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Seymour Duncan Exciter Bridge Gold Cover Pickup vs Seymour Duncan MortalCoil Bridge Black Pickup
The Exciter is a passive, vintage-voiced ceramic humbucker ideal for classic 1980s tone and players who want simple wiring flexibility; the MortalCoil is an active three-voice pickup engineered for modern extreme-gain clarity and djent/progressive applications. Choose the Exciter for retro rock tone, the MortalCoil for contemporary metal precision.
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Seymour Duncan Exciter Bridge Gold Cover Pickup
Seymour Duncan MortalCoil Bridge Black Pickup
Specs side by side
| Seymour Duncan Exciter Bridge Gold Cover Pickup | Seymour Duncan MortalCoil Bridge Black Pickup | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $175.00 | $169.00 |
| Brand | Seymour Duncan | Seymour Duncan |
| Condition | New | New |
Why choose Seymour Duncan Exciter Bridge Gold Cover Pickup
- ✓ Budget-friendly passive design—no active electronics or batteries needed
- ✓ 4-conductor wiring enables coil-split and series/parallel experimenting
- ✓ Authentic vintage 1980s character with proven, straightforward tonal character
- ✓ Gold cover adds classic, period-correct aesthetic appeal
Why choose Seymour Duncan MortalCoil Bridge Black Pickup
- ✓ Active three-voice system offers tonal flexibility from tight to muscular response
- ✓ Low-distortion preamp maintains clarity and articulation even at extreme gain
- ✓ Handmade in Santa Barbara with consistent quality control
- ✓ Drop-in replacement—includes all pots and wiring harness for active upgrades
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an active system to use the MortalCoil, or can I use it in a passive guitar?
The MortalCoil is an active pickup designed as a drop-in replacement for existing active setups. It includes the required preamp, pots, and wiring harness. The Exciter is purely passive and works in any standard guitar.
Which pickup is better for modern metal and djent?
The MortalCoil is engineered specifically for metal and progressive music, with a low-distortion preamp that stays articulate at extreme gain levels. The Exciter delivers vintage 1980s aggression but lacks the active three-voice control tailored to contemporary high-gain demands.
Can the Exciter do coil-split or other wiring tricks?
Yes—the Exciter's 4-conductor wiring enables coil-tapping and series/parallel configurations. The MortalCoil's three-voice system serves a similar purpose but through its active electronic architecture rather than passive coil-switching.
Which one is easier to install in a standard guitar?
The Exciter is a straightforward plug-and-play humbucker for any dual-humbucker guitar. The MortalCoil requires an active system already in place or installation of its included active electronics and wiring harness, making it more involved if your guitar is currently passive.