11102-92-RB vs 11108-16-NC — Compare
Seymour Duncan Set, Black Winter, Humbucker Red/Black Zebra Pickup vs Seymour Duncan Phat Cat Nickel Pickup Set
The Black Winter is a high-output, aggressive pickup for metal and modern rock with tight lows and punchy mids, while the Phat Cat Nickel delivers warm, vintage P-90 character suited to blues, jazz, and classic rock. Choose Black Winter if you play hard rock or metal; choose Phat Cat Nickel if you want authentic vintage tone with contemporary clarity.
No sales tax on orders shipped outside California — total cost beats national retailers that charge sales tax in nearly every state.
Seymour Duncan Set, Black Winter, Humbucker Red/Black Zebra Pickup
Specs side by side
| Seymour Duncan Set, Black Winter, Humbucker Red/Black Zebra Pickup | Seymour Duncan Phat Cat Nickel Pickup Set | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $229.00 | $229.00 |
| Brand | Seymour Duncan | Seymour Duncan |
| Condition | New | New |
Why choose Seymour Duncan Set, Black Winter, Humbucker Red/Black Zebra Pickup
- ✓ High-output design cuts through dense mixes without losing note clarity
- ✓ Three ceramic magnets and overwound coil deliver tight low-end and aggressive articulation
- ✓ Optimized for drop tunings, metal, and modern rock applications
- ✓ Vacuum wax potted for squeal-free operation in live settings
Why choose Seymour Duncan Phat Cat Nickel Pickup Set
- ✓ Dual Alnico 2 magnets produce warm, woody vintage P-90 character
- ✓ Retrofit humbucker size fits most guitars without routing modifications
- ✓ Reverse wind/polarity neck pickup cancels hum in both-pickup mode
- ✓ Smooth treble and pronounced midrange ideal for blues and jazz expression
Frequently asked questions
Which pickup handles drop tunings better?
The Black Winter is specifically designed for drop tunings with its tight low-end definition and three large ceramic magnets. The Phat Cat Nickel is optimized for standard tunings in blues and jazz contexts and is not engineered for extreme downtuning.
Can I retrofit either pickup into a semi-hollow body guitar?
Yes, both are humbucker-compatible. The Phat Cat Nickel is particularly marketed for retrofitting semi-hollow and solid-body guitars without routing modifications, making it the better choice for vintage-focused instruments.
How do the output levels compare?
The Black Winter is high-output with three ceramic magnets and custom overwound coils. The Phat Cat Nickel uses lower DC resistance values (8.0–8.5 kOhm) that produce vintage-level output, making it significantly less powerful for heavy gain applications.
Which set is better for studio recording?
The Phat Cat Nickel is explicitly listed as ideal for studio sessions and delivers articulate definition across gain levels. The Black Winter excels in dense mix contexts but is voice-optimized for aggressive live and metal production.