Seymour Duncan's original high-output passive humbucker pickup, the Duncan Distortion (SH-6) delivers tight and mean lows with searing top end—ideal for a wide variety of rock and metal styles.

The Duncan Distortion is our original high-output passive humbucker pickup. It incorporates a massive ceramic magnet and hot coil windings to deliver powerful but balanced rock and metal tones with rich upper-midrange harmonic content. Lows strings are tight and mean while the high strings scream with harmonics, making it a go-to pickup for hard-hitting crunch rhythms and blazing lead tones.

The Distortion neck pickup is specifically designed for use with the Distortion bridge model. It provides the highest output of all our neck humbuckers—hot enough to deliver smooth, fluid solo tones under gain, while still being capable of bell-like clean tones. For a super-flexible setup you can pair a Distortion bridge with a ’59 or Jazz neck pickup and cover a huge array of styles. In addition to being offered in 6-string humbucker and Trembucker spacings, the Distortion is also available in 7- and 8-string models, making it perfect for modern, extended-range metal playing.

7- and 8-string Distortion pickups are available with standard open-coils or black metal humbucker covers for a passive mount style, and black soapbar covers with one row of exposed pole pieces for a cool, modern active look—all quick retrofits for any guitar with those traditional routs. Rock and metal players all over the world looking for a high-output passive humbucker pickup continue to rely on the Duncan Distortion.

Hand built in our Santa Barbara, CA, factory, the Distortion uses a large ceramic bar magnet, nickel-silver bottom plate, 4-conductor lead wire for multiple wiring options, and is vacuum wax potted for squeal-free performance.