Seymour Duncan SH-16 59/Custom Hybrid, Reverse Zebra Pickup
Share
- Brand new in original box
- Full Seymour Duncan manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- 11102-86-RZ
Wiring: ships from Seymour Duncan with a 4-conductor lead (coil splitting and phase switching ready).
Description
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.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The Seymour Duncan SH-16 '59/Custom Hybrid is a hand-built, medium-output humbucker that pairs vintage '59 warmth with modern aggressive bite, delivering articulate definition and balanced response across clean and high-gain territory. Built for intermediate to advanced players tackling hard rock, metal, and progressive styles, it combines a 5.95 kHz resonant peak with Alnico 5 magnetic pull for natural breakup without feedback—reliable on stage and consistent session after session. The 4-conductor lead wire opens custom wiring schemes, making it a working player's pickup that demands nothing be left on the table.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Studio Sessions
- ✓ Live Performance
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Progressive
Not the best pick for
- – Folk
- – Traditional Jazz
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the SH-16 and a standard '59 or Custom pickup?
The SH-16 pairs a '59 screw coil with a Custom slug coil (mismatched design) to blend vintage warmth and modern clarity in one pickup. This hybrid approach delivers balanced output and articulate response that sits between a traditional '59 and a hotter Custom, making it more versatile across both clean and high-gain playing.
Will this pickup work for both studio recording and live performance?
Yes. The SH-16 is hand-built for consistency across both environments, with vacuum wax potting to eliminate microphonic feedback and Alnico 5 magnetic response for reliable tonal coherence whether you're recording or on stage. Its medium-output level and balanced frequency response suit studio layering, live solo work, and driven rhythm equally well.
What does the 4-conductor lead wire allow me to do?
The 4-conductor lead opens series, parallel, and split-coil wiring configurations, letting you customize switching schemes and tone-shaping options beyond standard humbucker switching. This flexibility is useful for players building custom instruments or experimenting with coil-tap and blend wiring.
Is the SH-16 too hot or too weak for metal and hard rock?
No. At 11.5k Ω DC resistance with Alnico 5 pull, the SH-16 sits in the sweet spot—responsive enough for nuanced playing yet powerful enough for high-gain applications, with natural breakup and sustain that suits metal and progressive styles without requiring extreme amp gain to articulate.
What genres is this pickup NOT suited for?
The SH-16 is designed for hard rock, metal, and progressive play. It is not recommended for folk or traditional jazz, where warmer, lower-output vintage pickups and softer articulation are typically preferred.
Do I pay sales tax on this order?
We collect sales tax only on orders shipped to California. Orders shipped to any other US state are charged $0 sales tax at checkout when you buy direct from our website. Marketplaces such as eBay, Reverb and Amazon collect sales tax in nearly every state as marketplace facilitators no matter who the seller is, so the same item at the same price costs less bought direct. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included. Some states ask buyers to self-report use tax on out-of-state purchases.
Compare With
Similar Gear
Complete the Rig
Gear that pairs well with this.
✨ For You
Based on what you've been looking at.