Seymour Duncan SMB-5A 3-Coil Alnico

3 coil alnico replacement pickup Single coil, Humbucking in series or parallel, used in stock preamp with mods per custom shop instructions included.

Installed in 1999 Ernie Ball Musicman 5 Bass, single pickup model. Replaced rusted out ceramic pickup. Changed for more tone versatility, warmer sound, more highs and lows and to see if I could get three distinct sounds from the three-position switch

Increase in output is substantial, but the pickup itself is warmer with more defined highs and lows. Once the preamp mods are installed it really opens up the top and bottom and gets the pickup "burping" like the old alnico pups of the Leo Fender era. Seymour Duncan himself apparently makes and tests these, this three-coil model is made thru the custom shop and they are only a few of them around (I understand the wait is months). I use this for Rock, Country, Blues, Folk and anything else I play and always get compliments on my sound.

I'd definitely replace this pickup and do the preamp mods (input cap and bass output caps changed) again. I played a 2008 Alnico EB 5 string and this pickup blows that away hands-down. I heard there was a preamp mod done to the last anniversary model with an alnico that sounded nice, but this pickup is the real deal. There is nothing I don't like about it. It's quiet, great tonal range and is extremely punchy. This is strictly sold as a direct replacement for the post 1996 MM 5 basses and along with the preamp mods creates a dynamic sound range. Outstanding!