NAMM 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark event for Seymour Duncan. As the company celebrates its 50th anniversary, it’s taking the opportunity to honor its roots while unveiling technology aimed squarely at the future of guitar tone. Two major releases highlight this dual vision: a vintage-correct recreation of the JB / Jazz humbucker set and a new active system called MortalCoil.
A Nod to the Past: The 50th Anniversary JB / Jazz Humbucker Set
Few pickup combinations have had the impact of Seymour Duncan’s JB and Jazz humbuckers. Introduced in the mid-1970s, they quickly became a go-to pairing for players seeking versatility—offering everything from articulate cleans to harmonically rich drive. For the anniversary, Seymour Duncan has revisited the earliest production models to recreate their original specifications.
The 50th Anniversary JB / Jazz set features details that defined those first runs, including:
- Butyrate bobbins for authentic vintage character
- Long-legged baseplates for traditional mounting
- Single-conductor cable for classic wiring setups
- Maple spacers and rough-cast Alnico V magnets for the original tonal response
These components reflect the design philosophy of Seymour Duncan’s formative years, when pickups were crafted by hand in small batches. While modern versions of the JB and Jazz incorporate refinements for consistency and ease of installation, this anniversary edition is about capturing the feel and sound of the originals.
The set also comes in commemorative silver packaging inspired by Seymour Duncan’s early artwork, with a 50th Anniversary logo engraved on the baseplate—a subtle nod to the company’s history. It’s a release that speaks to players who appreciate the lineage of gear that helped shape electric guitar tone.
The 50th Anniversary JB / Jazz Humbucker Set will be available in Black and Zebra, and come in limited edition packaging. It will only be produced for the year 2026.
Looking Forward: MortalCoil and the Evolution of Active Pickups
Alongside its tribute to the past, Seymour Duncan is introducing MortalCoil, an active humbucker system designed for modern players who need precision, power, and flexibility. This isn’t a rework of existing designs—it’s a ground-up development that combines multi-voice capability with advanced electronics.
MortalCoil offers three distinct voices:
- Voice 1 (MC1): A tight, aggressive modern metal tone engineered for clarity under extreme gain, with strong low end and controlled mids.
- Voice 2: Voicings inspired by the classic JB and Jazz, bringing familiar character into an active format.
- Voice 3: A robust single-coil voice for clean tones and layered textures, with enough output to integrate seamlessly into contemporary rigs.
Under the hood, MortalCoil uses precision-wound high-density copper coils for faster transient response and a stronger pick attack across all tunings. Its newly designed preamp employs advanced audio op-amps to deliver gain and harmonic detail with extremely low distortion, while an efficient circuit layout ensures extended battery life—an important consideration for touring and studio work.
The result is a system that maintains clarity and note separation even under the most demanding conditions. For players who move between pristine cleans and high-gain aggression, MortalCoil offers a level of versatility that reflects how guitarists work today.
Installation is straightforward, with all required pots and wiring included, and the system is available in both 6 & 7 string versions for neck, bridge, and sets.
Heritage Meets Innovation
Seymour Duncan’s NAMM 2026 announcements highlight a company that understands its history while continuing to push forward. The 50th Anniversary JB / Jazz set is a reminder of the craftsmanship that helped define electric guitar tone in the late 20th century. MortalCoil, by contrast, looks to the future—bringing new ideas to active pickup design for players who demand more from their gear.
Both releases share a common thread: they’re built on decades of experience in voicing pickups for real-world musical applications. Whether revisiting the sounds that shaped rock history or exploring new sonic territory, Seymour Duncan’s approach remains rooted in the pursuit of tone.
Check out these pickups at your local Seymour Duncan dealer – https://linktr.ee/Seymour_Duncan_AU
