Seymour Duncan SH-16 59/Custom Hybrid, Nickel Cover 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
- 11102-86-Nc
Description
Seymour Duncan SH-16 59/Custom Hybrid, Nickel Cover
The SH-16 59/Custom Hybrid is a bridge humbucker built for players who need articulate attack without losing vintage warmth. Pairing Alnico 5 magnetics with mismatched coils, this pickup delivers responsive dynamics and real sustain—solid for everything from classic rock to modern high-gain contexts, and dependable night after night on stage.
Tone & Voice Characteristics
Built around moderate output with a 5.95 KHz resonant peak, the SH-16 sits forward in the midrange while holding presence in both bass and treble. The EQ curve of 6/6/8 (Bass/Mid/Treble) creates a focused, punchy character that cuts through the mix without harshness—works equally well for clean articulation and driven tones that stay defined in a band setting.
Construction & Materials
Hand-built in Santa Barbara, the SH-16 features a nickel silver short leg bottom plate that refines its magnetic behavior for consistency and reliability. Vacuum wax potting eliminates microphonics and keeps the pickup stable through temperature swings and heavy touring, while the mismatched coil design adds harmonic complexity and responsiveness to your pick dynamics—something players notice immediately.
Key Features
- Type: Dual coil humbucker
- Position: Bridge
- Magnet: Alnico 5 bar magnet
- Impedance: 11.5 kΩ
- Resonant Peak: 5.95 KHz
- Output: Moderate
- EQ: 6/6/8 (Bass/Mid/Treble)
- Wiring: Four conductor
- Nickel silver short leg bottom plate
- Mismatched coils for enhanced harmonic response
- Vacuum wax potted for stability
- Hand-built in Santa Barbara, CA
A versatile bridge pickup that rewards precision playing with articulate response while delivering the vintage character serious players and collectors expect from Seymour Duncan.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The Seymour Duncan SH-16 59/Custom Hybrid is a bridge humbucker that blends vintage warmth with modern clarity, delivering articulate midrange punch and responsive dynamics without sacrificing sustain. Built by hand in Santa Barbara with Alnico 5 magnetics and mismatched coils, it cuts through live mixes in classic rock, blues, and progressive contexts while staying articulate on clean tones. Choose this if you want a balanced, refined voice that rewards precise picking and sits naturally in both driven and clean tones on stage.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Classic Rock
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Blues
- ✓ Progressive
Not the best pick for
- – Thrash Metal
- – Djent
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What genres and playing styles is this pickup best suited for?
The SH-16 excels in classic rock, hard rock, blues, and progressive music. Its balanced tone and articulate midrange work equally well for clean articulation and driven tones, making it versatile across vintage-rooted and contemporary applications.
What makes the mismatched coil design important?
The mismatched coils add harmonic complexity and enhance responsiveness to pick dynamics, giving the pickup a more expressive character that rewards precision playing while maintaining vintage warmth.
How does this compare to other Seymour Duncan humbuckers?
The SH-16 sits between the SH-1N and custom models, offering Alnico 5 magnetics with moderate output and a 5.95 KHz resonant peak that emphasizes clarity and midrange punch without the thickness of higher-output designs.
Is this pickup a good fit for intermediate to advanced players?
Yes—the SH-16 is designed for intermediate, advanced, and professional players who can take advantage of its responsive dynamics and benefit from its articulate character across a range of playing techniques.
What is included and what are the wiring specifications?
The pickup ships ready to install with four-conductor wiring, allowing flexibility for coil-split and series/parallel switching. It features a nickel silver short leg bottom plate and is vacuum wax potted for stability and microphonic elimination.
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