Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 6 stores. Prices updated .
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Price
Average Price: $103
Standard/Professional
$99
$200+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 4 merchants for "EMG H4 Passive Pickup". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The EMG H4 Passive Pickup is your gateway to unleashing a powerful soundscape without the need for batteries. Renowned for its massive tone and dynamic output, this humbucker is a favorite among hard rock and metal guitarists for its ability to deliver a punchy, aggressive sound. It blends the raw power of EMG's active 81 design with the vintage warmth of a PAF, resulting in a well-balanced tone profile that features tight bass, crystal-clear mids, and sharp, crunchy highs.
This pickup is engineered with dual bar-loaded coils and over-wound ceramic magnets, ensuring an impressive output and enhanced harmonic response. Perfectly suited for the bridge position, the EMG H4 excels in delivering a high output that thrives in both studio settings and live performances. Its fully shielded design minimizes noise, letting you focus on your music with clarity and precision. The exclusive 5-wire quick-connect system offers versatile wiring options, making installation a breeze and allowing for creative wiring combinations.
Key Features:
- Dual bar-loaded coils for robust sound
- High output suitable for rock and metal genres
- Over-wound ceramic magnets for enhanced tone
- Exclusive 5-wire quick-connect system for flexible wiring
- Fully shielded for minimal noise and interference
Product specs
| Type | Humbucker |
| Position | Bridge |
| Active/Passive | Passive |
| Magnet Material | Ceramic/Steel |
| Number of Conductors | 4 wire plus shield |
| DC Resistance | 13.65K |
| Connectivity | Solderless |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Covering | Covered |
FAQs
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What kind of tone can I expect from the EMG H4 Passive Pickup?
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The EMG H4 Passive Pickup delivers a balanced tone with tight bass, glassy mids, and crunchy highs. It combines the power of an active pickup with the classic soul of a passive PAF, making it versatile for various music genres.
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Is the EMG H4 Passive Pickup suitable for metal music?
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Yes, the EMG H4 is well-suited for metal music due to its tight bass response and crunchy highs, which provide the aggressive tone often desired in metal genres.
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Does the EMG H4 Passive Pickup require a battery?
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No, the EMG H4 is a passive pickup and does not require a battery to operate, unlike active pickups.
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Can the EMG H4 Passive Pickup be installed without soldering?
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Yes, the EMG H4 features a solderless installation system, making it easier to install without the need for soldering skills.
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What position is the EMG H4 Passive Pickup designed for?
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The EMG H4 Passive Pickup is designed for the bridge position on electric guitars.
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What type of magnet is used in the EMG H4 Passive Pickup?
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The EMG H4 uses ceramic and steel magnets, contributing to its powerful and balanced tonal characteristics.
Videos
Trey Xavier
EVERY Passive EMG Pickup Compared! The ULTIMATE EMG Passive Pickup Shootout | GEAR GODS
EVERY Passive EMG Pickup Compared! The ULTIMATE EMG Passive Pickup Shootout | GEAR GODS
Trey Xavier
EMG HZ-H4 (Passive) VS 57/66 (Active) - by Nick Percev
Nick Percev
How Heavy Can Sound EMG H4 ?
Mathieu Bourdon (Sushi)
EMG 81 vs EMG H4 | Pickup Shootout - Active/Passive
D Man Guitar
EMG Pickups : Unboxing EMG H4 Electric Guitar Pickups
LIVE SATELLITE STUDIOS
Reviews
PROS
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Sounds similar to the active EMG 81, offering a cheaper alternative
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Retains great tone while allowing for more tonal versatility than actives
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Articulate and powerful distortion with excellent crunch
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Solder-free installation makes setup quick and easy
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Suitable for a wide range of genres beyond just rock and metal
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Strong output with clear harmonics, ideal for driving an amp
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Offers a dynamic and less compressed feel compared to active pickups
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No need for battery changes, unlike active pickups
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Enhances tone significantly in both bridge and neck positions
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Excellent clean tones with depth and clarity
CONS
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Slightly challenging to pull off certain harmonic techniques
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Some users experience hum due to grounding issues
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Springs included may not be powerful enough, causing pickup to swivel
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Not as mean or aggressive as some other high-output pickups
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about EMG H4 Passive Pickup.
Comparisons
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The EMG HZ-H4 is said to sound similar to the active EMG 81, offering passive convenience without battery dependency.
Source -
Owners report the HZ-H4 can sound thin compared to stock Duncan Designed pickups and Bareknuckle Ragnaroks, particularly for metal genres.
Source -
It's noted that in bridge position, the HZ-H4 can sound muffled compared to the EMG 81, lacking clarity and openness.
Source
Use cases and applications
3.5 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 4 Ratings
284
I threw this...
I threw this in the bridge of my Epiphone Les Paul LP Special Player ii. The installation was okay until I messed up the grounding wires. That was my bad. I contacted EMG for some replacement grounding buttons. They sent me 2 without charging me anything, which is commendable considering I'm just a normal guy. Unfortunately they sent me the wrong things. I correctly installed the pickup. Just with the wrong stuff. It has this hum that never ends. However, when I play, I can hear the guitar. The sound I hear is good. It has a slightly compressed sound and tons of output. So much that I don't even need my overdrive into the distortion. I found out I'm crap at changing pickups, and that pickups that hot aren't my thing. I will commend EMG for trying to help. That's why it gets 3 stars.
288
Not so high output
EMG advertisizes it as a high output pickup, it's not! It's like regular active EMG without the boosting battery, so not so great for brutal metal. Still, with a good overdrive pedal it could do some great tones, but I recommend getting an active pickup if you like the classic EMG sound like Metallica has.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
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