Seymour Duncan 11105-96-B Nazgul Rails Bridge Pickup - Black

Seymour Duncan 11105-96-B Nazgul Rails Bridge Pickup – Black

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Original price was: $349.00.Current price is: $289.00.

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Seymour Duncan Nazgûl Rails — High Output Humbucker Bridge Pickup, 6 String (11105-96-B)

The Seymour Duncan Nazgûl Rails (11105-96-B) is a high output passive humbucker bridge pickup that takes the Nazgûl's established metal character and applies a rail design in place of individual pole pieces. The result is the unrelenting articulation, saturation and chug the Nazgûl is known for, combined with the string-to-string balance, clarity and sustain that the rail format uniquely provides. Alnico 8 bar magnet, 4-conductor lead wire for multiple wiring configurations, vacuum wax potted for squeal-free performance at any gain level. Hand-built in Seymour Duncan's Santa Barbara, California factory. Bridge position, 6-string.

Angkor Music — Nazgûl Rails vs Standard Nazgûl, Rail vs Pole Piece, and Alnico 8 Explained

Three things are worth understanding before deciding between the Nazgûl Rails and the standard Nazgûl. First, rail vs pole piece design. A standard humbucker uses individual adjustable pole pieces — small cylindrical magnets or screws positioned under each string. A rail pickup replaces these with a continuous bar or blade that runs across all strings. The rail distributes the magnetic field evenly across the entire string spread rather than concentrating it under individual strings. In practice: every string sits in an equally consistent magnetic window, producing more even output and tone from string to string. Strings that are bent laterally during playing remain within the magnetic field rather than moving away from a pole piece — a significant advantage for players who bend heavily or play in a high-gain context where inconsistency between strings becomes audible. The rail design also contributes to the tighter, more focused response that the Nazgûl Rails produces compared to the standard Nazgûl — the even magnetic field creates a more controlled, defined attack character. Second, the Nazgûl Rails vs standard Nazgûl. Both share the same fundamental character — Alnico 8 aggression, high output, the articulation and chug that made the Nazgûl a metal staple. The Rails variant adds string-to-string consistency and a slightly tighter, more focused clarity to that character. Players who have experienced uneven string response or who want maximum definition on all strings equally — particularly useful on downtuned guitars where the low strings can become muddy with standard designs — will find the rail format a meaningful step up. Third, Alnico 8. This magnet sits between the warmth of traditional Alnico 5 and the raw aggression of ceramic. It produces higher output than Alnico 5 with a tighter, more aggressive low end, while retaining more of the natural note bloom and harmonic character that Alnico magnets provide compared to ceramic. The result is a pickup that sounds brutal without losing the musical quality that makes it usable — unrelenting, but completely controllable. At Angkor Music we are authorised Seymour Duncan sellers and professional installers. We stock both the 6-string and 7-string Nazgûl Rails alongside the full Seymour Duncan range including the Sentient neck pickup — the recommended companion to the Nazgûl Rails for players wanting a complete bridge and neck set.

Nazgûl Rails vs Standard Nazgûl — Which Is Right For Your Playing

Character Standard Nazgûl Nazgûl Rails
String-to-string balance Individual pole pieces — adjustable but variable Rail — even across all strings
Attack character Aggressive, saturated Tighter, more focused definition
String bending String can move away from pole piece on wide bends String stays within magnetic field at all bend positions
Clarity on low strings High output, powerful Enhanced definition and tightness
Overall character Brutal, saturated, aggressive Brutal, with added clarity and control

Rail Design — Magnetic Field Distribution and Why It Matters for Metal

The Nazgûl Rails' continuous rail replaces individual pole pieces with a single magnetic bar running the full width of the string spread. The practical effects for modern metal playing are significant:

  • Even string-to-string output: Every string sits in an identical magnetic window. No string is hotter or weaker than another due to pole piece positioning — the balance is built into the design rather than requiring individual pole piece height adjustment
  • Tighter low end: The even distribution of the magnetic field across the lower strings produces a more focused, defined low frequency response — particularly useful on downtuned guitars where standard pickups can produce a loose, undefined low end that gets lost in a band mix
  • Enhanced sustain: Consistent magnetic contact across the full string spread contributes to more even sustain across all strings simultaneously — important for chord work and rhythm playing where all strings need to decay at similar rates
  • Better performance under string bending: Individual pole pieces have a fixed magnetic contact point — a string bent significantly to one side begins to move away from the pole piece, causing the signal to weaken mid-bend. The rail's continuous surface maintains consistent signal output regardless of the string's lateral position

Alnico 8 Bar Magnet — Output and Character

Alnico 8 is one of the least common magnet types in production guitar pickups — and the Nazgûl's use of it is a deliberate choice for a specific tonal result. Understanding what Alnico 8 does explains the Nazgûl Rails' character:

  • Higher output than Alnico 5: Alnico 8 has a higher coercive force than the Alnico 5 used in traditional humbucker designs — producing more output and a more aggressive response
  • More controlled than ceramic: Where ceramic magnets produce maximum output with a compressed, sometimes harsh character, Alnico 8 retains more of the natural harmonic complexity and note bloom that Alnico magnets produce — the attack is aggressive but the note has more musical character
  • Tight low end: Alnico 8 produces a tighter, more focused low end than Alnico 5 — important for modern metal where low frequency clarity is essential
  • Controllable at high gain: The combination of Alnico 8's output level with its natural harmonic response produces a pickup that sounds brutal under gain without becoming an undefined wall of noise — the "vicious yet completely controllable" character described by Seymour Duncan

4-Conductor Lead Wire — Wiring Versatility

The Nazgûl Rails uses 4-conductor lead wire — providing access to both coils of the humbucker independently. This enables:

  • Coil splitting: Switch to single coil mode for a different tonal character
  • Series/parallel switching: Parallel wiring reduces output and produces a brighter, thinner sound; series is the standard humbucker configuration
  • Out of phase configurations: When combined with another pickup's 4-conductor output

For players who want maximum flexibility in their wiring configuration — or who want a single push-pull coil split option added during installation — the 4-conductor wire makes all of these options available. Our guitar technician at Angkor Music can discuss and implement any of these wiring configurations as part of a professional installation.

Vacuum Wax Potting — Squeal-Free at Any Gain Level

High output pickups under high gain are prone to microphonic feedback — the pickup's components vibrating in sympathy with the amplified signal, producing a high-pitched squeal. Vacuum wax potting impregnates the pickup coil with wax under vacuum, eliminating air gaps between coil windings that allow microphonic vibration. The Nazgûl Rails will not squeal regardless of gain level or stage volume — a fundamental requirement for any pickup used in a modern metal context.

Recommended Neck Companion — Seymour Duncan Sentient

The Seymour Duncan Sentient is the established neck pickup companion to the Nazgûl bridge. Where the Nazgûl Rails is voiced for brutal, high-output bridge position aggression, the Sentient uses an Alnico 5 magnet and a different wind for a clear, articulate, musical neck tone that balances the Nazgûl's aggression with a usable lead and clean sound. The combination is widely used in modern metal — full output rhythm tone from the bridge, clear and defined lead tone from the neck. We stock the Sentient in both 6-string and 7-string versions at Angkor Music.

Authorised Seymour Duncan Dealer and Installer

Angkor Music is an authorised Seymour Duncan dealer — all Seymour Duncan products we sell are genuine, warranted and supported. We also offer professional pickup installation through our guitar technician, including any wiring configuration the 4-conductor lead wire enables. Pickup purchase and professional installation in one place.

Who Is the Seymour Duncan Nazgûl Rails (11105-96-B) For?

  • Metal players wanting the Nazgûl's established character with enhanced string-to-string balance and tighter clarity from the rail design
  • Players who have experienced uneven string response or hot/weak string issues with standard pole piece humbuckers
  • Downtuned players where the rail's tighter low end response provides better definition than standard designs
  • Heavy string benders who want consistent signal output at all bend positions
  • Players building a complete bridge and neck set — pair with the Seymour Duncan Sentient neck pickup
  • Players with 7-string guitars should choose the 11105-96-B-7Str version

Specifications

SKU 11105-96-B
Brand Seymour Duncan
Model Nazgûl Rails
Type Passive Humbucker — Rail Design
Position Bridge
String Count 6 String
Magnet Alnico 8 Bar
Lead Wire 4-Conductor Shielded
Potting Vacuum Wax Potted
Output Level High
Manufacture Hand-built — Santa Barbara, California, USA
7-String Version 11105-96-B-7Str — same pickup, 7-string spacing
Recommended Neck Companion Seymour Duncan Sentient (6-string and 7-string available)
Dealer Status Angkor Music — Authorised Seymour Duncan Dealer and Installer

Expert Advice and Installation at Angkor Music

At Angkor Music Melbourne we are an authorised Seymour Duncan dealer and professional installer. We stock the full Seymour Duncan range including the Nazgûl Rails in 6-string and 7-string, the Sentient neck pickup, and the complete SD lineup. If you want advice on which pickup suits your guitar, playing style and amp setup — or if you want to discuss wiring configurations for the 4-conductor lead wire — contact us before ordering. Professional installation is available through our guitar technician.


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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Nazgûl Rails and the standard Nazgûl?
Both use an Alnico 8 magnet and share the same fundamental high-output metal character. The difference is the pickup design — the standard Nazgûl uses individual pole pieces under each string, the Nazgûl Rails uses a continuous rail bar across all strings. The rail design produces more even string-to-string balance, a tighter and more focused attack character, better signal consistency during string bends, and enhanced clarity on the lower strings. Players who want the Nazgûl's output and aggression with added definition and string balance should choose the Rails. Players who prefer the traditional pole piece format should choose the standard Nazgûl.

What does Alnico 8 sound like compared to ceramic or Alnico 5?
Alnico 8 sits between the warmth of Alnico 5 and the raw aggression of ceramic. It produces higher output than Alnico 5 with a tighter, more aggressive low end, while retaining more natural harmonic character than ceramic — notes have more bloom and musical quality alongside the high output. The practical result is a pickup that sounds brutal without becoming uncontrollably compressed or harsh — high output that remains articulate and responsive to picking dynamics.

What pickup should I use in the neck position with the Nazgûl Rails?
The Seymour Duncan Sentient is the standard neck companion for the Nazgûl. Where the Nazgûl Rails is voiced for high-output bridge position aggression, the Sentient uses Alnico 5 for a clear, articulate neck tone that contrasts usefully with the bridge — a full, controlled rhythm tone from the bridge and a clear, musical lead tone from the neck. We stock the Sentient in 6-string and 7-string at Angkor Music.

Can I coil split the Nazgûl Rails?
Yes — the 4-conductor lead wire provides access to both coils independently, enabling coil splitting, series/parallel switching and out-of-phase configurations. Our guitar technician at Angkor Music can implement any of these wiring options as part of a professional installation.

Do you install pickups at Angkor Music?
Yes — we are both an authorised Seymour Duncan dealer and a professional installer. You can purchase the Nazgûl Rails and have it professionally installed by our guitar technician in one visit, including any wiring configuration you want to implement with the 4-conductor lead wire.

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Additional information

Weight 0.12 kg
Type

Humbucker Pickup
To Fit Guitar

Electric Guitar
Position

Bridge

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