Duncan special models for other companies? Hamer, Benedetto, any others? do u like?

[CountFeedback]

Really interested to try the Hamer SLU and Double D
I know these were Hamer exclusive but I wonder if now that Hamer has been laid to rest (RIP :usa2:Hamer) if the custom shop would do them.

This also got me thinking: what other exclusive Duncans exist, what do they sound like, and are they worth hunting down, or ponying up the bread for a custom shop order?

 

[Evan Skopp]

Re: Duncan special models for other companies? Hamer, Benedetto, any others? do u lik

You can order either SLU or Double D from the Custom Shop. You can order the Benedetto pickups here.

 

[Jocelyn]

Re: Duncan special models for other companies? Hamer, Benedetto, any others? do u lik

Some folks dont like them, But I do like the Pearly gates Plus.

 

[CountFeedback]

Re: Duncan special models for other companies? Hamer, Benedetto, any others? do u lik

@Jocelyn, I forgot about the PG+. I was interested in that one but was under the impression it was not much different than a 59b, maybe a little sharper.

 

[CountFeedback]

Re: Duncan special models for other companies? Hamer, Benedetto, any others? do u lik

Trying to think of what exclusive stuff is out there:
Fender - Pearly Gates Plus
Hamer - SLU/Ultimate, Double D
Benedetto - P.A.F., A6, B6
There’s got to be more? Wasn’t the mysterious Silverbird originally made for Gibson or Guild?

 

[bloodswords]

Re: Duncan special models for other companies? Hamer, Benedetto, any others? do u lik

Duncan did some for Ibanez's Korean Prestige models, I kept the SZ2020 (pic) because of the pickups more than anything else.

 

[CountFeedback]

Re: Duncan special models for other companies? Hamer, Benedetto, any others? do u lik

cool! those look kind of like demons???

 

[CountFeedback]

Re: Duncan special models for other companies? Hamer, Benedetto, any others? do u lik

anybody?

 

[Jermo3178]

Re: Duncan special models for other companies? Hamer, Benedetto, any others? do u lik

@Jocelyn, I forgot about the PG+. I was interested in that one but was under the impression it was not much different than a 59b, maybe a little sharper.

I had a Deluxe Lonestar with the PG+... It had some pretty sweet cleans, but I couldnt ever get a dirty tone I liked out it. It was alway like a hotter single coil

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Duncan special models for other companies? Hamer, Benedetto, any others? do u lik

cool! those look kind of like demons???

Those are HB-112s. I just put up a post two nights ago about the one I just stuck in an old Epiphone Genesis. I absolutely love this pickup. To me, it sounds like a cross between a distortion and JB, taking the best parts of both and leaving out the parts that lack. Nice bottom, tight, high end isn't shrill or ice picky, and it is an in your face kind of pickup, not really "warm" in any respect.

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Duncan special models for other companies? Hamer, Benedetto, any others? do u lik

Those are HB-112s.

Close, but not quite! The pickups in the Ibanez SZ2020 are custom versions of the TB-6b (Distortion) and SH-1n ('59) models. They were specially configured for Ibanez and only available in the SZ2020 and SZ4020 Prestige series guitars.

It gets confusing because some mid-level Ibanez "SZ" models came equipped with Duncan Designed pickups with a very simiilar appearance and even similar specs. Look closely, however, and you can see the most obvious difference...the ones on the SZ2020 say "Seymour Duncan", while the cheaper pickups only say "Duncan".

The SZ2020 pickups are also labeled "TB-6b IBZ" and "SH-1n IBZ" on the bottom in the traditional Duncan USA manner, whereas the import versions usually have a larger sticker with the "HB103B" and "HB101N" designation.

The imported "Duncan/Ibanez" bridge is a regular HB-103 wind fitted with Demon-style hex pole pieces. This model later emerged as the "HB-112" on Duncan's website and was found stock on the Fender Squier Vintage Modified HSS Strat bearing the typical "Duncan Designed" logo.

The HB-112 and the TB-6b IBZ are similar in that they both use a standard Ceramic magnet, not the double-thick type, but the winds are slightly different and the quality is generally quite a bit better on the USA versions (though I don't have any major complaints about the Duncan Designed variants of the past few years).

The "Duncan/Ibanez" neck was just a plain 'ol HB-101n with standard slugs and fillister screws, while the SZ2020's version was the real-deal '59 model with the addition of black coated slugs to match the looks of the bridge.

Glad you're liking the HB-112, though! I own all of the pickups mentioned above and the HB-112 still holds its own!

 

[Evan Skopp]

Re: Duncan special models for other companies? Hamer, Benedetto, any others? do u lik

Here's a quick guide: if a pickup is branded "Seymour Duncan," then it was made in the Santa Barbara factory. If the "Seymour" is missing, and it's branded "Duncan Designed," "Duncan Performer," or "Duncan / Ibanez," then it was made offshore.