Seymour Duncan SMB-4A 3 Coil Pickup

Seymour Duncan SMB-4A 3 Coil Pickup

The SMB-4A is a hand-built replacement pickup engineered specifically for Music Man StingRay basses, delivering the articulate, punchy response that defines the instrument's character. This three-coil design combines vintage construction methods with modern versatility, offering three distinct tonal voices via a simple blade switch without sacrificing hum rejection—essential for tight, reliable performance on any stage.

Tone & Electronics

Built with oversized alnico 5 rod magnets and vacuum wax potting for clarity and sustain, the SMB-4A produces a resonant peak at 9.9 KHz that emphasizes the upper midrange definition characteristic of quality StingRay tones. The EQ curve—8/8/5 (Bass/Mid/Treble)—balances aggressive low-end presence with articulate mids and a controlled top end, cutting through a mix without muddiness.

Design & Build

Each coil measures 4.18 kΩ DC resistance and connects via a 4-conductor leadwire for maximum wiring flexibility. All three switching modes—series, parallel, and split—maintain full hum-canceling performance, eliminating the noise trade-offs found in single-coil designs. Hand-built in Santa Barbara, California, this pickup is a direct replacement for StingRay basses from 1976 to present and built to withstand the demands of touring and session work.

Key Features

• Three-coil design with hand-built construction in Santa Barbara, CA
• Oversized alnico 5 rod magnets for powerful magnetic response
• DC resistance: 4.18 kΩ per coil
• Resonant peak at 9.9 KHz (parallel configuration)
• Three tonal settings via 3-way blade switch: series, parallel, and split
• All three settings are hum-canceling
• EQ curve: 8 Bass / 8 Mid / 5 Treble
• Four-conductor leadwire for flexible wiring options
• Vacuum wax potted for clarity and sustain
• Forbon flatwork construction
• Direct replacement for Music Man StingRay basses 1976–present

The SMB-4A restores or upgrades a StingRay's fundamental voice while providing the switching versatility to explore tones beyond the original single-pickup design—all with the reliability needed for the road.