Seymour Duncan AHB-1 Blackouts Active Humbucker Pickup
zZounds Gear Experts Say...
The Seymour Duncan AHB-1 Blackouts can add serious power to your tone. With high-output active circuitry, the Seymour Duncan AHB-1 Blackouts rock.
Overview
These 9-volt active humbuckers deliver a less compressed tone, with a more extended frequency response. In Duncan's efforts to solve the issues involved in achieving that goal, they discovered that some of the most popular active pickups have what they consider a design flaw in their circuit architecture.
They use unbalanced inputs in a differential preamp. The problem is, an unbalanced differential preamp is not very effective at canceling hum. Seymour Duncan engineers figured out how to capture the tone that players want in an active design, but using balanced inputs.
The result is that not only do these Seymour Duncan Blackouts active humbuckers have less hum than the competition, but they also have more lows, more highs, and more output. Simply put, the Blackouts have more tone than other active pickups. Players will notice the benefits of the reduced hum when they record, especially if they're around computer monitors or fluorescent lighting. As for the benefits of having more tone, well those will be apparent everywhere.
Blackouts are available in individual neck and bridge models, or as a 2-pickup set. All versions come with all necessary mounting hardware, including pots, jack, and a battery clip.
Which pickup is right for you? Find out through this Pickup Selector video:
They use unbalanced inputs in a differential preamp. The problem is, an unbalanced differential preamp is not very effective at canceling hum. Seymour Duncan engineers figured out how to capture the tone that players want in an active design, but using balanced inputs.
The result is that not only do these Seymour Duncan Blackouts active humbuckers have less hum than the competition, but they also have more lows, more highs, and more output. Simply put, the Blackouts have more tone than other active pickups. Players will notice the benefits of the reduced hum when they record, especially if they're around computer monitors or fluorescent lighting. As for the benefits of having more tone, well those will be apparent everywhere.
Blackouts are available in individual neck and bridge models, or as a 2-pickup set. All versions come with all necessary mounting hardware, including pots, jack, and a battery clip.
Which pickup is right for you? Find out through this Pickup Selector video:
Specs
AHB-1 Blackout Neck
- 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 @ 1V: .003%
AHB-1 Blackout Bridge
- 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 @ 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.
(3)Battery life computed for one pickup. Divide by two for life of set.
- 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 @ 1V: .003%
AHB-1 Blackout Bridge
- 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 @ 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.
(3)Battery life computed for one pickup. Divide by two for life of set.
- Dimensions and Weight in Packaging
- Bridge
- Shipping Weight: 0.59 lbs
- Shipping Dimensions: 6 x 4 x 2 in
- Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 11106-31
- Neck
- Shipping Weight: 0.56 lbs
- Shipping Dimensions: 6 x 4 x 2 in
- Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 11106-30
- Neck and Bridge Matched Set
- Shipping Weight: 1 lbs
- Shipping Dimensions: 6 x 4 x 2 in
- Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 11106-32
Documents and Manuals
For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 805-964-9610
Email: support@seymourduncan.com
Web: https://seymourduncan.zendesk.com
Phone: 805-964-9610
Email: support@seymourduncan.com
Web: https://seymourduncan.zendesk.com
Reviews
Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.
(33 ratings)
Submitted January 22, 2009 by a customer from cox.net
"Blackouts Bulldoze the Competition!"
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
The AHB-1 set is the tone I have been looking for for years!!! I have found MY pickups!!!
Sound
Amazing! Everything I ever wished the EMG 81 is in the blackout, no sterile/harsh highs, super tight responses all around. You really just have to play it to see!!!
Features
The set came with everthing, 4 control pots, mounting screws, quick connect cables, input jack, battery snap, all HEAVY duty components that I was confident would last a LONG time!
Ease of Use
Not any harder to install or setup than any other pickup.
Quality
Seymour Duncan USA, 10, 10, 10, 10!!!
Value
Less expensive than EMGs and a million times better! I'm happy with the price for the set!
Manufacturer Support
Never had a need to contact support on any of their products, so that's an automatic 10 since they are made THAT well!
The Wow Factor
Nothing beats that flat black pickup cover!
Musical Background:
Active Musician, Personal Recording Producer/Engineer
Musical Style:
Hard Rock/Metal/Alt
49 of 50 people (98%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
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