck uses alnico magnets for fuller-sounding lows and more output. Naturally, the JH humbuckers are just as good with high gain as the standard pickups by EMG. Where they differ, however, is in their ability to remain intact when you're playing with just a light crunch or clean setting.

Installing your EMG pickups

The pickups come with everything you need to install them, including potentiometers for tone and volume that are suitable for active pickups. These 25k potentiometers are ready-made for EMG's Quik Connect system which means that no soldering is required. For active pickups a stereo output jack is required. That's included too, and again no soldering is required. The position switch is the only part that will require soldering. For detailed instructions on how to install these pickups, click here.

Tips or comments about this product

The EMG Quik Connect system is not compatible with solderless systems by other manufacturers. Unfortunately, each manufacturer has their own solderless system for their active pickups.
If your guitar has an output jack with a long shaft, you'll need to replace it with a separately available stereo model.
Short Shaft potentiometers are included with the JH signature pickup set. If your guitar has a thick and/or an arched top, you may need to use Long Shaft potentiometers.

Specifications

Product features

Sustainable product	not specified
Pickup format	humbucker, passive mount
Pickup position	bridge, neck
Pickup configuration	HH
Suitable for number of strings	6
Pickup type	humbucker
Pickup colour	black, chrome
Pickguard colour	not applicable
Magnet material	ceramic
Passive or active pickup	active
Pre-wired pickguard	no
Set	yes

Weight and dimensions including packaging

Weight (incl. packaging)	500 gr
Dimensions (incl. packaging)	20,0 x 13,0 x 5,0 cm

Product specifications

EMG signature set of guitar pickups
type: humbucker, active
magnet: ceramic
power supply: 9V battery
included:
- EMG JH-B active humbucker
- EMG JH-N active humbucker
- EMG Quik Connect cable
- 2x 25k short shaft potentiometers for volume control
- 2x 25 k short shaft potentiometers for tone control
- stereo output jack
- battery clip
- springs, screws and mounting materials
- JH plectrum

Write a review

Mark S. March 2, 2017

Wrote the following about EMG JH “HET” James Hetfield active humbucker set

Ordered on Wednesday night and my order arrived on Friday morning.

Good communication and tracking the entire way.

My order was well packed and the new pickups are perfect.

They are much better than then older EMGs I've had. Fantastic clean tones. Distorted, the bridge pickup is great for rhythm playing. Very tight and crunchy with a real bark to it. Absolutely nails the modern Hetfield sound. The neck pickup seems to sustain for day. Great for lead lines. Really thick and it just sings. Very easy to fit thanks to the solderless wiring system. I pulled all of the electronics out of my guitar and only had to solder four new wires to the switch because of the way my original setup was. These then screw to the main board and all the the other wires use push-fit connectors so as long as you follow the diagram it's a very quick job.

I'll definitely order from Bax again.

Reviews from other countries

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JG D. January 1, 2017

Wrote the following about EMG JH “HET” James Hetfield active humbucker set

Lang getwijfeld of ik dit wel moest aanschaffen; zou het cashen op een bekende naam zijn of ook echt iets toevoegen qua pickups.... Ze zijn namelijk best prijzig (alhoewel een losse 81/60 combo ook richting de 200 euro gaat natuurlijk). Gelukkig, het is het laatste! Wat een set!

De brug: alles eigenschappen van de 81 blijven overeind maar hij verrijkt ze. De Het brug pick-up klinkt voller, diepere, breder, rijker. En, hij lijkt low mids toe te voegen, iets dat de 81 weleens wat miste en waardoor je geluid toch wat dun kon klinken. Let op: het blijft een EMG81; een niet-modern strak .. And Justice geluid is nog steeds mogelijk; hij wordt niet "te eerlijk" ofzo.

De hals: ik denk dat deze iets meer afwijkt van de 60. Deze klinkt heel erg passief. Iets minder power dan de 60, heb ik het idee. Denk aan gewoon een goed eerlijk passief Gibson hals element. Klinkt ook prima hoor!

Al met al: behalve de fantastische looks, klinkt dit set echt als een klok. Klinkt het ZO veel beter dan een 81/60 combo dat het het waard is om te vervangen? Tsja, das aan jou. Pick-ups blijven erg persoonlijk. Ik ben iig blij dat de Kerstman ze heeft langs gebracht.

Rob B. September 17, 2016

Wrote the following about EMG JH “HET” James Hetfield active humbucker set

echt een geweldig setje!

geluid:
mooi gebalanceerd geluid, vooral het mid/hoog.
clean: mooi helder, geweldige punch, klinkt erg levendig, expressief.
wel een beetje weinig laag, maar dat vind ik niet zo'n probleem.
distored: mooie vette klank, zonder vervelend te worden.
hier komt het weinige laag beter tot zijn recht.

uitvoering:
de set kom in een mooi doosje met natuurlijk James op de voorkant,
en wordt geleverd met potmeters, connectors, en jack (female).
de orginele schakelaar van je gitaar blijft gewoon.
de 9v batterij zit er niet bij, zorg dat je die hebt!

installatie:
je kan alles installeren zonder te solderen.
gebruiksaanwijzing is prima, even goed lezen en alles wordt duidelijk.
let op dat je de connectors op de juiste manier aansluit, er staat een pijltje op.
alles was in minder dan een uurtje geinstalleerd.
neem daarna even de tijd om alles goed af te stellen, zoals de pickup hoogte.

uiterlijk:
ik heb de zwart chrome uitvoering, en die staat erg gaaf.
er zijn meerdere uitvoeringen, Bax levert ze niet allemaal.
check daarvoor de website van EMG.

Robin B. July 11, 2016

Wrote the following about EMG JH “HET” James Hetfield active humbucker set

Toffe set. Klinkt zowel op clean als zwaar distorted zeer goed. Makkelijk te monteren.