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Average Price: $251
High-end/Boutique
$99
$200+
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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
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What is the Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor pickup set designed for?
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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.
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Are the Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor pickups active or passive?
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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.
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What is the magnet material used in the Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor pickups?
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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.
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How do the Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor pickups differ in output between the bridge and neck?
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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.
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Can the Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor pickups be used in any electric guitar?
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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.
Videos
Seymour Duncan
Dave Mustaine Thrash Factor Pickup set by Seymour Duncan
Reviews
PROS
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Versatile sound from old school thrash to modern death metal
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Hotter than standard Seymour Duncan JB-59 pickups
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Maintains clarity with both high gain and clean tones
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Ideal for achieving an authentic Megadeth sound
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Easy installation with provided diagrams
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Excellent depth and grunt for heavy riffs
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Unique grey color and Dave Mustaine signature
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Exceptional construction quality
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Neck pickup offers classic, clean tones
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Bridge pickup well-suited for high-gain setups
CONS
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Midrange can feel scooped, requiring amp EQ adjustment
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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
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The Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor is perceived as darker than the Jackson JS32 stock pickups, which surprisingly aligned better with early 90s Megadeth tones.
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The Thrash Factor features tightened bass, slightly cut mids, boosted treble, and higher output compared to the standard JB, resembling ceramic-like levels.
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The Thrash Factor's tonal difference is comparable to switching from a JB to a Super Distortion.
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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.
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Mods and upgrades
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Switching from a stock Floyd Rose block to a brass block can reduce high frequencies, despite increasing sustain.
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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.
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Setup and maintenance
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Adjusting the Thrash Factor pickup height between 2mm to 1cm from strings showed no significant impact on addressing muted highs.
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Features and functionality
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The Thrash Factor, modeled after the JB, can sound unexpectedly dark in guitars with limited upper midrange liveliness.
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Use cases and applications
Value and pricing
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The Thrash Factor pickups are considered pricey for a mid-range set, with some users suggesting Seymour Duncan Invaders or EMGs as alternatives.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings
Artist usage
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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.
Album Usage
The Seymour Duncan Thrash Factor has been featured on the following albums:
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 Thrash Factor, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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