In musical instrument electronics, few names resonate with the authority and innovation of Seymour Duncan. From A-list guitar-centric beginnings, Seymour Duncan has evolved into a powerhouse, offering diverse pickups that have shaped the sound of countless bassists.
This article will delve into the fascinating history of Seymour Duncan, tracing their journey from guitar origins to becoming a dominant force in bass throughout their multi-decade history.
From Guitar Roots to Bass Pickup Dominance
Seymour W. Duncan's passion for guitar and pursuit of tonal perfection began in the late 1960s. As a repairman and customizer, he meticulously dissected and rewired pickups for legendary guitarists. This hands-on experience led him to wind his own, experimenting with different wire types, magnets, and winding techniques.
In 1976, driven by demand for his custom creations, Seymour W. Duncan, with Cathy Carter Duncan, founded the Seymour Duncan company in Santa Barbara, California. Initially focused on guitar pickups, the company quickly established a reputation for crafting high-quality, handcrafted replacements that captured vintage essence while offering enhanced performance.
Recognizing the evolving needs of bassists, Seymour Duncan expanded into the bass market, applying the same meticulous attention to detail and tonal philosophy. By the 1980s, Seymour Duncan was actively producing pickups for bass guitars, steadily building their reputation among the low-end community.
The "Basslines" Era
From the 1980s until 2013, Seymour Duncan's bass pickups went under the name: "Basslines." During this era, the company developed a wide array of innovative and highly regarded bass pickups, covering everything from classic vintage reproductions to modern, high-output designs, and some really cool bass magazine ads to promote them.
In 2013, Seymour Duncan consolidated their branding and all bass pickups were rebranded and sold directly under the main Seymour Duncan name. It was a rebranding in name only; the pickups themselves remained the same, retaining their beloved designs, construction, and tonal characteristics.
The Seymour Duncan Bass Pickup Lineup
Here are some of the Seymour Duncan models you can find in our inventory:
Seymour Duncan SMB-4A 4 String Music Man® Bass Pickup
For Music Man® bass owners, the SMB-4A is a go-to choice. This humbucker delivers the classic Music Man® sound in a well built, and competitively priced package. It's known for its powerful lows, articulate mids, and bright, punchy highs, making it incredibly versatile for various musical styles.
Seymour Duncan 4 String Quarter Pound PJ
The Quarter Pound PJ set is designed for bassists demanding high output and an aggressive tone from their P or J configured bass. The P-Bass pickup features oversized pole pieces and a hot winding, delivering massive, punchy low-end and strong midrange presence. The Jazz Bass bridge pickup is similarly overwound for a thick, growling tone. These pickups have become a staple in the heavier rock genres due to their ability to cut through a massive wall of distorted guitars. Here is a review of the Duncan Quarter Pound PJ bass pickups.
If you love the classic P-Bass tone but crave more output and punch, the SPB-2 Hot is your answer. This pickup delivers a hotter, more aggressive version of the traditional P-Bass sound, with increased midrange, a tighter low-end, and a slightly compressed feel. It's perfect for players wanting their P-Bass to have more attitude and drive. The focused tone of these pickups makes them fit perfectly in a band mix, which is a great reason to swap these into your favorite P-bass.
Seymour Duncan Antiquity II 4 String P Bass® Pickup
For the ultimate vintage P-Bass experience, the Antiquity II captures the authentic tone and feel of a late '60s P-Bass pickup. Meticulously crafted to replicate the original, with period-correct materials and winding techniques, this pickup delivers a warm, woody, and articulate tone with a smooth top end and a rich, resonant low-end.
Seymour Duncan Apollo Jazz Bass Pickup - 4-String Set & 5-String Set
The Apollo Jazz Bass pickups are a modern take on the classic J-Bass tone, offering a linear hum-canceling design that eliminates noise without sacrificing the beloved single-coil character. These pickups deliver a clear, articulate, and dynamic sound with balanced frequency response. Available in both 4-string and 5-string sets, the Apollo series is perfect for bassists who need a quiet J-Bass tone with modern clarity and punch. SD Apollo Jazz 4 String / SD Apollo Jazz 5 String bass pickups
Seymour Duncan SJB-2 Hot Jazz Bass Pickup - Bridge & Neck
For Jazz Bass players seeking a hotter, more aggressive tone, the SJB-2 Hot series delivers. These pickups are overwound for increased output, a fatter midrange, and a tighter low-end. They're perfect for driving rock, funk, and metal, where you need your J-Bass to have more presence and growl. Perfect if you want a little bit more punch for your J bass but without going as over the top as a quarter pounder.
Seymour Duncan SPB-1 Vintage P-Bass Pickup
The SPB-1 Vintage P-Bass pickup delivers the authentic, warm, and articulate tone of a classic early '60s P-Bass. It features Alnico 5 magnets and vintage-correct winding, providing a smooth, balanced sound with a rich low-end and clear, musical highs. This pickup is ideal for players who want that timeless, foundational P-Bass tone.
Seymour Duncan SPB-4 Steve Harris Signature
The SPB-4 was designed to meet the demands of Iron Maiden's legendary bassist, Steve Harris. This pickup provides the tone he uses on all his basses while touring the world with his stadium filling rock opera. Although it's used in the context of 80s heavy metal, this is a highly flexible pickup, capable of a wide range of tones. It offers a more open and detailed sound than the SPB-2, and while its output is less than the SPB-3, it's slightly higher than a vintage design. Quite honestly, this P-Bass pickup can be used for almost any genre, and yes, if you're looking for that classic galloping Steve Harris tone, this is a significant part of what drives it.
Seymour Duncan NYC Bass Pickup Sets
Made for replacement of the EMG35 and EMG40 sets, these were originally designed working with Fodera. They are voiced to give a modern, hi-fi tone with clarity and punch, but they can also get Jazz Bass-like tones when split. Check out the 4 String SD NYC bass pickups and the 5 String NYC bass pickup set.
Six Decades of Bass Tone
Seymour Duncan has solidified its place as a titan in musical instrument electronics, driven by a relentless pursuit of tonal excellence and a deep understanding of musicians' needs. From their origins in crafting iconic guitar pickups to their significant expansion into the bass market and the evolution of the "Basslines" brand, their journey is marked by innovation and a commitment to quality.
We believe that every bassist deserves to unlock their instrument's full potential, and Seymour Duncan provides the tools to do just that. Whether you're seeking to capture the warmth of vintage tones or the aggressive punch of modern output Seymour Duncan products offer solutions for every style and preference.
Discover the profound difference that true craftsmanship and stadium-approved designs can make to your bass. If you have any questions or need expert guidance in selecting the perfect Seymour Duncan product for your bass, don't hesitate to shoot us an email or give us a call. We're here to help you amplify your tone and unleash your bass's true voice!