EMG JH Set Custom James Hetfield Signature Pickup Set

Upgrade your guitar with sleek EMG JH Set pickups -- patterned after the pickups James Hetfield has used for 30 years -- for a full low end and tight attack.

Overview -

James Hetfield joined forces with EMG to produce pickups that capture the clarity and articulation of a passive set, while still maintaining the aggressiveness and sonic force of active humhuckers. The result: EMG's JH Set Custom Black Nickel James Hetfield signature pickup set. Pairing a JH-N neck pickup and JN-B bridge pickup, this tonally potent duo delivers that over-the-top wall of sound Hetfield has been associated with for decades.

James Hetfield on how the EMG JH Set pushes his tone beyond the classic EMG 81:

Alnico magnets infuse your signal with warmth and aggressive precision, and solder-less installation makes plugging these babies in a breeze. A sinister sleek outer metal casing with a black nickel-plated finish tops things off nicely, upgrading your axe's look along with your tone. If you want a full wash of distortion and crystal-clear articulation, then the EMG JH Set is right up your alley.

Getting the Best of Both Worlds

James Hetfield set out to work with EMG to take on a challenge: how can you improve on the EMG 81/60 combination Hetfield has used for years? The Metallica frontman wanted to combine the aggressive punch that comes from active pickups without losing any of the warmth, clarity, and expressive articulation that comes from passive humbuckers. After working with twenty or so different designs, Hetfield and EMG finally arrived at this powerful duo. Slap these baddies in and see what your axe can do.

Wall of Tone

You'll… read more know when you're playing through a set of EMG pickups the instant you strike your first chord. That's because EMG is renowned for forging an unstoppable onslaught of tone. It's no wonder these pickups are the choice of Metallica's rhythm guitarist, and now you can harness his tenacious tone with this powerful set of Hetfield-approved humbuckers. Crank up the gain and you'll be surprised at how much articulation these baddies maintain chug after chug.

Dark Silky Outer Casing

Aside from their powerful sound, these two humbuckers come in a sleek protective casing with a cool and menacing black nickel-plated finish. If you have a black-finished guitar, these stealthy black-nickel pickups are the perfect match. EMG shielded pickups keep your signal clear of unwanted outside elements that tend to increase the aging process of your hardware. Plus, they look absolutely stunning when reflecting lights on stage.

Solder-less Installation

To make installation as seamless as possible, your pair of EMG JH Set humbuckers will fit into your axe faster than ever with no mess or fuss. This is great if you're the type of guitarist that likes to mod your axes yourself. The wires from your pickups can screw right into their respective terminals without the necessity of having to mess with a soldiering iron. Faster installation means that you can get to trying these baddies out in no time.

Features:

- Two EMG active humbucking pickups
- Protective outer casing with sleek with black nickel plated finish
- Solder-less installation
- High output
- Alnico magnets
- Full low end response
- Individual poles and bobbins
- Enlarged core

Note: This pickup is the short shaft version.

WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm - www.p65Warnings.ca.gov.

Specs +

- Individual poles and bobbins
- Enlarged core
- More percussive attack
- Higher output
- Fuller low-end response
- Black Nickel plated finish
- Solderless installation

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging
Black Chrome: Shipping Weight: 1.25 lbs; Shipping Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 2 in; Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 3707.00
Brushed Black Chrome: Shipping Weight: 1.25 lbs; Shipping Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 2 in; Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 4535.00
Brushed Chrome: Shipping Weight: 1.25 lbs; Shipping Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 2 in; Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 4537.00
Brushed Gold: Shipping Weight: 1 lbs; Shipping Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 2 in; Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 4536.00
Chrome: Shipping Weight: 1.25 lbs; Shipping Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 2 in; Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 4133.00
Gold: Shipping Weight: 1.25 lbs; Shipping Dimensions: 7 x 5 x 2 in; Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 4539.00

Warranties and Docs +

EMG Warranty

If you have additional warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer at 707-525-9941

EMG's Description +

EMG JH Set Custom James Hetfield Pickups

The EMG Custom Black Nickel James Hetfield Signature Set is proud to feature a design driven solely by the input of James Hetfield. In early 2009 James Hetfield contacted EMG Pickups president Rob Turner and presented him with a challenge: to create a "stealth" looking set that captures the clarity and punch of a passive pickup and still retains the legendary active tone that molded a generation.

Featuring sleek black nickel plated caps and EMG's Solderless Installation System components, the JH Set consists of the JH-N (neck) and the JH-B (bridge). Both pickups were patterned after the pickups James has used for 30 years but the end result was a completely different animal. The JH-N has individual ceramic poles and bobbins that feature a larger core and are taller than the 60. This produces more attack, higher output, and fuller low end in the neck position. The JH-B uses the same type of core but has steel pole pieces, unlike the 81 that uses bar magnets. This produces the familiar tight attack with less inductance for a cleaner low end.

Note: This pickup is the short shaft version.

Reviews -

(9 ratings)

Submitted April 6, 2019 by Christopher Thomas in Louisville, KY

"My favorite emgs"

Overall:

(see rating details)

Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.

I put these in a esp ltd ec256. I got both the pickups and the guitar from zZounds. I love both. I read several reviews saying the the pots that come with this set won't fit a les paul style guitar. Well that is false. These went into my ec 256 like they were made for it. I had no trouble at all. Installation was easy. I bought a prewired harness at first because of what those reviews said but the active harness distioted when I turned down the volume. So I thought I would try the stuff that ca.e with the pickups. I wish I would've tried that first. Sounds better. But as for the pickups. You can check out sound samples on you tube. I love them. They are my favorite emgs.

Musical Background:

Novice

Musical Style:

Little bit of everything. But I like old school metal the best. ( slayer iron maiden, Danzig, megadeath etc).

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