Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 8 stores. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $98
Budget/Beginner
$99
$200+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Seymour Duncan SH-5". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.
Description
Unleash the power of your guitar with the Seymour Duncan SH-5, a hard-driving, distinctive pickup designed to elevate your sound. This beast is a beefed-up version of the Patent Applied For pickup, providing a punchy tone with just the right balance of power, sustain, and distortion. Its unique high end and midrange attack cut through the mix, making your guitar stand out in any setting.
Designed with the aggressive player in mind, the SH-5 is perfect for rock, funk, punk, R&B, metal, or any genre where a powerful and clear tone is essential. Its custom coil design and ceramic magnet not only ensure compressed dynamics and enhanced harmonic structure, but also offer an excellent low-frequency response. This makes it ideal for dropped tunings, allowing you to delve into the lows without muddiness.
Key Features:
- Humbucker pickup designed for the bridge position
- Medium output for a balanced, punchy tone
- Enhanced harmonic structure and compressed dynamics thanks to the custom coil design
- Ceramic magnet ensures excellent low-frequency response
- Ideal for various genres including rock, funk, punk, R&B, and metal
- Perfect for dropped tunings without losing clarity
- Comes with 4-conductor hookup cable for complex switching options
- Color: Black
- DC Resistance: 14.1 kOhm
- String spacing (E1 - E6): Standard (49 mm)
- Mounting screws and springs included
Product specs
| Type | Humbucker |
| Position | Bridge |
| Active/Passive | Passive |
| Magnet Material | Ceramic |
| Number of Conductors | 4 wire plus shield |
| DC Resistance | 14.1K |
| Connectivity | Soldered |
| Number of Strings | 6 |
| Covering | Uncovered |
FAQs
-
What type of music is the Seymour Duncan SH-5 pickup best suited for?
-
The Seymour Duncan SH-5 is ideal for rock, metal, and other high-gain music styles due to its high output and ceramic magnet, which provide aggressive tones and enhanced clarity.
-
How does the Seymour Duncan SH-5 compare to the JB Model pickup?
-
The SH-5 offers a more aggressive and focused tone with its ceramic magnet, whereas the JB Model has an alnico V magnet, providing a warmer and more midrange-focused sound.
-
Is the Seymour Duncan SH-5 compatible with coil-splitting?
-
Yes, the SH-5 features a 4-conductor wire, allowing it to be wired for coil-splitting to achieve single-coil tones.
-
Can the Seymour Duncan SH-5 be used in the neck position?
-
While primarily designed for the bridge position, the SH-5 can be used in the neck position for a unique high-output tone, though it may require height adjustments for balance.
-
What kind of tone can I expect from the Seymour Duncan SH-5?
-
The SH-5 delivers a powerful, punchy tone with tight lows and crisp highs, making it perfect for cutting through dense mixes and high-gain settings.
Videos
Riffs And Chugs TV
Seymour Duncan Custom SH-5/Jazz Review
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Seymour Duncan SH-5.
Use cases and applications
-
The SH-5 is ideal for progressive metal due to its definition and clarity, especially for well-defined chugging and fast passages on lower strings.
Source -
The SH-5 excels in Drop A, A#, and B tunings, particularly in warmer-bodied guitars like the PRS SE 277 baritone.
Source -
The SH-5 in a Starcaster is praised for being a balanced all-around pickup, suitable for a variety of musical styles.
Source
Comparisons
-
The Seymour Duncan TB-5 Custom is noted to closely mimic the EQ curve of an EMG-81 but with less compression and a tighter low end.
Source -
The SH-5 is contrasted with the Invader for having lower output and greater articulation, making it more versatile for punk and power-pop genres.
Source -
The SH-5 is compared to the Crunch Lab for its use in mahogany bodies, offering a "vintage" sound with pronounced mids and high-mid clarity.
Source -
The SH-5 is noted for having a tighter and more defined low end compared to the JB, which is described as mushy and loose, especially beneficial for percussive rhythm lines.
Source -
The SH-5 offers high-mid clarity and is less forgiving than the JB, making it a better choice for technically demanding styles like progressive metal.
Source
User experience
-
One user found the SH-5 to be ideal for achieving a Chevelle/Breaking Benjamin sound, outperforming the JB due to its tighter low end.
Source -
Some owners find the Invader too aggressive and prefer the SH-5 or JB for a less compressed, brighter tone.
Source -
It's reported that the SH-5 offers defined notes and good separation in the bass notes on high gain, particularly in guitars that aren't inherently warm.
Source
Mods and upgrades
-
Dialing back the tone was necessary when using the SH-5 in an alder-bodied Fender Sub Sonic baritone to manage treble levels.
Source -
The TB-5 Trembucker is a recommended upgrade for Strat models needing proper pole spacing and offers a sound similar to the SH-5.
Source -
Pairing the SH-5 with an SH-2 in the neck is recommended for metal players seeking sweep picking and shredder capabilities, offering a balanced tonal combination.
Source
Features and functionality
-
The SH-5 offers a medium output of 14.1k, which provides depth and detail without the compression found in higher output pickups.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 7 Ratings
189
Seymour Duncan SH5
This is a great humbucker with a special tone for rock. I use it in the bridge position of my guitar Dean Playmate of the year 1994.
Artist usage
Add artist
According to Guitar Geek's rig diagram, Finck uses Seymour Duncan pickup on his Gibson Les Paul Custom.
The Beginning of Times era.
Discuss your gear set-up for the new album.
E.H.: I used my ESP Custom Eclipse model guitars which are equipped with Seymour Duncan SH-5 (custom) and SH-1n ('59) pickups. I have Bogner Shiva anniversary amps which I use live and in the studio. I use Bogner Ubershall cabs.
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, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
More Seymour Duncan Electric Guitar Pickups
Accessories & Related Items
Community setups
Similar
Gear Guides
Most Popular Electric Guitar Pickups
Most Popular Brands
-
Added to Equipboard on by
kkolarGear IQ 120856
-