Detail 01
Prewired pickguard assembly
Pickups, pots, switch and jack wiring come done. Swap is mechanical: unscrew the old guard, drop this in, connect the jack.
Product detailSKU #1273887998308
EMGKH20 Kirk Hammett Prewired Pickguard/Pickup Set Black
1/3
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Prewired pickguard loaded with an EMG active set, wired and ready to drop into a Strat-style guitar. For players who want an active setup without soldering.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Upgrading a Strat-style guitar to actives without soldering
- Players wanting a hotter, quieter alternative to stock single-coils
- Anyone who wants the whole electronics package in one swap
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Guitars that are not Strat-style, where the pickguard will not fit
- Players who want traditional passive single-coil tones
- Anyone unwilling to house a 9V battery in the guitar
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
Active electronics
Runs on a 9V battery. Output level stays consistent regardless of cable length or what you plug into.
Detail 03
4.35kHz resonant frequency
The peak sits high, giving a bright, cutting top end with plenty of presence for lead work.
Detail 04
-90 dBV output noise
Effectively silent compared to passive single-coils. No hum under high gain or near stage lighting.
Detail 05
240 microamp current draw
Higher draw than a single active pickup because multiple preamps run at once. Battery life is shorter.
Detail 06
1,000 hour battery life
Roughly four months of daily playing. Unplug the cable when not playing or the battery drains continuously.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Only fits Strat-style bodies with a matching pickguard route and screw pattern
- 02Needs a 9V battery and somewhere in the guitar to keep it
- 03Check your control cavity depth: active electronics need more room than stock
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Will this fit my guitar?
It fits Strat-style bodies with the standard pickguard shape and screw layout. Measure your existing pickguard and count the screw holes before ordering.
02Do I need to solder anything?
The pickguard comes wired. You still connect the output jack and battery, which on most installs is a plug connection rather than soldering.
03How long does the battery last?
About 1,000 hours of playing time. Unplug the cable when you are finished, since the output jack is what switches the electronics on.
04Is it much louder than stock single-coils?
Yes. The active preamp gives a stronger, more consistent output and pushes an amp's front end harder than passive single-coils.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
1 detailsSound
- Resonant Frequency
- 4.35kHz
1 detailsBody & build
- Color
- Black
5 detailsConnections & power
- Output Noise
- -90 dBV
- Output Impedance
- 10 kohms
- Peak Output Voltage
- 0.85
- Battery Life
- 1,000 hours
- RMS Output Voltage
- 0.6
1 detailsOther
- Current 9v
- 240 microamps
