Anderson H2+ Yellow

Pickup features: Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Custom Made Solid Black Walnut
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: None
Other pickups on guitar: H1
Artists using this pickup: me
You musical style(s): Jazz/Rock/Funk/Whatever
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: slightly hotter than PAF
Tone: balanced
Sonic evaluation: This pickup is VERY responsive to varied picking techniques. Nice and warm when played in HB mode. Nice Allman/ZZ like tones when pushed, warm & sweet with the Vol backed off. Has a surprisingly clear tone in SC mode, just don't play too hard. This thing picks up all the good (and bad) stuff you can through at it. Has taken me back to school and made me work on my picking style. I also had a series/parallel switch added to the bridge PU that gives nice edgey sound when in parallel, not as bright as a single coil but less bass than a humbucker.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Play in a cover band that does Allman Bros, ZZ, Little Feet and all points in between. The original stuff I write tends more towards Jazz/Blues.

Comments: Chose this pickup for custom made Strat style solid body after reading the reviews on HC. Have been playing 30+ yrs and wanted something that would cover alot of bases tone wise. This pickup does it in spades! Play through a MB DC-3 combo with el-34s with Cannabis Rex speakers. Minimal effects from Digitech 2101 (reverbs/clean dist) and a Carl Martin Hot Driv'n Boost. I've played through reissue PAFs, Lawrence and Emg pickups. They each have thier own flavor all of which I like. I just wanted this guitar to be unique and one of a kind. This pickup has far surpassed my expectations. Would replace it if God forbid, something ever happened, but that's kind of hard to imagine. I know tone is a subjective thing, and we each have that elusive ideal floating somewhere between our ears, but for my money this pickup nails it for me. If you haven't found that ideal tone yet, just have fun, keep looking and take my two cents worth if you want. I know, it's only Rock & Roll, but I like it.

Pickup features: HB w/tap, passive
Impedence or other specs: on the anderson website

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Jazzmaster - mid-sixties oldie but goodie
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Anderson H3+
Other pickups on guitar: Anderson H1- (neck)
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s): Blues, Rock, Surf, Redneck Jazz
Reason for pickup change: the H3 was too dark for my taste in this guitar.

Perceived output level: Higher output than a PAF. About the same as a Bill Lawrence 500.
Tone: Low-middy in this installation. Might be different if installed differently. Very clear and articulate, zero mud.
Sonic evaluation: Use this Jazzmaster with a Fuchs OD Special modded Bandmaster, an old Ampeg Gemini I, and a Crate VC20R w/celestion. Sounds really good on all. Sometimes run through a tubescreamer and/or a Digitech gnx3. Powerful output, can really drive the signal chain. Nice clean and even better distorted.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Blues, oldschool rock, surf, redneck jazz. This pickup sounds fine for all these styles, and the real bonus is how good it sounds split.

Comments: I might try something else, just because I like to try out pups. I've pretty much settled on Bill Lawrence (both sc and hb), Barden and Tom Anderson. The Anderson's are a little "moodier" (darker?) than the BLs but I must note that in this Jazzmaster I screwed the pups right into the body wood, they're not spring mounted. I was about to give up on both the H1- and the H2+ until I installed coil taps. Holy shit! Very little loss of output, very quiet for SC, and really opened up the guitar's sound. Now it's really sweet on clean settings as well as the heavier high-harmonics stuff. Don't miss out on how great these are with coil taps! Now I'm going to keep it awhile :-)

Pickup features: Humbucking
Impedence or other specs: around 9 or 10k

Model of guitar or bass: Paul Reed Smith
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Bill Lawrence XL500
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change:

Perceived output level: Double fender power.
Tone: Nice balanced frequency response.
Sonic evaluation: Fender Twin. Radial Hot British pedal. These are really good, fairly expensive pickups. They are not constructed like typical humbuckers; I couldn't figure out where the magnets were. The pole pieces that you see are steel slugs, top and bottom. The pickup is deeper than regular pickups too, I suppose the idea is to get more wire closer to the magnetic field (like Rio Grande tall boys). I thought the construction was novel and decided to try it. I played a Tom Anderson guitar and liked the way the pickups looked and sounded.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:

Comments: It definitely sounds like a humbucker, but again, more balanced, and without a noticeably gritty midrange, which bothers me especially in this guitar. The one negative review I've read here I really can't explain: I haven't had any problems not getting harmonics or anything. Some people are saying split it sounds just like a single coil, maybe that would be true in another guitar. They made this guitar look really good and sound a lot like a really good Les Paul. A little too expensive, like all pickups. It's just wire and a magnet, after all.

Pickup features: passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs: not sure

Model of guitar or bass: Tom Anderson Hollow Drop Top
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: come on guitar
Other pickups on guitar: see below
Artists using this pickup: hopefully not many
You musical style(s): jazz, fusion, blues, and anything else to pay the bills
Reason for pickup change: This was in the guitar

Perceived output level: not too hot but a shade hotter than a Duncan 59'
Tone: even but lacking in every frequency
Sonic evaluation: The Hollow drop top (standard tremelo that has been blocked off), basswood body quilted maple top, maple neck with madagascar rosewood fingerboard (slightly warmer than standard rosewood) into either a Bogner Shiva EL34 head and a Mesa 1x12 3/4 back cab with a Black Shadow or a Holland Lobo 1x12 combo with a Celestion vintage 30. My other main guitar (this will be important later in this review) is a Custom heritage prospect with a 25&1/2 scale neck basswood center block which doesnt touch the back, Anderson frets, the Buzz Feiten system, and 2 Duncan 59's.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play just about anything except for the Modern heavy rock such as Godsmack and korn and that crap. I really dont like this pickup for anything.

Comments: First of all let me say how much I love my Tom Anderson. It is a really fine guitar that I have really beat the crap out of for the the last 3 years. In early Feb. 03 I got a Heritage and it was just sooo much more complex and warm with harmonics coming effortlessly clean or dirty and it cut through better on gigs and soon many of the bands I work with were asking me to leave the Anderson at home. The other day I was playing the Anderson I it just plays sooooo damn fine I put a duncan 59 in the bridge and all of my complaints about the guitar were gone everything opened up and beautified. about an hour ago I replaced the SA1 stacked single coils with some Dimarzio virtual vintage (Blues in the neck and 54 in the middle) and I will be using the anderson on my gig tonight. It is alive and sound as good as the heritage and plays better. If you have these H2+ pickups in your guitar please try a Duncan 59 and your life will be better.

Pickup features: humbucking passive
Impedence or other specs: don't know........

Model of guitar or bass: Anderson Hollow T Tele
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: H1 and a SA1.......
Artists using this pickup: Ron Thompson of The Revelators......
You musical style(s): progressive blues...
Reason for pickup change: I went on the advice of the guys at Anderson,they talked me all the way through the building process of this guitar.

Perceived output level: no complaints here on the output level.....
Tone: incredibly sweet tone,it sings........
Sonic evaluation: I play through an early 70's Vibrolux that has been blackfaced.I also go through Fulltone Fulldrive2,FatBoost,a TS9 with THE chip,H&K Replex and when I gig out,people come around and ask why my tone is so awesome.It's a combination of everything and to me,no weak link in the signal chain.This pickup enhances and magnifies the resonance of my guitar and is simply beautiful tonal chemistry.The guys at Anderson were right on the money.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play gospel/blues and some jazz/funk/fusion....it sings with my rig.......

Comments: If it were stolen,I would buy it again.I have been playing for 37 years.I own way too much gear to list and bore you folks.I have Antiquities in my Les Paul and this Anderson with my pickup config cuts better and has more versatility and sings.

Pickup features: Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: No Clue

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson Les Paul
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Gibson 498 Treble
Other pickups on guitar: Gibson 490 Rhythm
Artists using this pickup: Nadda Clue
You musical style(s): Hard Rock, British Rock and Blues
Reason for pickup change: The stock pickup was all right, but I knew there was something better out there so I went for it.

Perceived output level: It's a really good balance with the stock Gibson 490R pickup.
Tone: The tone is fairly nice.
Sonic evaluation: I've ran this guitar through several nice tube amps using the Gibson in the bridge and this one. I'd have to say this pickup mates well with the stock Gibson neck pickup that I mentioned above. I am not particularly fond of the Anderson H1-. It's just not for me. This pickup is like an open airy version of the Gibson that I had in there. Harmonics are fairly easy to get and the clean are really nice, but it will distort depending upon the pick attack you use. I really like the oversized pole pieces. I would recommend this pickup for the bridge position of any guitar. I might not be your thing, but hey..it's worth a shot.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pickup does a good job for rock music.....hard, light, heavy....it's nice.

Comments: Overall comparing this with several Dimarzio pickups, the stock Gibson Pickup, PRS HFS...I like this one much better. It's different and it gives me a tad bit of uniqueness, but the guitar still sounds like a Gibson Les Paul which is awesome. Again, this pickup mates extremely well with the Gibson 490R pickup. I haven't gotten around to trying out some duncan's yet, but I am really enjoying this combination as of right now. It's going to be a tough act to follow. Cheers!

Pickup features: Humbucking
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: G&L Comanche Z-3, maple neck & fretboard, swamp ash body w/ "swimming pool" route
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: G&L Z-coil
Other pickups on guitar: 2 G&L Z-coil (neck & mid)
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Classic Rock
Reason for pickup change: To get more humbucking warmth tones for songs that require it. I really like the Z-coils for most uses, but just couldn't get that "humbucking" tone for songs that really need them (Southern rock, Ozzy, etc.)

Perceived output level: Moderately hot, easy to control. It gives a great sustain in humbucking mode, driving the amp's input very well with all effect off. I think I end up using it more in single coil mode, though. I just love the chime and clarity this thing delivers. You have to use the coil away from the bridge, though. The sound is tremendous, especially driving the amp into moderate breakup. Extremely versatile with minor volume adjustments. Tremendous sustain.... I absolutely LOVE this pickup, and it matches very well with the higher-than-usual output of the G&L Z-coils. Great versatility overall, not a death metal pickup, though.
Tone: Very balanced, smooth, and warm in humbucking. Great clarity, chime and balance in single coil. Works VERY well with G&L passive treble & bass tone control wiring.
Sonic evaluation: I play in a classic & new rock band. I play the G&L to a MXR compressor, Crybaby, Boss tuner, Boss SD-1, Line 6 DM4, Line 6 MM4, Boss RV3, Boss DD5, Morley A/B switch to 2 channels of a customized Silverface Bassman (one voiced Marshall, the other Fender).

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: 50's (Elvis) through current (Staind). Gives me the versatility I need to do just about any song on guitar, except thrash/death metal (don't play that anyway).

Comments: I would definitely buy this pickup again. Considering the price, I consider it a tremendous bargain. It gives me just what I was looking for - ability to use one guitar for almost all songs we play live. I use my trusty '69 SG for all the down-tuned stuff, but this guitar for everything else.
I've been playing guitar for about 34 years.

Pickup features: Humbucking passive pickup
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez Musician Guitar, Washburn BT-4
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Duncan SH6 Distortion
Other pickups on guitar: Anderson H1 Humbucker
Artists using this pickup: ? I dunno' . I don't care.
You musical style(s): Rock, funk, blues, you name it
Reason for pickup change: I was tired of the same old thin static-y distorted tones that you get from traditionally made pickups. I've used Dimarzio's, Duncans, and everything in between.

Perceived output level: Moderately hot ! It was a good match for the overwound vintage single coil in my Washburn, and a great match for the H1 humbucker in neck position on my Ibanez.
Tone: Very balanced and punchy tone. I tried all of the coil wiring combinations, and this sound good in any mode. Especially the coil split and well of course the series wiring(most powerful). Easily picks up harmonics & overtones in both my guitars.
Sonic evaluation: I tried it first on my practice amp, a fender frontman 15w. I like to use this amp in the bedroom for kicks at low levels. Then I moved up to my Marshall half stack. Oh my god !!!! This pickup distorts really well when ya' crank the guitar volume knob to ten. The best part is you can control the gain with barely any volume drop til about 4 on the dial. This feature makes the pickup very versatile when controlling feedback and harmonics. Just dial it in baby!! Under 4 and you get cleaner tones of course. Volume drops away pretty quickly. I don't know the folks at Anderson make their pickups perform this way but they are on to something here.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play rock, Funk, & blues.

Comments: I've found the sound in this tone generator. It's a bit expensive but you can forget wasting your money on the crap everyone is using. Get rid of your Dimarzios & Duncans....invest in some of these babies.

Pickup features: full-sized passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: tom anderson hollow cobra
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: anderson HO1- in neck position
Artists using this pickup: see the list in my other review
You musical style(s): pop/rock/funk/R&B
Reason for pickup change: i didn't change the pickup--it came stock with the guitar. i have no plans to change it.

Perceived output level: output is about as much as a duncan JB.
Tone: very balanced tone overall. take the smoothness of a duncan JB and multiply that. it has a great combination of bass, middle, treble, and output, and allows you to get a great, thick, sustaining tone on the bridge position of your guitar while still allowing the guitar's inherent acoustic character to speak.
Sonic evaluation: this is a follow-up to my earlier review, which reviewed this pickup in an anderson drop top classic, which had a basswood body with a maple top, a 25-1/2" scale length, and a top-routed body with a pickguard. this review looks at the same pickup model in an anderson hollow cobra, which has a 24-3/4" scale, mahogany body with maple top, mahogany neck, and fixed bridge; the pickups are also rear routed.
everything i said about the pickup still applies here. what i WOULD like to underscore is how much the body wood affects the tone--in many ways, i think body wood is a much more important tonal factor than the choice of pickups.
on the drop top classic, the tone was a lot smoother overall, without the focus in the midrange that i got with the hollow cobra. with the hollow cobra, i got a much more focused tone, with a lot of midrange punch and snarl. the pickup seemed to speak more quickly, as well, with a more aggressive voice. notes didn't decay with as much complexity, either.
i'm using the anderson hollow cobra through a bogner ecstasy 101B head and a bogner straight 412 cabinet with vintage 30's, and it's a wonderful combination. it's wonderfully balanced and very "woody" sounding, to say the least.
if you're looking for a balanced pickup that can cover the bases very well, i'd highly recommend checking out this pickup.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: i play pop/rock/funk/R&B/alternative,and this pickup covers a lot of bases well. split the pickup, and you get a very single-coil-esque tone. wire the pickup in series, and you get a huge, ballsy tone with great balance and definition. this is my number-one choice for a being a great all-around bridge humbucker.

Comments: i would certainly replace this pickup with another one of the same model if it were damaged or destroyed.
i've been playing 17 years now, and i own several other andersons. in the past, i've owned/tried just about every piece of gear out there, including most of the boutique stuff. i live in los angeles, so it's easy to find most of the stuff that you just otherwise read about in magazines.
i absolutely love this pickup and wouldn't hesitate to replace it with another H2+ if i needed to.

Pickup features: humbucker, passive, large pole pieces
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: 91 strrt plus USA
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: gold lace sensor set
Other pickups on guitar: anderson H1 at neck
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): rock, pop, some blues
Reason for pickup change: laces sensors just dont cut it....weak output and not hum canceling, and a bit sterile sounding, with lack of bass and mids....bought the guitar for the neck and wood tone.

Perceived output level: medium hot....not tooo hot, but just right
Tone: punchy! nice clear lows and mids...warm glassy highs!
Sonic evaluation: i use this guitar through a laney protube 50 head thru a boogie 12" cab....this combination is magic...i have tried so many different amps, cabs, and pickups....

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable:

Comments: i've tried many pickup configurations....lace sensors, dimarzios, seymour duncans, and even EMGs...i had a EMG dg20 on this guitar before putting these andrsons on..that didnt even cut it for me..this pickups sounds like an improved seymour duncan quarter ounder without the noise...punchy lows, nice defined mids, and highs that are oh so sweet without the harshness...this pickup is never muddy...every string cuts thru! go check it out...you will not be disappointed!!!