EMG started their production in 1976 and since then has gained a reputation as the most popular manufacturer of active pickups for electric guitars. As a result of this their pickups are standard equipment on many high-end models from manufacturers such as ESP, Schecter and Jackson. EMG active pickups tend to have much higher output than passive pickups of similar design because of the on-board preamp. This has made them popular with hard rock and heavy metal guitarists because they overdrive the input stage of guitar amplifiers more dramatically than lower output passive pick-ups.

EMG has also launched a line of passive pick-ups (EMG HZ) in which they make use of their many years of experience in manufacturing active pick-ups.

EMG pick-ups are used by Tom Morello, David Gilmour, Steve Lukather, Prince, Metallica, Slayer, Zakk Wylde, Dave Kushner, Children of Bodom, Deftones, Judas Priest, Rammstein, Killswitch Engage, Slipknot and many more…

EMG-H1 B/N

The H1 Pickup identifies the birth of EMG-HZ Series Pickups. It features a very traditional internal design but utilizes over wound coils and a ceramic magnet. The H1 has the punch and attack of the newer passive designs along with added brilliance for a better-defined tone. Bright but not muddy in the rhythm position, yet still retaining that real crunch in the bridge. All HZ Pickups have EMG's exclusive 5-wire quik-connect output allowing any number of wiring combinations, and are fully shielded for a minimum of noise. String grounding is recommended to further decrease noise.