Pricing and availability

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

Sweetwater
4.5 (28)
$79.00
Guitar Center
4.5 (7)
$79.00
Amazon
4.6 (268)
$79.00
Reverb
5.0 (17)
$79.00 New
$79.00 Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (14)
$79.00
Thomann
4.8 (237)
$85.00

Average Price: $80

Budget/Beginner

$99

$200+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

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

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Description

Boasting a special overwound single-coil, the Seymour Duncan Custom Stagger Strat Pickup is a medium-output Stratocaster pickup designed to strike that perfect balance between increased output and classic Stratocaster tonal character. Originally devised to deliver the pumped-up sound for David Gilmour's famous Black Strat, this pickup continues to be a favorite among music legends and enthusiasts alike.

With its Alnico 5 rod magnets hand-ground, lacquered, and wound, the bobbins are wax potted for squeal-free performance. This ensures that your solos truly sing, your chords are bigger and fatter, and your sound cuts through the mix more vividly than a traditional Strat pickup. All these while maintaining that magic and mojo that make a Strat sound like a Strat.

The Seymour Duncan Custom Stagger Strat Pickup fits into any guitar routed for single coils, thanks to its modern oval Forbon flatwork. Use this versatile pickup in the bridge position with a pair of Vintage Staggered Strat pickups in the neck and middle for a Gilmour-approved setup. Or, pair it with a Custom Staggered RWRP in the middle for a noiseless setup in positions 2 and 4.

Key Features:

  • Special overwound single-coil bridge pickup
  • Hand-ground Alnico 5 rod magnets for bold, loud single notes
  • Modern oval Forbon flatwork for fit into any guitar routed for single coils
  • Wax potted for squeal-free performance
  • Ideal for use in bridge position with Vintage Staggered Strat pickups in neck and middle
  • Compatible with Custom Staggered RWRP for noiseless setup in positions 2 and 4
  • Available in a 7-string version

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Seymour Duncan Custom Stagger Strat Pickup.

Features and functionality

  • The Seymour Duncan SSL-5 is noted for its unique pole stagger, which can be customized, but Gilmour's tech may adjust them for compression needs.

    Source
  • The Vox VT100X offers a variety of amplifier models, including an "EVH Channel 3" for warm distortion and sustain without needing a booster pedal.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Seymour Duncan SSL-5 is related to the SSL-1C, but designed to capture Gilmour’s tones from later albums post-Wish You Were Here era.

    Source
  • The Vox VT100X's emulation quality is praised as comparable to high-end modellers like Kemper and Axe Fx, despite its lower price point.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • For left-handed players, flat pole pickups like the Seymour Duncan SSL-2 and SSL-6 are suggested to avoid issues with staggered poles.

    Source
  • Using fewer windings on a custom pickup may help achieve a "hot-rodded" single-coil tone with added bass and midrange for bridge position use.

    Source

Other

  • It's speculated that Gilmour's new Black Strat uses custom-wound pickups, differing from older models with its unique stagger configuration.

    Source
  • Some enthusiasts believe Gilmour's tech adjusts the pole pieces for specific tonal requirements, possibly due to heavy compression use in performance.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • The Vox VT100X's emulated line out has a criticized cabinet simulation; recording is recommended via a mic or mod with a speaker out.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • A metal baseplate on Yngwie Malmsteen pickups may add aggressiveness, akin to Tele bridge pickups, when modifying for a custom tone.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
deathringer98

Sounds very great was trying too get that ( David Gilmour Sound )

This is the pick up I used in my Stratocaster

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Ian D'Sa uses Seymour Duncan Custom Stagger Strat Pickup

Ian D'Sa

Guitarist, Music Producer

Billy Talent

...
Verified via YouTube

"This is my main guitar, its a Fender Stratocaster American Deluxe HSS, which i've outfitted with custom staggered pickups for the neck and middle position."

Video: 0:07

See how Alastair Greene uses Seymour Duncan Custom Stagger Strat Pickup

Alastair Greene

Guitarist

...
Verified via Guitar Pickups, Bass Pickups, Pedals

Alastair on the Seymour Duncan artist page talking about the Seymour Duncans he uses

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 Custom Stagger Strat Pickup, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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    Gear IQ 163