AN INTERVIEW WITH SEYMOUR DUNCAN

After lending his guitar to a friend who accidentally broke the pickup, Duncan decided to rewire it, using a turntable to hold the pickup in place and rotate it while spooling wire around the pickup bobbin. He was inspired by how the guitar’s tone improved, driving him to learn more about pickups from Les Paul (yes, the Les Paul), and later mentor Seth Lover (inventor of the humbucker).

After moving to California, he met and married Cathy Carter, with whom he decided to start a pickup rewinding service. Within two decades, they were manufacturing an assortment of electric, bass and acoustic guitar pickups, as well as other electric guitar accessories. In 2012, Duncan was inducted into the VintageGuitar Hall Of Fame for his contributions to the music industry.