Seymour Duncan AHB-1s Blackouts, 8-String, Set Pickup
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- Brand new in original box
- Full Seymour Duncan manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- 11106-43-B-8str
Description
Seymour Duncan AHB-1s Blackouts, 8-String, Set Pickup
The Seymour Duncan AHB-1s Blackouts deliver articulate, controlled aggression across extended-range instruments with minimal noise floor and transparent gain staging. These active 8-string pickups are engineered for players who demand clarity in drop-tuned applications without sacrificing dynamic response or headroom. The set provides matched neck and bridge voicings optimized for modern metal and progressive applications.
Electronics & Noise Performance
Built on a 9V active topology with a differential preamp design, these pickups achieve exceptional noise rejection—measuring -97dBV (neck) and -96dBV (bridge)—ensuring clean signal transmission even at high gain settings. The 0.65V RMS average output and 2.60V RMS peak output provide substantial headroom while maintaining tight articulation, with preamp distortion holding to 0.003% THD @ 1V.
Frequency Response & Installation
The neck pickup centers at 700Hz resonance while the bridge sits at 650Hz, delivering distinct tonal characters across the range without muddiness. Direct retrofit design for 8-string electrics includes 25K pots, stereo jack, battery clip, and mounting hardware; the integrated battery lasts approximately 1420 hours of typical use, with low current draw of 350 micro-amperes.
Key Features
- 9V active pickup configuration with balanced differential preamp
- Neck resonance: 700Hz; Bridge resonance: 650Hz
- Average output voltage: 0.65V RMS; Maximum output: 2.60V RMS
- Noise floor: -97dBV (neck), -96dBV (bridge)
- Preamp gain: 16dB (neck), 18dB (bridge)
- Preamp THD @ 1V: 0.003%
- Output impedance: 1K Ohm
- Current consumption: 350 micro-amperes
- Battery life: Approximately 1420 hours
- Includes 25K pots, stereo jack, battery clip, and mounting hardware
- Direct retrofit for 8-string electric guitars
The AHB-1s Blackouts combine low-noise electronics with predictable output staging, making them a dependable foundation for extended-range instruments in high-gain contexts.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The Seymour Duncan AHB-1s Blackouts are active 8-string pickups built for metal and progressive players who need articulate, controlled tone across drop tunings without noise floor interference. Their dual-preamp design and exceptional noise rejection (-97dBV/-96dBV) keep your signal clean and punchy even at extreme gain, with enough headroom to preserve pick dynamics and string clarity. Direct retrofit design means drop-in installation on compatible 8-strings, with a battery lasting roughly 1420 hours of playing.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Progressive
- ✓ Drop Tunings
- ✓ Extended Range
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Blues
- – Acoustic Folk
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What skill level do these pickups suit?
The AHB-1s Blackouts are designed for intermediate, advanced, and professional players, particularly those comfortable with active electronics and high-gain applications like metal and progressive tunings.
Will these work in my 8-string guitar?
Yes—they are a direct retrofit for 8-string electric guitars and include 25K pots, stereo jack, battery clip, and all mounting hardware needed for installation.
How long does the battery last?
The 9V battery lasts approximately 1420 hours of typical use thanks to a low current draw of 350 micro-amperes, so you can expect months of regular gigging or recording between changes.
What genres and tunings are these pickups best for?
They excel in metal, progressive, and drop-tuning contexts where tight articulation and noise rejection are critical; they are not optimized for jazz, blues, or acoustic-folk applications.
How does the noise performance compare to passive pickups?
The active design achieves -97dBV noise floor (neck) and -96dBV (bridge) with only 0.003% preamp distortion at 1V, providing exceptional signal clarity even at high gain—far superior to most passive 8-string pickups.
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