Best EMG Humbucker Pickups 2025

Premium EMG humbucker pickups - legendary tone and craftsmanship

Last updated: November 12, 2025 • Next update: November 19, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $100 Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800

SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced

GENRES & STYLES: For Rock For Metal For Jazz For Blues For Hard Rock For Heavy Genres

BRANDS: Seymour Duncan DiMarzio EMG Bare Knuckle Gibson Mojotone Fishman Suhr Tesla Lollar Fender TV Jones PRS

EMG JH "HET" Set F-Spaced C - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (7 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

EMG JH "HET" Set F-Spaced C

by EMG

Hard Rock Heavy Genres Blues

Key Feature:

• Versatile for many genres

✓ PROS

• Great sustain characteristics
• Versatile for many genres

✗ CONS

• Can be too thick for some styles
• Less vintage character

EMG JH "HET" Set F-Spaced CPickup Set for Electric GuitarJames Hetfield (Metallica) signature...

⭐ 4.6/5 (7 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 423610

$252

Buy at Thomann View Details

EMG Hot 70 Set ZEB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 5.0/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

EMG Hot 70 Set ZEB

by EMG

Metal Heavy Genres Rock

Key Feature:

• Thick, powerful tone

✓ PROS

• Versatile for many genres
• Cancels electrical interference

✗ CONS

• May lack brightness of single-coils
• Can be too thick for some styles

EMG Hot 70 Set ZEBSet of Pickups for Electric GuitarActivePositions: Bridge and neckHumbuckersOutput: HighRock and...

⭐ 5.0/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 584583

$208

Buy at Thomann View Details

EMG GTV Signature Set - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (10 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

EMG GTV Signature Set

by EMG

Rock Hard Rock Metal

Key Feature:

• Cancels electrical interference

✓ PROS

• Great sustain characteristics
• Cancels electrical interference

✗ CONS

• May overpower small amps
• Can be too thick for some styles

EMG GTV Signature SetPickup Set for Electric GuitarGlenn Tipton (Judas Priest) Signature SetActive humbuckersOutput:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (10 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 550916

$208

Buy at Thomann View Details

EMG JR "Daemonum" Set LS ZEB - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

EMG JR "Daemonum" Set LS ZEB

by EMG

Metal Jazz Blues

Key Feature:

• Cancels electrical interference

✓ PROS

• High output for distortion
• Cancels electrical interference

✗ CONS

• May lack brightness of single-coils
• Can be too thick for some styles

EMG JR "Daemonum" Set LS ZEBPickup Set for Electric GuitarJim Root (Slipknot) Signature SetModified pickup...

⭐ 4.5/5 (40 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 493085

$230

Buy at Thomann View Details

EMG 57/66 Set LS C - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.6/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

EMG 57/66 Set LS C

by EMG

Hard Rock Heavy Genres Rock

Key Feature:

• Versatile for many genres

✓ PROS

• Great sustain characteristics
• High output for distortion

✗ CONS

• Can be too thick for some styles
• May overpower small amps

EMG 57/66 Set LS CPickup Set for Electric GuitarConstruction: HumbuckerOutput: MediumThe "57" bridge pickup...

⭐ 4.6/5 (42 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 422078

$230

Buy at Thomann View Details

EMG 57/66 Set G - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.5/5 (29 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

EMG 57/66 Set G

by EMG

Metal Rock Blues

Key Feature:

• Versatile for many genres

✓ PROS

• Cancels electrical interference
• Versatile for many genres

✗ CONS

• May overpower small amps
• Can be too thick for some styles

EMG 57/66 Set GSet of Pickups for Electric Guitar2 Active humbuckersMedium outputThe "57" bridge pickup...

⭐ 4.5/5 (29 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 544568

$252

Buy at Thomann View Details

EMG Marty Friedman F-MF Set BRBC - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (43 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

EMG Marty Friedman F-MF Set BRBC

by EMG

Blues Hard Rock Metal

Key Feature:

• Cancels electrical interference

✓ PROS

• High output for distortion
• Thick, powerful tone

✗ CONS

• May overpower small amps
• Less vintage character

EMG Marty Friedman F-MF Set BRBCSet of Pickups for Electric GuitarMarty Friedman Signature Set2 HumbuckersFor bridge...

⭐ 4.9/5 (43 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 558482

$224

Buy at Thomann View Details

EMG JH "HET" Set LS C - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.9/5 (38 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

EMG JH "HET" Set LS C

by EMG

Blues Hard Rock Heavy Genres

Key Feature:

• Great sustain characteristics

✓ PROS

• High output for distortion
• Great sustain characteristics

✗ CONS

• May lack brightness of single-coils
• May overpower small amps

EMG JH "HET" Set LS C, James Hetfield Pickup Set for Electric GuitarThis set captures the clarity and punch...

⭐ 4.9/5 (38 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 422073

$241

Buy at Thomann View Details

EMG Zakk Wylde Set Black SS - Professional Music Instrument Photo

⭐ 4.7/5 (38 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

EMG Zakk Wylde Set Black SS

by EMG

Hard Rock Jazz Metal

Key Feature:

• Versatile for many genres

✓ PROS

• Versatile for many genres
• Cancels electrical interference

✗ CONS

• Can be too thick for some styles
• Less vintage character

EMG Zakk Wylde Set Black SSSet of Pickups for Electric Guitar2 Active humbuckersShort shaftColour: BlackIncludes...

⭐ 4.7/5 (38 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

8/10

Art. 583476

$204

Buy at Thomann View Details

EMG 81 Brushed Chrome - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#10

⭐ 4.7/5 (49 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

EMG 81 Brushed Chrome

by EMG

Metal Hard Rock Jazz

Key Feature:

• Versatile for many genres

✓ PROS

• High output for distortion
• Thick, powerful tone

✗ CONS

• May overpower small amps
• May lack brightness of single-coils

EMG 81 Brushed ChromeActive Humbucker Pickup for Electric GuitarOne of the most popular EMGsCeramic magnets with...

⭐ 4.7/5 (49 reviews)

Sound:

7/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 481889

$120

Buy at Thomann View Details

EMG JH "HET" Set F-Spaced BC - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#11

⭐ 4.7/5 (20 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

EMG JH "HET" Set F-Spaced BC

by EMG

Hard Rock Rock Metal

Key Feature:

• Thick, powerful tone

✓ PROS

• Versatile for many genres
• High output for distortion

✗ CONS

• May lack brightness of single-coils
• Can be too thick for some styles

EMG JH "HET" Set F-Spaced BC, Pickup Set for Electric GuitarThe James Hetfield Signature set captures the...

⭐ 4.7/5 (20 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

8/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 422075

$248

Buy at Thomann View Details

EMG JH "HET" Set BRBC - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#12

⭐ 4.6/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

EMG JH "HET" Set BRBC

by EMG

Hard Rock Blues Jazz

Key Feature:

• Cancels electrical interference

✓ PROS

• Thick, powerful tone
• Versatile for many genres

✗ CONS

• Different mounting requirements
• May lack brightness of single-coils

EMG JH "HET" Set BBC, Active Pickup Set, James Hetfield (Metallica) signature set, 1x EMG JH-B & 1x JH-N...

⭐ 4.6/5 (25 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

9/10

Art. 421062

$248

Buy at Thomann View Details

EMG 57 BK F-Spaced - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#13

⭐ 4.9/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

EMG 57 BK F-Spaced

by EMG

Heavy Genres Rock Metal

Key Feature:

• Cancels electrical interference

✓ PROS

• Cancels electrical interference
• Thick, powerful tone

✗ CONS

• May overpower small amps
• Less vintage character

EMG 57 BK F-SpacedPickup for Electric GuitarActive humbuckerThe combination of Alnico-V magnets and steel poles...

⭐ 4.9/5 (9 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

9/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 532936

$120

Buy at Thomann View Details

EMG JH "HET" Set BRC - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#14

⭐ 4.7/5 (18 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

EMG JH "HET" Set BRC

by EMG

Hard Rock Rock Heavy Genres

Key Feature:

• Versatile for many genres

✓ PROS

• Great sustain characteristics
• Versatile for many genres

✗ CONS

• Less vintage character
• Different mounting requirements

EMG JH "HET" Set BRCActive Pickup SetJames Hetfield (Metallica) signature setEMG JH-B and JH-N...

⭐ 4.7/5 (18 reviews)

Sound:

9/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 408266

$248

Buy at Thomann View Details

EMG Gary Holt GH Set Red - Professional Music Instrument Photo

#15

⭐ 4.6/5 (53 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

EMG Gary Holt GH Set Red

by EMG

Metal Jazz Hard Rock

Key Feature:

• Cancels electrical interference

✓ PROS

• Cancels electrical interference
• High output for distortion

✗ CONS

• Different mounting requirements
• May overpower small amps

EMG Gary Holt GH Set RedActive Pickup Set For Electric GuitarGary Holt signature setPositions: bridge &...

⭐ 4.6/5 (53 reviews)

Sound:

8/10

Build:

7/10

Value:

7/10

Art. 532066

$202

Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Humbucker Pickups

Budget Planning

• Under $200: Entry-level
• $200-$500: Intermediate
• $500-$1000: Advanced
• $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

• Sound clarity & tone
• Build materials & finish
• Hardware durability
• Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

• Your musical style
• Skill level match
• Intended use case
• Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.

Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.

Higher-priced humbucker pickups typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.

Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.

Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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Best EMG Humbucker Pickups 2025

EMG JH "HET" Set F-Spaced C

EMG Hot 70 Set ZEB

EMG GTV Signature Set

EMG JR "Daemonum" Set LS ZEB

EMG 57/66 Set LS C

EMG 57/66 Set G

EMG Marty Friedman F-MF Set BRBC

EMG JH "HET" Set LS C

EMG Zakk Wylde Set Black SS

EMG 81 Brushed Chrome

EMG JH "HET" Set F-Spaced BC

EMG JH "HET" Set BRBC

EMG 57 BK F-Spaced

EMG JH "HET" Set BRC

EMG Gary Holt GH Set Red

How to Choose the Best Humbucker Pickups

Budget Planning

Quality Check

Key Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when buying humbucker pickups?

How much should I spend on humbucker pickups?

Are expensive humbucker pickups worth the investment?

What are the best brands for humbucker pickups?

Should I buy humbucker pickups online or in-store?

Related Best Lists

Best ST Style Guitars

Best Distortion Pedals

Best Single Cut Guitars

Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars

Best 4/4 Size Classical Guitars

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