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Seymour Duncan Original HB-1 Blackouts Active Humbucker Bridge
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The original active Blackouts neck humbucker delivers searing, fluid leads with a warm, but articulate tone and amazing string sensitivity.

Description
Not only do Seymour Duncan Blackouts active humbuckers have less hum than most active humbuckers, they also have more lows, more highs, and more output. Simply put, the Blackouts have more tone than most active pickups. Players will find far fewer problems with hum, especially near computer monitors and fluorescent lighting.
Blackouts are available in individual neck and bridge models, or as a two-pickup set. All versions come with all necessary mounting hardware, including pots, jack, and a battery clip.

Specs
- AHB-1 Blackout Neck Model Specifications
- Resonant Frequency: 750 Hz
- Average Output Voltage: 0.65 Volts RMS (1)
- Maximum Output Voltage: 2.60 Volts RMS (2)
- Noise: -97dBV
- Output Impedance: 1K Ohm
- Current Consumption: 350 micro-amperes
- Battery Life: 1420 hours (3)
- Preamp Topology: Discrete hybrid differential, FET input
- Preamp Gain: 16 dB
- Preamp THD at 1V: .003%
- AHB-1 Blackout Bridge Model Specifications
- Resonant Frequency: 530 Hz
- Average Output Voltage: 2.00 Volts RMS (1)
- Maximum Output Voltage: 2.60 Volts RMS (2)
- Noise: -96dBV
- Output Impedance: 1K Ohm
- Current Consumption: 350 micro-amperes
- Battery Life: 1420 hours (3)
- Preamp Topology: Discrete hybrid differential, FET input
- Preamp Gain: 18 dB
- Preamp THD at 1V: .003%
- Notes:
- (1) Output voltage measured under the following conditions:
- a. Pickups installed in a guitar and set up for typical playing conditions.
- b. Neck pickup adjusted approx. 3/16" from strings.
- c. Bridge pickup adjusted approx. 1/8" from strings.
- d. String gauge used - .010 to .046
- e. Open E-chord strummed at moderate intensity.
- f. 5 sample average reading taken using storage oscilloscope.
- (2) Maximum output voltage is taken at the onset of clipping in the preamp when powered from a 9 Volt source.
- Battery life computed for one pickup. Divide by two for life of set.
Reviews
5
7 Reviews
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend
- Concerts1
- Practicing1
- Experienced1
- Good Quality1
- Improves Sound1
Reviewed by 7 customers
Best pick ups ever!!! Enuff said!!!!
Verified Buyer
submitted9 years ago
byRonnie
fromCharlotte nc
Woooooo!!! Freaking awesome!!!!
You'll like EMG till you try one of these!
submitted15 years ago
byRyan A.
fromSan Diego, CA
Once I decided to look into active pickups, I began asking questions, doing research, trying guitars, etc., to see what I wanted and what they were capable of. Everyone I've asked has recommended EMGs, particularly an 81 for the neck and an 85 for the bridge. I played a Schecter with EMGs through a Marshall, then I tried another Schecter of a similar make with a pair of Blackouts. Not only did they have a more powerful sound (I had the amp at full gain with the bass and treble at about 8 and the mid range at less than 1. I did not tweak the amp between guitars), but there was less hum and MUCH more clarity in the tone. EMGs always sound a little hazy. The Blackouts sounded crystal clear. Don't jump on the EMG bandwagon. Use these!
Blackouts Rock
submitted15 years ago
byKTC
fromkeller texas
As a hardcore punk player I need a really overdriven sound without the hum and this humbucker takes the hum right out of it. It's perfect! These have such a great sound too them. I dropped one in my HSS strat and this guitar gets a better sound than any guitar I've ever played. It was an eargasm the second I started playing with it! If you want a loud sound without the buzz get this now!
Best Active Pickups Ever
submitted16 years ago
bydustin
fromlocust grove, oklahoma
I have played many styles of pickups... single coil to humbucker... and passive to active... emg pickups didnt really give me the sound i was looking for... they were really muddy they werent for me.. the day my blackouts came in i was expecting them not to be what i was looking for. i installed them into my bc rich warlock to find out i was wrong these pickups were amazing they have more mids highs and well simply more tone... they pick up all the reflections in your notes as well as a few more harmonics and they are really sensitive so your gonna find yourself cleaning up ur picking techniques.. the only problem i had with these pickups was installation it was time consuming so have a proffessional install them if you arent familiar with a soldering gun... i would recomend these pickups to any one they are very versital.
BEST METAL PICKUP EVER!!!
submitted16 years ago
bythe origanal shadow of death
frommuskegon michigan
i will never try another pickup in my life! these are absoloutly the best metal pickup on the market. I think that they totaly blow EMG and dimarzio away.whenever i pick up my custom fling v and plug it in i can hear the sustain and flexion in each note.they are perfectly distorted and have more highs and lows[ tone wise] that make up a scooped metal tone.
Great Pickup
submitted16 years ago
bySam Brockmann
fromNew Richmond, WI
I'm a big fan of big sound. I tried EMGs many times and enjoyed them. But when I heard they don't have the cleans as clear as a bell, I decided to try Blackouts. I bought one and threw it in my Fender Squier Bullet, a single pickup basic guitar, just to try it out. I'm very pleased, sounds awesome, both clean and distorted. The only problem to be aware of, and this is true of all active pickups, is that the stereo pot (if you change from nonactive to active pickups, you change from a mono to a stereo pot) is too long to fit in the Squier Pot cavity. However, this is fixed by attaching the Pot to the opposite side of the pot cover and screwing the cover onto the guitar inside up. Just some info for those who install it themselves. Anyway, great pickup, sounds awesome. Plan to buy more Blackouts in the Future. I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking for an active pickup.
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