Seymour Duncan Jazz Model SH-2

From the manufacturer:

"application

Classic moderate output humbucker. Especially popular in neck position. Don't let the name fool you; it's not only great for jazz, but also country, blues, funk, classic rock and heavy rock.

description
Provides an articulate and clear tone. Great for fast runs. The brighter tone has slightly less output and is a good match with most bridge pickups. When distorted, the tone is full and bright. Smooth sustain. Compared to the SH-1 '59 Model, the Jazz has slightly less output and a more detailed treble response. Comes with four-conductor hookup cable.

complete setup
Available in both neck and bridge models. Often a Jazz neck is paired with an SH-4 JB (Seymour's favorite combination) or SH-5 Duncan Custom in the bridge position for diverse tones.

guitars
For balanced and warm instruments. Works especially well with mahogany bodies and rosewood fingerboards. Also works great with hollow and semi-hollow body guitars.

available mods
Nickel or gold-plated cover. 7-string neck version. Available in a matched set with an SH-4 JB for the bridge.

players
Jerry Horton / Papa Roach (neck), Dave Mustaine / Megadeth (neck), Doug Pettibone / Lucinda Williams (neck)

specs
Magnet type: alnico 5 bar, D.C. Resistance 7.72k-neck, 7.9k-bridge"

Best videos/sound clips:

This is a really nicely recorded metal video showing the classic JB bridge/Jazz neck combination.  This is really a JB rockfest, but you do get a nice solo on the SH-2 Jazz neck at 2:54.  Really huge sound - I love it!.  The player is Pete Cottrell and the guitar is an ESP LTD DV8R.

Here we have the Seymour Duncan SH-2n Jazz neck pickup. Beginning with a clean demo at 0:15, it's apparent how clear and articulate the pickups are, making it ideal for jazz licks and more. These pickups also produce a respectable blues tone at 0:58, and although it has a slightly lower output than other pickups, there is a modest natural breakup with great treble response. At 1:54 we hear a very impressive rock tone coming from the SH-2, as well as its keen ability to produce a smooth lead tone with incredible definition.  It also has no issue producing vibrant lead metal tones that are perfect for fast runs and heavy riffing.

The player is Darius Wave and he is playing a Mayones Setius GTM 6 guitar through a Marshall JCM 2000 head, a Cornford Roadhouse 50 head, an Orange Rockerverb head, and a Peavey 5150 II head. He is mainly using a 2x12 cab by David Laboga.

Check out this Guthrie Govan style jam, which shows off the SH-2n pickup in all its glory beginning at 0:35. Aficionado types will love just how precise the tone is, making shred-style jams sound pristine with outstanding articulation on each individual note played. With a little overdrive, the tone is smooth as ever, producing almost synth-like tones that sound fantastic on fast runs up and down the fret board. One other thing to note is how well these pickups prevent high-end squeaks and hums in the signal, allowing a noise-free sound with excellent detail.

The player is Vando Lucena and he is playing a Stratocaster Frankenstein through a Laney LC3-II with a Blackstar HD Dual and TC Electronic Nova System for effects.

Here is a clip from Seymour Duncan Pickups showing just how many versatile jazz tones you can achieve with the SH-2n pickup. With the amp's EQ set to flat, we can really hear how the pickups respond to the subtle variances in the volume and tone controls. Jump to 1:08 to hear the SH-2n with the treble rolled off to around 7. The pickup has a lot of snap and attack, but it is also very mellow and warm for that classic jazz lead tone. At 2:08 we hear the SH-2n with the volume at 9 and tone control at 3. This configuration sounds noticeably darker, yet it makes for a great tone to play slow rhythm jazz chords with a lot of body and low-end. Skip to 2:24 to hear the SH-2n with the volume at 9 and tone at 5 - yielding the perfect balance of warmth and attack for both smooth rhythm and leads. With the volume at 9 and the tone at 1 at 2:43, notice just how dark this pickup can get; yet it still manages to have brilliant definition and character.

The player is Johnny Hawthorn and he is using a Fender Jaguar through a Carr Rambler amp.

 Sometimes a pickup swap can make all the difference in your tone -- as demonstrated by this video, which compares the stock pickups in a Fender Blacktop Jaguar to the Seymour Duncan SH-2n and SH-4 pickups (although I will focusing on the SH-2n). Skip to 0:30 to hear the stock neck pickup in the Jaguar. It is a decent sounding pickup, although it seems to lack a sort of character and clarity, making the tone sound a bit dull and muddy. The SH-2n in comparison at 0:55 is a dramatic contrast, boasting a much louder output and a tone that is cleaner and more detailed. With the coil split at 1:20, the SH-2n does a fair job at maintaining the integrity of that classic twangy Fender tone, although a better amplifier might serve it more justice. Nonetheless, the SH-2n is a killer pickup to consider when modifying a guitar, rocking a uniquely bold sound with amazing detail and depth.

The player goes under the moniker "ManDeal" and he is playing a Fender Blackstop Jaguar through a VOX Pathfinder 15R amp.