What is included with the SSB-5S pickup set?

The set includes a matched neck and bridge pickup pair, full mounting hardware, and complete wiring for installation into EMG 40-compatible cavities. Both pickups are hand-built in Santa Barbara with ceramic magnets and dual-coil construction.

Will these pickups work in my current five-string bass?

The SSB-5S is engineered as a direct replacement for EMG 40-compatible cavities. String spacing is rated for up to 3.10 inches (78.5mm), which accommodates modern five-string configurations. If your bass uses a different pickup cavity shape, these will not fit without modification.

Do I need a battery or active circuit for these pickups?

No—the SSB-5S is a fully passive design. The ceramic magnets and dual-coil construction deliver substantial output without active electronics, batteries, or external power sources.

How does the SSB-5S compare to active pickup systems?

The SSB-5S eliminates the noise floor and battery dependency of active systems while preserving the articulate midrange and tight low end required for modern genres. High output (3.9 kOhm bridge resistance) pairs well with active amplification chains while maintaining passive reliability.

What genres and playing styles are these pickups suited for?

The SSB-5S is engineered for jazz, funk, metal, and progressive music. The punchy, high-output character and defined midrange response work across intermediate, advanced, and professional skill levels.

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

The SSB-5S delivers the articulate, defined response that five-string bass players expect from a high-output passive design. Full-length dual blades ensure even string response across the entire width of the fingerboard, while the ceramic magnet construction provides clarity and punch without requiring active circuitry or batteries. These pickups are engineered as a direct replacement for EMG 40 configurations, making them an ideal upgrade path for players already committed to that form factor.

Tone & Output Characteristics

The bridge pickup's 8.1 kHz resonant peak combined with the neck's 9.2 kHz peak creates a balanced frequency response across the set, with the bridge unit's 3.9 kOhm DC resistance delivering substantial output suitable for modern active amplification chains. This passive design eliminates the noise floor and battery dependency of active systems while maintaining the articulate midrange and tight low-end definition that five-string players require for genres ranging from jazz to heavy music.

Build & Compatibility

Hand-built in Santa Barbara, California, these pickups feature dual coil ceramic magnet construction calibrated specifically as a matched neck and bridge pair. The 3.10" (78.5mm) maximum string spacing accommodates modern five-string bass configurations, and the full mounting hardware is included for straightforward installation into EMG 40-compatible cavities.

Key Features

Configuration: 5-string soapbar pickup set with dual coil design
Magnet type: Ceramic magnets
Bridge pickup DC resistance: 3.9 kOhm
Resonant peak — Neck: 9.2 kHz
Resonant peak — Bridge: 8.1 kHz
String spacing: Full-length dual blades accommodate maximum 3.10" (78.5mm)
Direct EMG 40 replacement with calibrated neck and bridge set
Passive design — no battery required
Hand-built in Santa Barbara, California
Complete mounting hardware included

The SSB-5S stands as a no-compromise passive option for five-string players seeking the clarity and sustain that Seymour Duncan's hand-built craftsmanship delivers.

Condition	New
Country of Manufacture	United States