11102-87-Nc vs 11102-88-Nc — Compare
Seymour Duncan SH-18b Whole Lotta Humbucker Bridge Nickel Cover Pickup vs Seymour Duncan SH-18n Whole Lotta Humbucker Neck Nickel Cover Pickup
The SH-18b is a bridge pickup with midrange-forward aggression and controlled highs for cutting rhythm and lead tones, while the SH-18n is a neck pickup with warm, woody lows and articulate sustain for full-bodied foundation work. Choose the SH-18b if you need a cutting bridge voice for hard rock and blues; choose the SH-18n if you want a warm, dark neck pickup for metal, progressive, and sustained lead playing.
No sales tax on orders shipped outside California — total cost beats national retailers that charge sales tax in nearly every state.
Seymour Duncan SH-18b Whole Lotta Humbucker Bridge Nickel Cover Pickup
Seymour Duncan SH-18n Whole Lotta Humbucker Neck Nickel Cover Pickup
Specs side by side
| Seymour Duncan SH-18b Whole Lotta Humbucker Bridge Nickel Cover Pickup | Seymour Duncan SH-18n Whole Lotta Humbucker Neck Nickel Cover Pickup | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149.00 | $149.00 |
| Brand | Seymour Duncan | Seymour Duncan |
| Condition | New | New |
Why choose Seymour Duncan SH-18b Whole Lotta Humbucker Bridge Nickel Cover Pickup
- ✓ Bridge-position design cuts through the mix without sacrificing definition
- ✓ Aggressive midrange presence ideal for rhythm work and solos
- ✓ Controlled high-end response prevents harshness at high volumes
- ✓ Balanced gain structure responds well to both clean and overdriven amps
Why choose Seymour Duncan SH-18n Whole Lotta Humbucker Neck Nickel Cover Pickup
- ✓ Neck-position design provides warm, woody foundation tones
- ✓ Articulate sustain on single-note passages and chord work
- ✓ Favors lower-mid frequencies for full-bodied, thick character
- ✓ Slightly lower impedance (8.20k vs 8.78k) offers marginally more output sensitivity
Frequently asked questions
Can I use these pickups together as a matched set?
Yes, both are hand-built Seymour Duncan humbuckers with Alnico V magnets and wax potting. The SH-18b (8.78k impedance) and SH-18n (8.20k impedance) have slightly different voicings by design—bridge vs. neck character—but both use plain enamel wire and four-conductor cables for flexible wiring.
Which is better for metal?
The SH-18n is specifically listed for metal and emphasizes thick, dark tones with articulate sustain under high-gain conditions. The SH-18b is geared toward hard rock and blues with a more midrange-aggressive character, making the neck model the stronger metal choice.
Do both pickups support coil-splitting and other mods?
Yes, both feature four-conductor cables and nickel silver bottom plates that support series, parallel, and split-coil wiring configurations for future modifications.
What's the tone difference between them?
The SH-18b emphasizes controlled highs and articulate midrange for cutting through a mix, while the SH-18n favors warm, woody lows and balanced output for full-bodied sustain. The bridge model cuts; the neck model supports.