Seymour Duncan SH-16 59/Custom Hybrid, Reverse Zebra Pickup

Seymour Duncan SH-16 '59/Custom Hybrid, Reverse Zebra Pickup

The SH-16 '59/Custom Hybrid delivers articulate, dynamic response across the full tonal spectrum—a pickup engineered for players who refuse to compromise between vintage warmth and modern clarity. Its mismatched-coil design pairs the classic character of a '59 screw coil with the aggressive bite of a Custom slug coil, creating balanced output that excels equally in clean passages and high-gain territory. Hand-built in Santa Barbara, this pickup performs with consistent reliability and refined tonal coherence.

Tone & Output Character

The medium-output design centers around a 5.95 kHz resonant peak that emphasizes clarity and articulation without sacrificing natural breakup and sustain. An Alnico 5 bar magnet provides strong magnetic pull and definition, while the 11.5k Ω DC resistance sits in the sweet spot for balanced frequency response—responsive enough for nuanced playing yet powerful enough for driven applications.

Construction & Wiring Flexibility

Hand-built construction ensures consistent quality and performance, while vacuum wax potting eliminates microphonic feedback for clean, noise-free operation. The 4-conductor lead wire opens multiple wiring configurations—series, parallel, and split-coil options—making custom switching schemes straightforward. A nickel silver short-leg bottom plate contributes to refined tonal response and structural integrity.

Key Features

• Hand-built in Santa Barbara, CA
• Medium-output level for versatile playing styles
• Mismatched coils—'59 screw coil paired with Custom slug coil
• Alnico 5 bar magnet for strong magnetic response
• 4-conductor lead wire for flexible wiring options
• DC Resistance: 11.5k Ω
• Resonant Peak: 5.95 kHz
• Vacuum wax potted for microphonic feedback elimination
• Nickel silver short-leg bottom plate
• Available in Standard humbucker or Trembucker spacing

The SH-16 excels in studio work, live performance, and recording—any setting where articulation and balanced tonal response matter.