Seymour Duncan 7-String Bridge Pickup Comparison- Metal

[@OlaEnglund]

Distortions

[@isaiahgrandt5305]

@@DjinnGSXR lets hear you play

[@idiotburns]

Where is this said video OLA???

[@dioncollier789]

The SH-5 Custom gets the Keith Merrow grimace of approval.

[@datrain780311]

Haha right! That almost sold me on it

[@desimar3287]

Ya but the problem is we didn't get to see Keith's expressions for the last three or four pickups which could have been even more approving. :(

[@FredSteel]

Yep! I like the sh-6 and the sh-5 custom .. hard decision !

[@metallicaspiker16]

@@FredSteel I’m personally about to pickup a guitar I left for an SH-5 swap (from a stock SH-6). That grimace from Keith AND Wes sold me on it 🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@balkharianlion]

it gets mine too :) /watch?v=1vVGXPxKE9Y

[@sunnaki]

The pickups don't matter anymore because after looking up the tabs to this song I've decided to throw all my guitars away anyway.

[@barrygomez5968]

Lol

[@desimar3287]

Lol

[@bernieboi8943]

Lol

[@LuluBanzai]

Lol

[@garikdjan6266]

Where to find tabs?

[@alexhaas8845]

The look on their faces during the SH-5 shows hands down which one was their favorite. :) I agree with them on the SH-5. Sounds brilliant and aggressive on the palm mutes.

[@mikechristy1840]

For those like me that are trying to find out what song this is, it's Conquering Dystopia - Autarch. This section kicks in around 2:43.

[@atithesnail]

THAT part for comparison (SH-5 for me, by far, check the faces for verification) SH-6 Distortion 0:26 SH-10 Full Shred 1:20 SH-4 JB 2:13 SH-8 Invader 3:06 SH-5 Custom 3:59 SH-14 Custom 5 4:53 AHB-3 EMTY Blackout 5:46 AHB-1 Blackout 6:39

[@ChrisFewNFarBetween]

SH5 guitars only - 11:06. Listen to that grind without the mix. Sounds like they grinding bones by the ton. I started pulling the same face as Keith!

[@holstorrsceadus1990]

Hero

[@thewhyzardinblack4808]

Great idea, I was thinking I preferred the Blackouts until I compared here \,,/\,,/

[@frothycarapace969]

Lmao glad Im not the only one who noticed the faces for that one. Sounds nasty

[@luisbarrera5740]

Those faces are not caused so much by what they're hearing as they play but more because of how it FEELS to chug with the pickup. I had the same reaction with the nail bomb ceramic. Which makes me think I gotta try this with a liquifire in the neck.

[@StricklandAssistantManager]

3:59 You know you have one hell of a metal pickup tone when your face assumes that position. That SH-5 is djenty as hell.

[@rubng__]

1. Blackout - very satisfying aggression 2. Distortion - satisfying overall balance and aggression 3. SH5 - chugs, chugs, chugs 4. JB - best solo tone ever, very chunky

[@musickman123]

JB is 40 years old and still kills it

[@Lollerkid]

Alnico 5. Not the highest output but clearity over ceramic ones.

[@Magic_Man916]

The JB sounds insane on a 7 string

[@svelle37]

Looks like I'm definitely in the minority here, but I absolutely love the SH-4!

[@JohnnyRaven69]

Me too!

[@justinorprecio3094]

Me too 👍

[@ItsSauIGoodman]

Same!

[@jmcsquared18]

Hard agree. It has a sexy voicing. When you dig into single notes, they sing out and stick out in the midrange, and when you chug, it's just balanced.

[@RobChappers]

Keith's face at 4:00 is killer

[@jmcsquared18]

4:53 I love how warm the SH-14 Custom 5's are on the chugs. Tight but full lows.

[@goddessintriptych7046]

0:29 SH6 2:13 SH4 7:34 SH6 9:20 SH4

[@guitarjoker]

I like the SH-5. Honorable mention to the Nazgul. The SH-5 offered beautiful bottom end, with just the right amount of mids to connect the grind to the high end. Note presence was balanced and especially clear in single-note/solo sections. The pick contact sound is ample and seems to be very useable. (LoL their facial expressions indicate user satisfaction, totally)

[@wombat6]

Came back to this video and man... it's HARD to argue with the Duncan Distortion. It sounds the most well-rounded out of all of them. Not too shrill, not too muddy, juuuust right in every aspect.

[@BlitzAceX]

those sh5 customs really brought my guitar to life hahah

[@thiago88smart]

best combo would be - sh-5 in the bridge and emg 707 in the neck. HAHA

[@chadvitale1567]

Same here man. Brutal sounding.

[@ProgDeth]

the SH-5 sounds like a mastered version of the track haha.

[@Stormvionics]

The song is called Autarch by Conquering Dystopia

[@poisonvenom5695]

Solo by Jeff loomis

[@TimothyPage06]

The Custom sounded SO heavy in this video, I could even see it in your expressions when you were chugging on the open low string. Even the lead tone of it was great. I think you guys just picked my next pickup.

[@hitarophoenix]

Wes Hauch's technique is so flawless.

[@AndyLifeInVideo]

JB all the way!!

[@MK4vDubbin]

Keith and Wes jamming together. Fuck yes. Thank you for making this happen Seymour Duncan.

[@ChewstonIsBallistic]

They were really diggin the sh-5 customs lol

[@I_Am_BearSquatch]

Replay Button- 3:38 You're welcome.

[@johnnyrotten6955]

Replay Button = 4:31

[@vulgarjack]

3:38 Here we go! We have a winner!

[@andrew_khz]

JB - classic still the best

[@bargoldstein4898]

classic cliche

[@justinorprecio3094]

The JB gets my vote too

[@ItsSauIGoodman]

JB will always be number 1

[@behemothokun]

The SH-5 sound lovely.

[@cristobalvalenzuela6792]

Those faces at 4:00 .. enough to convince me, SD Custom straight to my guitar \m/

[@Madbutcher305]

It's pretty amazing how mean the Custom sounds on the palm mutes. I guess that explains Gary Holt's sound on the recent Exodus albums.

[@bbgMickey]

Look at their faces at 4:00 it shows how scary SH-5 is

[@duke-swtmate4154]

Michael Joshua I was so scared that I had to buy this pickup. ;-)

[@biomechanism1]

+Michael Joshua lemon juice

[@prosatanos1991]

+Michael Joshua I also bought it after watching their model comparison videos. It's absolutely brutal!

[@rickmartin7674]

Once I got to it I went straight to the comments to see how many people lost their shit over the SH-5. Keith did.

[@erickmazur807]

the nazgul has that tone plus some

[@MrMusicopath]

7:34 Distortion 8:27 Full Shred 9:21 JB 10:14 Invader 11:07 Custom 12:01 Custom 5 12:54 EMTY Blackout 13:47 Blackout

[@ArnoldPlaysGuitar]

Blackouts and Custom 5...hands down. They just sound fucking gnarly!!!

[@johnnyrotten6955]

Fuck Yeah!! Custom 5 is badass!!

[@seventhplace]

It sounded like somebody lifted a curtain during the SH 5 Custom

[@johnnyrotten6955]

Curtain is in your pants. Custom 5 is the best. custom is too fucking bright and i hate that. For me, Custom 5 is the best choice, so fuck off!!

[@johnnyrotten6955]

And by the way Custom 5 is SH-14 and Custom is SH-5. Douchebag.

[@seventhplace]

You communicate like a 5-year-old so we just ignore you

[@averycooper427]

Recently getting into Wes, watched a live Alluvial video to see a big influence standing to his left holding a guitar that I use on a daily basis. It was today when I found out Wes and Keith were friends and played together, only to remember this video I had watched years ago and didn't even realize it. Crazy

[@eddiespectral]

Love the SH-14 Custom 5

[@pawejakub7715]

me too

[@JohnnyRaven69]

I like it too. Very nice low end for groove riffs and melodic riffs.

[@hdeline]

ya they are great. 5 is ceramic 14 almico so the same pick up really

[@matttaylor1449]

SH-6 Distortion 0:26 SH-10 Full Shred 1:20 SH-4 JB 2:13 SH-8 Invader 3:06 SH-5 Custom 3:59 SH-14 Custom 5 4:53 AHB-3 EMTY Blackout 5:46 AHB-1 Blackout 6:39

[@kmbeatsdrums]

Sh-5 definitely has the clearest but also all around meaty tone🤙🏻🔥

[@embracingthemadness1722]

the SH-5 is the most evil sounding pick up i have ever heard

[@daddyyumyum]

Embracing The Madness Just look at their faces when they start palm muting. Haha. Says it all.

[@MKRocker2012]

Embracing The Madness It sounds like a heavy metal chainsaw through bone

[@BigKyleTX]

Embracing The Madness No shit!! I was down in the comments when the SH-5 came on and I was like holy shit... That's the one I want!

[@prosatanos1991]

+Embracing The Madness I think that the SH-5 sounds frickin' old school. One can't simply talk bullsh*t about old school stuff, it made BIG things happen in the past.

[@bargoldstein4898]

and the most shitty

[@FernandoP1979]

SH-5 Custom is the best sound! You guys made an approval faces during the first sounds! AWESOME!

[@leoncurtis]

sh5 and ahb1 blackouts really get the tone there

[@Audrellanuggie]

Dude the song from the album!! A masterpiece man .

[@Thrashmetalkicksass]

Ahahah this has gone straight into the new Conquering Dystopia album. Luckily, 'cause this is a damn good riff :)

[@cbsaulren]

I know this video is old but I love this great service Keith does for us SD fans. I also wanted to see if my prediction of the JB sounding the best (it did) was true. The SH-5 custom is definitely evil as well. It's just hard to beat that clarity paired with actual dynamics that you get from a JB. Most modern passives are voiced to sound more like the ultra EQ'd and compressed actives. The 6 string shootout with Naguls and Omegas (both of which sound sick af) is an amazing comparison too.

[@pimpensteinmcchickenlegs6292]

The best sounding ones are SH-6, AHB-3 and AHB-1 in my opinion. They are brighter, encompass a bigger mid range and are generally more full-sounding. I also like the SH-5 for the extra bite. Awesome sounding pickups. I wonder if Keith will be tempted to do a video on Dimarzios and EMGs next?

[@bargoldstein4898]

he's sponserd by SD. and i'm really want from someone to take this concept and do it with dimarzio and bare knuckles

[@judsonchristudas]

I prefer SH6

[@shawncrodis]

This video made me buy an SH-6 Distortion for my 6 and an SH-5 Custom for my 7. I have no regrets, they both sound incredible.

[@chrisparker5278]

AHB-3 EMTY Blackout all the way!!!!

[@retrocny5625]

This ladies and gentleman, is why I have the Duncan Custom SH-5 in more of my guitars than any other pickup. Mark Holcomb's Omega recently took over as my favorite passive bridge pickup but the Custom was my go-to pickup for the longest time and still is. It's such a fucking awesome sounding pickup. Tons of snarl, very tight and it cuts extremely well. I love that it gets such a full sound without being overly aggressive on the top end or really barky in the mid range like the JB.

[@masterzparkour]

The Distortion was the best one in this vid.

[@eirikz24]

After being a long time DiMarzio user, I did a whole bunch of research, and ultimately decided on the SH-5 custom. This video completely does it justice, and very accurately captures what I hear too. Super happy with my choice. Also had an Invader briefly and it also was well represented. Kudos to you guys, this is what more gear demos should be like.

[@duke-swtmate4154]

Eirik Dyck In which guitar did you install it?

[@eirikz24]

An Ibanez 7-String RG. Playing through a Revv Generator 120, with a Revv 4x12. Just got my Jazz 7 neck pick up this week!

[@duke-swtmate4154]

Eirik Dyck I assume that you're really really really pleased with your pickup choice, aren't you.

[@eirikz24]

Duke - SWT Mate Yes sir!The custom has so much more mid-grind and is much more articulate than the previously mentioned invader. Props to SD for getting me ones in white in a very short time frame too.

[@LukeCannotSkate]

its weird, the emty are said to have less bass and more highs than the normal blackouts. yet in this demo it's vice versa

[@lewisstorer89]

yeah for sure. It sounds way bigger/ballsier than the regular Blackout though. I imagine double tracking with the EMTY and another with like an EMG 81 or regular Blackout would sound huge. I prefer the mids and low end crunch of the EMTY personally.

[@JokerCat9]

It still has bottom end, it’s just tighter

[@thirteenthandy]

Reading the comments had me second guessing myself and thinking about the Custom, but A/B-ing the guitar only tracks back & forth... Nope, it's gotta be that JB. Trying to avoid confirmation bias on my part, since I used to have the 6 string version on my old Jackson. Making final decisions on what to put in a Kiesel 7. \m/

[@joshichabod]

Man AHB-1 blackout or SH-4 JB sound amazing. might have to switch over from emg for a while

[@Preussenpenner]

You will stay , I tell you . After you are used to having something Passive , there's no way back ;)

[@JamesSilvers18]

WhiteSaucage Scar So true bro. Actives suck pretty hard.

[@awonderingoneil206]

SH-4JB its official, this thing is the pickup I've been looking for my guitar build. Also... SH-5 is for djenty boiz

[@floge4148]

I would love to have tabs for this song. It´s incredible!

[@mikestamper]

The most complete SD pickups comparison video EVER!

[@aidanmiller5697]

I wonder how the Nazgul and Pegasus would've faired against the distortion and sh-5 custom.

[@piotrekuygiutf4946]

+Aidan Miller You've got comaprison with those pickups. Find "6 string pickups demo" and you will find it.

[@donsmith5385]

Piotrek Lesiński r

[@desimar3287]

The Nazguls sound so similar to the AHB-1s I can't believe there is a $80 difference in price. I can't really tell their sound apart, but it would of been nice to see it in here and certainly the Pegasus.

[@electropentatonic]

The Pegasus is very muddy under these conditions. Its great for lead articulation and produces really rich chords even under full distortion but it is not a metal pickup. Swapping mine out of a brand new Ltd H1007. Extremely disappointed to say the least but for metal I consider it unplayable. 0 Chug/10

[@yoramclade4824]

Gentlemen, your riffing is just incredible. It really goes down to my merrow if I dare to say so.

[@RobChappers]

Ha ha SH-10 sounds like an angry Warlock!! \m/

[@Bottomdweller]

As usual, the SH-6 (Distortion) sounds the most versatile. SH-5 & AHB-1 also sound spectacular. I was amazed by JB's performance though. Not only does it keep up with the modern pickups, it beats a good number of them in their own game.

[@VincentVegardSvart]

For me: SH-6 Distortion, SH-4 JB, AHB-3 EMTY Blackout, AHB-1 Blackout

[@johnnyrotten6955]

Distortion is the best. SH-5 is too bright for my taste.

[@desimar3287]

@@johnnyrotten6955 I agree, a little too bright...and that's coming from a guy that takes clarity as the top priority in a pickup above all else.

[@LSlava]

Hallelujah! Welcome back! Couldn't wait any longer for this video. I even wrote to Seymour Duncan to get it back.

[@BoozyBeggar]

Hey Keith if it's not too much trouble can you post your equipment used to get that lovely tone?

[@auditsq]

this is so great..thx for all hard work to do this... and the playing is GODLY good ..thx for the inspiration ... maybe it's time for a 7 ..at the age of 56 could i then be the oldest 7 player in the world :)

[@Sqeno]

I love the custom and the full shred, they are basically eachothers polar opposites tho ahah :D

[@givemeajackson]

had the six string versions of both in my schecter (currently it's the custom in there) and i need a new guitar just to put in the full shred. love both pickups to death, very different, but both soooo awesome. then i still have an sh6 lying around without a guitar to go in...

[@Sqeno]

givemeajackson That's sweet dude, I'm glad somebody agrees with me, I was feeling alone ;_;

[@eXeMagnum]

When I first tried the full shred, I struggled to keep the gain down, but after realizing it was a hot-ass pickup, I adjusted quick... I tried it on the schecter blackjack sls c1 fr- sustainiac, it to me sounds like a passive blackout... I prefer passive anyway..... I love it so!

[@Sqeno]

The full shred is a moderate output pickup though? Are you used to strats or single coils? Because it is the lowest output guitar out of all these pickups. But yeah I would love it too! :) Glad you like it.

[@givemeajackson]

i don't know why it seems that way here, but the full shred i had in my schec was hotter than the sh5 and only just slightly less high output than the sh6. and if you are a hard picker, it's WAY hotter than the emg81! i rolled back my gain 3/10ths on my engl the day i changed it.

[@TheAxe4Ever]

Still to this day the Custom is my favorite SD pickup. Best all ‘rounder IMO. It can do it all.

[@weensain2179]

wes hauch playing waste no space like a robot

[@givemeajackson]

ultimate efficiency. he's incredible.

[@sergiykrynytsky]

Keith! If you are composer of this music, i must say that you are one of my favorite metal rhythm guitarists now-days.

[@andywainwright249]

JB and Custom by far.

[@TheManglerPolishDeathMetal]

agree

[@bargoldstein4898]

nope

[@ilyjesusable]

I watch this to get impressions on the 7 string pickup i want in my schecter sls c-7 passive and wow just so on-par. Thanks again!

[@Deratronicum]

It probably took them more then a few hours to record everything + pu changes ;)

[@williamconner8923]

This video just sold me the SH-5 Custom. Literally... just ordered it. Gonna be at my doorstep in a few days! Woohoo!

[@bargoldstein4898]

when you filmed the EMTYs. i thought this video is 60 frames per second

[@johnyang799]

Bar Goldstein maybe 25 and 30 difference.

[@sytonblack]

Periodically I come here to see the SH5 Custom faces once again ❤

[@MKRocker2012]

SH-5 custom sounded the best

[@andrewgregorycharles]

There was a lot of work for this video to happen and in my opinion..its awesome and has helped a lot of us!!On behalf of the world..Thank you Keith and Wes!!Thumbs up and likes for their hard work!!

[@wiqseq]

SH 5 custom is best

[@Jaymze9370]

Their faces show why i've used a TB-5 for some 3 years now! my favourite Seymour Duncan pickup!

[@andrewt248]

Time for SD to retire the Invader?

[@bellmeisterful]

I've wondered that too. Its got a lot of low end which a lot of modern tones dont need or want from pickups. Whats funny is I have an 80's BC Rich Gunslinger USA with an Invader in it. Hetfield used it in the studio on Master.

[@Kevin.Kelly.]

I thought Hetfield used the stock Dirty Fingers in his Gibsons on Master.

[@bellmeisterful]

Kevin Kelly Yeah I can't pretend to remember where I got that from. I've been saying it for many years and havent a clue where I read that.

[@StuntcatTV]

nope

[@5thgendj]

Sometimes when you're playing certain guitars the strings resonate behind the nut (depending on the distance between the nut and said tuning machines) \m/ ..and the video - wicked sick, and most informative Duncan vid ever!!

[@IsolationIndex]

Lol this video made me buy the SH-5 within a day of hearing it KEITH I GOT THIS PICKUP AND I DON'T SOUND LIKE YOU WHAT GIVES

[@XenoformII]

Jeff uses EMG pickups.

[@IsolationIndex]

I meant Keith. I'm fucking dumb.

[@maskedDuke79]

Forrest Hooker maybe your amp is the problem

[@IsolationIndex]

***** more than likely. Keith's got all the cool shit. I'm sitting here with my Line 6 POD lol.

[@krisrhebergen]

Forrest Hooker The pod will do the job, just don't use to much gain and don't scoop the mids to far. If line six is good for at least one thing, it's metal, you just need to know how to use it. It took me 4 years to find a tone that I feel in love with on my Spider 3 75.

[@mortenfjeld8595]

I know for a fact that Gibson has made pickup tester guitars for that purpose, and i think pickup manufacturers do that too. Basically they make wooden cutout blocks for the guitar, which has open holes through the pickup slots, and make it so they snap in place through the back, and connect with a contact circuit thingy. Basically, it's connected by touch, no solder or anything. Like a railroad "third rail". The wooden blocks have different pickups on them, and you can pop them in and out! :)

[@ZenonShandro]

JB is so sick for lead. Ripped it out of my Jackson KV2 cause it was not metal enough for rhythm though.

[@BESkala]

I use both the sh-4 JB and the sh-6 Distortion in two Flying v's. love them both equally, but in this demo I have to give it to the JB. Cheers!

[@cagastepro]

autrach conquerig dystopia ?

[@AkiraSpectrum]

Seymour Duncan must love you guys for these comparison videos, although not as much as I love you guys for it, LOL. My top 3 are: AHB-3, SH-6 and SH-4.

[@mike_s_media]

I tabbed out the solo to this but I'm not sure how to post it on guitartabs or any other site... anyone want it and any idea how to upload it??

[@BigFrank437]

I'd like it man! You should try to tab the whole song!

[@mike_s_media]

I'd do the whole thing but I don't have a seven string.. I'm trying to learn how to upload it onto guitartabs.com. Not sure what to title it though, That song with no name... lol

[@BigFrank437]

Haha Fuck it man. that sounds like a good name to me. You ever try ultimate-guitar.com? That sites pretty easy to work with and upload tabs on to

[@mike_s_media]

Nah I haven't I'll give it a shot this weekend when I have more time on my hands! I want to share this out and see what people think, it wasn't hard considering you can see his fret position lol

[@BigFrank437]

haha Yea that's true

[@EclipseAtDusk]

I gotta say, I am loving the tone of the SH-5 Custom. None of the others really struck me, but my ears certainly pricked up at hearing the SH-5. That's almost exactly the tone I'm going for.

[@bodominheaven]

sh-5 > sh-6

[@DerelictEarth]

Ordering one right now to replace my bridge SH8 as it just has no punch due to the extreme muddiness ...

[@losi8ightyew]

I ended up buying one. It sounds nothing like this. The SH5 only gets close to sounding as brutal if you raise it almost touching the strings. LOL. I'm.thinking they may have got the height different than all the rest in the video which is why it sounds the most br0tal. LOL.

[@johnyang799]

losi8ightyew That is your amp or dialing.

[@losi8ightyew]

John Yang Actually no. It sounds pretty much the same in definition on any amp. Even used them with an Axe FX. They sound like the video if you crank them so high they almost touch the strings. LOL.

[@losi8ightyew]

John Yang I ended up going with a BKP Juggernaut. The most brutal thing I have played to datev

[@cobyourself]

Wes hauch his clearly my favorite guitarist at the moment! He got an insane tone and control. Plus hes fucking great at playing rythm and leads. keith's also fucking tight and a great composer

[@MrHastee]

man the low palm muted chugging sounds so dam good on the custom pickup.

[@Topofthelistvideos]

I cant stop digging these riffs, Hauch's part is beautiful.

[@Hippo007]

Is that Wes Hauch in this video...it sure looks like him! I looked in the description and comments and nothing to comfirm my suspicion. You both are a masters at your craft!!!! Great demonstration and playing guys!!!!!

[@TheCypherFR]

The one with the AHB1-Blackout is an Agile Septor (or Interceptor ). I bought one a few months ago, same color, same pickups :) awesome. The one with the SH-6 at the beginning (Keith) is a Bernie Rico Jr. I think (don't know the model name, sorry). And I think Wes has a BRJ too :)

[@TheGallery213]

That breakdown riff gets me every time, I could listen to it on repeat. So heavy! \mm/

[@MaddMav]

I really want to learn that rhythm part. Especially the chugging section. HEAVY!!

[@progpogs]

Damn the SH-6 had this GAGUNK GAGUNK thing going on that I loved and the JB was good too. Thank you Keith this has been extremely helpful! Great song to demo these too; it had chugging, chords, harmonics and a sick lead to top it off.

[@asteck123cas]

This helped me a lot, I finally decided which bridge pickups to put into my guitar, now if i could find a video that compares these pickups in neck position, that would be great.

[@ppgato]

Best comparision ever, thanks a lot mr Keith! Totally loved the JB

[@givemeajackson]

the sh11 is an awesome pickup too. loved it when i played a schecter c1 custom, warm, smooth but still powerfull.

[@r00sterFMJ]

Love the SH-5 and AHB-1. Those pickups bite so hard. Aggressive gain! Awesome!

[@ARodYankFan]

Someone needs a video like this for Carvin's pickups... Sweet work guys!