Seymour Duncan ‘59 Model Limited Edition 50th Anniversary Custom Shop Set, Zebra

Since 1976, Seymour Duncan has helped define the sound of the electric guitar by honoring tradition while advancing craftsmanship. The ‘59 Model Limited Edition 50th Anniversary Custom Shop Set celebrates Seymour’s personal vision of an ideal P.A.F.-style humbucker, shaped by decades of hands-on experience, careful listening, and an appreciation for the many voices that made the originals legendary. Hand-built in the Seymour Duncan Custom Shop in a single run of only 500 sets, this release honors the legacy behind one of the most enduring pickup designs in electric guitar history. Vintage P.A.F. pickups are revered for the tones captured on countless classic recordings, with variation among individual pickups yielding a wide spectrum of voicings.

Early in his career, Seymour developed a deep understanding of these variations by rewinding, repairing, and studying countless vintage pickups. With the ’59 Model, Seymour’s goal was to define his ideal interpretation of a P.A.F., one with an Alnico 5 magnet that captures the open, airy character and three-dimensional harmonics of the best originals, while offering balance between neck and bridge. The bridge pickup delivers enhanced pick attack with smooth sustain perfect for rock and blues. The neck pickup offers warm, crystalline clarity with scooped mids that preserve every note’s definition. Together, this versatile combination (also known as the “Vintage Blues” set) has long been a favorite of players like Trey Anastasio, Ben Harper, Paul Stanley and more.

The core tone recipe of the ’59 Model was established when production began in the 1970s and has never changed. Over time, small refinements were introduced to enhance consistency and player flexibility, such as bobbins more compatible with vacuum wax potting and four-conductor wiring for coil-splitting. To celebrate our history, this exclusive Custom Shop 50th Anniversary edition returns to early specs including butyrate bobbins, long-leg baseplates, single-conductor wiring, maple spacers, and rough-cast Alnico V magnets, while retaining the classic ’59 Model tone. 

Each set is meticulously hand-built by our elite Custom Shop team, led by the legendary Maricela “MJ” Juarez. Every bottom plate bears the signatures of Seymour W. Duncan himself and MJ, accompanied by original replica “Seymourized” and model name stickers. The lightly aged vintage styling and exclusive commemorative packaging complete this limited edition capturing 50 years of excellence. With only 500 sets offered worldwide in black or zebra, this is your chance to celebrate 50 years of innovation, craftsmanship, and the enduring vision of Seymour Duncan.