Pickup Speed Date

Tag: Seymour Duncan

  • Seymour Duncan SM-2 Pickup Review

    The Seymour Duncan SM-2 is a mini-humbucker designed for players who want a punchier, more aggressive sound from a compact pickup. It’s part of the SM series—well-suited for guitars like Gibson Firebirds, Les Paul Deluxes, and others that use mini-humbucker routes.

    The SM-2, also known as the Custom Mini Humbucker, is the hottest model in the lineup. It was developed for players looking to push amps harder, with more output and edge than vintage-style pickups typically offer. Thanks to its ceramic magnet and high DCR, the SM-2 stands apart from lower-output mini-humbuckers, offering a tone profile that works well for modern rock, blues, and even funk or pop settings.

    My Personal Thoughts About the Seymour Duncan SM-2

    This is easily one of my favorite pickups of all time—and that’s saying something.

    One of the most interesting things about the SM-2 is how well the bridge and neck models complement each other. I almost never use the same model pickup in both positions. Usually, I want my bridge pickup to be hot and mid-focused, and my neck pickup to be gentler, with more brightness and scooped mids. The SM-2 is one of the rare exceptions where I get the exact combination that I need.

    The bridge version clocks in at over 16K Ohms, and it’s got more than enough punch to stand up to any full-size humbucker. You could use this for hard rock with no problem. The blade-style design ensures that drop-outs aren’t an issue, and I’ve noticed that sustain is really impressive—there’s a kind of “anchor” quality to the tone that stays rock-solid even when you’re pushing a clean amp into overdrive.

    The neck model? Totally different feel. It sits at a pretty tame 8K Ohms and has this bouncy, elastic character that’s somewhere between a low-output humbucker and a slightly dark single coil. It’s snappy, tight on the low end, and very responsive. When you roll the volume down with a treble bleed mod, the tone sparkles in a way that reminds me of a great single coil. I could play clean soul, Motown, or indie-pop all day with this neck pickup—it’s just that expressive.

    There’s also a kind of natural compression to both pickups. It’s subtle—you don’t lose any dynamics—but there’s a smoothness to how they respond, especially with fingerpicking or soft attack.

    Another standout feature is how well both pickups split. The bridge in split mode gives you that tight, funky quack that’s right at home in a JB-style groove or even country twang territory. The neck in split mode gets jangly and open, almost Rickenbacker-bright. Both pickups played in parallel produce an amazing clean tone—perfect for punchy Motown or bright ‘60s rhythm parts.

    Overall, this is a phenomenally versatile pickup set. I’ve used it for blues, pop, classic rock, and hard rock—and I wouldn’t hesitate to take it into a session for anything from clean jazz fusion to crunchy power pop. If you’re looking for a mini-humbucker that doesn’t box you into a single style, the SM-2 is a serious contender.

    Summary

    The Seymour Duncan SM-2 is a mini-humbucker that punches far above its weight. With ceramic magnets, blade pole pieces, and a high-output voice, the bridge model delivers authority and sustain that rivals full-sized humbuckers. Meanwhile, the neck model offers clarity and dynamics that make it an ideal companion—especially when split or used with a treble bleed circuit. Whether you play clean, dirty, or somewhere in between, this is one of the most versatile and musically satisfying pickups I’ve ever used. A standout in the Seymour Duncan lineup.

    Technical Details

    Model: SM-2 Custom Mini Humbucker
    Type: Mini-Humbucker
    Magnet: Ceramic
    DC Resistance: 16.7K (bridge), 8.5K (neck)
    Wiring: Four-conductor
    Potting: Wax potted
    Retail Price: $119
    Street Price: As low as $85 on Reverb or eBay
    Product URL: https://www.seymourduncan.com/single-product/custom-mini-humbucker

  • Seymour Duncan Slash APH-2 Pickup Review

    The Seymour Duncan Slash APH-2 is an electric guitar pickup designed in direct collaboration with Slash himself. It’s a set of Alnico II humbuckers meant to replicate the exact tone of his legendary ’86 Derrig Les Paul — the one that drove Appetite for Destruction into the rock pantheon.

    What’s immediately worth noting is the absence of four-conductor wiring. You don’t get coil-splitting flexibility here. Instead, the APH-2s double down on tone purity, old-school style.

    APH-2 History

    These pickups have an unmistakable pedigree. The APH-2 set is essentially Seymour Duncan’s tribute to one of rock’s most recognizable tones: Slash’s. Specifically, it aims to replicate the tone captured during the Appetite for Destruction sessions. The guitar used? A now-legendary Les Paul copy by luthier Kris Derrig, loaded with Alnico II Pro humbuckers.

    To recreate that sound, Seymour Duncan leaned into the same Alnico II magnet recipe. Why Alnico II? Because its softer magnetic pull allows strings to vibrate more freely. The result? That extra bit of sustain and that velvety smooth response that helped define Slash’s lead tone.

    These pickups are also wax-potted, which helps reduce squealing — crucial when you’re dealing with high gain, high volume environments. The wiring stays vintage: no frills, no tricks. Just a straightforward, hardwired connection to the era of Les Paul into Marshall.

    My Personal Thoughts About the Seymour Duncan Slash APH-2

    I’ll say this right off the bat: they weren’t quite my thing — but that doesn’t mean they won’t be yours.

    I tend to gravitate toward much hotter bridge pickups — think 16k+ territory. So when I saw the specs for the Slash bridge pickup, clocking in at 8.53k, I figured it would feel a little tame. But honestly? I was surprised. The bridge pickup has real muscle. It’s got that chunky midrange growl that fills out a mix, and it doesn’t fall apart under gain. There’s more punch than the numbers suggest.

    The neck pickup is where I ran into a little friction. At 7.92k, it reads moderate on paper, but it feels like a “hot” 7.92k. There’s a ton of body and warmth — arguably too much for my tastes. I prefer a bit more air, especially for clean runs or neck-position leads where clarity is key. This one leans heavy — thick and syrupy.

    That said, both pickups clean up surprisingly well. Roll the volume back and they stay articulate. Add overdrive and they’re immediately at home in classic rock and blues territory. You won’t mistake them for a modern metal set, but that’s not what they’re trying to be.

    Of course, the elephant in the room is the Slash factor. If that’s the tone you’re chasing — that honking Les Paul snarl on tracks like “Paradise City” or the smooth neck leads on “November Rain” — then you’re probably already sold. And honestly, the APH-2s deliver on that front. The tone is there. The feel is there. The vibe is unmistakable.

    My takeaway? These are well-crafted pickups with a clear purpose. They aren’t trying to be all things to all players — they’re zeroed in on a specific sonic ideal. And they hit it.

    Summary

    The Seymour Duncan Slash APH-2 is a purpose-built pickup set, aimed squarely at fans of classic rock tones and Slash’s iconic lead voice. With Alnico II magnets, vintage-style wiring, and wax potting, it’s a warm, mid-focused set that delivers on sustain and smooth breakup.

    If you’re into modern high-output shredding, this probably isn’t your jam. But if you live in the world of Les Pauls into cranked Marshalls, this might be your next great tone investment. The bridge pickup has more girth than expected, and the neck pickup is full-bodied to a fault — depending on your preferences.

    Not the perfect set for me, but definitely a solid one — and possibly perfect for you.

    APH-2 Technical Details

    • Model Number: APH-2
    • Year First Produced: 2010
    • Magnet Type: Alnico 2
    • DC Resistance: 8.53k (Bridge), 7.92k (Neck)
    • Wiring: Single-conductor braided lead wire
    • Wax Potting: Yes
    • Cover Options: Black, Nickel, Gold, Black Nickel, Raw Nickel, Zebra/Reverse Zebra
    • Retail Price: $238 (set of two)
    • Street Price: Often found around $165 (set of two) on Reverb or eBay

  • Seymour Duncan ’59 Pickup Review (SH-1)

    The Seymour Duncan ’59 Model humbucker (SH-1) is one of those rare pickups that manages to combine vintage tone with practical versatility—all without the boutique price tag. Designed to emulate the character of late 1950s PAF-style pickups, the ’59 brings old-school flavor to modern rigs with just enough flexibility to suit a wide range of players.

    Technical Details

    It’s available for both neck and bridge positions, with the bridge version clocking in at 8.2k DC resistance and the neck at a slightly more moderate 7.6k. This keeps the tone warm, open, and dynamic, with enough bite to cut through but not so much output that you’re fighting for clean headroom.

    Inside, you’ll find an Alnico 5 magnet—an excellent choice for pairing with lighter gauge strings (.009 or .010 sets), giving it a responsive feel and a balanced EQ. The vintage-style 42 AWG plain enamel magnet wire contributes to the classic tone, and the pickup can be ordered with either single-conductor braided wire or modern four-conductor wiring. I recommend going with the four-conductor version, which gives you the ability to split coils and add tonal flexibility to your setup.

    Another plus: the ’59 is wax potted when covered, so you’re not going to battle unwanted microphonic squeal when pushing your amp a little harder. You can also get it in a variety of looks—from raw exposed bobbins to a polished gold or nickel cover—making it easy to match your guitar’s aesthetic. And for those with extended range needs, there’s even a 7-string version available.

    At a retail price of $129, it’s already a great value. But if you poke around Reverb or eBay, you’ll often find clean used models in the $65–$75 range—making this pickup one of the smarter buys in the vintage-voiced market.

    Seymour Duncan ’59 History

    The Seymour Duncan ’59 Model has an origin story that resonates with anyone who appreciates the roots of electric guitar tone. Created in 1978, the SH-1 was Seymour Duncan’s answer to a growing demand for pickups that recaptured the magic of late-’50s PAF humbuckers—without having to pay vintage prices.

    Seymour Duncan, a tone-chasing legend in his own right, designed the ’59 Model to stay as faithful as possible to the original PAF design. This wasn’t a vague approximation—it was a meticulous recreation, down to the winding process. Each pickup is wound using a classic Leesona 102 pickup winding machine, the very same model that was used at Gibson’s Kalamazoo factory back in the day. That detail alone speaks volumes.

    By combining old-school techniques with consistent quality control, Duncan managed to bottle that vintage mojo and make it accessible to everyday players. It’s this commitment to tradition—while still embracing modern wiring options—that makes the ’59 Model a standout in an increasingly crowded field.

    My Personal Thoughts About the Seymour Duncan ’59

    I’ve spent time with a lot of vintage-voiced humbuckers, and the Seymour Duncan ’59 holds its own in that lineup. It’s not trying to be the hottest or most aggressive pickup on the block—which is exactly the point. Instead, it leans into clarity, sweetness, and dynamic response. It gives you room to breathe and lets your hands do the talking.

    Let’s talk tone

    The bridge pickup doesn’t have that midrange hump you’d find in something like a JB or a Custom 5. Instead, it’s more scooped—making it ideal for players into R&B, classic rock, blues, and even country. I wouldn’t reach for it if I were diving into high-gain metal or drop-tuned chug riffs, but that’s not its role. This pickup wants to sing, not snarl.

    The neck position is where the ’59 really shines for me. It’s a touch brighter than other neck humbuckers in the same category, which I really appreciate. If you’re like me and prefer your wound strings to be articulate and present, this is your pickup. Even better, when coil-split, the neck ’59 delivers a surprisingly convincing single-coil tone—clear, expressive, and with just the right amount of top-end sparkle. You can dial in that Strat-like quack without completely losing the body.

    Running both pickups together creates one of the best tones in this price bracket. There’s a nice open-air feel, some natural compression, and when you roll the volume back, you get those chimey clean tones that flirt with the Tele and Gretsch world. It’s especially cool for country players or anyone who wants a little jangle without sacrificing warmth.

    Summary

    The Seymour Duncan ’59 Model humbucker checks a lot of boxes. It captures that vintage PAF tone with impressive authenticity, thanks to period-correct components and manufacturing techniques. It gives you plenty of tonal options—especially if you go with the four-conductor version—and its price point is more than reasonable, especially when you factor in the used market.

    No, it’s not a fire-breathing monster, and it’s not trying to be. Instead, the ’59 offers character, versatility, and a sound that rewards touch-sensitive playing. If you’re dipping your toes into the vintage humbucker market and don’t know where to start, this pickup is an easy recommendation.

    For blues, classic rock, country, and everything in between—it just works.