Seymour Duncan SH-16 59/Custom Hybrid, Reverse Zebra Pickup

Seymour Duncan SH-16 '59/Custom Hybrid, Reverse Zebra Pickup

The SH-16 '59/Custom Hybrid delivers a balanced, articulate voice that bridges vintage warmth and modern clarity. This mismatched-coil design pairs the classic response of a '59 screw coil with the aggressive punch of a Custom slug coil, producing a pickup that responds dynamically across the entire frequency spectrum. Built by hand in Santa Barbara, it's engineered for players who demand tonal versatility without sacrificing coherence on stage or in the studio.

Tonal Character & Output

The medium-output design with a 5.95 kHz resonant peak emphasizes clarity and articulation while maintaining natural breakup and sustain. The Alnico 5 bar magnet provides strong magnetic pull and definition, making this pickup equally effective for clean tones and driven applications. Its 11.5k Ω DC resistance sits in the sweet spot for balanced frequency response without excessive compression—ideal for cutting through a live mix or sitting tight in a recording.

Construction & Wiring Flexibility

Hand-built construction in Santa Barbara ensures consistent quality and reliable performance night after night. The 4-conductor lead wire opens multiple wiring configurations, including series, parallel, and split-coil options for custom switching schemes tailored to your rig. A nickel silver short-leg bottom plate contributes to tonal refinement, while vacuum wax potting eliminates microphonic feedback for clean, noise-free operation in any venue.

Key Features

• Hand-built in Santa Barbara, CA
• Medium-output level for versatile playing styles
• Mismatched coils—'59 screw coil paired with Custom slug coil
• Alnico 5 bar magnet for strong magnetic response
• 4-conductor lead wire for flexible wiring options
• Vacuum wax potted for microphonic feedback elimination
• DC Resistance: 11.5k Ω
• Resonant Peak: 5.95 kHz
• Nickel silver short-leg bottom plate
• Available in Standard humbucker or Trembucker spacing

The SH-16 excels on stage and in the studio alike—its refined hybrid approach delivers the articulation you need to stand out live, the sustain and tonal clarity for recording, and the proven reliability to trust night after night.