The Missing Seymour Duncan Pickups - The Contrast of their Vanishing Existence

Guitar pickups are great. They are by far the most standard parts when it comes to modifying your own guitar, and the effects are easy to understand and they make a great visual impact. Even if you limit yourself to humbuckers and singles, the variations are amazingly diverse.

Even if we look at each manufacturer, there are so many unique models.

Among them, I would like to focus on a certain model by Seymour Duncan (hereafter referred to as "Duncan") and talk about the history behind this pickup.

Duncan Model Number Notation

If you are a guitarist who has ever considered a Duncan humbucker, you have probably seen a model with the model number like SH-OO at least once. The current 59 and JB models, which are considered standard models, always have this model number. Some models released in recent years have the model name as it is, and some models have exceptional model numbers such as APH-2, but this is the traditional notation from the beginning of Duncan's history.

Here is a list of models that are still being sold, in order from the top to the bottom.

• SH-1 b/n　The 59 Model
• SH-2 b/n　Jazz Model
• SH-3　Stag Mag
• SH-4　The JB Model
• SH-5　Duncan Custom
• SH-6 b/n　Duncan Distortion
• SH-8 b/n　Invader
• SH-10　Full Shred
• SH-11　Custom Custom

By the way, did you notice anything strange?
Well, you’ll notice it right away, won't you? Yes, the 7 and 9 are missing. It's not that they are unaware of the omission, or that Japanese apartment houses are trying to get people to not use 4 as their room numbers.

So, why was it a missing number ......?

The Existence of SH-7 and SH-9

First, look at this picture.

The sticker has the letters "SEY" on it. The engraving on the base plate indicates that this is a genuine Duncan. By the way, if it’s a 59, it is “59”, if it’s a Duncan Custom, it’s “DC”, if it is "Duncan Distortion", it’s "DD", and so on. Then, "SEY" is ......?

This is the SH-7, or the "Seymourizer II". I don't know why it's called “II”, but it was already using this title in the 70s.
The resistance is 12.31kΩ, which is a little high.

Next is this one (I have only seen this one mounted. It’s that rare.)

The characteristic bladed pole piece is wider than the inside of the escutcheon. The Duncan logo engraved on the bobbin is also a nice feature. Incidentally, this was mounted on the signature of Nokie Edwards (The Ventures Gt.), which was released by Fender in the past. I am not sure if it is an original or not.

Yes, this is SH-9, "Silverbird". It reminds me of the famous Nissan cars of the past. Is that blue?
I could not measure the resistance value because I was only allowed to play it. Anyway, I remember it had a clear sound.

Reincarnation; the Success or Failure

Now that I have revealed the identity of the missing number, SH-7, in fact, is still available as a different model. It’s now the current SH-6n.

SEYMOUR DUNCAN / SH-6n Duncan Distortion Neck Black

Originally sold as Duncan Distortion and Seymourizer II, the SH-6n was recommended as a set with SH-6 meant to go on the back and SH-7 on the front, and you can find such a statement in old catalogs.
As time went on, the SH-7 was integrated into the SH-6 side and then just disappeared, and this is what it has been up to now.

In contrast to SH-7, which still retains its existence under a different name, SH-9 has no successor, nor is there any decent information left about it. At least I have never seen one. It has been confirmed that it exists as a model and that there are people who own one, but what kind of specifications and direction were the pickups made for? It’s as if they are trying to erase its existence and treat it as something that does not exist. Such is my impression. When I was a student, I sent an inquiry to Duncan personally, but the reply was "We have no information.” Bummer.
However, the unique look has been inherited and used in quite odd models such as the SLUG and El Diablo (both are Custom Shop products).

And so, I zoned in on Seymour Duncan's missing numbers.
It’s very fun to imagine what it was like back then while gathering information on models that are no longer available.
When I get the Silverbird, I would like to measure the detailed specs, etc. and add more information.
The next time I deal with Duncan pickups, I would like to do something about the age classification based on the stickers.

Come back again soon!

⇒ See SEYMOUR DUNCAN / Guitar PU/Humbucker List

By the way, my favorite model name of Duncan's pickups is "Saturday Night Special".

⇒ See Saturday Night Special

So, this is the BGM for good-bye

Bay City Rollers - Saturday Night (Audio) - YouTube