Seymour Duncan MortalCoil Multiple-Voiced Active Neck Humbucker Passive Mount, 6-string – Black

General

The Seymour Duncan MortalCoil is an active neck humbucker for 6-string electric guitars, built for modern metal but with surprisingly broad versatility. The pickup is designed for tight articulation, controlled lows and clear definition at high gain. Thanks to its fast response and solid pick attack, your playing cuts through in busy mixes, without muddy bass or a sharp, fizz-like edge. This makes it ideal for tight riffs, fast leads and anything where you absolutely don’t want your neck sound to get muddled.

Three voices, one pickup

What makes the MortalCoil special is its multiple-voiced concept: you get three distinct tonal characters in a single neck pickup. Voice 1 (MC1) is uncompromisingly tight and modern, with clear note separation and presence for high-gain playing. Voice 2, on the other hand, captures that familiar Jazz Neck vibe: warm, musical and dynamic, just as many players have known it for decades. Voice 3 delivers a powerful, articulate single-coil sound and, for a neck pickup, offers a genuine split to single-coil mode—handy for cleans, edge-of-breakup tones and layered parts.

Installation & Power Supply

This version is designed for the neck position, features a passive mount and is intended as a drop-in upgrade for many existing active systems. Seymour Duncan supplies the necessary components for voice selection, including quick-connect cabling and the relevant electronics. The pickup operates on 9V or 18V (not suitable for 24V) and is compatible with other multi-voice active pickup wiring harnesses. The Alnico V magnet and the active, audio-optimised preamp combine to deliver clarity, definition and a tightly controlled output.