EMG HZ

EMG HZ pups.passive.has got a higher output than burstbuckers(2007 les paul std)

These came preinstalled in my jackson dinky(basswood body,bolt on neck,floyd rose genuine).both bridge and neck position.i have installed individual volume and tone pots for each pup(much like lp/sg config)

High output(still significantly less than 81/85).i use it with a jcm 800 2204 with a homemade 4x12 cab with v30 speakers.sometimes i use it with an mxr wylde overdrive.sound varies with the volume knob.it manages to sound gritty,creamy,crunchy and clean,all using a volume knob and not changing anything else. the amp settings need an initial fine tuning or else it sounds muddy.also it has way too much mids for a metal pup.

if destroyed or stolen id get a pair exactly same as my originals(i have heard different reviews abt diff sub models).i usually play hard blusie rock much like black sabbath(my greatest inspiration) and this pup is perfect. i like it way more than my les paul because i think that the jackson(affectionately called cortana by band members) has got a tonal character of its own(unlike les paul which tries to imitate its glorious ancestors from 60's and 70's) and i think that this pup has a lot to do with that character.

the EMG HZ passive humbucker...

the Hz is the stock PU in my cort z4 evl guitar, both in bridge and neck position. i bought the guitar mainly because i wanted a guitar that physionomically "fits" to me - i can play it as if it was designed for my hands (took a long time to find it). i compromised on the sound, though, because it is (300 EUR+) also available with EMG81 PUs. so i got the EMG HZ (not HZ-H4) PUs...
the guitar has 11-52 strings dropped do D completely (DGC...)

the output level is moderate to high, the PUs have quite some output as compared to the musicman and jackson guitars im also playing. im plugging the guitar directly into an old fender sidekick for "listening" and comparison purposes, and i use a sans-amp PSA1 for distortion.

the EMG HZ are just not designed for nice clean sounds... these do sound "flat" from top to bottom, neither warm nor bell-like in either position, but the neck position especially annoys me - in the stock guitar, this PU is completely useless.

in either position, the PUs lack clarity and transparency and tend to create a muddy sound that is not differentiated, middy and - still flat.

in distortion (remember, drop D), things are somewhat more bearable. the bridge still gives a very muddy sound, but if you find the right distortion mix, that may create a cool sound. then, the PU yields quite a raw and brutal sound. yet they have no resonance at all... technically they must of course, but even in high-gain it is really difficult to play pinch harmonics accurately - the PU simply refuses to produce them, because of its "flatness" as mentioned before.

i have ordered a
seymour duncan SH6 (bridge) and SH2 (neck) today and cant wait to hear the difference

overall, i would not recommend to buy this PU and "Customize" your guitar out there with the EMG HZs. if your stock model comes with it (as in my case) you may nevertheless opt for the cheaper (HZ PU) version and upgrade your guitar yourself.

Humbucker. passive. Bridge and neck

Came with a Jackson Dinky, on neck and bridge. Had to change them with EMGs 81. The HZs are not very good for loud, crunchy distortion.

Mid output level. May sound decent if played with a guitar processor like a Digitech. When plugged straight into an overdriven tube Marshall sound is trebly without any punch. I play mostly loud rock/metal/thrash/punk. Not very good for any of these styles of music.

When I purchased my Jackson dunky, I was in awe. At last a guitar with ultra low action and had EMGs! When I tried it in my Marshall JCM 800, the sound left a LOT to be desired. It actually sounded like an overdriven single coil instead of what it was supposed to be: a humbucker! This goes for both, bridge and neck pick ups. I've been playing for over 20 years and I'm a simple guy. I usually plug in straight into the amp and use its overdriven and clean channels just the way they are. That's the true test of a guitar, because you can use a crappy guitar with a good guitar processor and the sound gets a major boost. I have a Digitech GNX3, which is pretty awesome, but seldom use it. The EMGs HZ are decidedly entry level pick ups. People might associate the brand with their hallmark models like the EMG 81 or EMG 85, which are the ultimate pick ups for extreme metal music. The EMG HZ simply doesn't cut it and it's basically a throw away pick up once you install an 81 or even a Seymour Duncan JB or Dimarzio. Once I changed pick ups, my Jackson Dinky felt and sounded like a totally brand new guitar. It's no wonder that EMG rarely sells the HZ model as replacement. Even the stock pick ups that come with the epiphones have way more bite than an HZ. If the guitar you bought has them and you play heavy rock, start saving money for a replacement pick up. Unless you play through a heavily processed signal, the EMG HZ pick up is a true let down and a stain in an otherwise outstanding pick up company.

Hum cancelling passive pups...

Guitar model : '84 Ibanez J-custom JC-PL2660
Position : Both bridge and neck
Replacing : Ibanez V5 (heavy sound)
Other pups : None
Artist : Dunno
Reason : I bought the ibanez just to bring on some metal song with me, hoping that is would sound like gibby's flying V, but unfortunately the v5 sounds too heavy, like it's growling. Heard that emg's best for all around, so i give it a try...

Output level : Definitely like it! It gains as I'm gaining... Mid-end bass, high end mid and high end treble. easy to adjust.

Amp used : Erm..I dont use branded guitar amp. It connects start from the ibanez to a zoom g7, mesa 60, but plugged in power amp 1000w to 400w 8x12" kenwood speaker in a custom speaker box. Guitars are my plug-in baby...

Tone : Balanced. Slightly high treble and mid but with just enough bass.

Style : Blues, Pop, Alternatives, Slow Rock - Nu Metal...

Suitable For : my pl2660 was made from basswood.mahogany neck. I'm not really sure if the wood (either mahogany,basswood or poplar) made much difference. But for me, with the style i'm playing, it suits neck best.

If it was destroyed or stolen, definitely buy a new 1. heard that H4 is way hotter.

Been playing for 7 years ; yeah, call me a rookie if you want. I own several other guitars like gibson les paul standard (burstbucker pro II), ibanez JEM RG770 (DiMarzio Paf Pro, changed from V7-S1-V8), MIJ Fender strat, and this Ibanez PL2660 (It's a flying V model, in case u never heard of it. V5)

Comparison? It's up to my expectation. Much better then the DiMarzio Evolution (got it stock for Ibanez RG, and it sounds awful. Dunno what seems to be the problem, but it's muddy. i dun find any problem with my amp. I build it myself. Custom made, i know it sound far much better than regular marshall stack).Compared to burstbucker, i tuned the gibby for blues and slow rock. But still, if my burstbucker gets 8, then this H3 deserves a 7.yeah...still on the way to find **that** sound. I always carry my Gibby to gigs and all, but since I'm using EMGs on my ibanez, it seems like the ibanez is better to hang with, bcoz now it's an all-rounder.yeah...like jack of all trade, but never be the best in what it do...haha...

This is a passive humbucker pickup (no battery needed)

I have a EMG HZ in a custom built guitar made by Gunslinger Guitar co. The body is Strat shaped and frankly I think the guitar ROCKS with this pickup. I know that other aspects of a guitar have a lot to do with the sound but I really feel this pickup covers so much ground. I had many options when this guitar was being built and Kelly suggested this pickup since I wanted a basic one pickup guitar. He set it up on a push/pull volume pot and there you go! plug it in and rock.The clear string articulation with no muddy bottom was one of the things Kelly pointed out and he was right. The harmonics are great and jump out when needed. I am guessing anyone with a quality guitar and amp setup will be more than happy. When custom guitar builders suggest something listen to them, I am glad I did

I have this pickup in the bridge position and it fills the whole spectrum, great mids and highs and the bottom end is not muddy. I have a Gunslinger Guitars custom build and play a 5150 Peavey on larger gigs, and a Fender HotRod on smaller stuff and at home. Blues to Metal with just a delay/reverb now and then. Other than that its straight in

I would buy one again for sure, in fact I have a newer model Melody Maker that I am putting one in. I have been playing for 15 years and honestly feel this pickup is a great all around pickup. I have gravitated to a basic type of guitar and setup after going through all the clutter, have used Duncun and Dimarzio in guitars over the years and they are good but are at times one dimensional. I chose this pickup based on what Kelly at Gunslinger Guitar suggested. Well worth the money.

EMG-HZ,H3 model I guess. Humbucker.

Installed in a Jackson DKMG (factory setup HH), same pickup in both positions.

Using it with a peavey 5150 head and a randall rh150 G3 head with randall 300W cab and a marshall jcm800 lead cab respectively. Use some boss pedals, but mainly play on overdrive from amps. Don't like clean too much, so I focus my review only on overdrive settings.

I play metal and have had many guitars with different pickups, passive and active ones. EMG HZ? The worst pickups I ever had in any guitar. I won't compare these with active pups, because it's just silly - any active pickup would put this one to shame.

This pickup just doesn't have the TONE. Or output level, for that matters. Any Duncan, DiMarzio, not to say Bare Knuckle or Lundgren just ripped this one apart. Too much mids, no sustain, not loud enoug, no BALLS. It's said that this is a hot pickup, but I'd totally disagree. This thing is weak. I can't do any decent pig squeals, or just riff out with my guitar. Can't say that I'm a badass player, but I had some guitars, and lots of different setups. This pickup just didn't meet my demands.

However, when not playing it's pretty silent (guess that is because of it's lack of gain), and that gives it a +1 on my rate + it's better than stock pickups on low budget guitars, so I won't label it as total trash.

If it was stolen I would find the guy who stole it and take my guitar back, 'cause I like it and I live in a third world country. However, I would leave the pup ;)

Those EMG-HZs are going to move away from my guitar as soon as I get enough money to buy some decent pups.

I hate everything about this pickup except the fact that it is almost noiseless when not playing.

Beside my Jackson, I have an ESP ltd. anniversary viper with active EMG's and an Epiphone Gothic V with live wire HMET SD (which is, for me, one of the best pickups ever).

Back to HZ:

Anything you wish it had? - HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I wish it had normal pickup properties. This one only has an EMG logo, nothing else.

Ppl who mostly play under a distortion - avoid this pickup.

Humbucking, Passive

I installed two passive EMG HZ humbucker pickups in a 1978 Ibanez Iceman. I installed one in the bridge to replace a dead Bill Lawrence L-500 pickup that was installed back in 1987, and one in the neck to replace a Seymour Duncan JB pickup.

These pickups are incredible. The sound is so crisp and clear and the tone is balanced. I play many different styles of music; classic, metal, punk, new wave, grunge, 50s, you name it, and I'm more than happy with the sound of these pickups. The amp I use is a Crate G-600 half stack.

If these pickups were destroyed or stolen I would definitely buy them again. I've been playing for 20+ years and this is the first time I've tried EMG pickups. I was more than happy with the Bill Lawrence L-500 pickup in the bridge that I had used for 20 years, but when it died I decided to try something different. I saw these EMG HZs up for auction on ebay, brand new, so I read some reviews here on Harmony Central and other sites and decided to give them a shot. I'm very glad that I did.

Passive humbucking pickup with tappable coil. Standard EMG EZ connector. Gorgeous pickup with EMG-HZ silver lettering on flat black cover.
Bridge pickup.

Cort Z42, the factor neck pickup is AWESOME, but the factory bridge desires some ummph. So I bought this EMG-HZ off of Ebay for $28.

The output level is not as high as I would have liked, the pickup does sound a bit microphonic. It's not quite what I expected from EMG, but it does sound better than my stock PU, so I'm happy. It's a bit tinny, and sounds a bit off balance. I think some ppl will like the tone though (it's a bit too "raspy" for me though).

I play from blues, to punk, to rock. I play for church, we play alot of Hillsong United.

If this pickup was lost or stolen (or if it somehow broke), I don't think I would get another one. I think I would put down another $20 and get something with a bit more balance and tone.

I've been playing on and off for about 17 years now. I love my little cort axe, this pickup did do a little to improve the sound. It did help a guitar that already sounded great sound a bit better, but nothing worth getting excited about. It does however look VERY cool!

However, factoring in price, and the fact that it's an upgrade from stock, I'll give it an 8.

Passive Humbucking

ESP LTD Viper 301

Hotter than PAF, Primarily using it through a POD XTLive direct to the board, studio as well as live. The tone is very well balanced, and glassy slightly scooped mids. Very sweet clean, and OD'd, very clear and distinct with great harmonics. You can hear each string ring clearly. No mud. The neck pickup has a lot of single coil/p90 quality, and I play many styles and this pickup combo is great! I usually play H/S/S guitars, and have been looking for a humbucking pickup that will give you the pianolike quality on the E and A strings for rhythm playing for blues Like SRV etc, and this is the first hummer pickup that can get close with much more depth of tone. With the right POD amp model and efx, you can replicate just about anything you need. This also covers metal very well. If you want the typical mushy saturated death metal sludge that a lot of these reviewers are looking for, just dial in more mush and distortion and balance it with screetching highs...

Please ignore many of the reviewers here who only use it with cheap equipment. Many of their amps may be fried, speakers blown, dirty strings, or they may just be deaf.

Take my word for it. I use this playing live/recorded running direct to the board and running through many different systems for monitoring which shows that the tone of the pickups are consistant. They are very versatile and very dependant on your signal chain. I can just about literally play any genre of music on these. DON'T crank them too close to the strings, or you will get mush and a lack of sustain.

I love these pickups. I am curious to see how they behave in a non mahogany body. I tried dimarzio Humbuckers from hell on a few H/H guitars to try to get a cleaner more P90/singlecoil sound, but got mud with no definition on the bass strings. These EMG's are perfect.

Passive humbucker... specs online at www.emginc.com

I tried this in the Epiphone Zakk Wilde Les Paul Custom Bullseye at a Guitar Center in Phoenix. The HZ-H4A is in the bridge with the regular H4 in the neck position. The one I picked up had to be the HEAVIEST Les Paul I'd ever tried. It was like a neck glued to a bowling ball!

Playing through a new Vox AD120VTH head and matchign AD212 cabinet, which I'd just purchased, I was evaluating these pickups against the Gibson BurstBucker Pros in an LP Standard 60's neck. Same Marshally sound, as the amp as just turned on and stock, with no changes to the settings, the EMG HZs just blew away the Gibsons, hands down. Every frequency was clearer, and better defined with silky smooth highs and a tight bottom which was great for choring. I almost hate to admit it but the ZW Bullseye Custom is worth every penny that Epi wants for each copy they build, simply because of these pickups. If you're like me, and the sound of the "active processing" bothers you a little, this is the answer. I have EMGs in two of my other guitars and the HZ-H4A and H4 will soon find a home in one of my other guitars!

If you want a big rock or heavy metal sound, you can do it with this pickup. Playing with the Vox settings, I selected "Fat OD" then slammed it into a "UK Modern" sound with a healty chunk of stereo chorus and a touch of reverb and delay and, voila, there was Zakk's sound flowing out of the speakers! The Gibson BurstBuckers just didn't feel that "alive" by comparison.