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Average Price: $107
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$99
$200+
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Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Seymour Duncan SH-1N '59 Neck". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
The Seymour Duncan SH-1N '59 Neck is a perfect pick for musicians seeking the warm, smooth tone and great sustain of the vintage P.A.F. pickups. This model, an authentic recreation of Seth Lover's first humbucker, brings the iconic sound of the late 1950s into the modern age.
Designed with the same enameled wire, nickel-plated studs, and balanced coil windings as the original, the SH-1N '59 Neck is a true reflection of its inspiration. It comes with a 4-conductor cable, offering flexibility in your wiring configuration, and is vacuum wax potted for squeal-free performance.
This pickup is a tone monster setup, compatible with both neck and bridge models. When used together with a hotter bridge pickup like the SH-4 JB or SH-13 Dimebucker, it offers maximum tonal versatility. The SH-1N '59 Neck works particularly well with mahogany bodies and rosewood fingerboards, delivering full and bright distorted tones alongside warm and crystalline clean ones.
Key Features:
- Built with enameled wire, nickel-plated studs, and balanced coil windings
- Comes with a 4-conductor cable for flexible wiring
- Vacuum wax potted for squeal-free performance
- Compatible with both neck and bridge models for maximum tonal versatility
- Ideal for use with mahogany bodies and rosewood fingerboards
- Offers a balanced blend of warm, smooth tone and great sustain
- Reflects the classic look and sound of Seth Lover's first P.A.F. pickups
- A tone monster setup, delivering full and bright distorted tones and warm, crystalline clean ones
Product specs
| Type | Humbucker |
| Position | Neck |
| Active/Passive | Passive |
| Magnet Material | Alnico V |
| Number of Conductors | 4 wire plus shield |
| DC Resistance | 7.6K |
| Connectivity | Soldered |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Covering | Uncovered |
| Format | PAF |
FAQs
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What kind of sound can I expect from the Seymour Duncan SH-1N '59 Neck pickup?
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The Seymour Duncan SH-1N '59 Neck pickup delivers a warm, full sound with sweet sustain and clear attack, reminiscent of the original P.A.F. humbuckers from the 1950s, making it versatile for various music genres.
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Is the Seymour Duncan SH-1N '59 Neck pickup suitable for jazz music?
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Yes, the Seymour Duncan SH-1N '59 Neck pickup's warm and articulate tone makes it well-suited for jazz, providing the clarity and depth required for complex chord voicings and melodic solos.
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How does the 4-conductor wiring of the Seymour Duncan SH-1N '59 Neck pickup benefit me?
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The 4-conductor wiring allows for versatile wiring options, such as coil-splitting, which lets you achieve both humbucker and single-coil tones, adding flexibility to your guitar's sound palette.
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What type of magnet is used in the Seymour Duncan SH-1N '59 Neck pickup?
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The Seymour Duncan SH-1N '59 Neck pickup uses an Alnico V magnet, which contributes to its balanced tonal characteristics, offering a rich and dynamic response suitable for various playing styles.
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Is the Seymour Duncan SH-1N '59 Neck pickup easy to install?
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Yes, the Seymour Duncan SH-1N '59 Neck pickup is designed for soldered connectivity, making it straightforward to install for those familiar with basic guitar electronics.
Videos
Seymour Duncan
The Seymour Duncan '59 (Neck)
Reviews
PROS
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Warm, clear tones with excellent sustain and balance between highs and lows
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Versatile tonal range; great for jazz, rock, and blues
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Coil-splitting option for added versatility and single-coil tones
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Works well with various wood types, enhancing both dark and bright guitars
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Strong performance with both valve and solid-state amps
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Responds well to playing dynamics, delivering nuanced sound
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Perfectly complements hotter bridge pickups for a balanced setup
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Known for reliability and high-quality construction
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Enhances high-gain settings without losing clarity
CONS
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Slightly less mids compared to a real '59 humbucker
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May require some tweaking to find preferred tone
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Seymour Duncan SH-1N '59 Neck.
Comparisons
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The Seymour Duncan JB is often paired with the SH-1 '59 for versatility, but some find it lacks definition and overtones in high distortion settings.
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Mods and upgrades
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Bare Knuckles pickups, like the Stormy Monday and Nailbomb, are suggested as higher-end alternatives despite their higher cost, offering distinct tonal qualities.
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Replacing clipped humbucker screws with new imperial threaded ones is essential for proper installation of the SH-1N in certain body types.
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Use cases and applications
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The SH-1 '59 neck pickup is favored for rock and hard rock styles, aligning well with bands like The Black Keys and Queens of the Stone Age.
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The SH-1N humbucker can cause harsh breakups with solid state amps; tube amps handle its output better, offering more pleasing overdrive tones.
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The SH-1N's higher output suits harder playing styles but may overpower clean tones in beginner solid state amps.
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Value and pricing
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Users commonly acknowledge the higher price point of Bare Knuckles pickups but suggest them for future builds due to their premium performance.
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Build quality
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Owners identify fake SH-1N pickups by the flatter, non-round lead wire and smaller font on the front compared to authentic models.
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Setup and maintenance
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It's suggested to measure pickup resistance with a multimeter and compare against Seymour Duncan's specifications for authenticity verification.
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Authentic SH-1N pickups have round and skinny lead wires, distinguishing them from fakes, which have flatter wires.
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Installing a SH-1N in a guitar designed for single coils may require routing for humbucker screw pockets to prevent installation issues.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 10 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
Livenirvana confirms that this was the humbucker installed in the bridge position of Kurt's vandalism stratocaster.
According to Guitar Geek, Mark used Seymour Duncan '59 (Both Neck & Bridge Position) pickups.
According the Seymour Duncan Website, Phil is using an Seymour Duncan 59´ Neck Humbucker.
"Bass: bridge: Seymour Duncan SJB-3b; neck: Seymour Duncan SPB-1
Guitar: bridge: Seymour Duncan ‘SLUG’; neck: Seymour Duncan ’59 SH-1n"
In a YouTube video interview with Premier Guitar, at the 9:01 mark, guitarist Jerry Horton discusses his pickups and specifically identifies the neck pickup as a Seymour Duncan SH-1N '59.
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-1N '59 Neck, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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