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Seymour Duncan Blackout Metal AHB-2

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$125.00 to $134.00 Price Tier: Standard

5.0 (1)

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Page last updated Jul 05, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 6 stores. Prices updated July 2, 2026.

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3.0 (2)

$125.00

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4.1 (17)

$125.00

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5.0 (4)

$125.00 12 available New

$80.00 1 available Used

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4.0 (9)

$125.00

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5.0 (1)

$125.00

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4.8 (57)

$135.00 $134.00 $1.00 · All time low

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Average Price: $120

Standard/Professional

$99

$200+

Price Tier

In the Electric Guitar Pickups category, Seymour Duncan Blackout Metal AHB-2 is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Seymour Duncan Blackout Metal AHB-2". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Unleash the fury of your axe with the Seymour Duncan Blackout Metal AHB-2, a powerhouse pickup designed to elevate your heavy metal and rock performances. This active humbucker, a reimagining of the legendary LiveWire Metal, merges unparalleled aggression with versatility. Engineered for the modern guitarist, it boasts a unique dual pin configuration allowing you to switch between two distinct output levels: from moderately intense to outright brutal.

The AHB-2 is your go-to for delivering thick, crunchy tones that cut through any mix with ease. Its high-output preamp is tailored for extreme heaviness, ensuring your riffs are as bone-crushing as they are articulate. Whether you're grinding out punk, thrash, or drop-tuned doom, this pickup ensures your sound stays fierce and defined.

Outfitted for any humbucker-routed guitar, the Blackout Metal comes with all necessary installation hardware, including 25K pots and a battery clip, making it a seamless addition to your setup. For those who crave additional control, the pickup's pins can be wired to a mini-switch or push/pull, offering a built-in boost when you need to take your sound to the next level. Dive into the depths of heavy music with the AHB-2, and leave a trail of sonic destruction in your wake.

Key Features:

Active humbucking pickup for extreme heaviness
Unique dual pin configuration for two output levels
Compatible with any humbucker-routed electric guitar
Can be wired to a mini-switch or push/pull for built-in boost
Includes 25K pots, stereo jack, battery clip, and mounting hardware

Product specs

Available since	May 2008
Active	Yes
Output	Adjustable
Cap	Yes
Colour	Black
Position	Bridge

FAQs

What kind of sound can I expect from the Seymour Duncan Blackout Metal AHB-2?: The Seymour Duncan Blackout Metal AHB-2 is designed for extreme heaviness, delivering aggressive tones ideal for metal genres. It provides a high-output, active humbucking sound with clarity and punch.
Is the Seymour Duncan AHB-2b Blackout Metal suitable for all electric guitars?: This pickup fits any humbucker-routed electric guitar, making it versatile for a wide range of instruments. It is specifically designed for the bridge position.
Can the Seymour Duncan AHB-2b Blackout Metal pickup be adjusted for different output levels?: Yes, the Seymour Duncan Blackout Metal AHB-2 offers adjustable output levels, allowing you to tailor the sound to your preference or playing style.
What installation accessories are included with the Seymour Duncan Blackout Metal AHB-2?: The pickup includes 25K pots, a stereo jack, a battery clip, a pin jumper, and other mounting hardware, providing everything needed for installation.
How does the Seymour Duncan AHB-2b Blackout Metal handle wiring configurations?: The AHB-2b can be wired to a mini-switch or push/pull setup, offering flexibility in wiring options to suit your guitar's controls.

Videos

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AlanCessa

Seymour Duncan Blackouts AHB-2 vs Tesla AH-2 Active (Metal)

AlanCessa

Seymour Duncan Blackout Metal Pickup | Blackout Metal vs EMG 81

Metalhead Productions

EMG 81 vs Seymour Duncan Blackout AHB-2 - Metal - Tested for you episode #5

Ilenia Kallenia

$Video thumbnail for Seymour Duncan Blackouts Metal AHB-2 | This pickup rips \m/ by Chester Chen$

Seymour Duncan Blackouts Metal AHB-2 | This pickup rips \m/

Chester Chen

Reviews

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PROS

Exceptional clarity and response for metal, perfect for palm muting and aggressive styles
Easily outperforms EMG 81 in depth and treble without harshness
Delivers a modern metal sound with a wide tonal spectrum
High output eliminates the need for distortion pedals
Installation is straightforward with included components
Compatible with EMG harness, simplifying upgrades for EMG users
Quiet operation despite high gain, reducing unwanted noise
Distinctive and aggressive mid-range bite, ideal for metal
Produces powerful and sustained harmonics effortlessly
Offers a unique dark and chunky sound, setting it apart from other active pickups

CONS

Lacks versatility for non-metal genres due to its aggressive tone
Clean tones break up with jumper engaged, limiting clean sound options
Nasal tone in certain guitar bodies, not universally compatible
Insufficient clarity for technical play, especially for intricate styles
May produce too much bass, overwhelming some amplifier setups
Minimal difference in loudness settings with push-pull configuration
Not significantly different from EMG 81 for those seeking unique sound changes

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Seymour Duncan Blackout Metal AHB-2.

Comparisons

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Some users prefer the Seymour Duncan Blackouts over EMG 81/85s for their warmth and more natural handling of distortion, offering a fuller sound in lower tunings.
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The AHB-3 Mick Thomson model is perceived as superior to the AHB-1, with the latter described as muddy and lacking definition.
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The AHB-2 Blackouts have higher battery consumption compared to EMGs, lasting around 2800 hours on a single 9v battery for one pickup.
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The Mick Thomson Blackout model is highlighted as the most well-received among the Blackouts, potentially due to its design based on the EMG 81.
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Use cases and applications

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Blackouts excel in lower tunings and are favored for metal genres due to their hot, compressed sound, enhancing chugs and riffs.
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Blackouts provide warmth in clean settings, resembling passive pickups, while EMGs are noted for their sharp attack and tightness, benefiting different playing styles.
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Features and functionality

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Blackouts are noted for their improved low-end response compared to EMG 81/85s, making them suitable for players seeking a thicker tone in heavy music styles.
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Blackouts are praised for their clarity and tonal richness, offering a more "toneful" sound compared to the flatter, compressed output of some EMGs.
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AHB-2 Blackouts are known for their divisive high gain, which can intrigue players seeking more aggressive tones.
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The original Livewire Metal pickups are said to sound distinct from the AHB-2, with differences in voicing that affect their tonal character.
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User experience

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Users report that Blackouts can sound muddy unless fine-tuned with amp settings, indicating a need for careful setup to achieve ideal clarity.
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Some users have difficulty dialing in Blackouts with their rigs, noting they never quite achieve the desired sound despite multiple attempts across different guitars.
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