What is the primary purpose of the Seymour Duncan SH-1 '59 Model?

It is designed to replicate the tone of late 1950s PAF (Patent Applied For) humbuckers, offering a vintage, open sound with clear highs and warm lows.

What does '4-conductor' wiring mean for this pickup?

It means the pickup has four separate wires plus a ground, allowing for complex wiring options like coil-splitting (using only one coil) or parallel wiring.

Is this pickup suitable for high-gain music?

Yes, it is vacuum wax potted to handle higher volumes and gain without microphonic squeal, though its output is moderate compared to modern high-output pickups.

Does the gold cover affect the sound?

While some purists argue covers slightly soften the high-end frequency response, the effect is generally considered negligible compared to the aesthetic benefits.

What magnet type is used in the SH-1?

The SH-1 '59 Model utilizes an Alnico 5 magnet, which contributes to its clear, punchy character and slightly scooped mids.

Is there a difference between the neck and bridge versions?

Yes, the neck version is slightly lower in output to compensate for the greater string vibration at the neck, ensuring a balanced volume when switching between pickups.

Can I install this in a guitar that originally had single-coil pickups?

Only if the guitar's body is routed for humbuckers. Otherwise, significant woodworking/routing would be required to fit the dual-coil SH-1.

What is the typical price for the gold version of this pickup?

In the UK market, the gold-covered 4-conductor version typically retails for approximately £169.

How does this compare to the Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB?

The SH-1 '59 is a vintage-output pickup with a flatter response, whereas the SH-4 JB is a high-output pickup with a significant upper-midrange spike.

Why would I choose gold hardware over nickel or black?

Choice of finish is purely aesthetic to match the existing hardware on your instrument, such as the bridge or tuning pegs.

Is the mounting hardware included?

Usually, Seymour Duncan pickups include the necessary mounting screws and springs, though the specific orientation can vary by model.

Is this pickup potted?

Yes, the SH-1 '59 is vacuum wax potted to ensure it remains quiet and free from microphonic feedback under high-volume playing conditions.

Gear article

Seymour Duncan SH-1 '59 Model Humbucker

The Seymour Duncan SH-1 '59 Model is a vintage-style humbucking pickup designed to replicate the specific tonal characteristics of late-1950s 'Patent Applied For' pickups. This specific iteration features a gold cover and a four-conductor lead wire, allowing for advanced wiring configurations such as coil-splitting and phase switching.

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Overview

The Seymour Duncan SH-1 '59 Model is a cornerstone of the Seymour Duncan catalogue, engineered to provide the warmth and clarity associated with the humbuckers of the late 1950s. While vintage originals often lacked consistency, the SH-1 is built to precise specifications to ensure reliable performance across units. The neck version is specifically voiced to provide a deep, full sound without becoming muddy, even when played through high-gain amplifiers.

Technical Design and Features

This specific variant of the SH-1 includes two major modern deviations from the original 1950s design to increase versatility:

4-Conductor Wiring: Unlike the traditional single-conductor braided wire, this version uses four separate leads. This enables users to perform complex modifications such as coil-tapping, series/parallel switching, and out-of-phase wiring.
Gold Plating: The pickup is housed in a gold-plated cover, making it an ideal aesthetic match for high-end instruments with gold hardware, such as certain Gibson Les Paul Customs or semi-hollow body guitars.
Vacuum Wax Potting: To prevent microphonic feedback at high volumes, the pickup is vacuum wax potted.

Tonal Character

The SH-1 '59 is defined by its 'vintage-correct' Tonal profile. By using Alnico 5 magnets and a moderate output wind, the pickup retains a clear high-end attack and a slightly scooped midrange. This allows the natural character of the guitar's wood to shine through. In the neck position, it provides a round, fluty sustain that is highly sought after for blues and jazz, yet it maintains enough brightness to stay defined during fast articulated passages.

Compatibility and Installation

As a standard-sized humbucker, the SH-1 fits most guitars routed for full-sized pickups. Because this is the neck-specific model, the pole piece spacing and output are calibrated to work in harmony with a bridge-position pickup (often a matched SH-1 Bridge or a higher output model like the SH-4 JB). It is important to note that mounting screw positions and general wiring may vary between the neck and bridge versions, so correct orientation is essential for optimal string balance.

Market Context

Within the Seymour Duncan range, the '59 Model sits alongside other vintage-inspired units but remains the most popular for general-purpose classic rock and blues. While specialized components like the Gotoh 203B-4 Bass Bridge or Fender Contemporary Jazz Bass pickguards serve specific niche utility roles for bassists, the SH-1 neck humbucker remains a staple upgrade for six-string guitarists looking to move away from modern, overly compressed stock pickups toward a more dynamic, open sound.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary purpose of the Seymour Duncan SH-1 '59 Model?: It is designed to replicate the tone of late 1950s PAF (Patent Applied For) humbuckers, offering a vintage, open sound with clear highs and warm lows.
What does '4-conductor' wiring mean for this pickup?: It means the pickup has four separate wires plus a ground, allowing for complex wiring options like coil-splitting (using only one coil) or parallel wiring.
Is this pickup suitable for high-gain music?: Yes, it is vacuum wax potted to handle higher volumes and gain without microphonic squeal, though its output is moderate compared to modern high-output pickups.
Does the gold cover affect the sound?: While some purists argue covers slightly soften the high-end frequency response, the effect is generally considered negligible compared to the aesthetic benefits.
What magnet type is used in the SH-1?: The SH-1 '59 Model utilizes an Alnico 5 magnet, which contributes to its clear, punchy character and slightly scooped mids.
Is there a difference between the neck and bridge versions?: Yes, the neck version is slightly lower in output to compensate for the greater string vibration at the neck, ensuring a balanced volume when switching between pickups.
Can I install this in a guitar that originally had single-coil pickups?: Only if the guitar's body is routed for humbuckers. Otherwise, significant woodworking/routing would be required to fit the dual-coil SH-1.
What is the typical price for the gold version of this pickup?: In the UK market, the gold-covered 4-conductor version typically retails for approximately £169.
How does this compare to the Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB?: The SH-1 '59 is a vintage-output pickup with a flatter response, whereas the SH-4 JB is a high-output pickup with a significant upper-midrange spike.
Why would I choose gold hardware over nickel or black?: Choice of finish is purely aesthetic to match the existing hardware on your instrument, such as the bridge or tuning pegs.
Is the mounting hardware included?: Usually, Seymour Duncan pickups include the necessary mounting screws and springs, though the specific orientation can vary by model.
Is this pickup potted?: Yes, the SH-1 '59 is vacuum wax potted to ensure it remains quiet and free from microphonic feedback under high-volume playing conditions.