Seymour Duncan SH-1b '59 Model Zebra 4-Conductor Pickup

Seymour Duncan SH-1b '59 Model Zebra 4-Conductor Pickup

The SH-1b '59 Model captures the articulate, slightly compressed midrange and musical saturation that defined classic rock recordings. This zebra-coil humbucker bridges vintage PAF character with modern reliability, delivering authentic '59-style response that tracks cleanly through recording chains and sits naturally in dense mixes without dark coloration or excessive midrange bloom.

Tone & Performance in the Studio

Built around an Alnico 5 bar magnet and wound with 42AWG plain enamel wire, this pickup produces the warm, woody fundamentals and controlled output (8.2K DC resistance) that maintain clarity during overdubs and layering. The vacuum wax potting eliminates microphonic feedback in the signal chain while preserving the natural resonance and frequency balance engineers expect from a PAF-inspired design, ensuring predictable recordings across session sessions and console mixing.

Construction & Specifications

Hand-wound on a Leesona 102 pickup winding machine for precision and consistency, the SH-1b features a long-legged nickel-silver bottom plate that contributes to clarity and sustain in recorded tracks. The 4-conductor cable provides full wiring flexibility for coil-splitting, series/parallel switching, or standard configurations, giving you tonal options without requiring multiple pickups in your collection.

Key Features

• Alnico 5 bar magnet for warm, musical response
• 8.2K DC resistance — moderate output ideal for bridge positioning
• 42AWG plain enamel magnet wire
• Long-legged nickel-silver bottom plate for enhanced clarity
• 4-conductor cable for wiring versatility
• Vacuum wax potted construction — no microphonic feedback
• PAF-style humbucker design with vintage character
• Wound on Leesona 102 precision winding machine
• Zebra coil configuration

The SH-1b remains a studio standard bridge pickup for producers and engineers who demand vintage tone with the consistency needed for professional recording sessions and sustained touring use.