Seymour Duncan SSB-5S Passive Soapbar 5-String Pickup Set

Seymour Duncan SSB-5S Passive Soapbar 5-String Pickup Set

The SSB-5S delivers the articulate, defined response required in the studio for tracking five-string bass with clarity and punch across a wide frequency spectrum. Full-length dual blades ensure even string response across the entire width of the fingerboard, while the ceramic magnet construction provides the midrange articulation and tight low-end definition essential for layering bass in modern production—without the noise floor or power demands of active circuitry. These pickups are engineered as a direct replacement for EMG 40 configurations, making them an ideal upgrade path for producers and engineers working with sessions already committed to that form factor.

Tone & Output Characteristics

The bridge pickup's 8.1 kHz resonant peak combined with the neck's 9.2 kHz peak creates a balanced frequency response across the set, with the bridge unit's 3.9 kOhm DC resistance delivering substantial output suitable for modern tracking and mixing chain integration. This passive design eliminates the noise floor and battery dependency of active systems while maintaining the articulate midrange and tight low-end definition that sits clearly in a mix across genres ranging from jazz to heavy music, reducing the need for extensive EQ correction during post-production.

Build & Compatibility

Hand-built in Santa Barbara, California, these pickups feature dual coil ceramic magnet construction calibrated specifically as a matched neck and bridge pair. The 3.10" (78.5mm) maximum string spacing accommodates modern five-string bass configurations, and the full mounting hardware is included for straightforward installation into EMG 40-compatible cavities, enabling quick session swaps and equipment changes.

Key Features

• Configuration: 5-string soapbar pickup set with dual coil design
• Magnet type: Ceramic magnets
• Bridge pickup DC resistance: 3.9 kOhm
• Resonant peak — Neck: 9.2 kHz
• Resonant peak — Bridge: 8.1 kHz
• String spacing: Full-length dual blades accommodate maximum 3.10" (78.5mm)
• Direct EMG 40 replacement with calibrated neck and bridge set
• Passive design — no battery required
• Hand-built in Santa Barbara, California
• Complete mounting hardware included

The SSB-5S stands as a no-compromise passive option for recording five-string bass, delivering the clarity and sustain that Seymour Duncan's hand-built craftsmanship brings to professional tracking sessions.