What is included in the box?

The AHB-1N comes with complete mounting hardware, potentiometers, output jack, battery clip, and a three-conductor shielded cable for noise rejection.

How long does the 9-volt battery last?

The pickup consumes only 350 micro-amperes and delivers approximately 1420 hours of battery life, making it efficient for extended touring and session work.

Is this pickup suitable for jazz or blues?

No, the AHB-1N is optimized for metal, hard rock, progressive, and high-gain studio work; its aggressive character and active preamp design are not intended for jazz or blues applications.

What does the three-band EQ control?

The independent Bass, Mid, and Treble controls allow you to shape the frequency response surgically; the preamp provides 16 dB of gain with a 2.60V maximum output and reaches a noise floor of -97dBV for clarity in dense mixes.

Will this fit my guitar's humbucker cavity?

Yes, the compact footprint integrates seamlessly into standard humbucker cavities, and the nickel cover provides classic aesthetics alongside straightforward installation.

Seymour Duncan AHB-1N Original Blackouts Neck Pickup Nickel Cover

The AHB-1N Original Blackouts is an active humbucker engineered for articulate, controlled output with minimal noise—a neck pickup that delivers clarity without sacrificing the aggressive character active electronics are known for. Built with a discrete hybrid differential preamp topology and Alnico V bar magnet, this pickup excels in high-gain applications where definition and string separation matter on stage. The nickel cover provides classic aesthetics while the compact footprint integrates seamlessly into standard humbucker cavities.

Active Electronics & On-Stage Reliability

The 9-volt active preamp operates with exceptional efficiency—consuming only 350 micro-amperes for 1420 hours of battery life—while maintaining a noise floor of -97dBV and minimal distortion at .003% THD @ 1V. The three-band EQ (Bass: 6, Mid: 5, Treble: 8) allows real-time control over frequency response during performance, with the 16 dB preamp gain providing substantial output headroom that reaches 2.60 Volts RMS maximum without breakup, keeping your signal clean through any amp setup.

Specifications & Installation

This neck model features a 750 Hz resonant frequency optimized for balanced mid-range articulation and 1K Ohm output impedance that maintains signal integrity into standard instrument preamps. Installation is straightforward with included mounting hardware, potentiometers, output jack, and battery clip, plus a three-conductor shielded cable for noise rejection—ready to gig without fuss.

Key Features

9-volt active humbucker design
Discrete hybrid differential FET input preamp
Alnico V bar magnet
750 Hz resonant frequency
16 dB preamp gain with 2.60V maximum output
Noise floor: -97dBV
.003% THD @ 1V
350 micro-amperes current consumption / 1420-hour battery life
Three-band EQ with independent Bass, Mid, and Treble controls
1K Ohm output impedance
Three-conductor shielded cable included
Nickel cover with complete mounting hardware and battery clip

The AHB-1N delivers the controlled dynamics and noise rejection that define the Original Blackouts line, making it a dependable choice for gigging musicians demanding active tonal refinement and road-ready stability without compromise.

Condition	New
Country of Manufacture	United States