Seymour Duncan AHB-1s Blackouts, 8-String, Set Pickup
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- Brand new in original box
- Full Seymour Duncan manufacturer's warranty
- Free shipping in the continental US
In stock
- SKU
- 11106-43-B-8str
Description
Seymour Duncan AHB-1s Blackouts, 8-String, Set Pickup
The Seymour Duncan AHB-1s Blackouts capture articulate, controlled aggression across extended-range instruments with minimal noise floor and transparent gain staging. These active 8-string pickups are engineered to deliver clarity in drop-tuned tracking applications without sacrificing dynamic response or headroom in the mix. The matched neck and bridge voicings translate modern metal and progressive material with precision in the recording chain.
Electronics & Noise Performance
Built on a 9V active topology with a differential preamp design, these pickups achieve exceptional noise rejection—measuring -97dBV (neck) and -96dBV (bridge)—ensuring clean signal transmission even at high gain settings during overdubs. The 0.65V RMS average output and 2.60V RMS peak output provide substantial headroom while maintaining tight articulation through the mixing console, with preamp distortion holding to 0.003% THD @ 1V.
Frequency Response & Installation
The neck pickup centers at 700Hz resonance while the bridge sits at 650Hz, delivering distinct tonal characters across the range without muddiness in dense sessions. Direct retrofit design for 8-string electrics includes 25K pots, stereo jack, battery clip, and mounting hardware; the integrated battery lasts approximately 1420 hours of typical use, with low current draw of 350 micro-amperes.
Key Features
- 9V active pickup configuration with balanced differential preamp
- Neck resonance: 700Hz; Bridge resonance: 650Hz
- Average output voltage: 0.65V RMS; Maximum output: 2.60V RMS
- Noise floor: -97dBV (neck), -96dBV (bridge)
- Preamp gain: 16dB (neck), 18dB (bridge)
- Preamp THD @ 1V: 0.003%
- Output impedance: 1K Ohm
- Current consumption: 350 micro-amperes
- Battery life: Approximately 1420 hours
- Includes 25K pots, stereo jack, battery clip, and mounting hardware
- Direct retrofit for 8-string electric guitars
The AHB-1s Blackouts combine low-noise electronics with predictable output staging, establishing a reliable foundation for extended-range tracking and layering in demanding studio applications.
More Information
| Condition | New |
|---|
Reviews
At a Glance
The AHB-1s Blackouts are active 8-string pickups engineered to capture tight, articulate metal and progressive tones with minimal noise and transparent gain staging, making them ideal for recording heavy music where definition matters. Their balanced differential preamp delivers -97dBV/-96dBV noise rejection and 0.003% THD, ensuring your DI or re-amped tracks stay clean and punchy across extended-range sessions. Setup is straightforward with included pots, battery clip, and mounting hardware.
Who This Is For
Great for
- ✓ Metal
- ✓ Progressive
- ✓ Drop Tunings
- ✓ Extended Range
Not the best pick for
- – Jazz
- – Blues
- – Acoustic Folk
Skill level: Intermediate · Advanced · Professional
Frequently Asked Questions
What skill level do these pickups suit?
The AHB-1s Blackouts are designed for intermediate, advanced, and professional players, particularly those comfortable with active electronics and high-gain applications like metal and progressive tunings.
Will these work in my 8-string guitar?
Yes—they are a direct retrofit for 8-string electric guitars and include 25K pots, stereo jack, battery clip, and all mounting hardware needed for installation.
How long does the battery last?
The 9V battery lasts approximately 1420 hours of typical use thanks to a low current draw of 350 micro-amperes, so you can expect months of regular gigging or recording between changes.
What genres and tunings are these pickups best for?
They excel in metal, progressive, and drop-tuning contexts where tight articulation and noise rejection are critical; they are not optimized for jazz, blues, or acoustic-folk applications.
How does the noise performance compare to passive pickups?
The active design achieves -97dBV noise floor (neck) and -96dBV (bridge) with only 0.003% preamp distortion at 1V, providing exceptional signal clarity even at high gain—far superior to most passive 8-string pickups.
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