’59 Model™ Pickup | Seymour Duncan (2024)

We recommend buying the set.

We've been making great pickups for over 45 years. The '59 Model™ pickup sounds great alone, but sometimes one pickup is not enough. If you don't know where to start, we recommend getting the set - it captures the full voicing of what we tried to create, as well as ensures it won't be out of phase with other pickups in your guitar.

Want to learn more about out-of-phase pickups?
Check out this article.

1/1

$99.00

available

Designed to deliver classic P.A.F. tone with modern construction, the ’59 (SH-1) vintage output humbucker pickup’s open, detailed sound and sweet top end make it the perfect choice for rock and blues.

Looking for the set? Visit the Vintage Blues™ page!

More Details

TECH SPECS

DCR – Short for DC Resistance, is measured in Ohms and is the total resistance of the copper wire wound around a coil form. The length of the coil form, the number of turns and the gauge of wire all affect the DCR reading. DCR is often used as a gauge of output because as the turns increase, so does the output, though magnet type and the coil geometry also influence output.
Magnet – We use several different magnet formulations: Alnico 2, Alnico 3, Alnico 4, Alnico 5, Alnico 6, Alnico 8 and Ceramic 5/8. In the case of pickups, the most significant characteristic is the gauss strength, which is a measure of the density of the magnetic field. Of the magnets we use, Alnico 3 has the lowest gauss strength. From there in order of ascending strength you have A2, A4, A5, A6, Ceramic and A8. As the gauss strength goes up, so does the output. The magnets at the lower end of the scale tend to produce a softer attack and a degree of “bloom” to the envelope of the note.Ceramic magnets should be considered as an individual case because they do not contain any nickel or iron. This has the effect of decreasing the inductance of the pickup and significantly raising the resonant frequency. It is for this reason that many consider ceramic magnets to have a brittle sound, not their gauss strength. Looking at this from another point of view, ceramic magnets can be said to produce increased clarity, better note definition and faster response to picking.
Output – The overall output of a passive pickup is influenced by several design factors: number of turns of wire on the coil(s), strength of the magnet, coil geometry and magnetic circuit geometry.The output of an active pickup is influenced by the same factors but is predominantly determined by the design of the onboard preamp.

OUTPUT (Choose dropdowns to display)

DCR:(Choose dropdowns to display)

Magnet: Alnico 5

Product Details

Sound Samples
DETAILS
EQ

Please use the amp to the right to select which position, tone and mix you'd like to hear sample of.

Description

The ’59 bridge model (SH-1) is a vintage output humbucker that’s great for rock, blues, and more. Its vintage-inspired coils give it an airy quality that is firmly in the P.A.F. family, and the alnico 5 bar magnet and vacuum wax potting make it compatible with lighter guitar strings and louder amplifiers than were ever used in the 1950s. The result is a pickup with tons of old-school tonal character, but with a brighter top end, and a slightly more compressed sound.

The ’59 neck model is one of our most popular pickups because it’s so versatile. Like its bridge-position sibling, the ’59 neck is designed in the spirit of the original P.A.F. humbuckers of the 1950s, with sweet sustain, and a warm, full sound that still possesses a clear attack. We’ve made a few refinements to slightly modernize the design and make it more adaptable to different styles. The high end is slightly boosted for improved pick-attack clarity and the mids are a little scooped for an open, smooth sound that’s great for preserving the clarity of the individual notes in a chord. The ’59 neck was born to accompany the ’59 bridge, but countless players pair it with a high output bridge humbucker, such as a JB or Custom. It’s also a popular choice for humbucker-routed Telecasters.

Offered in 6-string standard humbucker and Trembucker spacings, the ’59 model features a variety of traditional vintage treatments, such as 42AWG plain enamel mag wire, long-legged nickel-silver bottom plate, vintage single-conductor braided push back lead wire, and no logo. If you opt for a four-conductor version for coil splitting, the ’59’s single coil mode is crystal clear. As with all of our P.A.F.-style pickups, the ’59 vintage output humbucker is wound on Seymour’s classic Leesona 102 pickup winding machine from the old Gibson factory in Kalamazoo, MI. Also available for neck and bridge in a passive mount 7-string configuration.

Wiring & Resources

Dimensions specs: 6-String, Uncovered Humbucker

Dimensions specs: 6-String, Covered Humbucker

Dimensions specs: 6-String, Uncovered Trembucker

Dimensions specs: 7-String, Uncovered Humbucker

For wiring diagrams, click here.

The E.Q. chart gives you a general idea as to the bass, mids and treble of each pickup position

Neck

Bridge

Bridge Nighthawk

Trembucker

VIDEOS

59 Neck Demo

The Seymour Duncan '59 (Bridge)

'59 High-Gain Demo

Metal

59 pickups on a Yamaha RGX420DZII - Jack Thammarat

'59 Custom Hybrid

НАДЕЛ! №48 - Seymour Duncan 59/Custom Hybrid (TB-16)

Seymour Duncan 59/Custom Hybrid Humbucking Pickup

Seymour Duncan 59/Custom Hybrid - Metal

Seymour Duncan Hybrid '59

Seymour Duncan '59 vs Green Magic Pickups

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Hand Built in California. Period Correct. Every Time.

Our team of master builders have been with us for an average of 21 years—they take pride in crafting our products to create the most amazing sound possible.

Take Your Tone For A Test Drive

If you’re not 100% pleased with the sound of your Seymour Duncan pickups, you can exchange them for up to 21 days after purchase. This offer applies to any pickups bought from an authorized Seymour Duncan dealer in the USA.

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Strings
Select the number of strings you have on your guitar.

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Position
Choose the position that you need for your guitar. Nighthawk is intended for Gibson® Nighthawk routed guitars. Trembuckers are designed for wider string most commonly associated with Floyd Rose or vintage vibrato bridges (often called Tremolos) with a string spacing of 2.070" or 52.6mm.

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Color
Choose the pickup bobbin color or cover material/color.

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Cable
Choose single or four-conductor hookup cable.

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Strings
Select the number of strings on your guitar.

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