Seymour Duncan SH-1b '59 Nighthawk Pickup

Seymour Duncan SH-1b '59 Nighthawk Pickup

The SH-1b '59 Nighthawk is a bridge-position humbucker engineered to deliver the warm, articulate character of vintage Gibson PAF designs with modern consistency and reliability. This slant-coil configuration excels in bridge applications where clarity and sustain matter equally, offering moderate output that responds dynamically to pick attack and playing dynamics rather than overwhelming your amp's front end. On stage, it cuts through the mix without sacrificing the nuanced response that defines great lead work and rhythm playing alike.

Tone & Frequency Response

The Alnico V bar magnet and 42 AWG plain enamel wire create a resonant peak at 6 kHz, positioning this pickup in the sweet spot between brightness and warmth. The balanced coil windings ensure even harmonic development across the frequency spectrum, making the '59 Nighthawk equally at home with rock, blues, and classic soul applications. Live performers and session players appreciate the consistency—it voices the same way whether you're in a practice room or a 500-capacity venue.

Construction & Integration

Built with a long-legged nickel-silver bottom plate and vacuum wax potting for hum rejection and durability, this pickup ships with everything needed for installation: nickel-plated studs, wooden spacer, black paper tape, four-conductor wiring, and mounting screws. The ~8 kΩ impedance standard ensures compatibility with most guitar wiring schemes and amplifiers. Seymour Duncan's manufacturing quality means you get a pickup that stays solid through touring, frequent amp changes, and the wear of regular gigging.

Key Features

• Dual coil humbucker with slant-coil design
• Bridge position configuration
• Alnico V bar magnet
• Moderate output level
• Resonant peak at 6 kHz
• Impedance: ~8 kΩ
• 42 AWG plain enamel magnet wire
• Vacuum wax potted for hum rejection
• Four-conductor cable for coil-split compatibility
• Long-legged nickel-silver bottom plate
• Includes mounting hardware, wooden spacer, and wiring diagram
• Balanced coil windings for even harmonic response

The SH-1b '59 Nighthawk combines vintage voicing with modern manufacturing standards, delivering a bridge pickup that performs reliably night after night while capturing the tonal character serious players demand.