Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom Black 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
- 11102-17-B
Description
Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom Black Pickup
The SH-5 Duncan Custom is a medium-output bridge humbucker engineered for players who need articulate, aggressive tone that cuts through a live mix without losing harmonic character. Hand-built in Santa Barbara, this pickup delivers the sustain and note definition required for both high-gain lead work and tight rhythm playing on stage. It's the kind of pickup that performs consistently night after night, whether you're tracking in the studio or pushing it hard in a packed venue.
Tone & Electronics
A small ceramic bar magnet paired with 4-conductor wiring produces a frequency response curve of 7 (bass) / 6 (mid) / 9 (treble), emphasizing upper midrange presence and articulation ideal for lead work and heavy rhythm playing. The 14.41k ohms DC resistance sits in the medium-output range, offering natural breakup without the compression of higher-output designs.
Construction & Design
Vacuum wax potting eliminates microphonic feedback and squeal, ensuring stable performance at volume. The nickel silver bottom plate contributes to the pickup's tonal character while the standard 49mm string spacing ensures proper alignment with most guitar bridge configurations.
Key Features
- Medium output humbucker bridge pickup
- Small ceramic bar magnet
- Nickel silver bottom plate
- 4-conductor lead wire for wiring flexibility
- 14.41k ohms DC resistance
- Frequency response: 7 bass / 6 mid / 9 treble
- Vacuum wax potted for squeal-free operation
- Standard 49mm string spacing (high E to low E)
- Bridge position configuration
- Hand-built in Santa Barbara, California
The SH-5 Duncan Custom is a dependable, articulate bridge pickup that delivers the presence and clarity needed to stay defined in a band mix while maintaining the sustain and harmonic depth that separates good tone from great tone. Built for reliability and consistent performance across any gig.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
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At a Glance
The Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom is a hand-built medium-output bridge humbucker engineered for metal, hard rock, and high-gain lead work, delivering articulate midrange bite and tight clarity that cuts through dense mixes without sacrificing harmonic depth. Its ceramic magnet and vacuum wax potting keep feedback at bay during sustained solos and aggressive rhythm playing, while 4-conductor wiring gives you flexibility in how you wire it into your rig. Built for gigging players and session musicians who need both note separation and natural breakup—reliable enough for any stage.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Hard Rock
- ✓ Rock
- ✓ High-Gain Lead Work
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Blues
- – Folk
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What output level is the SH-5, and how does it compare to higher-output pickups?
The SH-5 is a medium-output pickup (14.41k ohms DC resistance) that delivers natural breakup without the compression and loss of clarity that higher-output designs introduce. This makes it ideal for players who want sustain and harmonic depth while maintaining note definition across lead and rhythm passages.
Is the SH-5 suitable for metal and high-gain applications?
Yes. The SH-5 excels at metal and hard rock with its articulate, aggressive voicing and frequency response that emphasizes treble and upper midrange presence. It cuts through high-gain tones without sacrificing note separation or harmonic sustained depth.
What is the 4-conductor wiring for?
Four-conductor wiring gives you flexibility in how you wire the pickup into your guitar. You can use it as a standard humbucker, wire it in series or parallel, or split it for tonal variety depending on your preferences and wiring scheme.
Will this pickup work in my guitar's bridge position?
The SH-5 is a bridge position humbucker with standard 49mm string spacing (high E to low E), so it will fit most modern guitar bridge configurations. Confirm your guitar's bridge spacing and humbucker cavity dimensions before ordering.
What does vacuum wax potting do?
Vacuum wax potting eliminates microphonic feedback and squeal, ensuring stable, squeal-free operation at high volumes—essential for sustained lead work and aggressive rhythm playing on stage or in the studio.
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