Seymour Duncan SH-1 '59

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: In the 7K range or something

Model of guitar or bass: Schecter C1+
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Dubcan Designed HB-103N
Other pickups on guitar: SH-6 Duncan Distortion
Artists using this pickup: Losta people
You musical style(s): rock, hard rock, metal, post-punk, retro punk, cybergrungetechopop
Reason for pickup change: Stock neck pickup sucked horrendously.

Perceived output level: Vintage output, but loud enough to work with my SH-6 just fine
Tone: Beautifully SWEET!
Sonic evaluation: I use this in my Schecter C1+ with an SH-6 Duncan Distortion. The stock neck pickup was so bad that it sounded like two different people playing in unison on different instruments. It really messed with your mind after a while! This pickup was great! The Alnico V magnet brought a lot more life to the neck position, and allowed for that "sweet" neck tone to really come through. It transitions fine to the SH-6 in the bridge with no perceived loss of volume, and the combo makes the guitar really versitile. I play it through an ALL TUBE crate VFX-5112 combo.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play rock, hard rock, metal, post-punk. It's great for more Vintage sounds like LED ZEP or slower, thoughful moments in harder songs

Comments: I would definately buy this pickup again! Though I'd probably get the four-conductor version to have more options and put a five-way selector switch in. These are overpriced with the metal cover, and the cover is starting to tarnish. Still, I don't like the look of open coil pickups anymore.

Pickup features: Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: ESP LTD Viper 301 (SG)
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: EMG HZ
Other pickups on guitar: EMG HZ
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): blues, rock, jazzy rock
Reason for pickup change: Stock pickups (EMG HZ's) are lifeless and too hot sounding.

Perceived output level:
Tone: Very Balanced
Sonic evaluation: Using through a Kustom 200DFX with a Kustom 4x12a cab. The sound is quite balanced. The sound through distortion is classic, and the sound sparkles. However, it may lack some individuality that some other pickups offer. This pickup and the tone nob love eachother.

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

Comments: This is a great pickup, I would buy another one in a heartbeat for my neck. However, I couldnt imagine having it in both positions. The sound is great, flexible, and balanced, but lacks some individuality that other pickups offer. The best clean sounding pickup ive heard, if you like some jazzy clean sounds this pickup nails it on the head. It shines and sparkles in the neck. But I would never put one in the bridge, but personally I dont like have very simliar or the same model pickups in both positions.
For a neck pickup this is as good as they come, and you can do just about anything with it. A Burstbucker 2 is going in the bridge, and my ESP, which is built for metal, will be one of the best guitars out there. If your sick of hot lifeless pickups, this will make your guitar sound like your guitar. I have not heard this through other guitars, but I assume it sounds much better through a Les Paul style guitar. It has brought my sg to life in the neck, crystal clear tones and great low distortion sounds. I highly recommend it, and if your stuck on 9 gauge or lower strings I recommend 11's to anybody to really bring your guitar and its pickups to shine at its fullest.

Pickup features: Humbucking PAF style
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Esquire custom GT
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Seymour Duncan Invader
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: Rivers Cuomo, and too many others
You musical style(s): Indie-pop
Reason for pickup change: Invader was too high output and too muddy.

Perceived output level: low output for a humbeucker, still allot hotter than the average single coil,
Tone: very trebly, precise and clear, not at all muddy. a little scooped in the mids.
Sonic evaluation: THe guitar is a set neck mahogany carved top fender telecaster. one volume. THis pickup in the bridge is really bright. Not in a bad way. It's clear and defined with a decent level of output for my purposes. exactly the sound I was looking for. If I were in control i'd like a little more mids and a little less highs but that's what eqs are for.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Works for me. Suitable for most styles as long as you pair it with the right ampo and effects. very very versatile.

Comments: I plan on using this pickup in future guitars. I really like this pickup.

Pickup features: humbucking/passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: 2000 LP DC Std/Washburn NX3
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: LP - 496R/NX3 - crap washburn
Other pickups on guitar: LP DC - Dimebucker/NX3 - Evo
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): alt rock/metal/classic rock
Reason for pickup change: LP DC - Stock was pure MUD/Washburn stocks are garbage... noisy with no output

Perceived output level: LP DC - about stock/NX3 - much louder
Tone: Pretty smooth, but with a good solid rock edge
Sonic evaluation: I run into a couple of different Line6 amps and an old vintage Fender tube. LP - it sounds great clean compared with the 496, but, minus the pure mud, the tone on the 496 dirty was sweeter. I can't live with mud though... NX3 - the 59 is amazing, nice and tight, yet sweet. Interestingly enough the solidbody NX3 (cheaper version of the Nuno model) sounds much sweeter with the 59 than the LP. Not that the LP sounds bad by any means with the 59, but the dynamics of the body/wood will have a large impact on your sound with this pup. The LP double cutaway standard has hollowed out chambers and with this pup it just doesn't sound nearly as tight or punchy as I'd want it. May try a Jazz or an Alnico 2 Pro.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: With a solid body it is pretty tight and rockin, in a semi-hollow body it is pretty open, but can still rock. I made both guitars work for me, but it gets down to what your preference is at this point.

Comments: Overall it's a solid performer. Like I said, IMHO, it sounds better in a solid body, but gets the job done in a semi-hollow body too. It's pretty smooth, but not as sweet/bright as I'd like it. Great for rock, but if you're into something more toned down then rock, you might want to look around some more.

Pickup features: Humbucking (neck model), 4 conductors in this case (the standard model has only 2 conductors).
Impedence or other specs: 7,5 k. This one is an "unbucker" because one bobbin is slightly stronger than the other (3.8k and 3.7k).

Model of guitar or bass: LP model.
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Schaller Golden 50.
Other pickups on guitar: Now, Duncan Pearly Gates.
Artists using this pickup: The list is tooooooooooooooooooo long.
You musical style(s): All I can eat.
Reason for pickup change: The Schaller Golden 50 was a good pup but too clean and bright for me: I wanted a softer PAF sound.

Perceived output level: PAF, "middle of the road"... The "Les Paul neck sound" obtained with a Line 6 Variax is hotter ans has more bass, for example.
Tone: Well balanced. The attack is crisp but the tone stays warm and the sustain sinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngs.
Sonic evaluation: Ahhh, the "woman tone"... through some semi-cranked tubes (I'm playing on a Marshall combo or/and a multi-effects which emulates such sounds), this pup really seems to talk. Its sound is full, warm, but clear and clean... A pleasure, really. Be careful with its height setting. My choice (according to the advices gave by Gibson in the 50's): 1,6 mm from the strings when you press the last fret. Too close, the pup sounds harsh. Too far, its voice seems a little weak.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Good match for all styles if you know how to tweak your amp, effects and controls... For example, I'm using a "no load" pot as a general tone control, with a capacitor of 2n2 which reacts like a mid-boost . I've also a push-pull tone pot (parallel/serie: my SH1 is a "four conductors" model) and another control to get an "out of phase" sound. So, I can play what I want, through my Boss GT6...

Comments: I'm playing guitar for 24 years and the SH1 is my 12th Duncan pickup: they always sound good. If it were destroyed or stolen, maybe would I buy a "Seth Lover", just to try an alnico 2 neck model...

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Agile LP2500 (Les Paul copy)
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: stock bridge and stock neck
Other pickups on guitar: sh-1b and sh-1n
Artists using this pickup: Many many many...
You musical style(s): rock, blues, classic rock, blues/rock, etc.
Reason for pickup change: because i felt like it! damn, what's with all these questions?

Perceived output level: These are PAF style pups so there are not "hot" by any means. But that is what I wanted.
Tone: Neck is bassy but very well rounded, bridge is trebly but very well rounded. both are pretty clear.
Sonic evaluation: Agile LP2500 -> Vox V848 wah -> Kelley BD-2 -> Peavey Classic 30 (greenback, JJ tubes)
very pleased with the new sound. big improvement.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: these are great for blues rock classic rock

Comments: very good pickups. the bridge is just not what i wanted, so i grabbed an sh-4 for my bridge. the 59 bridge is just a wee bit hotter than the 59 neck. i wanted a bigger difference between my neck and bridge pickups. get yourself a 59 for the neck, but go elsewhere for the bridge probably.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez Blazer Custom (a 20 years old strat copy)
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: the originas that came with the guitar
Other pickups on guitar: JB humbucker brige
Artists using this pickup: probably a lot
You musical style(s): from jazz to loud rock...experimental music
Reason for pickup change: microphonic 20 years old pickups....

Perceived output level: yes....it's hot..but very musical...
Tone: it has a balanced tone....punchy...sweet love...
Sonic evaluation: i play with a Mesa Boogie combo...pure tubes sound deserve this pickup....IMO

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: for experimental music i love it....but when i go to blues and classic stuff he still proves quality.

Comments: i play since 13...now im 29...i own 3 other guitars and music walks with me every day i need trustfull gear by my side...and in one of my favorite guitars i tried this pickup...and i'm very happy with it....its a very responsive pickup...suits alder bodys quite good..and maple necks...but also should sound nice on maghony...i mean...it's good and versatil...i managed to split the coils...sweet straty sounds....cool

Pickup features: Passive Buckers
Impedence or other specs: Single Wire. No Covers.

Model of guitar or bass: PRS Santana SE (Old Style)
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stockers.
Other pickups on guitar: N/A
Artists using this pickup: Check Duncan website.
You musical style(s): Rock, Blues, EmoJangle
Reason for pickup change: Uninspiring stock pick-ups.

Perceived output level: Output level is moderate, or "vintage" according to the S.D. website.
Tone: Strong, even and balanced with surprising upper end definition.
Sonic evaluation: I popped a set of the 59's in one of the old style PRS Santana SE's (the one's without the pickguard and binding). Dramatic improvement over the original stock pups. I play into a Fender Hot Rod DeVille 4x10, Subway Mesa Blues 1x10 with a 2x12 cab and various processors.
I realized the Korean-made "Faux"-RS had plenty of potential, it just neededed better quality pick-ups. I contemplated many combinations of pick-ups for this guitar and ended-up just getting a set of the 59's based on local musician's recommendations. Wow. It's like someone pulled a blanket off my amp. I can't believe how anemic the stock pick-up's were! The 59's are a good match for the all-Mahogany body and neck. Pretty tight bass response and there's plenty of upper-mid complexity and sparkle. I was surprised. This guitar is used mainly with overdrive, but I think it's clean tone is now fully acceptable as well (an unanticipated bonus). I opted for the 59's without the covers, so the upper-end might be a little more enhanced than the models with covers, though I'm not totally sure about that.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Great match for rock and blues styles. Good for neck and bridge positions.

Comments: Been playing for 25 years or so and have a nice harem of guitars. Enjoy single coils, P-90's and humbuckers - they're all just differenct colors to paint with. The 59's have always been popular in the neck position, but I'm digging the bridge model as well. Together they make a formidable pair for rock or blues players looking to upgrade their humbucking guitars. Fair price as well.

Pickup features: passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs: unknown

Model of guitar or bass: Schecter Omen-6
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: original junky- sounding shit with no manufacturers name on it
Other pickups on guitar: Seymour Duncan- says M GM on the back- I don't know what M GM is
Artists using this pickup: don't know
You musical style(s): Varies from time to time- Mostly blues & classic rock type stuff
Reason for pickup change: Tried the guitar last week (8/25/03)in the store and thought it sounded great....got it home and hooked it up to my tube amp and the great sound wasn't there anymore! I really like the positioning of the controls and it plays well, so I figured I'd try hot-rodding it a bit

Perceived output level: The stock pup had a little bit higher output to my ears, but output and sound are two different things
Tone: the sound has character--- really nice and vintage sounding without the muddy bottom- it has a personality that changes with height adjustment
Sonic evaluation: I have a Blue Voodoo 60 watt combo amp (all tube)....I went to tubes to get a classic sound..... the axe wasn't delivering that ballsy rock sound- but it is now! I have effects, but only use them for specific applications....

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pup is a perfect match for what I play- Clapton, Hendrix, Page....Vintage Rock sound all day long

Comments: I own a couple of guitars- tried all kinds of different sounds....from country twang (Fender Tele) to earth-shattering, bone-breaking metal (Gibson flying V)- I tried to find a guitar that would give me a more versatile sound (Ernie Ball music man), and now I want more balls-- and now I got 'em! This pickup would probably be nothing less than awesome in a Les Paul. I'm still fartin' around with the height adjustment and It just keeps sounding better every time I screw with it- it really woke this Guitar up! Playing clean? sounds great..... punch the gain? still sounds great! I love it all day.... one other thing- I had this pup in another guitar (Les paul copy) also in the neck position... that sound had a bit more bottom end to it, but not like a mushy or muddy bottom....you can do a lot with this sound.

Pickup features: passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs: unknown

Model of guitar or bass: Schecter Omen-6
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: original junky- sounding thing with no manufacturers name on it
Other pickups on guitar: Seymour Duncan- says M GM on the back- I don't know what M GM is
Artists using this pickup: don't know
You musical style(s): Varies from time to time- Mostly blues & classic rock type stuff
Reason for pickup change: Tried the guitar in the store and thought it sounded great....got it home and hooked it up to my tube amp and the great sound wasn't there anymore!

Perceived output level: The stock pup had a little bit higher output to my ears, but output and sound are two different things
Tone: the sound has character--- really nice and vintage sounding without the muddy bottom- it has a personality that changes with height adjustment
Sonic evaluation: I have a Blue Voodoo 60 watt combo amp (all tube)....I went to tubes to get a classic sound..... the axe wasn't delivering that ballsy rock sound- but it is now! I have effects, but only use them for specific applications....

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pup is a perfect match for what I play- Clapton, Hendrix, Page....Vintage Rock sound all day

Comments: I own a couple of guitars- tried all kinds of different sounds....from country twang (Fender Tele) to earth-shattering, bone-breaking metal (Gibson flying V)- I tried to find a guitar that would give me a more versatile sound (Ernie Ball music man), and now I want more balls-- and now I got 'em! This pickup would probably be nothing less than awesome in a Les Paul. I'm still fartin' around with the height adjustment and It just keeps sounding better every time I screw with it- it really woke this Guitar up! Playing clean? sounds great..... punch the gain? still sounds great! I love it all day.... one thing though- I had this pup in another guitar (Les paul copy) also in the neck position... that sound had a bit more bottom end to it, but not like a mushy or muddy bottom....