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Seymour Duncan SH-4/SH-2n Hot Rodded Set, Gold Pickup vs Seymour Duncan SSB-5S Passive Soapbar 5-String Pickup Set
The SH-4/SH-2n is a guitar humbucker set engineered for aggressive rock and metal lead work, while the SSB-5S is a five-string bass pickup set designed for articulate, punchy tone across jazz, funk, and heavy genres. These are instruments for entirely different players—choose based on whether you're upgrading a guitar or bass.
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Seymour Duncan SH-4/SH-2n Hot Rodded Set, Gold Pickup
Seymour Duncan SSB-5S Passive Soapbar 5-String Pickup Set
Specs side by side
| Seymour Duncan SH-4/SH-2n Hot Rodded Set, Gold Pickup | Seymour Duncan SSB-5S Passive Soapbar 5-String Pickup Set | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $269.00 | $269.00 |
| Brand | Seymour Duncan | Seymour Duncan |
| Pickup Type | — | Set |
| Condition | New | New |
Why choose Seymour Duncan SH-4/SH-2n Hot Rodded Set, Gold Pickup
- ✓ High-output bridge humbucker (16.4 kΩ) with aggressive 5.5 kHz midrange peak for cutting lead tones
- ✓ Alnico V magnets deliver warm clarity and dynamic sustain ideal for metal and progressive rock
- ✓ Matched neck pickup (SH-2n) maintains articulation while keeping pace with bridge output for cohesive tonal balance
- ✓ Four-conductor cable enables coil-split flexibility for players with compatible wiring
Why choose Seymour Duncan SSB-5S Passive Soapbar 5-String Pickup Set
- ✓ Purpose-built for five-string bass with full-length dual blades ensuring even response across all strings
- ✓ Dual ceramic magnet passive design delivers substantial output without batteries or active electronics noise
- ✓ Direct EMG 40 cavity compatibility makes it a straightforward upgrade for existing bass configurations
- ✓ Balanced 8.1 kHz (bridge) and 9.2 kHz (neck) resonant peaks provide clarity suitable for jazz, funk, and metal bass playing
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the SSB-5S in a guitar?
No. The SSB-5S is a five-string bass pickup set with 3.10 inch string spacing and EMG 40 cavity compatibility. The SH-4/SH-2n is a guitar humbucker set. They are not interchangeable.
Which pickup set has higher output?
The SH-4 bridge humbucker (16.4 kΩ) has substantially higher DC resistance than the SSB-5S bridge (3.9 kOhm), but they serve different instruments and cannot be directly compared. Output levels are optimized for their respective instrument types.
Are both hand-built in Santa Barbara?
Yes, both the SH-4/SH-2n and SSB-5S are hand-crafted by Seymour Duncan in Santa Barbara, California, ensuring consistent quality across both product lines.
Do I need active electronics or a battery for either set?
The SH-4/SH-2n are passive humbuckers requiring no battery or active circuitry. The SSB-5S is also a passive design, eliminating noise floor and battery dependency while delivering high output for modern amplification.