11102-45-Bc vs 11102-45-RNRc-GM — Compare

Seymour Duncan SH-PG1n Prly Gates Black Cover Pickup vs Seymour Duncan SH-PG1n Prly Gates Raw Nickel Rad Gold Msh Pickup

Both are the same Seymour Duncan SH-PG1n neck pickup with identical core specs—the difference lies in cosmetics and stated use-case positioning. The Black Cover suits players prioritizing studio/jazz/blues articulation, while the Raw Nickel finish is marketed toward hard rock and metal players, though the actual tonal hardware is identical.

No sales tax on orders shipped outside California — total cost beats national retailers that charge sales tax in nearly every state.

Seymour Duncan SH-PG1n Prly Gates Black Cover Pickup

$159.00
View Seymour Duncan SH-PG1n Prly Gates Black Cover Pickup

Seymour Duncan SH-PG1n Prly Gates Raw Nickel Rad Gold Msh Pickup

$159.00
View Seymour Duncan SH-PG1n Prly Gates Raw Nickel Rad Gold Msh Pickup

Specs side by side

Seymour Duncan SH-PG1n Prly Gates Black Cover PickupSeymour Duncan SH-PG1n Prly Gates Raw Nickel Rad Gold Msh Pickup
Price$159.00$159.00
BrandSeymour DuncanSeymour Duncan
ConditionNewNew

Why choose Seymour Duncan SH-PG1n Prly Gates Black Cover Pickup

  • Black cover finish offers classic, professional appearance
  • Explicitly voiced for blues, jazz, and studio work
  • Emphasizes smooth sustain and responsiveness
  • Slightly compressed character reduces aggressiveness

Why choose Seymour Duncan SH-PG1n Prly Gates Raw Nickel Rad Gold Msh Pickup

  • Raw nickel finish with gold mesh—premium visual appeal
  • Marketed for hard rock and metal applications
  • Emphasizes harmonic complexity and controlled midrange punch
  • Same hand-built Santa Barbara quality and wax potting
Bottom line: Choose the Black Cover if you play blues, jazz, or studio styles and prefer a warm, articulate aesthetic. Choose the Raw Nickel if you prefer a premium-looking finish and play harder rock styles, though tonally both pickups are functionally equivalent Alnico 2 PAF-style designs.

Frequently asked questions

Are these the same pickup electrically?

Yes. Both use identical Alnico 2 bar magnets, nickel silver bottom plates, 4-conductor wiring, vacuum wax potting, and hand-built construction in Santa Barbara. The core tone is the same; the difference is finish color and marketing positioning.

Can I use either in metal or hard rock?

The Raw Nickel is explicitly marketed for hard rock and metal, while the Black Cover emphasizes blues and jazz. However, both are vintage-output humbuckers with controlled character rather than high-output designs, so neither is optimized for extreme metal or djent styles that demand maximum aggression.

Which is better for clean tones?

Both excel at clean tones due to their articulate, vintage PAF-style design and balanced output. The Black Cover's slightly compressed character may feel more refined in clean contexts, while the Raw Nickel's harmonic complexity offers more definition in driven applications.

Do I need active electronics to use either?

No. Both are passive vintage-output designs that integrate seamlessly with standard guitar wiring without requiring preamps or active circuitry.

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