Seymour Duncan SSB-5NYCS NYC Passive Soapbar 5-String Pickup Set

Seymour Duncan SSB-5NYC Passive Soapbar 5-String Pickup Set

The SSB-5NYC delivers three distinct sonic personalities from a single pickup set, giving 5-string bass players genuine tonal flexibility without switching gear. Hand-built in Santa Barbara, these dual coil J-type soapbars excel at everything from tight, articulate modern tones to warm vintage character, making them a serious choice for players who refuse to compromise on versatility.

Sonic Character & Output Range

The Alnico 2 magnets and dual coil design generate three wiring modes—vintage J bass warmth, quiet single-coil articulation, or maximum output—all accessible via the four-conductor lead wire. With neck and bridge DC resistance specs of 18.72 kΩ and 21.43 kΩ respectively, these pickups provide balanced output and defined resonant peaks at 3.2 KHz (neck) and 2.4 KHz (bridge), ensuring clarity across the frequency spectrum.

Construction & Compatibility

Built with exposed Alnico 2 pole pieces in a double row configuration, the SSB-5NYC fits any bass with a standard DC 40 rout and maintains proper string spacing geometry across the 5-string range. The neck pickup accommodates 70mm string spacing (center of low B to center of G), while the bridge is voiced for 74mm spacing, ensuring even response and minimal crosstalk.

Key Features

• Dual coil J-type pickup design with exposed Alnico 2 pole pieces
• Hand built in Santa Barbara, California
• Alnico 2 magnets for warm, articulate tone
• 4-conductor lead wire enabling three distinct wiring modes
• Neck pickup DC resistance: 18.72 kΩ
• Bridge pickup DC resistance: 21.43 kΩ
• Neck resonant peak: 3.2 KHz; Bridge resonant peak: 2.4 KHz
• EQ profile: Bass 9 / Midrange 8 / Treble 5
• Neck pickup designed for 70mm string spacing
• Bridge pickup designed for 74mm string spacing
• Fits any bass with standard DC 40 rout
• Yields vintage J bass, quiet single-coil, or high-output character depending on wiring configuration

This is a professional-grade pickup set that rewards careful placement and proper wiring with serious tonal depth and the kind of flexibility that lets a player dial in exactly what the song demands.