11103-105-Z vs 11103-16-B — Compare
Seymour Duncan Hades Gates TB Zebra Pickup vs Seymour Duncan Green Magic TB Black Pickup
The Hades Gates TB Zebra is an overwound, high-output metal weapon with punch and aggression, while the Green Magic TB Black prioritizes harmonic exploration and phase-shift tonal options for jazz and studio work. Choose the Hades Gates if you play modern metal or hard rock; choose the Green Magic if you value experimental voicings and articulate, nuanced tones.
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Specs side by side
| Seymour Duncan Hades Gates TB Zebra Pickup | Seymour Duncan Green Magic TB Black Pickup | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $129.00 | $129.00 |
| Brand | Seymour Duncan | Seymour Duncan |
| Condition | New | New |
Why choose Seymour Duncan Hades Gates TB Zebra Pickup
- ✓ Overwound construction delivers aggressive high output and sustain ideal for metal and djent
- ✓ Excellent string separation and focused articulation cut through dense mixes
- ✓ 4-conductor wiring enables full coil-splitting and phase switching for tonal flexibility
- ✓ Short mounting legs fit standard cavities with minimal modification
Why choose Seymour Duncan Green Magic TB Black Pickup
- ✓ Reversed magnet polarity unlocks distinctive out-of-phase tones unavailable in standard pickups
- ✓ Bell-like, harmonic-rich textures perfect for jazz, progressive, and studio experimentation
- ✓ Trembucker spacing ensures proper pole alignment on Jazzmaster, Bigsby, and wide-spaced bridges
- ✓ Moderate-to-high output (8.7k–9.4k DCR) balances clarity with moderate gain without compression
Frequently asked questions
Which pickup is better for metal?
The Hades Gates TB Zebra is purpose-built for metal with overwound Alnico 2 construction delivering the aggressive, focused output and sustain modern metal demands. The Green Magic is voiced for jazz and studio work, making it unsuitable for heavy styles.
Can either pickup do jazz?
The Green Magic TB Black is specifically designed for jazz with harmonic complexity and articulate cleans. The Hades Gates is optimized for metal and hard rock, not jazz voicing.
What's the key tonal difference?
The Hades Gates emphasizes punch, clarity, and string separation for cutting aggression. The Green Magic emphasizes bell-like harmonic textures and reversed-polarity phase-shift capabilities for tonal exploration.
Do both work with standard guitars?
Both are Trembucker-spaced for wide-spaced bridges. The Hades Gates has short mounting legs for standard cavities; the Green Magic is designed for Jazzmaster, Bigsby, and similar wide-spaced systems. Check your guitar's bridge spacing before ordering.