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 (18)
$99.00 New
$85.00 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: $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.

Riffs And Chugs TV

Riffs And Chugs TV

Seymour Duncan Custom SH-5/Jazz Review

Video thumbnail for Seymour Duncan Custom SH-5/Jazz Review by Riffs And Chugs TV

Seymour Duncan Custom SH-5/Jazz Review

Riffs And Chugs TV

Riffs And Chugs TV

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 DISTORTION SH-6 - Bridge Guitar Pickup Comparison Tone Demo by Mike Stamper

Seymour Duncan CUSTOM SH-5 vs DISTORTION SH-6 - Bridge Guitar Pickup Comparison Tone Demo

Mike Stamper

Mike Stamper

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

Seymour Duncan CUSTOM SH-5 vs DiMarzio SUPER DISTORTION - Bridge Guitar Pickup Comparison Tone Demo

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

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

Setup and maintenance

  • Lowering the pickup height can clean up its sound, but if dissatisfaction persists, a swap to a brighter pickup like the SH-5 is advised.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 7 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
acheuqueman

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
See how Robin Finck uses Seymour Duncan SH-5

Robin Finck

Guitarist

Nine Inch Nails

...
Verified via Guitar

According to Guitar Geek's rig diagram, Finck uses Seymour Duncan pickup on his Gibson Les Paul Custom.

See how Esa Holopainen uses Seymour Duncan SH-5

Esa Holopainen

Guitarist

Amorphis

...
Verified via guitarworld

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.

See how Francesco Artusato uses Seymour Duncan SH-5

Francesco Artusato

Guitarist

All Shall Perish

...
Verified via MetalSucks

I also use the SH5

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

  • Added to Equipboard on by

    kkolar
    kkolar

    Gear IQ 120856