The High Voltage has become so popular, we now stock and sell this model on our main website. You can order one using this link:
https://www.seymourduncan.com/single-product/high-voltage
The High Voltage humbucker has a vintage flavor but with the ability to get real mean and dirty. Although this pickup set shares some similarities with the Pearly Gates, it takes a noticeable shift. It’s very bluesy and clean with not a lot of low end, great for driving a cranked Marshall as you blast out stinging leads and crunchy rhythms.
One of the keys to the High Voltage sound is the selection of specifically calibrated Alnico II magnets to provide an even response between the bridge and neck pickups. The neck pickup is wound to a DC resistance of 7.7k, with the bridge wound a little hotter at 8.6k for a little more sonic T.N.T.
The High Voltage humbucker set features lightly aged chrome covers prepared with a unique process that differs from the aged nickel of our Antiquity humbuckers. This gives them a played-in look but is more resistant to the effects of corrosive sweat, which is an important consideration whether you’re giving it your all in the pubs of Melbourne or running across the stage at Madison Square Garden.
Drop a set in an SG, plug it into a Marshall, flick the switch and prepare to rock.
DC Resistance: 7.7k, 8.6k
Application: Standard HB Route
We are passionate about quality so we ask for your patience while we craft your pickup. For shipping time estimates, please visit the Shipping & Returns page.
Posted by S. Black on 22nd Jan 2022
TL/DR - Fantastic balance of both push and clarity - easy to manipulate and get huge amounts of volume and gain moving before breakup and muddiness.
I dropped these into a 2021 Gibson SG standard and to say that they are full all the way through is like saying the sun is "yellow".
Perfect for Heavy 70s and 80s rock, like ACDC (obviously), Motely Crue, Scorpions, Judas Priest, and Van Halen. Also great for some classic rock stuff if you want to dial back some of the gain but want sustain enough to push the walls of your Jam room back a few inches
I've run them through 3 different amp setups:
1) an EVH 5150iii 50 watt head and matching 4x12 cabinet:
Green Channel (clean) REALLY nice - nothing scooped and warm without being muddy at all.
On the blue channel (crunch), just straight into the amp - Good. Lord. These pickups are a total game changer for that kind of sound. They don't sound overly bottom or top heavy like some of the metal focused pickups like invaders or black winters..... instead, you can feel the tone fill every part of the range and room.
These pickups just flat out have big balls on them.
On the red (lead channel) they push so hard that it is almost overpowering to use - but on this particular setup, if you put your hearing protection in, and go ahead and turn that channel up - these pickups HOWL to where you'll feel it in your chest and under your feet.
Noisegate and compressor is a good idea here.
2) Marshall 1959 superlead head and cabinet.
Clearer crunch than the EVH setup from above so you can play tones with a bit of dirt on them and push harder before breakup happens.
3) Boss Katana Air 30w travel amp.
Surprisingly, these pickups worked fantastic with this modeling amp and the accompanying app. Whether it be a blues driver, Metal distortion, or other things in between, it was easy to dial everything in and get a great balance of push and clarity.
I won't say that they are ideal for metal when compared against my other SG with Invaders, so playing things in heavier dropped tunings should be left to hotter pickups like those.
