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Seymour Duncan Humbucker SRB-1N Rickenbacker Neck Pickup vs Seymour Duncan SSB-5N Passive Soapbar 5-String Neck Pickup

The SRB-1N is a guitar humbucker engineered for Rickenbacker neck position with bright, chimey tone and coil-splitting versatility, while the SSB-5N is a passive bass soapbar for 5-string instruments with balanced, articulate fundamentals and EMG 40 cavity compatibility. Choose the SRB-1N if you play Rickenbacker guitar; choose the SSB-5N if you need a 5-string bass neck pickup.

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

Seymour Duncan Humbucker SRB-1N Rickenbacker Neck Pickup

$135.00
View Seymour Duncan Humbucker SRB-1N Rickenbacker Neck Pickup

Seymour Duncan SSB-5N Passive Soapbar 5-String Neck Pickup

$135.00
View Seymour Duncan SSB-5N Passive Soapbar 5-String Neck Pickup

Specs side by side

Seymour Duncan Humbucker SRB-1N Rickenbacker Neck PickupSeymour Duncan SSB-5N Passive Soapbar 5-String Neck Pickup
Price$135.00$135.00
BrandSeymour DuncanSeymour Duncan
Pickup TypeNeckNeck
ConditionNewNew

Why choose Seymour Duncan Humbucker SRB-1N Rickenbacker Neck Pickup

  • Purpose-built for Rickenbacker guitars with authentic chimey, bright character
  • Higher resonant peak (11 kHz) delivers extended treble and shimmer
  • Four-conductor plus shield wiring enables coil-splitting and series/parallel configurations
  • Hand-built in Santa Barbara with vacuum wax potting for stability

Why choose Seymour Duncan SSB-5N Passive Soapbar 5-String Neck Pickup

  • Designed for 5-string bass guitars with controlled, balanced tone
  • Direct drop-in replacement for EMG 40 sized cavities—easy installation
  • Lower DC resistance (6.3k ohms) produces moderate output suitable for bass mix clarity
  • Simple two-conductor wiring integrates cleanly with standard bass signal chains
Bottom line: Buy the SRB-1N if you own a Rickenbacker guitar and want authentic jangle-pop or indie rock tone with tonal shaping options. Buy the SSB-5N if you play a 5-string bass and need a reliable, low-noise replacement pickup for funk, jazz, or studio work.

Frequently asked questions

Are these pickups compatible with the same instruments?

No. The SRB-1N is a guitar humbucker sized for Rickenbacker neck position. The SSB-5N is a bass soapbar designed for 5-string instruments with EMG 40 sized cavities. They are not interchangeable.

Which pickup has more treble emphasis?

The SRB-1N has a higher resonant peak at 11 kHz and treble rating of 7, emphasizing shimmer and articulation. The SSB-5N has a 9.2 kHz resonant peak with treble rating of 7, offering a more balanced overall character suited to bass fundamentals.

Can either pickup be configured for different wiring options?

The SRB-1N includes four-conductor plus shield wiring for coil-splitting and series/parallel configurations. The SSB-5N uses simple two-conductor wiring optimized for straightforward passive operation without tone-shaping options.

Which genres suit each pickup best?

The SRB-1N excels in rock, indie, pop, and jangle pop where its chimey brightness cuts through. The SSB-5N works across funk, jazz, rock, and studio sessions where articulate, balanced bass response is needed. Both perform poorly in metal and thrash genres.

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