Seymour Duncan AHB-1s Blackouts, 8-String, Set Pickup

The Seymour Duncan AHB-1s Blackouts deliver articulate, controlled aggression across extended-range instruments with minimal noise floor and transparent gain staging. These active 8-string pickups are engineered for players who demand clarity in drop-tuned applications without sacrificing dynamic response or headroom. The set provides matched neck and bridge voicings optimized for modern metal and progressive applications.

Electronics & Noise Performance

Built on a 9V active topology with a differential preamp design, these pickups achieve exceptional noise rejection—measuring -97dBV (neck) and -96dBV (bridge)—ensuring clean signal transmission even at high gain settings. The 0.65V RMS average output and 2.60V RMS peak output provide substantial headroom while maintaining tight articulation, with preamp distortion holding to 0.003% THD @ 1V.

Frequency Response & Installation

The neck pickup centers at 700Hz resonance while the bridge sits at 650Hz, delivering distinct tonal characters across the range without muddiness. Direct retrofit design for 8-string electrics includes 25K pots, stereo jack, battery clip, and mounting hardware; the integrated battery lasts approximately 1420 hours of typical use, with low current draw of 350 micro-amperes.

Key Features

• 9V active pickup configuration with balanced differential preamp
• Neck resonance: 700Hz; Bridge resonance: 650Hz
• Average output voltage: 0.65V RMS; Maximum output: 2.60V RMS
• Noise floor: -97dBV (neck), -96dBV (bridge)
• Preamp gain: 16dB (neck), 18dB (bridge)
• Preamp THD @ 1V: 0.003%
• Output impedance: 1K Ohm
• Current consumption: 350 micro-amperes
• Battery life: Approximately 1420 hours
• Includes 25K pots, stereo jack, battery clip, and mounting hardware
• Direct retrofit for 8-string electric guitars

The AHB-1s Blackouts combine low-noise electronics with predictable output staging, making them a dependable foundation for extended-range instruments in high-gain contexts.