11106-31-Nc vs 11106-33-B-7Str — Compare
Seymour Duncan AHB-1B Original Blackouts Bridge Pickup Nickel Cover vs Seymour Duncan AHB-1N Blackouts 7-String Neck Pickup
The AHB-1B is a bridge pickup for 6-string guitars with ceramic magnets and upper-midrange aggression, while the AHB-1N is a neck pickup designed specifically for 7-string extended-range instruments with Alnico 5 magnets for focused midrange clarity. Choose the AHB-1B if you play standard 6-string metal or hard rock; choose the AHB-1N if you play 7-string djent or progressive metal.
No sales tax on orders shipped outside California — total cost beats national retailers that charge sales tax in nearly every state.
Seymour Duncan AHB-1B Original Blackouts Bridge Pickup Nickel Cover
Seymour Duncan AHB-1N Blackouts 7-String Neck Pickup
Specs side by side
| Seymour Duncan AHB-1B Original Blackouts Bridge Pickup Nickel Cover | Seymour Duncan AHB-1N Blackouts 7-String Neck Pickup | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $135.00 | $135.00 |
| Brand | Seymour Duncan | Seymour Duncan |
| Pickup Type | Bridge | Neck |
| Condition | New | New |
Why choose Seymour Duncan AHB-1B Original Blackouts Bridge Pickup Nickel Cover
- ✓ Bridge position pickup optimized for high-gain attack and articulate cleans on standard guitars
- ✓ Ceramic magnet delivers aggressive harmonic content with 530 KHz resonant peak
- ✓ 2.00 volts RMS output with 16 dB preamp gain cuts through dense mixes
- ✓ Exceptional battery life of approximately 1420 hours per 9V cell
Why choose Seymour Duncan AHB-1N Blackouts 7-String Neck Pickup
- ✓ Purpose-built for 7-string guitars with neck position voicing
- ✓ Alnico 5 magnet provides tight low end and defined midrange clarity on extended range instruments
- ✓ 12dB to 14dB noise reduction ideal for high-gain stacked tunings
- ✓ Balanced differential inputs ensure consistent output across long cable runs
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the AHB-1N in a standard 6-string guitar?
No. The AHB-1N is explicitly designed as a neck pickup for 7-string configurations. The AHB-1B is the appropriate choice for 6-string guitars, and it functions as a bridge pickup with different EQ and magnet tuning.
Which pickup has lower noise?
The AHB-1B achieves -97dBV noise floor, while the AHB-1N provides 12dB to 14dB noise reduction through its active design. Both are extremely quiet, but the AHB-1B specifies an absolute noise floor measurement, making direct comparison difficult without knowing the AHB-1N's exact dBV rating.
Do both pickups use the same battery?
Yes. Both are powered by a single 9-volt battery. The AHB-1B delivers approximately 1420 hours of battery life per cell; the AHB-1N's battery life is not specified in the product information.
Which is better for drop tunings and heavy riffs?
The AHB-1B excels in drop tunings on 6-string guitars with its ceramic magnet and upper-midrange presence. The AHB-1N's tight low end and Alnico 5 design are optimized specifically for lower strings on a 7-string instrument, making it the correct choice for 7-string drop tunings.