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Seymour Duncan SH-3 Staggered Mag Zebra Pickup vs Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom Reverse Zebra Pickup
The SH-3 is a medium-output, balanced humbucker for articulate rock and progressive styles where clarity and dynamics matter; the SH-5 is a high-output, aggressive humbucker optimized for metal and djent where tight control and cutting brightness are essential. Choose the SH-3 for moderate-to-high gain with musical responsiveness, or the SH-5 for extreme gain and maximum sustain.
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Seymour Duncan SH-3 Staggered Mag Zebra Pickup
Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom Reverse Zebra Pickup
Specs side by side
| Seymour Duncan SH-3 Staggered Mag Zebra Pickup | Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom Reverse Zebra Pickup | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $99.00 | $99.00 |
| Brand | Seymour Duncan | Seymour Duncan |
| Condition | New | New |
Why choose Seymour Duncan SH-3 Staggered Mag Zebra Pickup
- ✓ Medium output (16.6K) balances gain with natural dynamics and high-end clarity
- ✓ Alnico 2 magnets deliver responsive, articulate tone that tracks pick attack accurately
- ✓ Staggered magnet design ensures balanced string response across all six strings
- ✓ Vacuum wax potting preserves natural resonance while eliminating feedback
Why choose Seymour Duncan SH-5 Duncan Custom Reverse Zebra Pickup
- ✓ High output (14.1K) engineered specifically for metal, djent, and extreme gain applications
- ✓ Ceramic magnet provides bright snap and cut-through essential for dense mixes
- ✓ Tight, controlled low end and sustained attack under high-gain conditions
- ✓ 4-conductor wiring and standard 49mm spacing fit all modern bridge routes
Frequently asked questions
What's the main tonal difference between these two pickups?
The SH-3 uses Alnico 2 magnets for a warmer, more articulate and responsive tone that preserves high-end clarity. The SH-5 uses ceramic magnets for a brighter, more aggressive character with tighter low-end control suited to extreme gain. The SH-3 is better for moderate-to-high gain; the SH-5 excels in metal and djent.
Which pickup has higher output?
The SH-5 Duncan Custom has higher output at 14.1K DCR compared to the SH-3 at 16.6K DCR. This makes the SH-5 more aggressive and responsive to heavy picking attack, while the SH-3 maintains better clarity and dynamic control at medium output levels.
Are both pickups suitable for coil-splitting?
Yes, both the SH-3 and SH-5 feature 4-conductor wiring that enables coil-splitting, series/parallel wiring, and other custom configurations. They are equally flexible in this regard.
Which pickup is better for rock versus metal?
The SH-3 excels in rock, hard rock, and progressive styles where articulation and balanced punch matter. The SH-5 is purpose-built for metal and djent, where aggression, sustain, and bright attack in heavy gain are priorities.