What is the typical price for the SH-1 '59 Bridge Zebra?

The typical retail price is approximately £119 in the United Kingdom.

Which side are the screws on for the Zebra pattern?

On the Zebra '59 Model Bridge pickup, the adjustable pole piece screws are located on the white (cream) bobbin.

What era of sound does the SH-1 '59 replicate?

It is designed to replicate the 'vintage-correct' humbucker sound of the late 1950s, specifically the PAF era.

What type of magnet is used in the '59 Model?

This pickup uses an Alnico 5 bar magnet for a bright and punchy response.

Is the SH-1 '59 suitable for high gain?

Yes, because it is vacuum wax potted, it handles high-gain amplification well without excessive microphonic feedback.

Can I use this pickup in the neck position?

While this specific model is calibrated for the bridge position, Seymour Duncan produces a dedicated neck version with lower output to ensure volume balance.

How does the '59 sound compared to modern high-output pickups?

It has a lower output and a more 'open' frequency response with clearer highs and less compressed mids than high-output models.

What does 'Zebra' mean in pickup terminology?

Zebra refers to a colour scheme where one bobbin is black and the other is cream/white.

Is the bridge version different from the neck version?

Yes, the bridge version is wound slightly hotter to compensate for the lower string vibration near the bridge, and the screw and wiring positions may vary.

Does it come with a cover?

The Zebra version is typically an 'uncovered' pickup, showing the plastic bobbins and pole pieces directly.

Is the SH-1 '59 good for jazz?

Yes, its clarity and articulate high-end make it an excellent choice for jazz players looking for a warm but defined tone.

Who is the manufacturer of the SH-1?

The SH-1 is manufactured by Seymour Duncan, a legendary guitar pickup company based in the USA.

Gear article

Seymour Duncan SH-1 '59 Model Bridge Pickup

The Seymour Duncan SH-1 '59 Model Bridge Pickup is a vintage-output humbucker designed to replicate the classic 'Patent Applied For' tones of the late 1950s. Built with an Alnico 5 magnet and vintage-style construction, it provides a versatile and clear response suitable for a wide range of musical genres.

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Background and Design

The SH-1 '59 Model is one of Seymour Duncan's most enduring designs, created to provide guitarists with a 'vintage-correct' late 1950s humbucker sound. It is inspired by the original PAF (Patent Applied For) pickups found in iconic solid-body electric guitars from 1958 to 1960.

This specific bridge model features the 'Zebra' aesthetic, consisting of one cream and one black bobbin. On this Zebra configuration, the adjustable pole pieces (screws) are located on the white (cream) side of the pickup, which is a standard identifier for this model's visual layout.

Technical Features

The '59 Model is built using traditional materials to ensure an authentic response. Key technical specifications include:

Alnico 5 Magnet: Provides a slightly more aggressive and bright response compared to Alnico 2 alternatives.
Vacuum Wax Potting: Helps to eliminate microphonic feedback, making it suitable for modern high-gain amplification while maintaining vintage tone.
Wiring: Traditionally available with single-conductor braided shield lead wire, though some versions offer four-conductor wiring for coil-splitting capabilities.
Zebra Finish: A classic visual choice for bridge positions where the pickup is exposed without a metal cover.

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Sonic Character

The SH-1 bridge pickup is known for its balanced, 'open' sound. It avoids the mid-range 'honk' associated with high-output modern pickups, instead offering a slightly scooped mid-range and a clear, articulate high end. The Alnico 5 magnet contributes to a punchy low end that remains tight and defined even when using distortion. This combination makes it highly responsive to the player's picking dynamics and the guitar's volume control.

Applications and Compatibility

The SH-1 '59 is highly versatile and fits most humbucker-equipped electric guitars. It is particularly popular in mahogany-bodied instruments like the Les Paul, where it helps add clarity and treble definition.

While it is designed for the bridge position, it is often paired with another SH-1 in the neck position for a matched vintage set. It is an ideal choice for players of blues, classic rock, jazz, and early heavy metal who require a pickup that can transition from warm cleans to overdriven lead tones without becoming muddy.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the typical price for the SH-1 '59 Bridge Zebra?: The typical retail price is approximately £119 in the United Kingdom.
Which side are the screws on for the Zebra pattern?: On the Zebra '59 Model Bridge pickup, the adjustable pole piece screws are located on the white (cream) bobbin.
What era of sound does the SH-1 '59 replicate?: It is designed to replicate the 'vintage-correct' humbucker sound of the late 1950s, specifically the PAF era.
What type of magnet is used in the '59 Model?: This pickup uses an Alnico 5 bar magnet for a bright and punchy response.
Is the SH-1 '59 suitable for high gain?: Yes, because it is vacuum wax potted, it handles high-gain amplification well without excessive microphonic feedback.
Can I use this pickup in the neck position?: While this specific model is calibrated for the bridge position, Seymour Duncan produces a dedicated neck version with lower output to ensure volume balance.
How does the '59 sound compared to modern high-output pickups?: It has a lower output and a more 'open' frequency response with clearer highs and less compressed mids than high-output models.
What does 'Zebra' mean in pickup terminology?: Zebra refers to a colour scheme where one bobbin is black and the other is cream/white.
Is the bridge version different from the neck version?: Yes, the bridge version is wound slightly hotter to compensate for the lower string vibration near the bridge, and the screw and wiring positions may vary.
Does it come with a cover?: The Zebra version is typically an 'uncovered' pickup, showing the plastic bobbins and pole pieces directly.
Is the SH-1 '59 good for jazz?: Yes, its clarity and articulate high-end make it an excellent choice for jazz players looking for a warm but defined tone.
Who is the manufacturer of the SH-1?: The SH-1 is manufactured by Seymour Duncan, a legendary guitar pickup company based in the USA.