Duncan USM pickups - any info?

[jestre700]

I looked but haven't found any info on Duncan's USM pickups. These are imported jobs for midrange guitars by USMC, makers of Washburn & Parker. I just ordered a Parker with them and am curious - what are they most similar to? Anyone have magnet or coil info?

Thanks for any info!

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Duncan USM pickups - any info?

Do they have the Duncan Designed label on them?

 

[Evan Skopp]

Re: Duncan USM pickups - any info?

Hi jestre700. Welcome to the UGF. Here's the official scoop on Duncan USMs.

The Duncan USM pickups represent the latest collaboration between U.S. Music Corp. and Seymour Duncan. For decades, Seymour Duncan pickups have been recognized as the leader in after-market upgrade pickups as well as the OEM standard on the world’s finest guitars. Duncan and USM have worked together for many years and have shared many artists along the way, including Nuno Bettencourt, Dimebag Darrell, Paul Stanley, George Lynch, Scott Ian, Warren Haynes, and many more.

Duncan USM Pickups are designed by Seymour Duncan's Santa Barbara-based engineers to USM's requirements and are only available on select Washburn and Parker guitars. Currently, Duncan USM pickups are available in two voices, the HB-103 and HB-102. The HB-103 is a high output humbucker aimed at heavy rock, metal, thrash and punk players. It’s an extremely aggressive pickup with powerful coil windings ceramic magnets, but it will maintain string-to-string clarity even under the punishing picking assault heavy music players subject their guitars to gig after gig.

The HB-102 is a classic hot rodded humbucker set that handles a wide range of styles from blues and classic rock to metal. The HB-102 bridge pickup has high-output coil windings and the neck pickup is backed off a bit. Both pickups use Alnico 5 magnets and are very musical with great high end detail.

The quality and musicality of Duncan USM pickups means a superb sounding instrument right out of the box, adding quality and value to your guitar and eliminating the need for upgrade electronics.​

Here's the unofficial scoop. If you know the sound of the Duncan Designed HB-102 and HB-103, then you know the sound of the same pickups with the "Duncan / USM" brand on them. The logo was a marketing decision. The tone of the pickups will be familiar to those who know their "Duncan Designed" pickups.

I hope that helps.

 

[jestre700]

Re: Duncan USM pickups - any info?

Thanks, Evan. That makes it all crystal clear.