What output level does the SMB-5A deliver, and will it work with my preamp?

The SMB-5A has a 5.01 kΩ DC resistance (in parallel) and moderate output designed to work with both passive and active preamp setups. The four-conductor leadwire provides flexible wiring options to match your bass configuration.

How does the SMB-5A compare to other 5-string bass pickups like the Bartolini M4 CBC or DiMarzio Ultra Jazz?

The SMB-5A emphasizes articulate midrange punch and focused clarity with an 8/8/5 EQ profile (Bass/Mid/Treble), making it more aggressive than traditional jazz-voiced pickups; it's optimized for funk, progressive, and studio work rather than traditional jazz applications.

What's included with the SMB-5A, and what are the key construction details?

The pickup ships with a four-conductor hookup cable, logo cover, and features alnico V rod magnets, vacuum wax potting for feedback elimination, and Forbon flatwork construction materials. It's hand-built in Santa Barbara specifically for Music Man 5-string basses.

Will this pickup eliminate feedback during live performance?

Yes; the vacuum wax potting eliminates microphonic feedback and ensures consistent performance under stage conditions, making it reliable for gigging and live sound environments.

What tone should I expect from the alnico V magnet and 8.35 kHz resonant peak?

Alnico V delivers a warm, vintage-influenced core with excellent sustain and note definition, while the 8.35 kHz resonant peak adds upper-midrange presence without harshness, giving you clarity and aggression that cuts through dense mixes.

Do I pay sales tax on this order?

Sales tax is collected only on orders shipped to California; orders shipped to any other US state are not charged sales tax at checkout when you buy direct from our website. Marketplaces collect sales tax as the facilitator in most states, so the same listed price can cost more there. Buyers remain responsible for any use tax their state applies. Free US shipping and 30-day returns are included.

Seymour Duncan SMB-5A 5-String Alnico Magnet Pickup For Music Man

The SMB-5A is a hand-built 5-string Music Man pickup engineered to capture aggressive articulation and focused midrange punch in the recording chain. Designed by Seymour Duncan in Santa Barbara, this alnico-magnet design cuts through dense mixes with clarity while maintaining the tight, controlled response that studio sessions and home-recording workflows demand.

Tone & Magnetic Characteristics

Alnico V rod magnets deliver a warm, vintage-influenced core with excellent sustain and note definition across the fundamental frequencies. The 8.35 kHz resonant peak provides upper-midrange presence without harshness, while the EQ profile of 8/8/5 (Bass/Mid/Treble) emphasizes low-end body and midrange aggression with controlled high-end extension—ideal for sitting your bass tracks cleanly in a mix.

Construction & Recording Stability

This pickup features vacuum wax potting to eliminate microphonic feedback and ensure consistent tracking performance across multiple takes and sessions. The four-conductor leadwire allows flexible wiring configurations for different preamp integration options, and a 5.01 kΩ DC resistance (in parallel) positions this pickup as a moderate-output design suited to both passive and active interface setups in the studio.

Key Features

Hand built in Santa Barbara, California
Alnico V rod magnets
Four-conductor leadwire for flexible wiring options
5.01 kΩ DC resistance (in parallel)
8.35 kHz resonant peak frequency (in parallel)
Forbon flatwork construction materials
Vacuum wax potted for feedback elimination
EQ profile: 8 Bass / 8 Mid / 5 Treble
Designed specifically for 5-string Music Man bass applications
Four-conductor hookup cable included
Logo cover included

The SMB-5A delivers the clarity, sustain, and articulate midrange control that makes tracking bass a seamless part of any home-studio production.

Condition	New
Country of Manufacture	United States

Best suited for	funk, progressive, studio sessions, live performance
Tonal character	Warm vintage core, articulate midrange punch, tight controlled response, focused clarity, excellent sustain
Less specialized for	traditional jazz, folk (it will do it; instruments voiced for that style do it more easily)
Skill level	Intermediate / Advanced / Professional