Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (17)
$99.00
Guitar Center
5.0 (18)
$99.00
Amazon
4.7 (91)
$99.00
Amazon Prime
Reverb
5.0 (17)
$99.00 New
$99.00 Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (36)
$99.00
zZounds
5.0 (3)
$99.00
Thomann
4.8 (62)
$105.00
Gear4Music
£122.00

Average Price: $100

Standard/Professional

$99

$200+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Unleash the full potential of your electric guitar with the Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom pickup. This powerhouse humbucker is the ideal companion for guitarists seeking a beefed-up P.A.F.-style tone with a modern twist. Its ceramic magnet and custom coil design deliver compressed dynamics and an enhanced harmonic structure, allowing you to achieve a commanding sound that cuts through any mix.

Whether you're diving deep into heavy rock, exploring punk, or experimenting with drop-tunings, the SH-5 provides a robust low-end response without losing clarity. The pickup's distinctive high-end and midrange punch ensure that your leads soar and your chords resonate with authority. It's recommended for the bridge position, where it can truly shine, offering the right balance of power, sustain, and distortion to elevate your performance.

With a four-conductor hookup cable, the SH-5 Duncan Custom allows for versatile wiring options, giving you the flexibility to tailor your sound to your specific style. Pair it with an SH-1 '59 in the neck position for an unforgettable combination of vintage and modern tones.

Key Features:

  • Humbucker pickup for electric guitar
  • Perfect for bridge position
  • Ceramic magnet for enhanced tone
  • Custom coil design for compressed dynamics
  • Suitable for rock, punk, and metal genres
  • Excellent for drop-tunings without loss of clarity
  • Distinctive high-end and midrange attack
  • 4-conductor cable for versatile wiring options
  • DC Resistance: 14.1 kOhm
  • Mounting screws and springs included

Product specs

Brand Seymour Duncan
Model SH-5 Duncan Custom Humbucker
Finish Black, Custom, Gold, Nickel, Nickel Border / Tortoiseshell, Reverse Zebra, White, Zebra
Year 2010 - 2025
Made In United States
Categories Guitar Pickups

FAQs

What type of sound can I expect from the Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom pickup?

The Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom pickup delivers a hard-driving, kicking sound with a distinctive high end and midrange attack, making it ideal for cutting through in a mix.

Is the Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom suitable for the bridge position?

Yes, the Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom is specifically designed for the bridge position, providing a powerful and articulate tone.

What is the wiring configuration of the Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom?

The Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom features a 4-conductor cable, allowing for versatile wiring options such as coil-splitting for additional tonal possibilities.

Can the Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom handle high-gain settings?

Yes, the SH-5 Duncan Custom is well-suited for high-gain settings, offering clarity and punch that works well for rock and metal genres.

What finishes are available for the Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom?

The SH-5 Duncan Custom is available in a variety of finishes including Black, Custom, Gold, Nickel, Nickel Border / Tortoiseshell, Reverse Zebra, White, and Zebra.

Seymour Duncan

Seymour Duncan

Custom Guitar Pickup (SH-5)

Video thumbnail for Custom Guitar Pickup (SH-5) by Seymour Duncan

Custom Guitar Pickup (SH-5)

Seymour Duncan

Seymour Duncan

Video thumbnail for Seymour Duncan SH-5 Custom vs SH-6 Distortion by Steve Stone

Seymour Duncan SH-5 Custom vs SH-6 Distortion

Steve Stone

Steve Stone

Video thumbnail for Seymour Duncan CUSTOM SH-5 vs JB SH-4 - Bridge Guitar Pickup Comparison Tone Demo by Mike Stamper

Seymour Duncan CUSTOM SH-5 vs JB SH-4 - Bridge Guitar Pickup Comparison Tone Demo

Mike Stamper

Mike Stamper

Video thumbnail for Seymour Duncan CUSTOM SH-5 / TB-5 - Guitar Pickup In-Depth Full Demo Review (bridge) by Mike Stamper

Seymour Duncan CUSTOM SH-5 / TB-5 - Guitar Pickup In-Depth Full Demo Review (bridge)

Mike Stamper

Mike Stamper

Video thumbnail for Seymour Duncan CUSTOM SH-5 vs EMG 81 - Bridge Guitar Pickup Comparison Tone Demo by Mike Stamper

Seymour Duncan CUSTOM SH-5 vs EMG 81 - Bridge Guitar Pickup Comparison Tone Demo

Mike Stamper

Mike Stamper

Video thumbnail for Seymour Duncan CUSTOM SH-5 vs INVADER SH-8 - Bridge Guitar Pickup Comparison Tone Demo by Mike Stamper

Seymour Duncan CUSTOM SH-5 vs INVADER SH-8 - Bridge Guitar Pickup Comparison Tone Demo

Mike Stamper

Mike Stamper

Video thumbnail for Seymour Duncan CUSTOM SH-5 vs PEGASUS - Bridge Guitar Pickup Comparison Tone Demo by Mike Stamper

Seymour Duncan CUSTOM SH-5 vs PEGASUS - Bridge Guitar Pickup Comparison Tone Demo

Mike Stamper

Mike Stamper

Reviews

PROS

  • Hot and clear pickup with presence and big tight lows

  • Cleans up wonderfully, versatile from ZZ Top to Slayer

  • Transforms bright, harsh guitars into sweet, smooth tone with overdrive punch

  • Offers treble sparkle and grit, perfect for heavy rock rhythm tones

  • Excellent articulation under any amount of gain

  • Midway point between PAF and Super Distortion, versatile sound range

  • Harmonizes well with a 59 in the neck position for classic tone

  • Provides more attack than Alnico II Pro, suits those needing extra punch

CONS

  • Sound can vary significantly between different guitars

  • Not ideal for guitars that are already trebly due to less bass attack

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom.

Comparisons

  • The Seymour Duncan TB-5 Custom is likened to the EMG-81, offering less compression and a bigger, tight low end, ideal for metal.

    Source
  • The SH-5 is noted to be less compressed and tighter in low tunings compared to the JB, which is seen as loose and flubby.

    Source
  • The SH-5 is described as having a classic PAF EQ curve, making it brighter and more articulate compared to the darker, higher output Invader.

    Source
  • The SH-5 is suggested as a versatile alternative to the Invader, with a sound closer to a tweaked JB without the excessive compression.

    Source
  • The SH-5 is compared to the DiMarzio Crunch Lab for its performance in mahogany-bodied guitars, offering a more vintage sound with pronounced mids.

    Source
  • Owners find the SH-5 offers more defined and tight chugging compared to the mushier low end of the JB, making it preferable for progressive metal rhythms.

    Source
  • The SH-5's mids and highs are highlighted as its strengths, contrasting with the loose low end of the JB, which is better suited for lead lines.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The SH-5 performs exceptionally well in warmer-bodied guitars, particularly in low tunings like Drop A, A#, and B.

    Source
  • The SH-5 is recommended for punk and power-pop genres, offering clarity and articulation while maintaining a raw sound.

    Source
  • The SH-5 excels in defining notes on lower strings at higher frets, especially beneficial for progressive metal players seeking clarity.

    Source
  • The SH-5 is recommended for players focusing on technique improvement in progressive metal due to its clarity and definition.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The SH-5 maintains clarity and definition in heavy genres while avoiding the shrillness and compression of other ceramic pickups.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners recommend dialing back treble when using the SH-5 in alder-bodied guitars for better tonal balance.

    Source
  • Owners suggest swapping the Invader for the SH-5 or Railhammer Nuevo 90 for those seeking a less compressed, open tone in single humbucker Strats.

    Source

User experience

  • The SH-5 is noted to be leaps and bounds better than the Invader for those looking for less output and more articulation.

    Source
  • Some users note that while the SH-5 provides excellent note articulation, its clean tones aren't as impressive.

    Source

4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 11 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
dennis_czp

awesome

replaced the stock bridge pickup with the sh-5 and it just suits the rga 32 very well !

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Thomas DeLonge uses Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom

Thomas DeLonge

Singer, Guitarist

Blink-182

...
Verified via Fender

The Tom DeLonge Starcaster is factory-equipped with the Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom, as confirmed by Fender.

See how Rabea Massaad uses Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom

Rabea Massaad

Guitarist

Vower

...
Verified via Muziker PL

His signature ML-1 Quilted Maple produced by Chapman guitars consists SH-5 Custom and SH-1 '59 .

See how Gary Holt uses Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom

Gary Holt

Guitarist

Slayer

...
Verified via YouTube

In his rig rundown at 2:24 he mentions using a Duncan Custom as a bridge pickup.

See how Erik Rutan uses Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom

Erik Rutan

Singer, Guitarist

Cannibal Corpse

...
Verified via YouTube

Erik's uses this for his bridge pickup.

See how Brian Baker uses Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom

Brian Baker

Guitarist, Bassist

Bad Religion

...
Verified via YouTube

in his les paul custom Brian has a duncan custom humbucker

See how Bruce Kulick uses Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom

Bruce Kulick

Guitarist

Kiss

...
Verified via YouTube

In a video published by Seymour Duncan on their YouTube channel, Bruce Kulick, noted guitarist, explicitly mentions his use of the Seymour Duncan SH-5/TB-5 Duncan Custom model pickup, specifically at the 0:48 timestamp. This video serves as direct evidence of Kulick's preference for this particular guitar accessory.

See how Jeff Schroeder uses Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom

Jeff Schroeder

Guitarist, Keyboardist

The Smashing Pumpkins

...
Verified via Seymourduncan

"I’m using the TB-5 Custom in the bridge…"

See how Syu uses Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom

Syu

Guitarist

Galneryus

...
Verified via Espguitars

In this website, it is mentioned that on his older 7-string guitars, Syu used 7-string variants of the Duncan Custom SH-5-7 pickups.

See how Keith Merrow uses Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom

Keith Merrow

Guitarist

Conquering Dystopia

...
Verified via YouTube

In this demo, Keith Merrow demonstrated a large variety of Seymour Duncan pickups.

See how Dave Catching uses Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom

Dave Catching

Guitarist, Bassist

Queens of the Stone Age

...
Verified via Premierguitar

According to Premier Guitar's rig rundown, Catching uses this pickup as his bridge pickup on the Alumnicaster guitar.

See how Infernus uses Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom

Infernus

Guitarist

Gorgoroth

...
Verified via Seymour Duncan

Infernus is endorsed by Seymour Duncan and uses the Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom pickup, as featured on the Seymour Duncan website.

See how Mark Agnesi uses Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom

Mark Agnesi

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video "Guitar of the Day Host Mark Agnesi's Personal Guitar Collection," Mark Agnesi discusses a set of Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom humbuckers. These pickups, originally custom-wound by Seymour Duncan, were removed from his Korina V guitar.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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