We’re excited to announce that after one of our groundbreaking artists, Cory Wong, released his signature Fender guitar in 2021 with the highly anticipated Seymour Duncan Clean Machine pickup set, these signature pickups are now available to order direct to consumers from Seymour Duncan.

Here’s the background on how we crafted the perfect tone for Cory. 

Antiquity II Surfer Strat and Everything Axe Stratocaster Set

Whether Cory Wong is playing his Strat as a solo artist, as a member of Vulfpeck, or in The Fearless Fliers, he’s leading a new generation of guitar heroes. Putting as much focus on getting your feet dancing as his impressive chops, Wong always dishes out the finest Minneapolis-style funk. And as a longtime Seymour Duncan user, when Fender approached Wong about creating his signature Stratocaster, he knew where to turn for its pickups.

Since Wong first burst on the scene with his compressed chord stabs, double-stop melodies, and impossibly thick grooves, he relied on Seymour Duncan. And his favorites were the Antiquity II Surfer Strat pickups or the Everything Axe Set.

The Antiquity II Surfer Strat single-coil pickups gave Wong those iconic Strat sounds we all know and love. From twangy bridge bite to warm and clear neck tones, and of course, Wong’s favorite in-between spank, these pickups deliver.

The only time Wong wasn’t 100 percent satisfied with the Surfer Strats was when he dialed up an overdrive tone. That’s when he’d switch to the insanely versatile Everything Axe Set. Combining a JB Jr. in the bridge, a Duckbucker in the middle, and a Little ’59 in the neck position, this set lets Wong instantly switch to fat, humbucking single-note lines on a whim.

Antiquity II Surfer Strat

The Antiquity II Surf Neck provides that smooth and chiming bounciness that only a Stratocaster can produce. Our specially calibrated Alnico 5 rod magnets and custom scatter wound coil give the treble attack a subtle sweetness without losing any harmonic sparkle.

The custom bridge pickup is 50 percent hotter than the other pickups yet utilizes a degaussed Alnico 5 rod magnet. This process offers more mids and a slightly softer treble attack. It easily cuts through the mix while still retaining classic Stratocaster tonal character.

We also use vintage-correct blue/yellow cloth pushback lead wire, light gray bottom flatwork, and custom-aged covers for just the right look. The Antiquity II Surfer vintage Strat pickups are all lacquered and wax potted.

Buy Now

Everything Axe Set

This 3-pickup set turns your Strat into a versatile workhorse. The JB Jr. single-coil-size bridge humbucker gives you full and harmonically rich chords and lead tones. And thanks to that classic upper midrange presence, there is tons of bright harmonic sparkle and tight, focused low end.

The middle-position Duckbucker adds sparkly single-coil tone in positions 2, 3 and 4. Though humbucking, its unique, split-pole pattern—with three poles on each coil—is the soul of its single-coil snap and warm low end.

The Little 59 single-coil-size humbucker’s P.A.F.-like response is great for big, full chords and fat, punchy solos. Plus, it has a pleasing blend of warmth and bite when you dig in.

Cory Wong Clean Machine Pickup Set 

Both the Seymour Duncan Antiquity II Surfer Strat pickups and the Everything Axe Set suit Wong perfectly. But when Fender came calling about his new signature Stratocaster, it was the perfect opportunity to create his own set of signature pickups.

Wong already knew precisely what he wanted and who he wanted to make them. He asked Seymour Duncan to craft pickups with the clean, crisp tonality of the Antiquity IIs and the compressed, focused tone of the Everything Axe Set when playing with overdrive. And he wanted it all from a single set of single-coil pickups.

Done and done.

The Seymour Duncan Cory Wong Clean Machine pickup set is the culmination of Cory Wong’s inspiring career, ear for tone, and Seymour Duncan’s decades of pickup crafting experience.

At their core, the Clean Machine pickups are a variation on his beloved Antiquity II Surfer Strat single-coils. They retain the vintage Strat clarity, warmth, and twang Wong relies on for his brand of funk and soul. But by using Alnico IV magnets in the neck and middle position, and a stack with Alnico V magnets in the bridge, as well as overwinding the bobbins, Wong’s pickups also love thick overdrive and easily dish out singing single-note solos. Not to mention, these pickups feature a pristine, unaged look, further distancing themselves from their Antiquity II ancestors.

Buy Now

You can order the Fender Cory Wong Stratocaster right here: fender.com/corywong.

We’re Proud to Play a Part

We’re happy that we’ve been finally able to bring these pickups to our many fans that have requested them! If you have any other questions about nailing Cory’s inimitable spanky tone, don’t hesitate to reach out. Also, don’t forget to dig into the Seymour Duncan blog. There’s a ton of in-depth information on all of our different designs, how-tos, tone demonstrations, and a whole lot more.

Finding a guitar tech can be a daunting process. Have you ever gone into a music store as a newbie and asked a question about something about your guitar, only to be met with a snarky response? This is quite a common occurrence in the guitar world, sadly. I remember buying a BC Rich Warlock NJ Series guitar (with a Floyd Rose) as one of my first guitars and was met with a snarky response at the local guitar repair shop when I needed help restringing it; that first interaction scarred me for a long time. Not to mention, depending on your geographical location, the local support for these kinds of things can be lacking, even in 2022. What if you want to install some new pickups? Where do you go?

In this article, we will discuss the different things to consider that will answer ‘how to find the best guitar tech.” After working as shop manager of a local esteemed guitar repair shop for about five years, it was my job to intake instruments, assess their issues, get them on the calendar, and get a quote for the customer. You would be surprised at how that process alone would simply mystify players of all skill levels and backgrounds, which encouraged me to write this article, in hopes of helping fellow Seymour Duncan enthusiasts find the right guitar tech for them. If you don’t want to install guitar pickups yourself, you should be able to have a relatively pain-free experience when finding someone to work with.

Use Review Sites Sparingly

Yelp and Google Reviews have made our world a lot easier when it comes to shopping for mechanics, haircuts, and yes, even massages. This should usually be the first place you come to when you need a qualified technician. While your buddy’s friend-of-a-friend may have done a few setups in their time, maybe you need some new Rickenbacker pickups installed into your Rick bass, and you also need to fix some egregious fret buzz.

Has your buddy’s friend-of-a-friend diagnosed a Rick before? Do they know that many Rick fretboards are sprayed over with lacquer, just making fret levels next to near impossible? This is where the review sites shine. You are looking for techs that do quality work and can give you some semblance of when you will get your instrument back. Pictures are a bonus here. Be aware that some customers can be difficult and will leave corresponding negative reviews, so these review sites should be used sparingly, but you can use this as a baseline to hopefully give you a better idea of what the shop or tech you are looking into is like.

Garage-Based Repair Shops Can Be a Godsend…or a Nightmare

Not every guitar tech will have the money for a big shop. But there are a few things to look out for in a garage shop. Is their workspace cluttered? Do they have appropriate tooling? Check out some of StewMac’s videos and see what kind of tools you might expect to see in a guitar shop. Are those things present in your tech’s space? It’s one thing to be a weekend guitar tech but tooling can make a small space into a seasoned professional work environment. Having at least the minimal amount of tooling will ensure the person you are trusting your dad’s 1965 D-28 to is at least serious about what they do.

Heavily tooled shops can be great as well. If you walk into a clean shop with a dust collection system, know that you have found yourself in a very special place! We recently interviewed master luthier Geoff Luttrell of San Francisco Guitarworks/Sonoma County Guitarworks and from the video, you can get an idea of the types of tools they’ve opted to prioritize and how they set up their workbenches. This is a great example of a shop that takes themselves seriously.

You Deserve to be Treated with Respect

The stories we’ve heard from some of you fine people out there would make your skin crawl. Everything from being laughed at to being questioned – it’s all made its way into this profession sadly. But don’t allow yourself to be treated this way. The tech or their shop manager should be able to ask questions to get to the root of your problems, help you devise a solution, and give you a quote for the labor and parts. One thing I have always told customers in the past is the most important thing when determining the answer to “is this repair worth it?” entirely depends on sentimental value, not monetary value.

So, if you bring in the cheap-o Squier you got in high school but love it to death and want to upgrade it with the highly sought-after Hot Rodded Humbucker set, who am I to judge you for that? The point of playing guitar is to have fun, no matter what kind of guitar you have. As long as the guitar is in physically sound enough shape to be worked on, why not?

Additionally, you need a return date. The shop needs to give you a realistic time of when they can return your instrument to you. Whether it’s a big project that will take a year (including sending the guitar out for finishing), or a simple setup that will take a week, a rough ballpark of time is crucial to building trust. Estimates are also crucial. Being tackled with surprise charges is not fun for everyone – but if the tech calls you to let you know that there is additional work that needs to be done to get your guitar playing sweet, their honesty is a sign of a good craftsperson.

There are Great Techs Out There!

If you have been burned in the past or are just looking for the first time, be not afraid. The lutherie community is talented and vast, with many fine craftspeople all over the globe. Ask your favorite guitar stores or your bandmates or other local professional guitarists. It’s a guarantee that you’ll hear of the best people through word-of-mouth, maybe some of which don’t advertise on the internet.

And of course, should you decide to install your pickups yourself, give our free pickup installation guide a shot!

Find the perfect gift for the guitarist in your life.

Need tone for the holidays? You aren’t alone. Buying guitar pickups for a loved one (or even for yourself) can be a daunting task. However, that’s why we at Seymour Duncan have put together this Holiday Gift Guide for 2022. Using the information in this guide, we aim to help you dial in the perfect gifts for the guitar players in your life.

What are the best gifts for guitar players? The answer is usually more gear. But buying your brother-in-law a guitar can be expensive. This list of our best-selling pickup singles and sets is based on our best-selling pickups of 2022, so rest assured these are some of our customers’ favorites, and basically, you can’t go wrong with a single product on this list. We’ve even included a few bass pickup options as well. This guide has got you covered! So instead of giving yet another guitar strap (unless it’s a Seymour Duncan guitar strap) this holiday season, why not give the gift of great tone?

Did you know? Changing your guitar pickups is the easiest way to improve the tone of your instrument. Many import guitars are equipped out of the factory with lower quality pickups to save money, so buying a new set of pickups can completely redefine your sound!

Don’t have a guitar tech nearby? At the bottom of this article, we’ve shared a special free gift for you or for your loved one to be unlocked on December 26th (as to not spoil the surprise, of course) on how to install pickups yourself. Read on for more details.

Table of Contents

1. How to Choose the Best Guitar Pickups
2. Our Best-Selling Pickup Sets
3. Our Best-Selling Individual Pickups
4. BONUS: A Free Gift from Seymour Duncan

How to Choose the Best Guitar Pickups

There are two main factors to look out for when choosing guitar pickups for yourself or for someone else. These two factors can be separated into color and tone.

Color – for many guitar players, looks are important and that’s okay! That’s why you need to determine what color pickups you need first. Most common covered humbucking pickups come in nickel, chrome, gold and sometimes even aged. Single coils can range from white to cream to black and many other colors (it’s easy to swap the single coil covers out for other colors in case you need something more specific besides those options). Humbuckers can even come uncovered, in black, white, matte back, zebra, reverse zebra, etc. The first step here is to determine what color you want/need. If your friend has all gold hardware on their Gibson ES-335, they will likely want gold covered humbuckers.

Tone – sometimes, it can be hard to determine what kind of pickups you should get. That’s why it’s important to ask yourself “what kind of music do I want to be playing?” We make pickups for a wide variety of genres, with some options below spanning multiple genres and decades of music, from classic rock to jazz to death metal to pop and beyond. We’ve included a helpful description of each of the products listed below so you can make an informed decision based on style, genre and best use case. Each of the individual product pages we’ve linked to has sound samples, videos and more if you want to go down the rabbit role.

Sometimes the hardest step can be making the decision of which ones to get, but once again, remember: these are some of our best sellers so you really can’t go wrong with any of the products on this list!

Our Best-Selling Pickup Sets

1) Hot Rodded HB Set

Seymour created this classic humbucker combination while in England in 1974, and it remains his favorite set of pickups to this day – an SH-4 JB for the bridge and SH-2n Jazz Model for the neck. Together these pickups have become one of the most timeless and versatile humbucker sets ever built.

The JB Model humbucker adds juice and versatility to the bridge position of any humbucker equipped guitar. It’s the perfect bridge pickup for anything from blues & country to the meanest hard rock & metal. Originally designed as the matching neck pickup for the JB Model bridge pickup, the Jazz is an incredibly versatile humbucker that will work for almost any style of music.

2) Seth Lover Set

The Seth Lover vintage output humbucker pickups are the perfect choice for players wanting to transform a solid body or semi-hollow into a singing classic rock machine. The neck model gives you a smooth but articulate tone by striking the perfect balance of warm, full low-end and a nice, sweet treble. The alnico 2 bar magnet helps to smooth the high-end response, while the vintage output coils bring out this pickup’s rich harmonic content. The Seth Lover pickups are carefully hand built in Santa Barbara to Seth Lover’s original exacting specs.

3) Invader Set

No matter how dangerous your stock pickup claims to sound, the Invader will transform your guitar into the mean, heavy-sounding beast you always knew it could be. The Invader’s power comes from the combination of specially overwound coils, three large ceramic magnets, and its striking, oversized metal oxide pole pieces. Chords sound almost subsonic with lower tunings, but balance nicely with the crunchy treble, keeping everything well defined. While the Invader bridge looks mean and vicious, because it is mean and vicious, the Invader neck humbucker is surprisingly warm and smooth, despite its intimidating looks, and yields a thick crunch and rich sustain.

4) Slash Set

When Slash was given the honor of having a Gibson Les Paul Signature model built, we accepted the challenge to make him a new pickup that would make all of his new signature guitars sound just like the original “Appetite For Destruction” Les Paul. The result is the Slash Signature Model humbucker.

We used a different mag wire and winding spec that, when combined with the alnico 2 bar magnet, provided exactly what was needed to push a stock Les Paul toward that familiar sustain, crunch, and midrange that was so characteristic of the tone of Slash’s original Derrig Les Paul copy.

5) PJ Set Quarter Pound

Together these Quarter Pound bass pickups provide a sonically full voice with a “hold on to your hats” high-output punch. Each strike of the string provides a full low-end bite with plenty of sustain. They’ve provided their unique punch for bass players from Blink 182, Alien Ant Farm, Rise Against, Bad Religion and Smashing Pumpkins. Massive attitude from the Jazz bass pickup in the bridge together with fat full punchy P-bass tone.

Our Best-Selling Individual Pickups

1) The JB Model

The JB Model humbucker is our most popular pickup of all time. Blues, country, fusion, punk, hard rock, grunge, thrash; the JB has always sounded just right, even as new genres emerged around it. The low end is full and powerful, the highs are crisp and detailed and there’s an upper-midrange bump that adds crunch and chunk to heavy chords but translates to a singing, vocal-like quality when you play single notes or solos. Meanwhile the hot output pushes your amp just that little bit harder for more sustain and harmonics.

2) Hum Cancelling Woody

The Woody SC is a passive, magnetic soundhole pickup that delivers a bright, clear acoustic tone that is great for both energetic strumming, and delicate fingerstyle playing. The fact that it is a single coil means that you get more chime, and top-end brilliance. All of our Woody pickups are available in our custom maple, walnut or black stained housing, and are double potted to keep them resistant to feedback. It mounts instantly into your guitars’ soundhole, with no modification of any kind needed to your instrument and can easily be removed at a moment’s notice.

3) Quarter Pound for P-Bass

There’s a reason this is our most popular bass pickup: massive tone. The QP has a fat, punchy tone that pushes P-bass pickups past previous models with design and frequency improvements. The quarter-inch diameter pole pieces expand the magnetic field and extend the frequency ranges for a fat, full, punchy sound with tremendous mid-range presence and maximum output. Though often used for heavy rock tones, this pickup gives amazing tonal versatility, making it a favorite across the board in live and studio settings.

4) Hot Rails for Strat

End your quest for fire with the Hot Rails for Strat single coil sized humbuckers. The Hot Rails model uses a strong ceramic magnet and overwound coils to deliver big sounding, well balanced humbucker tones for rock and metal. Clean tones are fat and warm, and solos will have that thick, fluid feel. The dual blade construction gives you the ultimate string coverage, especially for notes that are bent on the highest frets.

5) SSL-5 Custom Staggered for Strat

David Gilmour needed a pumped-up sound for his famous Black Strat, so Seymour wound what became the Custom Staggered medium-output Stratocaster pickup. The Custom Staggered is a special overwound single-coil that strikes a great balance between increased output and classic Stratocaster tonal character. It will deliver bigger, fatter chords, and will cut through the mix more clearly than a traditional Strat pickup, all the while maintaining the magic and mojo that make a Strat sound like a Strat. Single notes are bold and loud, and solos truly sing.

BONUS: A Free Gift from Seymour Duncan

So you’ve figured out your pickups and have them in the cart – yes! Before you go, we’d love to give you or your loved ones a special free gift so they can install guitar or bass pickups themselves. Great tone AND a new hobby to throw themselves into? Sign us up!

We have built a Free Pickup Installation course that we invite you to join. All you have to do is click the button below, sign up and get started.

FREE GIFT!

The current world of guitar is a strange one indeed. The charts are dominated by synthesizers – even the rock charts – yet guitar is as popular as ever. Some might even say more popular. There are even more guitar heroes than ever before.

Don’t see them? You’re still looking for them on MTV, the radio, or on concert stages, aren’t you? Instead, take a look at YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. These platforms are perfect for delivering musical statements in the post-album era.

 

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Instagram Guitar

There are mind-blowing players from a slew of genres finding success online. Players as diverse as Mary Spender, Justin Johnson, Ola Englund, Laura Cox, Martin Miller, Brandon Acker, and Matthew Scott have built music empires.

But one style stands above the rest, even earning the nickname “Instagram Guitar.” That style is Neo-Soul.

The sound of Neo-Soul, a blend of jazz, funk, and R&B, is nothing new. You could argue players like George Benson, Curtis Mayfield, and Paul Jackson Jr. have played it since Charlie Christian funkified jazz guitar. It also often features programmed beats, synth pads, and ear-candy melodies. A few years ago, we would have called this smooth jazz, and hardcore jazzers would call it sellout pop. Just ask Benson.

But today, Neo-Soul reigns supreme.

Harnessing social media’s direct audience connection, Neo-Soul players like Mateus Asato, Melanie Faye, Arianna Powell, and Kerry “2 Smooth” Marshall have absolutely exploded. Their sultry melodies, addictive tones, and impressive techniques became a staple of the platforms. They’re also bridging the gap between the instrument and modern hip hop, pop, and electronic music.

The trend didn’t stop with the social media stars. A-list bands like Snarky Puppy, Vulfpeck, and The Funky Knuckles also incorporate the style while dominating YouTube guitar lists.

Why do players and non-players alike love Neo-Soul guitar so much? Probably because it effortlessly blends all of the best elements of our instrument into beautiful and impressive music.

The 5 Elements of Neo-Soul Guitar

• Gorgeous Guitar Tone
• Jazz Complexity
• R&B Groove
• Funky Fun
• Shred-like Technicality

Gorgeous Guitar Tone

No style or genre will ever succeed if it doesn’t sound good, right? Neo-Soul doesn’t have to worry about that. Somehow, darn near every Neo-Soul player worth their salt exudes addictive guitar tones.

Each player has their own take on the sound. Many lean on the classic Strat in-between setting, while others want the warmth and fullness of a humbucker-equipped hollow body. There really are no rules. That said, there are some commonly shared elements that Neo-Soul players embrace.

Clean Amp Tones

The first is a squeaky clean tone. That’s not surprising as the genre is a direct descendent of jazz, funk, and soul, all famous for their clean guitar. Many famous examples were recorded directly to the console with no amp or amp simulation; think Prince, Nile Rogers, and Cory Wong.

Getting this sound is relatively easy. Grab a guitar amplifier that delivers a clean tone you love. Plug in your favorite guitar and tweak the EQ for a warm sound with some top-end detail.

Reverb

As far as effects go, you really only need one; Reverb. It is especially important to social media-based solo guitarists. It fills out their tone while adding a touch of vintage vibe. You’ll find nearly every Neo-Soul player on YouTube with plenty on tap. From old-school springs to warm hall settings, it’s always giving them added character and space.

No matter your reverb flavor, if you’re after the solo, Neo-Soul thing, don’t be afraid to crank up the mix. You should be good as long as it doesn’t overtake the music itself.

Tech Tips:

Compression is another good effect to have on hand. It evens out a clean guitar tone’s extreme dynamics when used correctly. But be careful. Too much compression and you’ll squeeze the life out of your lines.

Jazz Complexity

While “Instagram Guitar’s” tones are a big reason for its popularity, it’s also harmonically complex. You’ll definitely need more than a familiarity with power chords to pull off. This is where jazz’s heavy influence makes its appearance.

Even in a 30-second clip, Neo-Soul guitarists often glide effortlessly through a deep catalog of chord inversions, melodies, and connecting lines, while mixing in various modes, scales, and chromaticism. They’re also often taking care of the melody, harmony, and bass lines all at once.

What separates Neo-Soul players from straight-ahead jazzers – we might piss off some jazz fans here – is that they do all of this while always keeping the music sexy as hell.

Speaking of which…

R&B Groove

Another part of Neo-Soul guitar’s appeal is its slinky, sexy grooves. While note choice gives it its elegance, the groove is what gives it its name. It’s also the driving force behind some of its trademark characteristics and techniques.

According to bass legend Larry Graham, he created his revolutionary slap bass technique out of necessity. He started slapping the strings with his thumb and popping the higher strings with his forefingers to mimic a drum groove when there wasn’t a drummer on the gig.

Neo-Soul guitar took the lesson to heart. No matter how complex the passage, they create ways to keep on the groove. Often utilizing bass-like slapping, their arrangements keep your butt moving as if listening to an entire band.

Funky Fun

On the other side of the Neo-Soul coin are the funk-infused players. While ascribing to all of the complexity and groove, they put a premium on bounce and energy. The tightly connected guitar community of Cory Wong, Mark Lettieri, Vulfpeck, and The Fearless Flyers are perfect examples.

While not dedicated Neo-Soul players, their funky, jazzy stylings share many influences with the genre, and it plays a massive role in their music. But instead of sultry, smooth R&B lines, it’s humor, joy, and the power of The-1 that pushes them forward.

Shred-like Technicality

Wait,…shred? Yes. Shred.

For any guitar style to catch on with other players, it needs to have an element of “look what I can do.” Prog Metal, another of social media’s massive guitar networks, is proof. If you’re a metalhead, you get it. But if you’re not, you can still appreciate the art form’s immense technical abilities and precision.

Neo-Soul has plenty of this flash, just in its own way. Executing its encyclopedia of chords can be challenging enough, but “Instagram Guitarists” combine them with lightning-fast runs and chordal flourishes. They cover bass lines, percussive rhythms, and melodies simultaneously. And they do it all with clean, unforgiving guitar tones.

The Future of Neo-Soul Guitar

True, social media is so full of Neo-Soul players that the style’s become synonymous with Instagram. Its overabundance is a lot like 1980s shred where everyone was trying to break the land speed record. But, like in the ’80s, you can not deny the immense talent these players possess.

Shred’s original heyday burned bright and fast. Yet, unlike its high-intensity tones and go-for-broke attitude, Neo-Soul is all about the vibe. Whether funky, sultry, or jazzy, “Instagram Guitar” its a joy to experience, and that keeps people coming back. So, while all styles eventually progress and evolve, here’s to Neo-Soul sticking around a while longer.

Let’s Talk Tone!

Do you have questions or comments? Don’t hesitate to reach out. You can email us here. And check out the rest of the Seymour Duncan blog to get deep on our products, artists, news, and new releases.

There really is only one guitar tone that defines hard rock. The sound straddles the line between bluesy clarity and cranked Marshall grind. It wrote the book on anthemic riffs, electrifying solos, and a no-nonsense attitude. And it’s the heart and soul of the Seymour Duncan High Voltage humbucker set.

Inspired by the tones roaring out of 1970s 4×12″ cabinets, High Voltage pickups definitely have a vintage appeal. But they’re not simply supped-up PAFs. Instead, these humbuckers are purpose-built to drive classic guitar amplifiers while offering stunning detail when cleaned up. Let’s put it this way; if there’s one Seymour Duncan pickup for those who prefer their volume knob to a pedal, the High Voltage would be it.

We think these humbuckers are the ultimate pickups for good old, a**-kickin’ rock ‘n’ roll. But until now, they’ve remained staples of the Seymour Duncan Custom Shop. Not anymore! Due to popular demand, we are happy to announce their inclusion in our standard product line.

So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look.

Table of Contents

• High Voltage Humbucker History
• How We Make Them
• What is the High Voltage Sound?
• Is the High Voltage Humbucker Set For You?
• What to ask yourself
• Covers & Wiring
• Winding It Up

High Voltage Humbucker History

Though old-school hard rock is a no-frills, all-attitude affair, its guitar tone is more nuanced than you’d think. It came around at the birth of higher-gain sounds. But it’s also a direct descendent of vintage blues honesty. How these two personalities jive is the core of the genre’s classic sound.

Because of this, pickups like the High Voltage have to hit amps hard with the correct frequencies while also sounding terrific clean. Or, to flip that around, they have to deliver detailed clarity and rock a Marshall stack without losing control of the low end. Walking that tightrope is no easy task, but we were confident we could do it.

As with most of our big undertakings, this one started in our Custom Shop. There, we analyzed the pickups and tones that invented hard rock. We determined what worked and what didn’t and discovered what was unique about pickups from that time.

Of course, the Seymour Duncan High Voltage humbucker set is the culmination of that process.

How We Make Them

In pickup winding, the devil is definitely in the details and techniques you use. But the materials are the most important consideration. So we power the High Voltage pickups with vintage-approved Alnico 2 magnets and wind them a bit hotter than traditional PAFs.

But we couldn’t stop there. All other things being equal, simply increasing a pickup’s output isn’t enough. It can darken the tone, diminish definition, and add unwanted compression. So we voiced the High Voltages in a way that mates their added power with vintage-like definition and touch response.

We also needed to achieve that even response with perfect balance across the neck and bridge pickups. That meant degaussing (lowering the magnetism) the bridge pickup’s magnet through a unique process. It would now make a carefully calibrated set when paired with the High Voltage neck pickup.

Neck

DC resistance of 7.7k

Magnet: Alnico 2

Cable: 4c Shielded

Type: Passive

Bridge

DC resistance of 8.79k

Magnet: Alnico 2

Cable: 4c Shielded

Type: Passive

What is the High Voltage Sound?

If you think of old-school, Gibson SG into a Marshall, hard rock guitar tone, that’s the High Voltage sound. But there’s a lot more to it. You see, their all-knobs-up flavor is only one side of their personality. The other is more subtle and every bit as addictive.

In the ’70s, most players got their gain from cranked-up, single-channel tube amps. Legendary overdrive and distortion pedals like the Ibanez Tube Screamer, DOD 250, Boss DS-1, and ProCo Rat were still in their infancy. Because of this, their clean tones came by way of lowering their guitar’s volume knob and giving their amp some room to breathe.

Players quickly realized that not every guitar pickup was good at this. Many would get dark and muddy sounding as the knob spun back. But the best pickups could retain their tone throughout the range. The High Voltage humbucker set is the latter.

Getting back to the question, “How does the High Voltage humbucker set sound?” When opened up, they’re cranked-tube-amp perfection. Cleaned up, they’re responsive, clear, warm, and detailed. In essence, they put you in control.

This leads us to the next question.

Is the High Voltage Humbucker Set For You?

First of all, yes, they are. In our opinion, every guitarist should have a guitar that can flat-out rock. But there is more to consider.

High Voltage pickups are versatile humbuckers that sound terrific for all types of guitar styles. They’re crafted to interact with your unique playing. And they respond to your pick attack, your guitar’s settings, your amp, and everything else between your fingers and your speaker.

So ask yourself:

• Do you play your amp as much as you play your guitar?
• Do effects pedals just get in the way?
• Do you wanna rock?!

If you said yes to any of the above, your High Voltage humbucker set is waiting.

Winding It Up

Back in the day, all you needed was a great guitar and a freaking loud amp. That combination inspired the High Voltage humbucking pickups. It also birthed the rock and metal we know today and stands as one of the most iconic tones. So get yourself a set of High Voltages, solder them in place, and rock hard! But remember to give your controls a twist. They may be all the tonal tools you need.

Want to know more about the Seymour Duncan High Voltage humbucker set? Then don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact us here. And check out the rest of the Seymour Duncan blog to get deep on our products, artists, news, and new releases.

To say our dealer network is important would be a massive understatement. We couldn’t do what we do without them. From one-on-one interactions to their excellent online content, they ensure you always have access to your favorite Seymour Duncan products. In honor of their hard work, we wanted to spotlight a few of our friends, starting with Warmoth.

Warmoth Guitar Products

It’s no secret that we love tone pioneers. We love the innovators of the different components that make up our guitars and basses. We love those who were there at the beginning, customizing instruments for the players who define generations. We love those who took their innovations and created the after-market guitar accessories industry. We love the ones who never sacrificed quality for quantity. And finally, we love the ones who still have the same family-first ethos that inspired them at the start.

Sounds like we’re describing Seymour Duncan, doesn’t it? We love Seymour, but we’re talking about Warmoth Guitar Products.

Warmoth’s History

The early history of Warmoth is detailed in the above video quite nicely. But it’s safe to say that they (then called Boogie Bodies) were all-in during the 1980s custom guitar craze. From personal project guitars to top-shelf Jacksons and Charvels, many of them sported this Pacific Northwest brand’s components.

Back then, if a guitar hero was playing an American-made super Strat, they were probably playing Boogie Bodies, AKA Warmoth.

Warmoth Today

While Warmoth no longer supplies other manufacturers, they still make some of the finest guitar components out there. They offer a variation of nearly every iconic guitar and bass body style. They have terrific semi-hollow designs as well as chambered options. Their necks come in many different profiles, scale lengths, fretwire options, and even truss rod designs (check out their super-stable modern construction option). And it’s all available, in stock, right from their website.

Don’t see exactly what you want in stock? Then spec out a fully customized build for yourself! And we’re not just talking different colors. You can choose from neck profiles and scale lengths, exotic wood tops, custom contours, and jaw-dropping finishes.

Hiding in Plain Sight

Given the vast options, incredible quality, and affordable price, many otherwise-vintage Strats and Teles regularly strut their stuff with a Warmoth neck secretly attached. There are even a lot of independent, boutique guitar builders still using Warmoth products as their building platform.

So why don’t you see more Warmoths out and about? It’s because Warmoth leaves the headstock logos to you. The company has licensing agreements with some of the most prominent players in the game, giving them exclusive rights to re-create the headstock shapes to perfection. In return, Warmoth agrees not to place their branding in a visible location. Trying to complete a ‘vintage illusion,’ many players even apply after-market logos or opt for something completely custom and unique.

With so many Warmoth necks and bodies hiding in plain sight, it’s created quite the rabbit trail for many Warmoth devotees. A quick internet search brings up a lot of questions like, “Is so and so’s guitar neck really from Warmoth? What about that certain famous guitar? Was that a Warmoth Body? Who does actually play a Warmoth?”

Technically, no one actually plays a Warmoth. They only craft individual guitar and bass bodies and necks, not complete instruments. They do, however, sell all of the hardware and accessories you’d need to complete a fully customized dream guitar of your own. While they don’t make these parts, they partner with some of the best manufacturers in the industry who do; companies like Seymour Duncan.

UnofficialWarmoth.com is littered with customers’ home-assembled instruments from Warmoth parts that give high-end manufacturers a run for their money.

Warmoth and Seymour Duncan

We’ve been great friends and partners with the Warmoth crew for a long time. We stand behind their commitment to offering excellent, US-made products and a fair price. And according to Warmoth Marketing Direction Aaron Cheney, the feeling is mutual.

“Other brands and independent winders have come on gone, but Duncan has always remained a constant here,” he said. “I think it’s for two reasons: 1) Duncan pickups sound great, and 2) they hit the cost/value point just right. You can certainly spend more, but in my opinion, those are still just lateral moves.”

Cheney knows what he’s talking about. His tone tests are a favorite on YouTube, pitting various electronic configurations, strings, and other construction variables against each other, searching for the sonic truth. What pickups does he use for these shootouts?

“I always use Duncan pickups,” he said. “When it comes to humbuckers, the Duncan JB/Jazz set is a gold standard. SSL-1s are kind of the same thing for single-coils. Everybody has heard them and is familiar with how they sound. That common touchpoint makes them perfect for shootout videos. And Duncan provides enough variety that there isn’t much reason to hunting elsewhere.”

Unsurprisingly, the JB/Jazz (we call it the Hot Rodded Humbucker set) and the SSL-1s (Vintage Staggered Strat) are Warmoth’s best sellers. But they offer a wide variety of our pickups. So whether you’re looking for a replacement humbucker or need single-coils for that custom T-style body they’re building for you, they have them.

Thank You, Warmoth!

Warmoth has a lot in common with Seymour Duncan, no question. They’re a family-first business that has stayed close to home while cranking out high-quality electric guitar and bass components. They’ve played a big part in shaping our industry. And though they’ve grown, they’re still committed to the same vision that launched their company.

We are grateful to Warmoth for their partnership and support throughout the years. Here’s to many more!

Let’s talk tone!

Do you have questions or comments? Don’t hesitate to reach out. You can email us here. And check out the rest of the Seymour Duncan blog to get deep on our products, artists, news, and new releases.

Learning how to use the Seymour Duncan PowerStage pedal amplifiers will help you get the most from your tone. With a few simple – and familiar – connections, these diminutive tone machines push out a ton of musical power while simplifying complicated setups. They are as useful for straight-in guitar players as pedalboard users and those married to their modelers.

In past blogs, we’ve covered how great these amps are for everything from backline issues and fly dates to dorm rooms and a coffeehouse gig. Now we’ll show you how to maximize your PowerStage rig. We’ll go from input to output and explain how to use each model for the best results in any musical situation. Let’s get started.

What We’ll Cover

• Connecting to the PowerStage Input
  • Using a dedicated preamp pedal
  • Integrating with your current pedalboard
  • Modeler-based rigs
• Connecting to the output
  • Powering an external speaker
  • DI out with cabinet simulation
  • DI out without cabinet simulation

Connecting to the PowerStage Input

PowerStage pedal amplifiers – made here in Santa Barbara, California – are highly tweakable power amplifiers. While they make for a great clean channel, they want to see a preamp or pedal before the input. These devices’ level and output impedance let PowerStage work its magic without any…well…impedance.

“But it has an EQ. Doesn’t that mean it has its own preamp?”

Yes and no. PowerStage’s intuitive 3-band analog EQ is more like one you’d find on a mixing console rather than on a guitar amplifier. This makes it perfect for tuning your PowerStage to different cabinets, monitors, etc. But your actual tone-shaping should be done with whatever you put in front.

So what do you put in front? Here are three great options.

• A dedicated preamp pedal
• The pedalboard you already have
• A digital modeler

A Dedicated Preamp Pedal

For players who prefer a streamlined rig, we recommend using a dedicated guitar preamp pedal to give PowerStage its personality. Not only are preamp pedals lifesavers in a ton of situations, but there are some fabulous tube-based designs. Many even re-create history’s most famous amplifier tones.

Preamp pedals also deliver optimal impedance and output levels to match your PowerStage’s input. And, thanks to that input’s high-headroom, it delivers your preamp’s tone in extreme detail, whether or not you pile on the gain.

Do you lean clean? Swap the preamp pedal for a decent guitar EQ for a clean, warm sound with the flatter tonal response jazzers love.

Integrating with Your Current Pedalboard

Another option is to connect your PowerStage to the pedalboard you’re already using. While non-preamp guitar pedals don’t give you the same tonal control, they still juice your signal and give PowerStage all it needs to get the job done.

No need to worry about placing time-based effects in an effects loop. PowerStage amps don’t even have them. Instead, their input’s headroom and transparent character let those pedals shine in all their glory.

Hookup is just as simple as with a preamp pedal. You simply run out of the last pedal in your effects chain and go directly into PowerStage’s input. PowerStage 170 and 200 are even designed to fit right on the board with their big master volume knob giving your feet on-the-fly level control.

Tech Tips:

For maximum clarity, we do recommend placing your time-based effects pedals between your tone-shaping devices – like distortion boxes, compressors, and your favorite overdrives – and the PowerStage input. But there are no rules. Go nuts!

Modeler-based Rigs

There’s no question, digital amp modeling devices are here to stay. They’ve proven their sound quality, their unparalleled convenience, and who wouldn’t want a ton of top-shelf amps at their fingertips? However, if modelers have one drawback, it’s trying to amplify them.

Many players have relied on stage monitors to hear their tones until now.

There go the tonal benefits.

Or they integrate larger power amps (often tube) into the rig to power a live cab.

There goes the convenience factor of a lightweight rig.

PowerStage is the perfect complement for digital modeling devices and the solution to this onstage conundrum. It’s both incredibly convenient (portable), and it’s specifically tuned to sound and react with the organic feel of a great tube amp. But does it actually sound that much better? Why don’t you ask Periphery’s Mark Holcomb?

Again, hookup is simple. Run a cable from your modeler right into the input of your PowerStage. Now dial the 3-band EQ to complement your speaker cabinet. That’s it. No complicated adapters, no USB and firmware updates. Done.

Tech Tips:

Because PowerStage is voiced like a guitar power section, you may want to remove the digital power amp simulation from your modeled tones for optimum results.

Connecting to the Output

The PowerStage fun really ramps up when you look at the output section. And each model offers different configurations making it easy to find the perfect PowerStage for your application, like…

Powering a Speaker Cabinet

You’ve made a great choice if you’re using PowerStage to push air the old-fashioned way. On top of delivering plenty of power and higher volumes, PowerStage works flawlessly with any standard guitar speaker cabinet.

Most guitar amplifiers run best at a precise impedance. While they’ll still do work with cabs at different ohm ratings, you’ll sacrifice power, clarity, and headroom. PowerStage, however, offers internal impedance matching. That means you can run out of its speaker outputs to any guitar speaker cabinet or any combination (combined rating must be between 4 and 16 ohms) while still enjoying optimal performance.

DI Out with Cabinet Simulation (PowerStage 200 & 700)

Do you play on silent stages or need a quick way to send your tone to front-of-house? Then grab a PowerStage 200 or 700 and engage the switchable speaker simulation. With the push of a button, you imbue the amp’s DI XLR output with the sound of a well-miked 4×12 speaker cabinet. This is great for direct recording, quick onstage setup, and when you want a cranked amp tone without the accompanying volume.

PowerStage 200

• Single XLR output
• Selectable, independent Cab Sim and EQ buttons add or remove the features from the DI and headphone output signals.
  • On: Direct recording and live performance
  • Off: Use with impulse responses (IRs) or for reamping (see next section)

Buy PowerStage 200 Now

PowerStage 700

• Dual, independent XLR outputs
• Each features its own bypassable cabinet simulation
• Ideal for sending different signals to two different destinations
  • On: Direct recording and live performance
  • Off: Use with outbound impulse responses (IRs) or for reamping (see next section)

Buy PowerStage 700 Now

DI without Cabinet Simulation

Sometimes, an unaffected DI is the way to go. It keeps your rig’s tone and dynamics while letting you mix and match various IRs or physical cabinets on your computer or IR loader.

PowerStage 200 and 700 have you covered here as well. By disengaging the Cab Sim buttons, the XLR outputs ditch the power section and translate your front-end tone as it is. Now your favorite piece of stage gear is also your studio go-to.

More Than Meets the Eye

As you can see, PowerStage is far from a simple series of tiny amps. Their convenient dimensions and weight are only one part of the story. We’ve crammed these little powerhouses with a truckload of connectivity and player-friend features.

So, whether you’re an analog or modeling purist, if you want a streamlined rig for performance, an effortless miking solution, or a powerful studio pal, Seymour Duncan’s PowerStage pedal amps are the way to go.

Though, we might be a bit biased.

Let’s Talk Tone

Remember to sign up for Seymour Duncan’s free Pickup Installation 101 online course for more in-depth information, tips, and tricks.

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Any other product questions, comments or feedback? Let us know!

Legendary guitar tones often come by breaking the rules. A perfect example was when a 1960s guitarist – with an incorrectly installed magnet in the neck humbucker – stumbled upon a genre-changing, hollow, mid-forward sound. That sound is still iconic, and we captured it in the Seymour Duncan Green Magic humbucking pickup set.

At their core, Green Magic pickups are vintage PAF replicas. Not just any PAFs, they’re crafted around some of the best-sounding examples in history. That alone is worth the price of admission. But it’s their hidden in-between sounds that give them the name “Magic.”

Here, we’ll investigate the Green Magic pickups. We’ll discover the secret of their signature sound and why they may be the perfect humbucker set for you. So grab your guitar, put your pickup selector in the middle, crank up your amp, and let’s get into it.

Tech Tips

The Green Magic set works best in dual humbucking guitars with independent volume controls for each pickup.

Table of Contents

• The History Of The Green Magic Humbucker Set
• How We Make The Pickups
• What Does The Green Magic Set Sound Like?
• Premium PAF tone
• Out-of-phase fun
• Who Is The Green Magic Humbucker Set For?
• The blues rock purist
• The sonic adventurer
• Customizable Options
• How To Get The Out-Of-Phase Tone
• Winding It Up

The History Of The Green Magic Humbucker Set

Players go to great lengths to get the out-of-phase humbucker sound. Many modify their existing pickups or try complicated switching and wiring. But to truly nail the essence of the original tones, you have to get the pickups right to begin with.

To do that, we turned to one of the most respected names in pickup winding, the Tone Queen herself, Maricela “MJ” Juarez. When any of our top-tier artists want something specific, they go to MJ. When players need the most tonally accurate PAF-style humbuckers, they go to MJ. She was the one for the job.

Originally, MJ hand-wound the Green Magics in the Seymour Duncan Custom Shop. But today, we’re proud to say the humbucker set is available as part of our comprehensive product line. And each one still carries MJ’s magic formula.

How We Make The Pickups

While the formula is magic, Green Magics’ construction is surprisingly straightforward. Their PAF origin means low output, sweet-sounding Alnico 2 magnets, etc. It’s how we install the magnets that make the difference.

Flipping over the neck pickup’s magnet and turning it 180°, the neck pickup becomes out of phase with the bridge pickup, hence the tone’s name. This doesn’t affect the tone when using the pickups individually. But you know what happens, of course, when you run them together.

What Does The Green Magic Set Sound Like?

Throw on any ’60s blues rock playlist, and the Green Magic tone is sure to pop up within a few songs. Its honking midrange is as recognizable as any tone before or since. The reason comes down to two distinct elements.

Premium PAF tone

Green Magics are outstanding PAF-style pickups, even without their “magic” sound. But achieving that is not as easy as you might think. Vintage PAFs are notoriously different from one example to another. So we crafted ours around one of the most respected pairs in rock ‘n’ roll history.

Because of this, both the Green Magic neck and bridge sing with addicting chime, clarity, and warmth. Many players call old PAFs “Tele pickups on steroids.” These humbuckers demonstrate why that is.

Out-of-phase fun

The neck humbucker is the secret to the set’s in-between tonality. With the twist of its magnet, the pickups become out of phase. This phase relationship cancels specific frequencies resulting in that nasally (in a good way) honking midrange. It also makes your guitar volume controls highly interactive. You’re left with a tone that cuts through a mix with precision while always remaining full.

Who Is The Green Magic Humbucker Set For?

The Green Magic set does the Green Magic thing. It doesn’t claim to be all things to all players. It is what it is. But that ‘thing’ is one of the most sought-after tones in history, and it’s far more flexible than you might imagine. Therefore, we can think of two guitarist camps that will love them.

The blues rock purist

If you want the most authentic version of this revolutionary guitar tone, the Green Magics are what you’ve been waiting for. From their individual winds to how they interact, we don’t think there’s a better, more accurate option on the market.

The sonic adventurer

These pickups will also expand your tonal palette. Their mid-forward character projects through overdrives, fuzzes, and time-based effects. And they do it much better than standard humbuckers.

Buy Now

Customizable Options

We crafted the Green Magics around a specific vibe. From their standard nickel covers to their classic construction, their looks and voice nail the ’60s style. Though the voicing is classic ‘60s, the Green Magics come with our standard short mounting legs, and 4 conductor lead wire for more sophisticated wiring schemes. Green Magics are also available in various cover options to suit your instrument and style. So if you prefer your pickups uncovered, or in gold, we have you covered.

No pun intended.

Tech Tips

Check out our Wiring Diagram Library for a ton of 4-conductor wiring possibilities.

How To Get The Out-Of-Phase Tone

Ok, you got yourself a set of Green Magics. Congrats! Now let’s dig into how to get that tone.

First of all, you’ll want to install them in a dual humbucking guitar with independent volume controls. With this guitar style, getting the sound is as simple as selecting the middle toggle setting and engaging both humbuckers.

Now, you’ll want to dial the sound to your preferences. For example, you’ll hear little effect with both volume controls on full. It’s when you roll the neck pickup back that the fun begins. Start experimenting with different settings on each pickup. You’ll find that even minor adjustments offer massive tonal benefits.

Winding It Up

Modern guitarists often come in two categories; the traditionalists and the boundary-pushers. And yes, the Green Magic humbuckers are made for the former. But they also make killer platforms for the latter. So if you live for your vintage Les Paul or strive for something your own, flip these pickups into the middle position and have fun.

Want to know even more about the Seymour Duncan Green Magic humbucker set? Then don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact us here. And check out the rest of the Seymour Duncan blog to get deep on our products, artists, news, and new releases.

Let’s Talk Tone

Remember to sign up for Seymour Duncan’s free Pickup Installation 101 online course for more in-depth information, tips, and tricks.

SIGN ME UP!

Any other product questions, comments or feedback? Let us know!

Guitar tone was in the middle of a massive shift throughout the 1970s. Especially the late ‘70s. With the advent of hard rock and metal, players were pushing their amps harder than ever before. They wanted more distortion, more harmonics, longer sustain, and electrifying touch response.

It wasn’t long before they needed new pickups to achieve these tones. The humbuckers of the ‘50s and ‘60s just didn’t have the power or the precision the tones demanded. Luckily Seymour was there guiding the whole revolution. And the ‘78 Model humbucker was a huge part of it.

Table of Contents

• The birth of the ‘78 Model humbucker
• What does the ‘78 Model sound like?
• How the ‘78 Model is made
• Why choose the ‘78 Model humbucker?
  • You want vintage tone with more power
  • You want more clarity out of your high-output guitar
• Who’s the ‘78 Model for?
• Finding the ‘78’s perfect pickup pairing
  • None at all
  • ‘78 Model
• ‘78 Model options
• Winding it up

The Birth of the ‘78 Model humbucker

It was during that time that Seymour was asked to rewind a particular Gibson PAF. He was given specific instructions to make it “…more sensitive to natural and unnatural harmonics.” Thanks to his detailed notes of that rewind, we’ve re-created that rewound pickup down to the last wrap of wire. We call it the Seymour Duncan ‘78 Model Humbucker.

Previously, the ‘78 has only been available made to order, one pickup at a time, for our Custom Shop customers. But we’re proud to announce its inclusion as a regular inventory Seymour Duncan model. Finally, the legendary, early-high gain tones we all chase are easy to achieve without the long lead time.

What does the ‘78 Model sound like?

Seems like a lot of hype, doesn’t it? Well, the ‘78 humbucker deserves it. You see, the ‘78 starts from the already classic PAF-style platform. This gives it the detail, clarity, and warmth you’d expect. But, in order to meet the demands of the day, Seymour knew this design needed more than a stronger magnet. It had to be special.

He couldn’t just crank the pickup’s output. That would’ve left him with a darker tone and flabby bass response when driving 1970s tube amps into saturation. Plus, he saw that humbucker-equipped electric guitars were changing. Instead of thick mahogany bodies and set necks, the Super Strat was on the rise.

If the ‘78 humbucker was going to succeed, it had to take all of these variables into account. Seymour’s answer was to give the pickup some extra magic in very specific frequencies. By voicing it just right, the ‘78 would offer thick overdrive, crystal-clear top end, and focused lows that still have plenty of warmth.

How the ‘78 Model is made

There’s a lot about the original ‘78 model that Seymour keeps under wraps. But here are a few details explaining how the pickup delivers the goods.

For starters, the ‘78 Model humbucker features an extremely special coil wind. Using 42-gauge plain enamel wire, this wind achieves a very strict output tolerance. When combined with the pickup’s hand-calibrated Alnico 2 magnet, it is the key to the ‘78’s iconic character. And it all stays squeal free thanks to being wax potted.

Seymour’s original rewind was done on a vintage PAF with long mounting legs and single conductor wiring. We chose to make the ‘78 with our standard short mounting legs and 4 conductor lead wire so that it will fit in a widest variety of pickup routs, and allow the greatest number of wiring options, including coil splits, out-of-phase, or series/parallel schemes.

Why choose the ‘78 Model humbucker?

We get it. Seymour Duncan offers a lot of great P.A.F.-on-steroids humbucking pickup options. So why would you go with the ‘78 Model?

The obvious answer is, if you’re playing a Super Strat-style guitar into a cranked Marshall stack. It’s the sound thousands of tone chasers dream of. But there are a couple of other pragmatic reasons to consider the ‘78.

You want vintage tone with more power

If you have a dual-humbucker guitar and lean hard into the P.A.F. thing, you’re in great company. But you might find yourself switching to the bridge position and wishing for a bit more punch. The ‘78 is perfect for this situation. With its thick harmonics and slightly increased output, it’ll balance great with your neck humbucker, kick your amp where it likes it, and still exude that gorgeous vintage vibe.

You want more clarity out of your high-output guitar

On the other side of the equation are high-gain players wanting more detail and touch response. Many more-powerful pickups struggle to deliver here. But the ‘78 adds an elegant streak to its distortion-loving attitude, giving your jackhammer style a touch of class.

Who’s the ‘78 Model for?

Despite what the forums say, there are no rules when it comes to your electric guitar tone. So it’s kind of weird explaining who should and shouldn’t try the ‘78. But it was designed for a certain sound. So…

• If you want a pickup that lives for natural-sounding distortion while never losing definition, the ‘78’s for you.
• If you prefer the classic tones of tube amp overdrive and early hard rock, the ‘78 is for you.
• If you are a single-pickup, single-volume knob sorta player, the ‘78’s for you.

The ‘78’s perfect pickup pairing

Let’s go through some of the most perfect pickup pairing options for the ‘78.

None at all

That’s right! So many of the Super Strat guitars of the late 1970s and 1980s were stripped down hotrods with no more than was absolutely necessary to rock. That meant one bridge pickup, one volume knob, a Floyd Rose tremolo, and that’s it.

For a humbucker to work like this, it needs to sound great, be extremely responsive to pick attack and volume knob fluxuations, and be balance cut and exhibit warmth with the best of them. We basically just described the ‘78.

‘78 Model

The original ‘78 wind was designed for the bridge position. Years ago, due to customer demand, Seymour developed a neck model that shares the same clarity, harmonic complexity, and dynamic content of the classic bridge wind, with an appropriate output for the neck position.

Whether clean or crunchy, the ‘78 neck is a perfect tonal compliment to its legendary bridge counterpart.

‘78 Model options

As we alluded to earlier, the Seymour Duncan ‘78 Model humbucker is a no-nonsense design that feels right at home uncovered in the bridge position. But today’s players demand more. The ‘78 is happy to accommodate.

The ‘78 Models are sold in prepackaged sets in standard spacing with black bobbins.

Are you looking for zebra-style bobbin colors? No problem. Do you prefer the high-class personality of gold pickup covers? Done. Just order individual neck and bridge models in the other color options. You can even get the ‘78 in Trembucker spacing to better line up the poles under your vintage strat, or Floyd Rose tremolo bridge equipped guitar.

Tech Tips

Check out our Wiring Diagram library for a ton of 4-conductor wiring possibilities.

Winding it Up

Like the Pearly Gates, Saturday Night Specials, and Whole ‘Lotta Humbucker, we voiced the ‘78 Model to capture a particular tone. And the ‘78’s is one of the most chased tones in electric guitar history. So we’re pretty excited about adding it to our production line up.

Want to know even more about the Seymour Duncan ‘78 Model humbucker? Then don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact us here. And check out the rest of the Seymour Duncan blog to get deep on our products, artists, news, and new releases.
 

Let’s Talk Tone

Remember to sign up for Seymour Duncan’s free Pickup Installation 101 online course for more in-depth information, tips, and tricks.

SIGN ME UP!

Any other product questions, comments or feedback? Let us know!

We’re fortunate to be able to say we’ve built quite a few pickups since moving into our first 12x15ft. warehouse in Santa Barbara in the 1970s.

It’s our pleasure to help generations of guitar heroes achieve their sound in rock, blues, jazz, punk, prog, psychedelic and country music, plus all the subgenres—math rock, metalcore, fusion, bluegrass—the list goes on and on.

The sound of the electric guitar continues to evolve as new sounds emerge with innovations in playing technique and guitar technology. But one thing remains consistent—the greatest artists of all time get their sound with Seymour Duncan pickups in their instruments. Artists count on us to deliver great tone for electric, acoustic and bass guitars when it matters the most, whether that’s at home, in the studio, filming a TikTok, or playing live to a packed house on the world’s biggest stages. And here are the pickups you’ve selected more than any other.

Read on to get the scoop on Seymour Duncan’s best-selling pickups over the last five years.

JB Model Humbucker

More than any other pickup, players turn to our JB Model humbucker to push their tone over the edge. The JB Model generates the perfect balance of clarity and crunch with just enough output to make your amplifier sing. For nearly four decades and running, the JB Model has powered some of the most electrifying guitarists in country, fusion, punk, hard rock, thrash metal, grunge and the blues with its upper midrange presence and articulate high end.

With modest-to-high gain, the JB Model lends single notes an expressive vocal quality. Even with distortion, complex chords ring true with a powerful low end and crunchy midrange—perfect for chunky rhythm playing. With a winding that lands in most amplifiers’ sweet spot between dirty and clean, the JB Model cleans up beautifully for jazz chord melodies or, with the twist of a volume knob, pushes preamp tubes into overdrive.

In a warm-sounding guitar, installing the JB Model with a 500k pot can refine your instrument’s voice with the clarity, punch and harmonic edge it needs to sound its best. With a 250k pot, the treble frequencies are subdued to better pair with brighter guitars, particularly those with maple fretboards or 25.5” scale lengths.

No matter where you install it, the JB Model’s Alnico 5 magnet and 4-conductor lead wire make it easy to dial in a versatile set of sounds with optional series, parallel or split coil wiring. There’s a reason the JB Model is the ultimate hot-rodded humbucker—no matter the sound or style, it just works.

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Woody Acoustic Guitar Soundhole Pickup

No mic? No problem. Our Woody Acoustic Guitar Soundhole Pickups—available in both single-coil and hum-canceling configurations—turn your acoustic guitar into an acoustic/electric without performing any modifications to your treasured instrument whatsoever. And don’t worry about the instrument cable—it’s included. Woody pickups come with a 14-foot studio-quality cable so you can connect to an amplifier, direct box, powered PA mixer, audio interface or console for recording and live performance.

Being passive pickups, the Woodys are good to go right out of the box without needing an external preamp, power supply or batteries. Just attach it to your acoustic guitar’s soundhole, plug and play. The Woody is a magnetic pickup, though, so it does not work with nylon-string guitars, just FYI.

The single-coil Woody brightens darker sounding instruments with a brilliant, chiming tone that’s perfect for high-energy strumming, but without boxiness in the midrange or a boomy, overpowering low end. And on brighter guitars, it lends a sparkling, crystalline quality to delicate fingerstyle passages and other intricate playing techniques.

If you like the sound of your guitar just fine, the hum-canceling Woody preserves your tone in all its richness and warmth with a slightly hotter and more compressed output than the single-coil version—all the volume and clarity you need to sound your best for solo or ensemble playing in any genre.

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Quarter Pound P-Bass Pickup

P-Basses are beloved for their round low-end thump, but have you ever tried to make one growl? Not so easy. Our best selling bass pickup, the Quarter Pound P-Bass 4-String pushes passive bass sounds into the future with its fat, full and punchy flavor. It starts with quarter-inch pole pieces to expand the pickup’s magnetic field and extend your instrument’s frequency response with an aggressive midrange ideal for heavy rock styles and hard-hitting pick-driven playing.

From there, the hefty bass response enhances fundamental frequencies for massive subharmonic lows—ideal for downtuning—and the clear top end preserves upper harmonic information that’s a must-have for playing distorted modern rock basslines with the proper amount of attitude. It also helps cut through a mix with heavy double-tracked guitars.

And you don’t have to hack up your instrument to have a cutting-edge sound—the Quarter Pound is a drop-in replacement for any American Standard Precision Bass that introduces new tonal possibilities while retaining that classic P-Bass vibe.

While heavy rock is its bread and butter, the Quarter Pound’s full output is versatile enough for nearly any style of music. Try rolling back your instrument’s tone control to dial in classic rock, soul and r&b sounds with plenty of character. Bassists who rock a low B can get down on the Quarter Pound, too, as it also comes in a 5-string configuration.

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Jazz Model Humbucker

An all-time neck position favorite, the Jazz Model humbucker soars above the rest with articulate, glassy highs to highlight the details of your playing—every note of each sweep arpeggio, two-handed tapping run and hybrid picking lick, even under searing high gain, will sing clearly with shimmering treble, tight bass and scooped midrange.

But there’s more to this versatile pickup than only high-gain shredding. In either the bridge or neck position, clean rhythm playing sits perfectly in a full band mix with a bright, clear tone that doesn’t conflict with vocalists, keyboardists, horns or other stringed instruments. In dark sounding guitars, like those built of mahogany and rosewood sometimes are, the Jazz Model can pull a flabby low end into focus and reduce muddy midrange frequencies.

So, it’s no surprise that the Jazz Model is one of our most popular neck pickups to pair with a more mid-forward bridge pickup, like the JB Model, for a crunchy hard rock rhythm sound in the bridge and liquid smooth lead tones in the neck position. And when you blend the two, the tonal possibilities are nearly limitless.

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Custom Staggered Strat

If you need a bold sound that’s all Strat and more, these pickups are staggeringly well-suited for big, ringing chords and single notes that whine, cry, wail, scream and ring clear as a bell—without sacrificing the slinky sound and feel that makes a Strat a Strat.

Seymour Duncan wound the first Custom Staggered Strat pickup for David Gilmour’s iconic Black Stratocaster. Gilmour wanted a bigger, fatter sound in the bridge position to better cut through the mix for an upcoming tour.

On February 7, 1980 the Custom Staggered Strat pickup made its live debut alongside Pink Floyd’s ambitious rock opera, The Wall, in a run of shows that drew over 125,000 progressive rock fans to the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, eager to experience the new album in the flesh.

But you don’t have to be a guitar legend to achieve legendary tone. With their medium-output winding, Custom Staggered Strat pickups strike a balance between classic and contemporary, with enough gain to make your amplifier take notice without strangling the Strattiness from your sound. And if you’re on the run for classic single-coil sounds without 60-cycle hum, the Custom Staggered Strat pickups come in an RWRP option for noise-free playing in positions 2 and 4 on your Stratocaster’s 5-way switch.

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Hot Rails Strat

Hang ten on the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (plus every metal genre that’s come crashing down since)—and crank the volume up to 11—with a Hot Rails pickup in the bridge position of your Stratocaster. With its hi-output ceramic magnets, the Hot Rails slams the hammer with crunchy midrange harmonics that inject your riffs with searing heavy metal thunder. And the dual-blade design guarantees even output across the fretboard—a must have when bending sustained notes in the upper register.

Plugged into an overdriven rig, the overwound coils pummel the front end of your amplifier with big, saturated rock and/or metal tone so every gallop, chug, palm mute, pinch harmonic and breakdown comes through with clarity and punch. But there’s also an epic number of clean sounds to discover. Being high-output humbuckers, the Hot Rails Strat pickups provide a more compressed tone than standard single-coil pickups. This makes them ideal for fingerstyle playing, two-handed tapping, hybrid picking and other techniques where a punchy clean tone with string-to-string balance really matters.

So, when you’re sick and tired of the same old Strat, consider hot rodding it with our Hot Rails Strat pickups.

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Vintage Staggered Strat

Install Vintage Staggered Strat pickups in your reissue, partscaster or any guitar routed for single coils and you’ll swear it’s 1950 again. Or sounds like it, anyway.

Down to the specially wound heavy Formvar mag wire, Vintage Staggered Strat pickups are faithful to the original 1950s specs—so you can dial in an authentic, bell-like, chiming tone equal to the very best vintage Strat pickups. And we build every set just like Fender did in their Golden Age: by hand.

The flatwork, filing and assembly is done by an experienced pickup builder who’s also checking for the right color and thickness of Forbon flatwork and period correct magnet stagger to recreate the springly, sparkling sounds of r&b and the dawn of rock and roll. Single notes sing sweetly with overdrive and chords are lush, with crystalline note-to-note separation.

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Let’s Talk Tone

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