Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 7 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
4.5 (10)
$258.00
Guitar Center
5.0 (1)
$258.00
Amazon
4.5 (26)
$258.00
Reverb
5.0 (1)
$238.00 New
$209.99 Used
Musician's Friend
4.0 (1)
$258.00
zZounds
5.0 (2)
$258.00
Thomann
5.0 (7)
$271.00 $269.00 $2.00 · All time low

Average Price: $251

High-end/Boutique

$99

$200+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

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

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Description

Unleash the power of your guitar with the Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor, a unique humbucker pickup set designed to recreate the iconic tone of Dave Mustaine's favourite JB model. Used extensively in the recording of Megadeth's landmark album "Rust In Peace", this humbucker embodies the band's mastery of intricate arrangements, shifting time signatures, and blazing dual lead guitar lines.

Working closely with Dave Mustaine, Seymour Duncan has altered the winding process to achieve a tone that stands out from the standard JB model. The Thrash Factor humbucker offers a tighter low end, slightly scooped mids, and more aggressive highs, capturing Dave's signature sound with precision.

This set also includes Dave's preferred neck pickup, the SH-1n 59 model, in a matching matte finish. Together, they present a balanced and robust output, offering a punchy sound that is perfect for metal and hard rock genres.

Whether you're a fan of Dave Mustaine's sound or simply looking for a way to enhance your own, the Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor is a formidable addition to any guitar setup.

Key Features:

  • Dave Mustaine Signature Model
  • Altered winding process for unique tone
  • Tighter low end, slightly scooped mids, and aggressive highs
  • Includes SH-1n 59 Model Neck Humbucker
  • AlNiCo V magnets for robust output
  • Hand-built in Santa Barbara, California
  • Matte black finish
  • Medium-high output
  • Shielded 4-core connection cable
  • Made in USA

Product specs

Type Set: Humbucker
Active/Passive Passive
Configuration HH Set
Magnet Material Alnico V
Number of Conductors 4 wire plus shield
DC Resistance 16.4K (bridge), 7.6K (neck)
Connectivity Soldered
Number of Strings 6
Covering Uncovered

FAQs

What is the Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor pickup set designed for?

The Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor set is designed to replicate the iconic thrash metal tones of Dave Mustaine, particularly from the Rust in Peace era. It offers high-output performance suitable for aggressive playing styles.

Are the Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor pickups active or passive?

The Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor pickups are passive, which means they do not require a battery and rely on the magnetic field of the strings for operation.

What is the magnet material used in the Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor pickups?

The Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor pickups use Alnico V magnets, known for their balanced tone and dynamic response, ideal for achieving powerful and articulate sound.

How do the Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor pickups differ in output between the bridge and neck?

The bridge pickup has a DC resistance of 16.4K, providing a high-output sound, while the neck pickup has a DC resistance of 7.6K, offering a more balanced and articulate tone.

Can the Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor pickups be used in any electric guitar?

The Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor pickups are designed for 6-string electric guitars and require soldering for installation. They are suitable for most guitars with a standard humbucker configuration.

Seymour Duncan

Seymour Duncan

Dave Mustaine Thrash Factor Pickup set by Seymour Duncan

Video thumbnail for Dave Mustaine Thrash Factor Pickup set by Seymour Duncan by Seymour Duncan

Dave Mustaine Thrash Factor Pickup set by Seymour Duncan

Seymour Duncan

Seymour Duncan

Video thumbnail for Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor - Is it just a regular JB??? by Cryptic Mask Guitar

Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor - Is it just a regular JB???

Cryptic Mask Guitar

Cryptic Mask Guitar

Video thumbnail for Seymour Duncan Distortion vs Thrash Factor JB by Kuitaristi

Seymour Duncan Distortion vs Thrash Factor JB

Kuitaristi

Kuitaristi

Video thumbnail for Industry Standard: Seymour Duncan Dave Mustaine Thrash Factor Pickups by Beau Monde Guitars

Industry Standard: Seymour Duncan Dave Mustaine Thrash Factor Pickups

Beau Monde Guitars

Beau Monde Guitars

Video thumbnail for Dave Mustaine Thrash Factor pickups Seymour Duncan by ClanOfHouseCats

Dave Mustaine Thrash Factor pickups Seymour Duncan

ClanOfHouseCats

ClanOfHouseCats

Video thumbnail for Seymour Duncan Dave Mustaine Thrash Factor (Unboxing) by Cryptic Mask Guitar

Seymour Duncan Dave Mustaine Thrash Factor (Unboxing)

Cryptic Mask Guitar

Cryptic Mask Guitar

Video thumbnail for Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor - Best Duncan you can buy but not the best pickup you can buy by Aris Koskinas

Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor - Best Duncan you can buy but not the best pickup you can buy

Aris Koskinas

Aris Koskinas

Video thumbnail for Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor In Les Paul (Megadeth Test) by Kuitaristi

Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor In Les Paul (Megadeth Test)

Kuitaristi

Kuitaristi

Reviews

PROS

  • Versatile sound from old school thrash to modern death metal

  • Hotter than standard Seymour Duncan JB-59 pickups

  • Maintains clarity with both high gain and clean tones

  • Ideal for achieving an authentic Megadeth sound

  • Easy installation with provided diagrams

  • Excellent depth and grunt for heavy riffs

  • Unique grey color and Dave Mustaine signature

  • Exceptional construction quality

  • Neck pickup offers classic, clean tones

  • Bridge pickup well-suited for high-gain setups

CONS

  • Midrange can feel scooped, requiring amp EQ adjustment

  • Bass-heavy sound may not suit all players

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor.

Comparisons

  • The Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor is perceived as darker than the Jackson JS32 stock pickups, which surprisingly aligned better with early 90s Megadeth tones.

    Source
  • The Thrash Factor features tightened bass, slightly cut mids, boosted treble, and higher output compared to the standard JB, resembling ceramic-like levels.

    Source
  • The Thrash Factor's tonal difference is comparable to switching from a JB to a Super Distortion.

    Source
  • The Thrash Factor is described by an owner as a "superwound JB" with tight lows, scooped mids, and aggressive highs, highlighting its specific tonal characteristics.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Switching from a stock Floyd Rose block to a brass block can reduce high frequencies, despite increasing sustain.

    Source
  • One owner plans to have their local shop install the Thrash Factor pickups due to their shop's busy schedule, indicating potential wait times for professional installation.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Adjusting the Thrash Factor pickup height between 2mm to 1cm from strings showed no significant impact on addressing muted highs.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Thrash Factor, modeled after the JB, can sound unexpectedly dark in guitars with limited upper midrange liveliness.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Pairing the Thrash Factor with high-gain amps can enhance brightness, despite its inherent darker tone.

    Source
  • The Thrash Factor is preferred over the JB for those seeking a more aggressive high-gain tone.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The Thrash Factor pickups are considered pricey for a mid-range set, with some users suggesting Seymour Duncan Invaders or EMGs as alternatives.

    Source

User experience

  • A user shared their positive experience with the Thrash Factor in a Jackson V guitar, confirming it as their main guitar choice after the upgrade.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Seymour Duncan Releases Dave Mustaine Signature Thrash Factor Humbucker | Guitar World

guitarworld.com

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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2 star
1 star

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Dave Mustaine uses Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor

Dave Mustaine

Guitarist, Singer

Metallica

...
Verified via YouTube

In 1990 Megadeth released their landmark fourth album, “Rust In Peace”. Widely regarded as one of the most iconic and influential metal albums of all time, its breakneck rhythms, intricate arrangements, shifting time signatures, and blazing dual lead guitar lines showcased the band’s mastery of their craft.

During the recording of the album Dave relied heavily on one guitar in particular, loaded with a Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge and 59 model in the neck. According to Dave, that JB had a tone that was different from an ‘off-the-shelf’ JB – and had become part of his signature sound.

We worked closely with Dave to recreate the tone and feel of his favorite JB, ultimately altering the winding process in order to achieve the tone he was looking for – compared to the standard JB model, the Thrash Factor’s low end is tighter, the mids are slightly scooped, and the highs are more aggressive.

See how Ola Englund uses Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor

Ola Englund

Guitarist, Podcasters & Streamers

Six Feet Under

...
Verified via YouTube

The pickup can be seen on this video.

Album Usage

The Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor has been featured on the following albums:

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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1

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