---
product_id: 9511193
title: "EMG KH21 Kirk Hammett Active Pickup Set with Pickguard"
brand: "emg"
price: "$899"
currency: NZD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 8
category: "Emg"
url: https://www.desertcart.nz/products/9511193-emg-kh21-kirk-hammett-active-pickup-set-with-pickguard
store_origin: NZ
region: New Zealand
---

# Razor sharp attack & high-end cut EMG-81/81 active pickup combo Dual volume + master tone controls EMG KH21 Kirk Hammett Active Pickup Set with Pickguard

**Brand:** emg
**Price:** $899
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🎸 Unleash Kirk Hammett’s Metal Magic on Your Strat!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** EMG KH21 Kirk Hammett Active Pickup Set with Pickguard by emg
- **How much does it cost?** $899 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.nz](https://www.desertcart.nz/products/9511193-emg-kh21-kirk-hammett-active-pickup-set-with-pickguard)

## Best For

- emg enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted emg brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Strat Style Ready:** Comes pre-mounted on a sleek white pearl pickguard with black dome knobs for effortless installation and instant style upgrade.
- • **Sustain That Sings:** Incredible fluid sustain and razor-sharp attack ensure your solos cut through any mix or live venue.
- • **Pro-Level Durability:** Built to withstand the rigors of touring with noiseless wiring and a robust 2-year warranty for peace of mind.
- • **Precision Control Suite:** Two independent volume knobs plus a master tone dial let you sculpt your sound with studio-grade finesse.
- • **Metallica-Approved Power:** Iconic EMG-81/81 ceramic magnet pickups deliver searing high-gain tone perfect for heavy riffs and solos.

## Overview

The EMG KH21 Kirk Hammett Active Pickup Set is a professional-grade EMG-81/81 active pickup combo designed for Strat-style guitars. Featuring ceramic magnets and close aperture coils, it delivers razor-sharp attack, high-end clarity, and fluid sustain. Pre-wired on a pearl laminate pickguard with dual volume and master tone controls, it offers easy installation and precise tonal shaping. Perfect for metal and high-gain players seeking Kirk Hammett’s signature searing sound with noiseless performance and durability backed by a 2-year warranty.

## Description

Kirk Hammett first visited EMG back in the early 80's when Metallica was a local group on the rise. We worked closely with him to release his first Pro-Series system, the KH20. Fast forward many years to today and Metallica is still leading the pack and Kirk is still searing though solos and ripping those monster chords. Over the years as venues grew bigger and techniques were refined, Kirk required different tools for different jobs, and so we offer his second Pro-Series system, the EMG KH-21. This system is a simple EMG-81/81 combination which utilizes powerful ceramic magnets and close aperture coils, endowing the tone with detailed intensity, incredible amounts of high end cut and fluid sustain. This setup comes with two volumes and a master tone all wired onto a custom 11-hole white pearl pickguard with contrasting black knobs. Lean and mean mettalitone.

Review: Finally my Strat sounds heavy metal! - Easy to install once I routed out my American Strat for humbuckers. Not terrible to do the routing, but it does look like I used a beaver instead of a router. I had to drill out the hole between the control cavity and the jackplate cavity to allow room for the connectors to fit through, but otherwise the install is super easy. It fits really well and looks very professional. They sound killer! Very metal! It's kind of crazy to hear that tone coming out of a Fender, but I love it. The controls work really well and are noiseless. Overall, I feel like it's a great value for the money and I am very happy with my purchase.
Review: Awesome - This is the by far the best pickup set I have ever seen or played. The ease of installation is great. I had to rout out some of my body and had to solder the plug in jack, but it was easy (I am mechanically inclined so that helped). The sound is awesome, I love the 3 position switch, seperate volumes for each pickup and the tone. You can play both pickups and then adjust the volume so that you get more from one pickup or the other and then adjust the tone as you see fit. Possibility's are endless. My Fender HSS is a totally different and 100% better looking and sounding guitar. I went to Musicians' Friend and found the matching cover for the back of the my guitar. My Strat is Vintage Red Wind so this looks awesome on it.......I wish that I could find a black whammy bar to match the pickups and the look would be complete......Great job EMG and thanks to desertcart.com I saved over 20 bucks compared to Musician's Friend and it was delivered to my front door in about 5 days. Awesome deal.......

## Features

- A simple EMG-81/81 combination wired straight up with two volumes and a master tone
- Features a pearl laminate pickguard complimented with black dome knobs
- The 81 is at its best for high volume overdrive and amps with a master volume
- Razor sharp attack and incredible sustain for brilliant soloing
- Complete and ready to mount to your Strat style guitar

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B0015NXV6G |
| Back Material Type | Mahogany Wood |
| Best Sellers Rank | #42,497 in Musical Instruments ( See Top 100 in Musical Instruments ) #443 in Electric Guitar Pickups & Pickup Covers |
| Body Material | Alder |
| Body Material Type | Alder |
| Brand | EMG |
| Brand Name | EMG |
| Color | BLACK |
| Customer Reviews | 4.5 out of 5 stars 19 Reviews |
| Fretboard Material Type | Rosewood |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00654330300042 |
| Guitar Bridge System | Fixed |
| Guitar Pickup Configuration | H-S-S |
| Hand Orientation | Right |
| Instrument Size | Einheitsgröße |
| Item Dimensions | 12.5 x 10 x 2.38 inches |
| Item Dimensions L x W x H | 12.5"L x 10"W x 2.38"H |
| Item Weight | 1.67 Pounds |
| Manufacturer | EMG Inc. |
| Model Name | {FEEDTITLE} |
| Model Number | KH21 |
| Neck Material Type | Maple |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| String Material Type | Stainless Steel |
| Top Material Type | Wood |
| UPC | 654330215681 654330300042 |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Warranty Description | Two years from date of purchase, parts and labor. |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** EMG
- **Color:** BLACK
- **Top Material Type:** Wood
- **Body Material:** Alder
- **Back Material Type:** Mahogany Wood
- **Neck Material Type:** Maple
- **Fretboard Material Type:** Rosewood
- **Guitar Pickup Configuration:** H-S-S
- **String Material Type:** Stainless Steel
- **Hand Orientation:** Right

## Images

![EMG KH21 Kirk Hammett Active Pickup Set with Pickguard - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71VYkP1whbL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Finally my Strat sounds heavy metal!
*by N***A on April 9, 2025*

Easy to install once I routed out my American Strat for humbuckers. Not terrible to do the routing, but it does look like I used a beaver instead of a router. I had to drill out the hole between the control cavity and the jackplate cavity to allow room for the connectors to fit through, but otherwise the install is super easy. It fits really well and looks very professional. They sound killer! Very metal! It's kind of crazy to hear that tone coming out of a Fender, but I love it. The controls work really well and are noiseless. Overall, I feel like it's a great value for the money and I am very happy with my purchase.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Awesome
*by S***O on February 7, 2010*

This is the by far the best pickup set I have ever seen or played. The ease of installation is great. I had to rout out some of my body and had to solder the plug in jack, but it was easy (I am mechanically inclined so that helped). The sound is awesome, I love the 3 position switch, seperate volumes for each pickup and the tone. You can play both pickups and then adjust the volume so that you get more from one pickup or the other and then adjust the tone as you see fit. Possibility's are endless. My Fender HSS is a totally different and 100% better looking and sounding guitar. I went to Musicians' Friend and found the matching cover for the back of the my guitar. My Strat is Vintage Red Wind so this looks awesome on it.......I wish that I could find a black whammy bar to match the pickups and the look would be complete......Great job EMG and thanks to Amazon.com I saved over 20 bucks compared to Musician's Friend and it was delivered to my front door in about 5 days. Awesome deal.......

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazing upgrade
*by M***O on October 26, 2023*

Everything is great but for the price you figure they add some better quality knobs instead of plastic ones.

## Frequently Bought Together

- EMG KH21 Kirk Hammett Active Pickup Set with Pickguard
- Ernie Ball Not Even Slinky Nickel Wound Electric Guitar Strings, 12-56 Gauge (P02626)
- EMG 3 Position Switch

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*Product available on Desertcart New Zealand*
*Store origin: NZ*
*Last updated: 2026-03-08*