What does active circuitry mean, and why does it matter for 7-string applications?

Active circuitry uses a 9V battery to power an onboard preamp that boosts signal and rejects noise before it reaches your amp. This is especially valuable on 7-string guitars where lower strings and dense gain create more hum and interference; the AHB-1N delivers 12dB to 14dB noise reduction, keeping your tone clean even in high-gain setups.

Is this pickup suitable for neck position on a 7-string guitar?

Yes—the AHB-1N is specifically engineered for 7-string neck position, with an Alnico 5 magnet and tuned preamp designed to maintain clarity and articulation on lower strings while preserving defined midrange presence for complex chords and leads.

What genres and playing styles does this pickup work best for?

The AHB-1N excels in metal, djent, and progressive music where articulation, controlled dynamics, and noise rejection are priorities. It is not optimized for blues, jazz, or country applications.

What is included in the package, and is installation straightforward?

The pickup includes a battery clip, mounting hardware, and 25K potentiometers to support easy installation. No soldering expertise is required—balanced differential inputs and included components simplify integration into most 7-string rigs.

How does the AHB-1N compare to passive alternatives for 7-string neck position?

Active pickups like the AHB-1N maintain consistent tone regardless of cable length and offer inherent noise rejection; passive pickups are sensitive to cable capacitance and amplify hum more readily, especially in high-gain contexts. The AHB-1N also delivers higher output and greater dynamic range, critical for modern metal and studio production.

Do I pay sales tax on this order?

We collect sales tax only on orders shipped to California. Orders shipped to any other US state are charged $0 sales tax at checkout when you buy direct from our website. Marketplaces such as eBay, Reverb and Amazon collect sales tax in nearly every state as marketplace facilitators no matter who the seller is, so the same item at the same price costs less bought direct. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included. Some states ask buyers to self-report use tax on out-of-state purchases.

Seymour Duncan AHB-1N Blackouts 7-String Neck Pickup

The AHB-1N Blackouts is a high-output active neck pickup engineered for extended-range instruments, delivering tight articulation and controlled low-end response ideal for modern metal and djent applications. This pickup combines aggressive gain with surprising clarity, allowing complex chord voicings and lead work to cut through dense mixes without muddiness.

Active Electronics & Power

Built on 9V active circuitry with a differential preamp and balanced inputs, this pickup achieves exceptional signal clarity and noise rejection across long cable runs. The included battery clip and mounting hardware provide straightforward installation, while the active topology enables the output level and frequency response to remain consistent regardless of cable capacitance.

Tone & Magnetic Design

An Alnico 5 magnet in the neck position yields a focused, articulate response with defined midrange presence—critical for maintaining clarity on lower strings of a 7-string instrument. The 12dB to 14dB noise reduction inherent to the active design eliminates hum and interference, essential for high-gain applications where passive pickup noise would otherwise be amplified.

Key Features

9V active pickup with integrated preamp
Alnico 5 magnet tuned for neck position
Balanced differential inputs for signal integrity
12dB to 14dB noise reduction
Designed for 7-string guitar configurations
Includes 25K potentiometers
Stereo jack connection
Battery clip and mounting hardware supplied
Phase I and Phase II cover sizes available

The AHB-1N delivers the noise-free, articulate response and extended dynamic range that modern extended-range players demand from a neck position pickup.

Condition	New
Country of Manufacture	United States