Get to Know Seymour Duncan Pickups: Humbucker Edition

When it comes to pickups, many of you might think of Seymour Duncan first. There are so many products I want to introduce, so I’m dividing them into two parts: Humbucker Edition and Single Coil Edition.

First, let’s start with the BGM for this session

To celebrate the release of my favorite guitarist Warren DeMartini’s signature pickup from Seymour Duncan, we’ll be listening to Ratt’s “Round and Round”.
The video features a series of baffling scenes, but Warren falling off the roof during the guitar solo always cracks me up. Also, make sure to catch the cool moment when he points at Robbin Crosby, and the camera angle shifts during the solo’s second half!

Basic Knowledge About Seymour Duncan to Know Before Buying

A common piece of knowledge is that humbuckers can be selected with pole piece spacing that matches the string spacing of the guitar they are installed in.
Seymour Duncan categorizes them as follows:

- SH: Compatible with TOM bridges found on Gibson and similar guitars.

- TB: Wide spacing compatible with Floyd Rose and synchronized tremolos.

Comparing them, you can see that the pole piece spacing differs.
Different spacings don’t make them unusable, but they do affect the balance of each string, so check this in advance.
eymour Duncan pickups also vary in leg length depending on the model and year, so checking this blog will give you peace of mind!

Related Article: “Is That Humbucker Really the Right Size?”

SH-4 JB

You can’t talk about Duncan without this pickup.
The overwhelmingly popular JB, a model replicating Jeff Beck’s Tele-Gib rear pickup, is used by numerous famous guitarists.
The JB excels with drive sound, where the mid and treble cut through beautifully, producing a tone every guitarist loves.
I will introduce many models derived from the SH-4 JB later, so knowing this one will surely help with future pickup selections!

Seymour Duncan / SH-4 JB Black Pickup

SH-1n '59 Neck

This product is said to be a user-friendly PAF, and it truly is.
Though many PAF-based pickups exist, the SH-1 isn’t a strictly vintage sound but is very usable in contemporary music scenes, making it a great choice for those seeking a versatile humbucker. Compared to the JB, its midrange presence is subtler, resulting in a bright and sustaining high end. It’s moderately wild, fitting into any sound-making situation with ease.

Seymour Duncan / SH-1n 59 Neck Black Pickup

SH-5 Duncan Custom

This pickup outputs the desired frequency range based on the distortion level. Compared to the SH-1, it produces clear mids in crunch to overdrive, and a scooped sound in distortion, making it ideal for bridge mutes and screaming lead guitars.
While it leans towards a scooped sound, its versatility makes it a must-have.
The sound is more powerful than the 59, so make a combination such as an SH-1n for the front and an SH-5 for the rear to create an all-around guitar for any situation!

Seymour Duncan / SH-5 Duncan Custom Black Pickup

SH-11 Custom Custom

The SH-11 is like a balanced JB, enhancing low, mid, and high frequencies. The name ‘Custom Custom’ is just a repetition of the same word but is just as cool as it sounds!
Like the previous pickups, it’s a PAF pickup, but this one excels with high-gain sounds while retaining vintage elements, offering a warm sound that doesn’t dominate. If you find the JB’s mid-peak sound challenging, try the SH-11!

Seymour Duncan / SH-11 Custom Custom Black

RTM DeMartini

Here comes the long-awaited Warren DeMartini model!
This pickup embodies Warren’s style, delivering a powerful and punchy sound. Even when playing complex chords with distortion, this pickup produces an exhilarating sound that cuts through to the front without being muffled, and this sound is what any hard rock guitarist would admire.
Warren, originally a JB user, used it as a benchmark when creating the RTM DeMartini, which has tighter lows and better string separation. This is exactly his signature sound. This pickup is recommended not only for Warren fans but for anyone looking for a powerful yet manageable sound.

Seymour Duncan / RTM DeMartini TB Black

APH-1n Alnico II Pro HB

Speaking of artists, this one can’t be left out!
This APH-1 is known for being used by Slash during the recording of Guns N’ Roses’ debut album Appetite for Destruction.
This is a highly popular front pickup alongside the SH-1n 59 and its glamorous midrange pairs perfectly with a mahogany Les Paul. Often described as ‘sticky’ or ‘wet’, this pickup has an unmatched allure. Even when distorted, it maintains clarity, making it a go-to recommendation.

Seymour Duncan / APH-1n Alnico II Pro HB Neck Black

Conclusion

There are still so many pickups I want to introduce that separating an article into single coil and humbucker editions is not enough…
Seymour Duncan’s products are not independent but connected in series or improved over time, making it attractive to choose based on the original model or timeline for your style.
I’ll introduce more humbuckers and single coils next time, so see you then!