Anderson H1+

Passive dual humbucker.
I don't know the impedance.

I installed this in my '04 Gibson SG special. I replaced the stock pickup. My other pickup is Anderson's HN3+ (I submitted a review for that one too). I changed this pickup mostly because I was already changing the bridge pickup, and I wanted them to stay reasonably matched. And I got free shipping for buying both.

The output is just about right for the neck position on my guitar. If you know Anderson pickups, you know that my bridge pickup (HN3+) is a super hot pickup. So I needed a reasonably hot neck pickup to match it.

I play my SG through a Marshall JCM2000 DSL 100 w/ a Park 4x12 cab. The only effect I use is a DigiTech Bad Monkey to boost my input signal (And don't judge this pedal by its brand name either). I mostly play high-gain rock and metal, but I spend a lot of time away from that.

I believe I have a much better ear for judging bridge pickups since they are essential for the style I play, but I am impressed with this neck pickup nonetheless. It is very clear and allows every string (and mistake!) to make it to the amp. I also find that it sounds very full and big. I love working on my blues licks when I'm using the neck pickup. It's got that B.B. King sound to it. With high gain, I can do a convincing "Sweet Child of Mine" intro.

If I had to do it again, I would try the H1 (no +) because the neck is still a bit louder than the bridge. However, this is probably just how it's going to be because it's the neck pickup. Nonetheless, I have no intentions of replacing this pickup with anything else.

For my SG, I can't imagine a better pickup set than what I got from Tom Anderson. I'm certainly not closed to trying other brands. If I can ever get a mid-70s Les Paul, I'd like to try the Rio Grande BBQ and Texas pickups in it. I've played a '75 Custom with those two in it, and the tone was freakin' fat.

Both quality and price considered, I doubt there is a superior pickup out there. Once you hit this level of quality, it's just preference after that.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: Don't know...would love to find out

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez Artist 1977
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Ibanez Super 80
Other pickups on guitar: HN3+
Artists using this pickup: God knows
You musical style(s): anything and everything
Reason for pickup change: I recognize Tom Anderson pickups to be the first-rate pickups they are...and I wanted my guitar to have all the best components...I actually liked the Super80s...especially the neck pickup...however...I was getting my guitar re-fretted...and figured I'd change the pickups and the tuners while I was at it...I am glad I changed the pickups...my guitar went from a Les Paul to a Super Les Paul

Perceived output level: A big fat PAF...round...creamy...and endless sustain...a pickup with timeless appeal
Tone: Hmmm...lots of bass...mid range punch and smooth treble...nothing shrill here!
Sonic evaluation: The sound of the H1+ is basically everything u would ever want out of a Les Paul neck pickup...this is a high end pickup...nothing mediocre about it...rich creamy sound...lots of punch...very sensitive to pick attack...its the type of pickup that makes u smile a lot when u play it...its absolutely perfect for my Ibanez ARtist...I can nail everything from Jazz to Blues to Rock...u can get Angus Young sounds...but U can also get George Benson sounds and everything in between...I would recommend this pickup and I would definitely buy it again...as a matter of fact...Tom Anderson's H1 and H1+...r...in my book...simply the best neck pickups u can get for the neck of a solid body guitar...there is just nothing dissapointing about this pickup...no downside...u want great sound...get either of these two pickups...u'll be glad u did...I know I am

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This is a neck pickup and works great for blues, jazz, rock, hard rock...whatever

Comments: I have quite a few Tom Anderson pickups...and I will buy quite a few more...Ihave many Seymour Duncans and many DiMarzios and even a few EMGs...I like them all...but the Anderson's edge out the competition...they are always pleasing to the ear...and they're not hard on the wallet either...I can't say enough about the H1+...its pretty much THE ideal pickup...if ur looking for the PAF sound...and then some...this would be the pickup to buy

Pickup features: Passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: 1978 Gibson Les Paul Custom Silverburst
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: EMG 60
Other pickups on guitar: Anderson H3+, replaced other EMG 60
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Industrial, Progressive Rock
Reason for pickup change: EMGs suck. Plain and simple. They are the most sterile, lifeless pickups on the face of the planet. A pickup should affect your sound, but not determine exactly what it will sound like before and after it hits the amp. The sound is exactly the same between a driven Fender Hot Rod Deluxe and a TSL 100 Marshall. That blows, and so do EMG's.

Perceived output level: Basically, this sounds like a very thick PAF. In fact, it nails the tone that I get out of my 1969 Les Paul Custom with original PAF's.
Tone: Completely balanced. What incredible tone. To die for.
Sonic evaluation: I work with one of the guys who worked with Tom Anderson himself when they were both at Schecter years ago. He said that Anderson pickups are basically a Schecter design, or the design that was happening twenty years ago. Schecter sucks now, but then the instruments were incredible sounding and incredibly expensive.
This pickup is one of the most interesting pickups that I've heard so far. Everything else out there is cookie-cutter crap, except vintage Gibson PAF's. This pickup is very thick and EXTREMELY clean, but distorts nicely. You can hear EVERY nuance of my playing through it.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Great match with any style. I like having my volume knob on seven, then being able to just roll it up for a gain boost. It cleans up really well, too. Hell, this thing even made my POD sound totally different. The Dual Rectifier sounds LIKE a Dual Rectifier now....

Comments: Buy this pickup. Andersons are cheap, well built and incredible sounding. If you want a different sound, but want GOOD tone, try this pickup. You WON'T be dissapointed....