Description
The SH-1B ’59 Model is Seymour Duncan’s take on the original PAF formula, built for players chasing that vintage humbucker voice in the bridge position. Expect a full-bodied sound with articulate top end, solid low-end presence, and a midrange that dips just enough to keep chords and leads from getting muddy.
Duncan’s vintage-style coil construction gives this pickup an airy, open character that keeps it rooted firmly in PAF territory, while the alnico 5 bar magnet and vacuum wax potting help it push back against modern realities like lighter gauge strings and higher-gain amps than anyone was running in the 50s. The net effect is old-school tonal complexity with a bit more sparkle up top and a touch more compression than a truly vintage-spec pickup would deliver — useful, not harsh.
Every SH-1B is hand built with period-correct details that go beyond the magnet choice:
- 42 AWG plain enamel magnet wire
- Long-legged nickel silver baseplate
- Vintage-style single-conductor braided push-back lead wire
- No logo on the baseplate, keeping the vintage aesthetic intact
Like the rest of Duncan’s PAF-style lineup, this pickup is wound on the original Leesona winder salvaged from Gibson’s Kalamazoo factory — a direct link to the machines that built the pickups this model is inspired by. Pair it with the ’59 Model neck humbucker for a balanced, evenly matched set across both positions.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.