Seymour Duncan has unveiled the Duncan Distortion Limited Edition 50th Anniversary Custom Shop Set.
Each set is built to exacting standards in the company’s custom shop by a small, elite team led by Maricela “MJ” Juarez. Limited to only 500 sets worldwide, all are built to original specifications and include replica “Seymourized” and model name stickers, just like the earliest builds that collectors have hunted for decades. Lightly aged for vintage character, each set arrives in exclusive 50th Anniversary packaging in your choice of black or zebra, with bottom plates hand-signed by Seymour and MJ.
Key features:
- Limited 50th Anniversary Custom Shop Set: a one-time run of only 500 sets, honoring one of Seymour Duncan's most aggressive and enduring designs
- Original high-output ceramic humbucker: large ceramic magnet and hot coil windings deliver tight, percussive lows, searing highs, and a cutting upper midrange
- True to original specs: built with butyrate bobbins, long-leg baseplates, and maple spacers, while staying faithful to the classic Duncan Distortion voice
- Paired with the Seymourizer II neck pickup (later renamed Duncan Distortion Neck): fluid sustain under gain, with articulate clean tones
- Hand-built by the company’s Custom Shop team: includes bottom plates hand-signed by Seymour W. Duncan and MJ
- Vintage-correct details: lightly aged for authentic character, and includes replica "Seymourized" and model stickers
- Exclusive 50th Anniversary packaging
- Available in either choice of black or zebra
The Duncan Distortion bridge pickup is Seymour's original high-output ceramic humbucker. Built with a large ceramic magnet and hot coil windings, it delivers tight, percussive lows, searing highs, and a powerful upper midrange that cuts through any mix. It retains clarity while driving amps harder, giving players the raw, immediate response that defined decades of rock and metal. The sonic formula of this set remains unchanged from the production models, and preserves the classic aggressive voice favored by legends like Randy Rhoads, George Lynch and Adam Jones. Paired with the hot Seymourizer II neck pickup (later renamed Duncan Distortion Neck) as the perfect complement, the set delivers fluid sustain under gain while maintaining articulate clean tones.
The core design of the Duncan Distortion was set when production began in the late '70s, and it hasn't changed since. Over the years, small adjustments were made to improve consistency and player flexibility, like bobbins better suited for vacuum wax potting. This exclusive 50th Anniversary Custom Shop version honors our history by returning to early specs including butyrate bobbins, long-leg baseplates, and maple spacers, while staying true to the classic Duncan Distortion tone.
The Duncan Distortion Limited Edition 50th Anniversary Custom Shop Set carries a street price of $375.00. For more information visit seymourduncan.com.
