We recommend buying the set.
We've been making great pickups for over 45 years. The ‘78 Model pickup sounds great alone, but sometimes one pickup is not enough. If you don't know where to start, we recommend getting the set - it captures the full voicing of what we tried to create, as well as ensures it won't be out of phase with other pickups in your guitar.
Want to learn more about out-of-phase pickups?
Check out this article.
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$129.00
available
The Seymour Duncan ‘78 Model humbucker delivers warm crunch with biting leads and overtone laden tapped runs.
More Details
TECH SPECS
DCR – Short for DC Resistance, is measured in Ohms and is the total resistance of the copper wire wound around a coil form. The length of the coil form, the number of turns and the gauge of wire all affect the DCR reading. DCR is often used as a gauge of output because as the turns increase, so does the output, though magnet type and the coil geometry also influence output.
Magnet – We use several different magnet formulations: Alnico 2, Alnico 3, Alnico 4, Alnico 5, Alnico 6, Alnico 8 and Ceramic 5/8. In the case of pickups, the most significant characteristic is the gauss strength, which is a measure of the density of the magnetic field. Of the magnets we use, Alnico 3 has the lowest gauss strength. From there in order of ascending strength you have A2, A4, A5, A6, Ceramic and A8. As the gauss strength goes up, so does the output. The magnets at the lower end of the scale tend to produce a softer attack and a degree of “bloom” to the envelope of the note.Ceramic magnets should be considered as an individual case because they do not contain any nickel or iron. This has the effect of decreasing the inductance of the pickup and significantly raising the resonant frequency. It is for this reason that many consider ceramic magnets to have a brittle sound, not their gauss strength. Looking at this from another point of view, ceramic magnets can be said to produce increased clarity, better note definition and faster response to picking.
Output – The overall output of a passive pickup is influenced by several design factors: number of turns of wire on the coil(s), strength of the magnet, coil geometry and magnetic circuit geometry.The output of an active pickup is influenced by the same factors but is predominantly determined by the design of the onboard preamp.
OUTPUT (Choose dropdowns to display)
DCR:(Choose dropdowns to display)
Magnet: Alnico 2
Product Details
- DETAILS
- EQ
Description
In the late 70s, Seymour Duncan was well known as the go-to guy for players that wanted something custom. Sometime in ‘78, Eddie Van Halen gave him a P.A.F. to experiment with, along with instructions to rewind it with the intent to enhance the reproduction of artificial harmonics and “hot wind” a little for some extra “juice”.
The Seymour Duncan ‘78 Model humbucker is the result of that experiment. Loaded with an Alnico 2 magnet and wound to the exact same hot specs as that original P.A.F. rewind, the ‘78’s magnet and output combination lends itself to a warm crunch with biting leads and overtone laden tapped runs. While the ‘78 Model was not the final destination for Eddie, it offers players the opportunity to revisit a waypoint in the early days of his legendary pursuit of the ultimate tone.
If you’re a player who demands a high-performance tone and wants the classic hard rockin’ rhythm crunch, articulate picked harmonics for your tapped solos and whammy bar acrobatics, the ‘78 Model just may be your ticket.
Wiring & Resources
Dimensions specs: 6-String Uncovered Humbucker
Dimensions specs: 6-String Covered Humbucker
Dimensions specs: 6-String Trembucker
For wiring diagrams, click here.
The E.Q. chart gives you a general idea as to the bass, mids and treble of each pickup position
Neck
B
M
T
Bridge
B
M
T
Trembucker
B
M
T
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VIDEOS
Seymour Duncan: '78 Model Pickups - Set
Seymour Duncan ’78 Model humbucker captures “biting clarity and warm, crunchy overtones”
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Hand Built in California. Period Correct. Every Time.
Our team of master builders have been with us for an average of 21 years—they take pride in crafting our products to create the most amazing sound possible.
Take Your Tone For A Test Drive
If you’re not 100% pleased with the sound of your Seymour Duncan pickups, you can exchange them for up to 21 days after purchase. This offer applies to any pickups bought from an authorized Seymour Duncan dealer in the USA.
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Strings
Select the number of strings you have on your guitar.
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Position
Choose the position that you need for your guitar. *Nighthawk is intended for Gibson® Nighthawk routed guitars. *Trembuckers are designed for wider string most commonly associated with Floyd Rose or vintage vibrato bridges (often called Tremolos) with a string spacing of 2.070" or 52.6mm.
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Color
Choose the pickup bobbin color or cover material/color.
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Cable
Choose single or four-conductor hookup cable.
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Strings
Select the number of strings on your guitar.
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