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EMG KH20 Kirk Hammet

69

Complete Pickup Set

Active pickups in electric guitars: this is where opinions split. But even sceptics have to admit one thing: the EMG pickups sound fantastic, even without background noise, and the long list of prominent users (including David Gilmour, Steve Lukather and Metallica's Kirk Hammett) speaks for itself!

Metallica's lead guitarist Kirk Hammett had EMG design the complete electronics onto a pickguard to correspond precisely to his ideas. In this case, it is the variant for his main guitar with a humbucker at the bridge and 2 single coils. This is now available for purchase, and it allows all pieces to be played with a versatile, modern sound. The EMG 81 is installed at the bridge: nowadays this is known as the Kirk Hammett pickup as the Metallica lead guitarist has this on almost all of his guitars. Razor sharp attack (particularly important - albeit rare - with a high-output pickup) and a long sustain, which makes it ideal for crisp, packed lead lines and furious artistry on the guitar.

The neck and middle positions boast an EMG S. This pickup, with its ceramic magnets, produces a more modern Strat sound with a little more oomph in the upper-mids and treble. This makes powerful, brilliant sounds possible but ensures that they still always sound pleasant. A combination that leaves practically no wish ungranted.

  • Ready-wired on a white pearloid pickguard
  • Black potentiometer knobs
  • Pickups: S/S/81
  • 5-Way toggle switch
  • Volume control and tone control

Attention: Depending on the manufacturer, remodelling may be necessary!

Available since December 2002
Item number 152395
Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
Active Yes
Wiring Completely Wired
Output Medium
Cap Yes
Colour Black
Position Bridge, Middle, Neck
Aktive Circuit 1
Pickup Output Medium
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$225
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69 Customer ratings

4.8 / 5

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sound

quality

40 Reviews

J
Doesn't fit Mexico Strat properly
JCA50hGR 22.10.2024
I'm already familiar with the sound of these EMGs so they're great for the style I play. The build quality overall seems very good and neat.

However, the pickguard doesn't fit properly with my '95 Mexico Strat. EMG and Thomann are of course not responsible for Fender's variations in specs over the decades. However, EMG is responsible for not publishing the schematic with the dimensions. It's such a simple thing to do and it will save a lot of grief. 3/5 stars because of this. Otherwise the product is great.

Ordering precut pickguards and loaded pickguards is always a gamble when there are no schematics available. I decided to "risk" it since the price was competitive and I was willing to DIY it to fit in case it wasn't a match plus I don't really care if there will be any cosmetic issues from the DIY.

For potential Mex Strat buyers, it will need about 3-4mm removed from the tremolo pocket side and at least half of the screw holes have to be re-drilled above their current position. The remaining empty holes can be "camouflaged" with some white tape behind the pickguard or can be filled with some white plastic filler. Better to use hand tools and patience instead of power tools like a dremel, to avoid mistakes that can't be repaired e.g. cutting out too much material. Don't expect perfection but the result will be good enough and the sound is great.
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Sounds great and easy to install
DaneMark 08.02.2019
I was tired of the sound of my 25 year old Strat with Fender Lace Sensor pickups, and I wanted a humbucker for heavier rock. This drop-in replacement from EMG was a good choice for me. I was hesitant to go with active pickups in a guitar, but they are super quiet and sound great. Hopefully I don't have to replace the battery very often, as it's kind of a hassle.
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N
Comment transformer sa Strat en monstre !
Neogeofanatic 13.07.2011
J'ai installé ce kit sur une Strat mexicaine standard, et j'avoue que la différence est incroyable. Aucun besoin de souder ni autre manipulation difficile, j'ai juste profité d'un changement de cordes pour l'installer. Inutile de se prendre la tete pour le logement de la pile, celle-ci trouve naturellement sa place dans les cavités de la guitare. Le son délivré est puissant en aigu grace au 81, mais les simples amènent un coté tres "Gilmourien", ce qui fait une assez grande polyvalence. Ce kit est tres différent du kit David Gilmour, mais se complete tres bien. C'est agréable de jouer sans ronflette !!
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Preis/Leistungsverhältnis ist top.
Anonymous 11.12.2016
Ich habe mir das ganze für eine Yamaha Pacifica 112J gekauft.

Die Tonabnehmer gefallen mir richtig gut. Gerade die leichte Komprimierung war für mich kauf entscheident. Da mein Verstärker es nicht erlaubt die DSP Effekte beliebig zu kombinieren und ich so wenn ein Kompressions-Effekt aktiviert war ich auf einen anderen Effekt verzichten musste finde diese Eigenschaft genial.

Nun zum Umbau zw. Potifach und Humbuckerfach musste ca. 1cm Steg weggenommen werden und man benötigt ein HSS Schlagbrett für Yamaha da die etwas anderst als die Fender Style sind. Am Schlagbrett mussten die Potilöcher etwa 3 mm zu einander geschliffen werden weil die Lochabstände etwas anderst sind die Potiknöpfe verdecken das aber perfekt.

Mit den Kabellängen gabs null Probleme da alles fertig verkabelt ist (kompaktere Stecksystem als bei dem EMG Zubehörsystem)

Und zudem spart man nochmal ne Ecke gegenüber den Einzelkauf der PU.
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