Paul Reed Smith Dragon 2

Pickup features: Passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs: Neck 8kohms, bridge 12.5kohms

Model of guitar or bass: various guitars
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: PAF type humbuckers
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): everything from Country Rock to Hard Rock
Reason for pickup change: wanted to improve the tone of the guitar and a little more power than the stock PAFs.

Perceived output level: medium to hot, definitely not a distortion pickup
Tone: OK bass response, a lot of low-midrange, clear highs
Sonic evaluation: I use self-modded Marshalls and Fenders. Few to no effects.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pickup is a good match for many styles.

Comments: I definitely would not replace it. The overall performance of the pickup set is good but not spectacular. I disagree with some of the rave reviews below. I tried the set in three different guitars but either they did not improve the sound or I had better options. It can be a good pickup for someone looking for a PAF-type tone with better split coil sounds. For a real fat tone I would prefer PRS's HFS or a Rio Grande BBQ.

Pickup features: Passive humbucking
Impedence or other specs: uh....

Model of guitar or bass: Les Paul Classic
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: 500t ,496r
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: Dunno.... don't care
You musical style(s): Metal, jazz, fusion, blues,shred,flamenco,classical,funk...did I forget anything?
Reason for pickup change: 500t was a little too hot for me, with not enough versatility in character....the 496 is actually a great FAT neck position humbucker...but I wanted the pickups to match. (that and the nickel covers looked so righteous on my gold top les paul :)The PRS pickups are also coil split-able (is that a word?)

Perceived output level: Output level is medium high, but not really anywhere near the 500T... which is a smoker.
Tone: Balanced for sure. Reminds me of the tone on my old 70's les paul deluxe mini humbuckers.Sweet ...somewhere between a single and a humbucker, but not weak.
Sonic evaluation: Les Paul into digitech gsp2101, carvin tube100,2 1-12 vintage 30 cabs.Voodoo amps or monster cables.I have had these in my guitar for a few months already, and I recently had the coils split on this guitar with a push/pull splitter configuration....do not try this at home with a Les Paul unless you really know what you are doing.The owner of the shop had an interesting time doing it himself and he works on guitars all day.
The sound before splitting was very balanced, sweet...not shrill even loaded with gain on the bridge...almost Eric Johnson-y in the neck position. I am really impressed with these pickups.I used to think that the PRS line was more of a status symbol... that I always seem to see guys with lots of money but little chops playing, but I have retracted that opinion...(well, at least the part about them being average quality:). As for the modifications, this is the most incredibly sweet, versatile Les Paul I have EVER played. Combine that with the killer neck of the classic and I do not see a need for another main guitar.This thing is like butter in single coil mode. I can get close tones to SRV one second Zakk Wylde the next (of course, my preamp has massive gain...so I cannot just credit the pickups for this). If you use this pickup in something other than a PRS(which are split already with the rotary system), definitely split the coils.It will open a world of tonal options to you.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: As I said before...mostly rock type styles. This pickup is suitable for everything really depending on the rig you are running it thru....you would not play Slayer thru a Fender Bassman, right?:)This guitar does sound great thru a Bassman, tho'...Ok. Maybe it would not be great for thrash, but you could still pull it off if you had a high gain enough rig.

Comments: If lost or stolen(uh...it's installed in my guitar?),I would not be happy, but I would either buy it again or check out some of their other offerings....I do not know if it is THAT sound....we are always looking for different elements of our character to be expressed thru our equipment, but it is A sound that I like very much.And it does help me to get my point across. I have been playing for a while (15+ years)I chose this because of the positive reviews here, the coil splitting capability, and yes, shallowly enough for the nickel covers to go with my goldtop.( killer look, by the way:) I have not been disappointed in any way. The only thing that really comes close to a complaint is the neck position is almost too sweet and breathy to play clean jazz...it does not really get that smoky,fat tone, but it does get a great tone, so it is more a matter of preference rather than a complaint.Amazing with coils split running thru a great clean with chorus and delay.WOW! I can't believe it is a Les Paul.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: around 12k....prs likes to keep everything a secret

Model of guitar or bass: Lefty Ibanez RG470, Lefty Les Paul
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Bartolini's, Seymore Duncans
Other pickups on guitar: Gibson 500T
Artists using this pickup: dont know
You musical style(s): Funk, Hardcore, Latin, Reggae, Hip/Hop, R&B
Reason for pickup change: always expirimenting

Perceived output level: 12k.... medium hot
Tone: very balanced...creamy/smooth sounding. sets the fine line between vintage and modern sounding pickups
Sonic evaluation: I use these pickups on two different guitars. My Ibanez RG470L has them in the neck and bridge. My Les Paul has one in the neck. My amps consist of.. Peavey 5150, Tech 21 trademark 300, BBE sonic Maximizer 362, Mesa Boogie v-twin. My effect chain is boss BF-3, PH-5, Line 6 delay, MXR phase 90 etc. When i puct these pickups in the Ibanez WOW. that guitar responds much more clearly. The bridge is loud enough to overdrive the front end of your amp. The neck pickups i like much more than the bridge. This is probably one of the cleanest neck pickups ive ever heard. It smokes the lindy fralin, pearly gates, and even in the split position it still has more balls than the texas special. Im not knocking these other brands (i own each of those pickups that i just mentioned). I liked it so much i bought one for my les paul. ONLY ONE Slightly annoying problem....wiring it according to the wiring diagram provided, made it be out of phase with the other pickups . both neck pickups i installed i had to reverse a few wires to get the proper phase. Other then that these pickups brought alot of life/clarity/versitality to my guitars.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Well.....in one band I play funk/hip hop/R&B/Reggae/ Latin (salsa,cumbia), and the other its more of a metal/hardcore sound. and yes... these pickups are the best of both worlds. the bridge... well... metal guys will either love em or hate em... it all depends on your own ear to be the judge of that. its chunky and creamy sounding, and can handle alot of distortion, the neck can cover all the styles i play in both bands. In my les paul i havent installed a dragon 2 in the bridge... i have a 500T which is way different than the dragon 2.

Comments: actually i wouldnt have to buy them again if they were stolen...because i would hunt that person down and make the punishment fit the crime!!
I have many different pickups in about 8 other guitars. i have Duncan screamon demon, JB's, pearly gates ,PRS 7,Gibson 500T, Iommi model, fender texas special, Lindy fralin, and many more. Ive been playing about 10 1/2 years. so i kinda know how to choose a good pickup for the guitar/style. every guitar responds differently to each pickup. also using 11-54's on the strings helps the tone out alot.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: Nickel plated

Model of guitar or bass: PRS Tremonti SE
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Stock PRS pickup
Other pickups on guitar: Stock PRS pickup (Bridge)
Artists using this pickup: Plenty
You musical style(s): Hard rock/metal
Reason for pickup change: Stock pickup is far too weak and wasn't warm enough for my style.

Perceived output level: Much more powerful than the stock pickup.
Tone: Bassy
Sonic evaluation: I use a PRS Tremonti SE through a 120 watt Crate GTX 2x12 combo. I get an extremely warm tone, almost jazzy, especially when I have my chorus pedal on. I use this pickup mainly for my clean sound although live, it sometimes has a bit of trouble cutting through the mix, but only when my amp doesn't have a mic on it. Could perhaps do with some more mids. Very chunky when distorted but works well with my bridge pickup.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: The pickup is great for the style of music I play (Mudvayne, Korn, Deftones, etc). Great for bassy tones.

Comments: If it were stolen, I'd definitly buy a new one because I love the sound and at this stage, I really depend on it live. The only flaw as I said earlier is it could use a little more mids for cutting through the live mix, but in the studio, it's the shit! I would also mention that I'm using a solid mahogany guitar, so that may be the reason for there being too much bass, but I'm still happy.

Pickup features: passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Fender American Strat
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: stock american strat pups
Other pickups on guitar: both dragon IIs
Artists using this pickup: me
You musical style(s): Rock (metal, alternative), jazz, latin
Reason for pickup change: i didn't like the buzz i was getting when i turned the gain up on the strat pickups and i didnt want to limit my tone with a noise gate.

Perceived output level: Hotter than the strat pups thats for sure.
Tone: Balanced pretty much
Sonic evaluation: Fender American Strat straight to a Marshall JCM 2000 DSL 100.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play mainly rock, occaisionally some jazz. It plays metal really nice, they didn't hum at extremely high gain. except by a computer monitor but thats expected. Nice neck position pickup for jazz.

Comments: If it were stolen i would laugh because someone took the time to take off my pickguard, unsolder the pups and put the pickguard back on. Then I would hunt them down and kick them in the face. i would definately buy it again they are so worth the price. I am completely satisfied with this pickup.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker (T/Bridge)
Impedence or other specs: DC resistance is 12.6K Ohms

Model of guitar or bass: PRS Custom 22 10 top flame
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: NA
Other pickups on guitar: PRS Dragon 2 (B/Neck)
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Jazz Fusion/Instrumental Rock/Blues/Jazz/Modern Country
Reason for pickup change: NA

Perceived output level: Medium Hot
Tone: Crisp and tight with great harmonic presence- Mids are a little high. Like a better FRED
Sonic evaluation: 2 Fenders (SS and Tube), Marshalls (all tube), Peavey (all tube)
Mostly straight

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Jazz Fusion/Instrumental Rock/Blues/Jazz/Modern Country/Classical

Comments: Love it, need it. Splits well in both positions with great single coil sound.
My main reason for the review was to share the DC Resistance spec that can't be found anywhere I've looked. Measured outside guitar.

Pickup features: passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Raven RP350
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock Raven Humbuckers
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Hard Rock
Reason for pickup change: The Raven pickups ain't got it

Perceived output level: warm like the womb
Tone: So far I can grab any sound that I've wanted, from Allman Bros Band to G'n'R to Satriani
Sonic evaluation: I'm using a Gallien-Kruger 250ML which is quite simply the best solid state guitar amp ever concocted. These pickups drive that amp in ways I've never heard. Sonic isn't the right word, SUPER-SONIC!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I'm a headbanger plain and simple. I have a high end Ibanez and 78 Gibson Cutom Les Paul. This pickups on the Raven (mahogany neck and body with an ash top) flat out smoke. Very modern sound. Feedback forever (think the beginning to Magic Carpet Ride)

Comments: If it were stolen it would depend on where technology had progressed at that point as to whether I'd replace. If it were stolen tomorrow than yes I would replace it with the same thing.
I've been playing since Jimi Hendrix started experimenting with Hallucinogenic drugs(I was VERY young). It is a phat sound, I frekin love it.
I'm not looking for THAT sound, I can create any sound I want. Buy this pickup!

Pickup features: passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: custom 22`
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: danie johns, santana,etc.
You musical style(s): rock classic rock
Reason for pickup change: none

Perceived output level: more than gibson 496's but not as much as 500t's
Tone: balanced
Sonic evaluation: custom 22 and various mccarty's through dd3,ge7,rocktron tsunami chorus,z.vex fuzz factory,oc2 through a soldano hot rod 100 and 2 marshall 412's.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: very versatile for all types of music

Comments: id replace them if destroyed or stolen

Pickup features: Humbucker, 4 lead for coil tapping, nickel cover
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Brian Moore i8.13
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Seymour Duncan JB (Bridge)
Other pickups on guitar: Seymour Duncan Alnico (Neck)
Artists using this pickup: Ummm.... myself????
You musical style(s): Original prog rock, you can find samples at http://www.geocities.com/jack_wrightdude
Reason for pickup change: I recently purchased a Brian Moore i8.13, I was not happy with the tone the Seymour Duncan JB produced at the bridge. Muddy, toneless, harmonics unfocused,

Perceived output level: Medium Hot
Tone: Very well balanced, smooth, rich harmonics
Sonic evaluation: I use a variety of amplifiers, Mesa Boogie, Fender. Lately I have been recording with a Line 6 POD. I play PRS's, Fender's and the Brian Moore.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I cannot imagine a style this pick-up would not be suited for

Comments: I am very happy with this pick-up. It really brought the Brian Moore to life! Very well balanced. Very responsive to pick attack. With a twist of the pick you can get trebly highs to soaring harmonics in gradients your technique commands. It splits nicely too, ok, sure, to maintain my integrity with the purests, its not a perfect emulation of a single coil! but indeed very useable (better than the replaced JB in this mode too!). I highly reccomend this pick-up!!!!

Pickup features: humbuking
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: prs ce22
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced:
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: artists that buy low end paul reed smith
You musical style(s): rock,blues,metal,country,anything and everything
Reason for pickup change: came with guitar

Perceived output level: very balanced,not as hot as a gibson 500t,not as soft as a 496,a highly regarded pickup,to me
Tone: it can do almost anything except make your electric sound acoustic
Sonic evaluation: play it thru a marshall jcm 2000 tsl 122 combo and a pod v2.0,and peavy transfex pro212s combo.these pickups are sooo smooth,maybe too smooth.to me they are not an aggressive pickup on you tone very buttery.these came stock on a prs ce22,and i must say they compliment each other well.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: this prs has a 5 way switch on it,so you can get decent strat tones out of it, position 1 sounds really good for chucky metal,and position 5 just sings for solos,i get a good r. rhoads tone out of it.

Comments: been playing for over 12 years,own several other guitars,mainly gibson.these pickups are the best ones i have,as a whole w/guitar now they aren't the best guitar i own,but it is close.i would replace these bad boys in a minute,and i am thicking about replacing some of my others with these things.these come close to giving me MY TONE.