Seymour Duncan SH-1b '59 Model Raw Nickel Rad Gold Mesh Pickup

Seymour Duncan SH-1b '59 Model Raw Nickel Rad Gold Mesh Pickup

The SH-1b '59 is a bridge humbucker engineered to capture warm, articulate midrange and natural compression—the sonic foundation that powers classic rock and blues recordings. This raw nickel variant with gold mesh cover maintains the tonal character that has anchored studio sessions and live performances for decades. The pickup responds to pick dynamics with clarity and sustain, translating playing nuance into your recordings without aggressive high-end coloration that muddies a mix.

Tonal Character & Winding

Wound on Seymour's classic Leesona 102 pickup winding machine using 42AWG plain enamel magnet wire, this pickup achieves the balanced frequency response required for balanced tracking across genres. The Alnico 5 bar magnet provides the right amount of magnetic pull to maintain note definition across the frequency spectrum, preserving sustain and cut-through in a full mix.

Construction & Specifications

Vacuum wax potting eliminates microphonic feedback and ensures consistent output session to session, while the long-legged nickel-silver bottom plate contributes to the overall tonal balance and harmonic depth. Original vintage-style single-conductor braided push-back lead wire preserves the traditional construction approach and allows straightforward integration into any wiring or modification workflow.

Key Features

• Wire gauge: 42AWG plain enamel magnet wire
• Magnet type: Alnico 5 bar
• Bottom plate: Long-legged nickel-silver
• Lead wire: Vintage single-conductor braided push back
• Potting method: Vacuum wax
• Winding machine: Seymour Duncan Leesona 102
• Bridge position humbucker (SH-1b configuration)
• Raw nickel cover with Rad Gold mesh design
• Available in 6-string standard and Trembucker spacings
• Optional 4-conductor version available for coil splitting

This pickup delivers the classic '59 voice with reliable construction and straightforward installation, providing a proven tonal foundation for recordings and sessions across styles and configurations.