Seymour Duncan SH-1 '59

Humbucker, designed to sound like a classic PAF (similarly to seth lover pickup) unsure of impedence.

Installed this in neck position on a Tele partscaster i built, paired with a Dimarzio Area Hot T in bridge. Mike from Incubus uses this pickup in some of his guitars. I transferred this from my Schecter 006 Blackjack, which i sold minus the '59. left the JB in the bridge of that guitar, I didn't like anything about the JB, way too dark, especially on a mahogany body.

The output is reasonably high, i have the pickup sitting quite low in the pickguard, to match the dimarzio in bridge. i play all sorts; rock, alternative, church, even beat it from michael jackson if i feel like it. this pickup is suitable for neck, but i haven't tried it in bridge. the tone is quite balanced, i would like a little more high end, it doesn't always cut through the mix when my amp is clean. i've got it hooked up to a parallel/series push/pull potentiometer, which makes for some surprisingly "stratish' sounds from a tele. this pickup coil-splits or runs parallel extremely well.

I would probably use this pickup again. i've been playing about 10 years, i don't own that much stuff. an old 25-watt alron amp, and G2D Custom Overdrive and Nova Delay as my effects. This pickup has a nice warm tone compared to the bridge pickup, but not too warm and mushy. i am 90% satisfied with its sound, i'm interested in trying lindy p-90's in my next build though.

Passive humbuckers. Not sure of impedance.

Heritage H535, both positions, Duncan '59 came as an option brand new.

Moderate output, balanced tone - not mid scooped or extremely mid humped. I use them mostly clean with delay into a fender twin or drri. Ocasionally use a fulldrive ii overdrive.

Suitable for rock, jazz, maybe country or anything else that doesn't require hot hot pickups.

The neck can get very warm, bordering on muddy with the tone knob turned down. Good for jazz or subdued chord work. With the tone knob up, the neck is clear and fat sounding without pronounced mids. Nothing distracting or lacking in the tone, very versatile and useful.

The bridge can get a little edgy and bright, which is fine. I like that it can get a good bright sound for country and still have some punch left over for grittier rock sounds.

They both react well to fender style amps and can both clean up while retaining the ability to push the amp a bit. They sound just right pushing a marshall too.

It's my favorite humbucker I've owned. My others are hot (sd distortion and sd jb) so the 59s fill in the gap nicely. Been playing 15years and use other guitars with singles and p90s. I love that these pups can give a vintage output type sound to round out my singles and p90s. I've got guitars with pickups that run the spectrum from weakish telecaster singles, lipsticks, p90s to hot humbuckers. These fill my need for moderate output buckers. This may also be my most versatile guitar now.

Humbucking pickup with Alnico V magnet. You can also tap the coil on this humbucker. I think it's something like 7.43K, so it's a vintage sounding pickup. Don't expect to get hard rock or metal out of it.

It came stock in a Washburn X-50 Pro Q. It's sitting in the neck position. The bridge pickup is a SH-11. I know people are using it, just not exactly who.

It's got a fairly low output. But I didn't really expect it be a high output monster or anything like that. I use it straight into Vox Pathfinder, sometimes with a Guv'nor Plus or a Dano Fab Chorus in the chain. This pickup doesn't have a lot of mids. That was pretty obvious to me when I first played it. It's got a good amount of bass and slightly less on the treble side. This thing has got a good sound to it. It's not harsh, it's pretty mellow sounding. Very smooth actually, even with gain. Doesn't get that razor quality when distorted. Nice full sound as well. Can sound a bit like it's lacking something though. That midrange being "relaxed" really does make a noticeable difference. Personally, I'd like to see this with more midrange. All I really have to do crank up the mids a bit when I switch to my neck pickup. It works better, but I think if I invested in one of those MXR EQ pedals, I can tweak the midrange more to my liking.

I play blues. Classic rock too, and some of the 80's metal (no hair metal though, just not my thing). It works well enough for me. I don't need a high gain pickup. This fits the bill for me.

Jury's still out on this one. I like it, but that lack of mids is bugging me. I'm gonna try to fix it with an EQ pedal. If I can't work it out, I'll probably go with either a Seth Lover, those have a bit more midrange. Been at guitar for a little bit, 10 years or so. Other than this guitar I've got a Peavey Predator EXP. I really dig the way the notes seem to have this richness surrounding them. And that lack of midrange is the only thing I don't like. But I'm gonna try and work on it rather than just go get another pickup. I think I can get it to work for me.

Brilliant new school take on a venerable old school legend from a premier USA pickup maker. The passive, humbucking SH-1 '59 neck and bridge pickups from Seymour Duncan are are nothing short of stunning.

I installed these in my Epiphone SG G-400 Cherry in both the bridge and neck positions(no covers) as the stock covered pickups were too dark and muffled for my tastes and lacking a lot of upper mid and high frequencies.

An impedance of 8k puts the SH-1's squarely in the vintage output bracket however that's not to say they perform in a vintage fashion. After installation I played these into my Crate BV-120 and the result was fantastic. All the definition and high end that was lacking in the stock pickups was suddenly flying off the strings, although the tone was bright it still remained balanced and focused in the bridge and neck postions whith the middle position reminiscient of the old 50's gretsches, it has to be heard to be believed. I play predominantly rock with shred over the top, a bit of clean jazz and these pickups did it just the way i liked it, sparkling.

When i get my next SG i'll definitely be putting a set of these in it. I've been playing and listening for 10 years and was floored by what these pickups delivered, can't put my SG down most days now, the tone from these is inspirational. I also have an SH-4 JB in another guitar but Iwanted the same sound in a lower output level and that's just what the '59's produced. I don't use a lot of effects in my playing however the ones I do have worked in harmony with these pickups, I've now found my tone with these. . .

Passive humbucker

Have a 30 yr old Schecter Tempest les Paul copy.I got the neck position pickup to replace crappy Japanease pickups on the guitar. I also have the SH4 Jeff Beck bridge pickup also to replace crappy bridge pickup on the guitar.

This pickup was bought after listening to the Seymour Duncan audio samples and loved it from the start.I wanted a really blues sounding pup as the SH4 which is in my bridge position is quite a rock sounding pup so wanted tonal veritility with my guitar and this one does the job perfectly.The sound is a really blues sound with a nice zingy tone which i like. This pup also has a very sharp sound that almost hurts your ears when played above the 15th fret which i also like but my dog hates!!! The 59 sound much better for clean mellow sound than the SH4 but the SH4 sound better with the distorted rock sound; this is where the 59 looses it a bit but still sounds good.

If this pup was stolen or destroyed i would be totally gutted as i really like the sharp blues sound that it has. I like it much better than the SH4 Jeff Beck which i also like a lot but doesnt quite cut the blues sound,better for rock like i said. If you are like me and want a blues sound then go for this pup as i totally love it cos it makes me sound good!!!!!!!!

Humbucker
Zebra bobbins

I put an SH-1 into my 1978 Gibson Les Paul standard when the original stock bridge pickup failed and went microphonic.

It is better than the stock pick up was (not that this was bad). It is quite bright, and is more sensitive to the volume control, which suits me very well. I use the volume and tone controls a lot. It has about as much or a little less output than the old stock pickup, which had less than a lot of the new humbuckers out there.

The mids may be a little less prominent, but that could just be placebo effect because I read it. It is definitely not ???scooped???. I like it a lot.

Signal path: ancient Dunlop Wah --> MI Audio Crunch Box --> TS-808 --> Boss Flanger --> Boss digital delay 2 --> early 1970s Fender Super Reverb (or 1989 Laney 100W AOR + 4 x 12).

I use my LP for blues, rock, hard rock and psychodelia. I am very into the sound of my amps...

I liked the effect of the change so much that I got another for the neck. The SH-1 did not really change the character of the guitar, but accentuated what was already there. It should be noted that my 78 Les Paul has a three-piece maple neck, so it???s naturally a little brighter than the 59 re-issues. That would definitely affect the way the tone of this pickup ???sits??? within the tone of the instrument.

I???d consider trying Burstbuckers next time, but at the price they???d have to be very impressive to sway me. The SH-1 does a good job for me.

Duncan SH-1n '59, Humbucker, Nickel cover, single lead. Neck Position.

02 Les Paul Standard, 50's neck with Burstbucker Pro's. Didn't like the Pro's at all. Couldn't rip them out fast enough. Installed Gibson '57 Classics and liked them much better. Like a fool I thought I wanted something else so I tried the Duncan '59.
Read on..............

I didn't like the Pro's at all so I installed a pair of Gibson '57 Classics. Ahhh much better. But after awhile I "thought" the '57s were not hot enough. I wanted another change so the first thing I did was try to get a deeper tone in the neck pickup so I researched and thought the SH-1n would do the trick even though I was a little leary of the comment "slightly scooped mids" which to me is leaving the PAF territory. So I installed the '59 in the neck of my Les Paul. Well hmmmmm this isn't working. While the '59 sounded pretty with deeper bass and softer highs than the '57 Classic, the lack of midrange just ruined it for me. The mid's almost sounded "modeled" to me. While the rest of the tone was very sweet it just did not have the bite of the Gibson. Also the Duncan being a Alnico V was a mismatch with the '57 Classic Plus in the bridge which is Alnico II. Could not match up the focus and volume evenly. I tried and tried but ended up throwing the '57 Classic back in the neck and wondered why I ever pulled it in the first place. I like the Classic much better for my setup and taste. For me using a Marshall JTM45 and Les Paul, the Classics are going to be hard to beat. I will keep the SH-1n and try it in a different guitar. That works sometimes. Something with very loud mids may just need this pickup. I don't think this is the perfect '59 humbucker. The eq is just off.

I may try it in a Hollow body but for my Les Paul it didn't work for me. Too soft. If Seymour Duncan would take a '57 Classic, massage it's tone first to be just bigger and then smooth off the very top end and only slightly enhance the bass, then it would sound like the real PAf humbuckers of 1959. Just leave the strong rich mids alone!
I'm a total Marshall/Gibson/Humbucker guy. Overall this is a nice humbucker with "some" good qualities. Didn't floor me.

Pickup features: Humbucking/passive
Impedence or other specs: 8k and 9k

Model of guitar or bass: Jackson DK2
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Seymour Duncan JB and SH-6 Distorsion
Other pickups on guitar: Little '59 in middle and neck position
Artists using this pickup: don't know
You musical style(s): melodic death metal, rock, punk, clean stuff
Reason for pickup change: Jb has too mucj treble detail, SH-6 has too much distorsion and those 2 pu has toooooo much output!

The putput level is moderate and it is the best pick up i've ever own! I'm playing it through a 100watt hi-gain amp (ENGL Powerball!!!) and it is the best pick up for hi-gain sound. don't belive to peolple who tell that it is unswitable to metal. it isn't true!!! This pick up is incredibly balanced. bass, mids and trebble are very very equilibrated!
Now i can hear every note of a hi-gain powerchord!!!

So, if you are looking for ultra versatile pickup, buy this one!!! Clean sound, crunch, vintage distorsion and modern ultra-gain distorsion.

From sweet clean arpeggios to distorted (but clear!!not like kinda "shhhhhhhh" sound) hi-gain moder sound like In Flames, Children Of Bodom, At The Gates, Dark Tranquillity &co.

COmpared to Dimarzio pu it delivers more "real" sound of the guitar: full, clean and warm..so,the best!
Compared to EMG 81\85 the sh-1 blows it away! with sh-1, the distorsion is much more powerfull and not compressed. remeber: passive is better than active.
Put it with 2 Little'59 in mid and neck position and you will have ultra-versatile pick-ups.

Original PAF sounding copy / passive
1-Conductor with Braided Shielding
Neck: 7.43 k
Bridge: 8.13 k
Neck: 6.8 KHz
Bridge: 6 KHz

Alnico V Bar Bass 6 / Mid 3 / Treble 8

I just installed both neck and bridge pickups in my Korean Hamer Rick Nielson Explorer replacing the stock "Duncan Design" 101N and 102B pickups.

Artist using this pickup are: Ben Harper (neck & bridge), Robben Ford (neck & bridge), Mike Einzinger / Incubus (neck).

I changed the pickups because although the Duncan Designs were adequate, I bought both pickup used on Ebay for the price of 1 new and have tried all other duncans except these for some reason. The JB being my favorite bridge, with the Custom/Custom being 2nd favorite bridge pickup. I usually have the JAZZ SH-2 neck pickup or SSL-1s in middle and neck on my super strats. These pickups are fresh to my ears and fingers without all the high treble gain.

Output perceived to be mid to low but made up for any high gain pickup in tone. High gain pickups like my JB's hold the massive distortion and volume better because the coils are beefier and the notes are rapid and sharp. The 59's have this "air" surrounding the note and each note comes through like a chord...Fat and full and the sustain sits there until you stop it. It has a low end response which can make a speaker "waffle" and the low notes carry weel without too much mud or mush. Mid range is your guitars natural sound anyway so it does not boost much here. and Treble response is so damn even across the entire spectrum that it won't hide your playing mistakes. What you play is what you get...but I will say that the honey rich sustain on loud clean makes your playing breathe.
i don't feel like these pickups would hurt any style, but they sound like your favorite "blues" track instantaneously. I play all styles and could pull them all off. Heavy Metal just does not sound as raspy or trebly...it sounds like Gary Moore's timbre of metal.
I didn't find it unusable as some have reviewed. It is a sweeter change to my tone. Sponge factor of about 10

If it was destroyed or stolen, I would use these again.
I have been playing the better part of 25+ years and have owned every amp and piece of equipment out there. I currently play a 50 watt Landgraff "plexi" style head with a 2X12 Bob Burt 100 year old pine cab w/ Vintage 30 80 watt and a Heritage 80 watt celestions mixed. Both speakers make up for each other to create a better tone period. I use Landgraff Mo D and Dynamic overdrive for the base of my overdrive/distortion tone and use Xotic RC/BB and AC here and there. Keeley four knob compressor. Boss RE-20 Space Echo. MXR phase and flanger. Jim Dunlop 535Q Wah. My fingers and George L cable in everything including wiring my guitar pots to output jack with it.
I love the original tone finger print these pickups have and hate nothing about it. Like I said, i have owned every amp and pedal and rack unit and Seymour Duncan pickup out there except these until now. These pickups do not limit tone or expression or imagination. you would want these in one of your most warmest sounding guitars, you know where you strum it like an acoustic without being plugged in and the note are clear and transparent. I wish it was scatterwound for more air and open notes...but you have to order that custom from Seymour.
I am so satisfied and happy that the notes have such a chewy fat presence with air surrounding each note...it floats you to play what you hear inside your head really well.

Passive humbucker, 7,4K neck/8,1K bridge. Alnico 5 magnets. Single conductor cable vintage blues set.

I put these to my lespaul ( a chinese copy built point to point as original - there is even a gibson logo at the head). Original pickups were lifeless muddy copies with huge ceramic magnets and definately no clarity. I just simply wanted to make my guitar sound like it is a real Gibson.

Vintage output, perfect for my kind of bluesy hardrock and jazzy cleans.
The output drives the tube amp just the right amount to get the sound cut through or roll the volume pot a bit to get sensetive cleanier sounds. Bridge pickup is smooth a little rebelious not too bassy sounding. Middle gives you very mild little crispy sounds, perfect for southern rock 'cos of little 'honky tonk' feel. And finally neck gives you nice smooth lead and beatifull jazzy clean tones when tone rolled down a bit and on full bright it gives you nice little biting lead sound. Overrall very much like Gibson PAF

I'm using Peavey Classic 30 tube amp with just basic cry baby and digitech compressor. A basic kinda cheap tube amp which actually sounds great with these pickups. Single eq makes things simple but gives you no chance of variation between clean and overdrive. With mids on full, trebles almost zero and bass little over the half way the clean channel sounds nice little jazzy with these. Overdrive channel sound bit weak and unsinging alone but with help of compressor the sound is pure rock n roll.

This pickup is made for bluesy rock. For metal something more crushing is much more suitable for bridge.

If it was destroyed or stolen I would definately buy it again or basically just test some other vintage SD like alnico II or seth lover. I've been playing for five years and already gone through multiple gear variations. I have plenty of other guitars with most of them duncans fitted in. For some more bite needing stuff i use my selfmade mahogany bodied guitar with Duncan JB and Jazz. To compare it to 59' JB gives you plenty of output and singing mids ( think some late 80's hairmetal) and Jazz quite similar but more clarified sound at clean but with drive it doesn't give you so paf like lead tone. Then I have my other selfmade mahogany bodied guitar with schaller golden 50's. Love them, so warm so crispy and beatiful round leadtone but very bright still. A fender strat with Duncan JB Junior in bridge to give some bite or when needed to be tapped and two Duncan aps 1 single coils with very nice honk.

I'm very happy with these ones. I chose 59's just 'cos of price (120??? for whole set) and I have no reason to complain - just what I wanted to fullfil the lack of respect when people sees the Gibson logo at my guitar and doesn't know that it's a fake.

Humbucking pickup. Not quite sure if it's supposed to be a PAF clone or not.

I had this pickup in an Epiphone Les Paul Ultra in the bridge position. Replaced the stock Epi Alnico pickup.

I didn't find the pickup to be too terribly hot. I am the type of player that uses my guitar's volume knob to get more grit (no pedals or anything). The tone was incredibly clear and articulate and exceptionally clean and shimmering. When turned up, it got very crunchy and leads were screaming in a good way. Sounded a bit "thin" in the LP Ultra

However...I must say that I didn't care much for the pickup. I usually like a cleaner tone, but I've found that I gravitate to amps and pickups that would be considered more "gainy"...I find that I'd rather have the gain and not use it than need it and not have it. To get any sort of crunch I'd have to turn my guitar up to at least 7.

I have to add a disclaimer though: I had this guitar in an Epi LP Ultra, which was a guitar that I didn't care much for either. I am not totally ready to hate the SH-1 because I realized that it may have made a difference in the tonal qualities being in a guitar that had no weight to it and felt like a piece of plastic.

I play blues, blues/rock, and AC/DC and GNR style hard rock. It was a good pickup for those, I just needed a hotter pickup.

I've had plenty of other trials with Seymour Duncan Pickups (SH-5 Custom, SH-6 Distortion, JB-4), and this one rates probably at the bottom. However, like I said before, it very well could have been disagreeable for me because of the guitar I had it in. I have actually been considering buying another SH-1 and trying to put it in a heavier bodied guitar to see if it sounds beefier.

Passive Humbucker. 7.4k neck/ 8.1 bridge. Alnico 5 magnets. Mine were special ordered with Zebra bobbins, gold pole pieces and slug pieces. I later added Gold covers.

I put these in an '05 Flying V (both positions). I left the stock Gibson 300k linear taper volume pots, and the 500k audio taper tone pot in. These are replacing the stock Gibson 500T & 496R ceramic magnet "way too high output, no clarity/muddy as hell, and useless for anything other than heavy metal-buckers". Sorry for the lil' rant, I just don't understand the appeal of those pups. Ultimately, I wanted a vintage PAF vibe.

Vintage output, these are very close to Gibson Burstbuckers in regards to output and tone (I happen to like that by the way). The bridge is smooth, not a ton of bass and a little more on treble side and not too middy. I've used these several times over the years and mostly with good results. The neck is fairly smooth although a bit on the warm side. Not a ton of clarity, but not super muddy either. I'll call it a neutral sound, not the best or worst. These seem to work best for blues, classic rock/blues rock, or country (which is what I do), but not the best for heavy duty rock/metal.

I've used them on more than one occasion over my around 18 years of playing. I'd most likely use them again. They are a decent PAF style pickup. Not the most exciting tonewise, but thay are very useable and much more affordable than the boutique makers. I like them, I guess there is nothing that I "hate" about them, they are very good (not great). I'm satisfied with them as they get the job done for me. I'm not the big tone seeker, I just wanted a PAF style pickup and these are, as always a safe bet.

Humbucker pickup for bridge position. I bought it with four conductor cable which is an extra $10

I put this into my epi les paul custom in the bridge with a jazz in the neck replacing the stock pick ups. The stock pickups were very muddy and lost a lot of treble when the volume was turned down.

The out put is moderate. I have played it through a legacy blues twin, a marshall quad and a fender super chorus it sounds great through all of these. The pick up has a full bright tone that is well balanced. I use this pickup basically for rock, metal, and blues and suits all of these styles. This would be good for the neck position as well

Definitely would buy this pick if it was stolen or destroyed. I have been playing for about ten years and electric for about six. I have a legacy blues twin amp. this is a great pick up and i will probably never need to change it again. It leaves nothing to be desired in the humbucker department a coil split would be cool tho.

humbucker, passive, I think its med. output.

I put one in a Jackson KVX10/neck. I replaced a duncan designed/jazz. I also replaced a duncan designed/distortion with a real distortion. The designed pickups sounded crummy, a guitar tech. told me the real deals were a lot better so I went for it. A lot of pros use the distortion, I don't know about the '59.

The difference between the real duncans and the designed is massive. So far I've only played through a roland microcube and a marshall micro amp, but even through these amps the sound is remarkable. The low's are boomy and the highs are crisp and clear, even when I'm using high gain distortion. I play a lot of chords using distortion and I can hear things I never heard with the designed pickups. I'll soon be able to play on my 2x12 combo, and I can't wait. It's gonna be vicious!

I guess that's too much distortion talk for '59's. I actually play a lot of melodies, too. I wanted something moody. The Jazz was too bright. You can listen to all of the duncan pickups on their website. It's very helpful. It's hard to explain the sound of the '59's. Their not really bright or crisp, but they have a cool sound. It's almost (if this makes sense) like reverb, without the echo. Whatever. Their perfect for me, very moody and I can make some dark melodies with it.

If I lost this pickup I'd definetly buy another. I've been playing for about 13 years. I play metal (death and black). This pickup is perfect for me, it's exactly what I wanted.

Humbucker, 8.3k ohms (Spec?) passive. Open coils. Bought a pair. The neck says SH-1N and the srews are arched to match strings. Bridge model is flat.

1965 Gibson firebird. The 2 wire braided configuration is perfectly suited for this guitar. Other pickups of various types did not get it as far as output or clarity, 4 wire setups were unbalanced. The p90s that were on it were beginning to dull.

Wow. Full, rich sounding. Roll off volume to 9 to clean up, 10 for some perfect tube overdrive. Pickups perfectly matched on gibson dual volume setup which I love. Set the toggle to the middle position and adjust tone by "panning" to bridge or neck pu as desired. Pretty, sweet and perfect.

The SH-1B and SH-1N are a great set for a Gibson or any dual HB guitar. Absolutely none better as far as I can tell. 30+ years and still gigging. Teles, Strats. Les Pauls and the '65 Firebird which has the Maestro tremelo. You can't make it go out of tune. Peavey Memphis Blues tube amp with a johnson J-station modeler for boost and effects.

Humbucker passive, a copy of famous '59 PAF, you guys already know. Impedance.....once I measured with my friend long ago, but do not remember. Please refer to SD site.

I installed them on my specially ordered Tokai Les Paul law-suit copy LS-200, 1979 (about 1,600US at the time). At that time, both Gibson and Fender did not make good guitars, but all old guitars were either not in good condition or were too expensive, thus I decided to go for Japanese. They were installed on both bridge and neck positions. Many artists use the pickups, but do not know exactly. One of them is Robben Ford. the guitar came with the pickup from their factory. I installed all the best stuff including Switchcraft parts, etc. In late 70s and 80s some Japanese guitar makers made great guitars. Some examples were Greco, Yamaha and Tokai, etc. Some people critisized their products without knowing grade og their guitars. I am talking about the top of the line Japanese guitars. It is not fair to them who made one of the best guitars. I have had Greco (Japanese Ibanez although it is not correct term....They used to share the same factory....) EG-1200 1979, Les Paul copy. Without changing pickups and electrics which considered to be weakness of these Japanese guitars, it was better than any recent Les Paul I have played including Custom shop reissue. The reason I had the pickup on my guitar was that I admire the sound of PAF thanks to Seth Lover!

It is moderate output. The reason why I submit this review is that many guys who wrote review did not have enough knowldge about pickups. Some complained about output level of this pickup. Even Seymour Duncan himself says in his site this is moderate output pickup! Others critised muddiness of this pickup. I installed this pickup on Les Paul 80, and ES-335 Dot 1981. They sound like crap. It was not wood or guitar itself, but electrics. Some do not seem to understand how to pick up the best pick up for each position based on output difference. Without working with these issues on your guitar, please do not evauate the product. I use Mesa Boogie MarkIIa. PAF has different sound depending on the product. Regardless, it sounds like vintage PAF I know of. I do not understand some user place this pickup without knowledge about how PAF sounds like. I do not mean to sound like snob though......

My long time wish was granted at the time. Without paying crazy money for old guitars, you could become Page or Clapton in late 70s. The users who pick up Fralin, WCR, etc. seem to know about guitars very well. Due to great price, unfortunately it is not the case for all of Duncan users. While no one made great vinatge pickup copy, Duncan was the pioneer to create real vintage sound at the time. Everybody either bought old guitars with crazy price or went to Dimarzio at the time in late 70s. I thank you for SD for his effort. And I will keep your pickup on my guitars. One thing I would like to try is Seth Lover SH-55. I know I won't be dissapointed.....

Passive. Neck 7.43k; bridge 8.13k.

I used this in an LP in the neck. I wanted something I thought would be closer to an original PAF.

The original pickups in the guitar were cheap. So I put in a '59 in the neck. I had recorded some clean tones with the original pickup, then I recorded a clip with the '59, trying to copy the same set up to record.
The '59 was a lot muddier. I found it not as dynamic and less responsive than the cheap pickup. So I took it out.

I don't know why people like this pickup. It's too dark and muddy. There are much better pickups out there.

Passive humbucker.

Put it into my Agile AL-2800 LP style guitar in the neck position because I didnt like the stock pickup.

Sounds a lot better than the stock pickup, but this pickup really is meant to be a neck pickup. The jazz is usually put in the neck. Its nice and smooth, but as far as neck pickups go it just wasnt hot enough for me. It could be better, although it sounds decent.

If it were lost i'd go with something else. I think SD's are a little overated...or maybe I just havent tried the right one.

Passive SH-1 '59 thats all I know

Epi LP in both positions. Changing PU cause the OEM bridge went bad

Why I went this way in pickup choice? The OEMs in my Epi LP were not bad, not great but sounded good to me. fit my style which is Blues and some Rock. I also play Jazz and they barly do the job for that.

The SD SH1 sound GREAT for Blues , classic Rock, Jazz. VERY clear, articulate. As clear as a good vintage Tele or Strat single coil.
Goes into distortion well with a good tube amp. I also have a Gibby Vintage LP with BurstBucker Pros. While the SH1 is not as strong, they nail the vintage sound as well as the BB Pros though not as versitile for modern music. (The BB Pros can do almost any kind of music really well IMO)

Been playing for 6 years. A student for Jazz & Blues.

The SH1 is desined for an era which the PAF covered musically which BTW is a large pallette of sound, Country, Blues, Jazz, Rock. If you are not into metal and into what this PU is designed for, I highly reccomend the SH1.

Passive HB

Epi standard plus LP. Bridge position. Replacing stock pup. Seymour Duncan Jazz in the neck. Changed to get something less muddy, more bite and better oveall tone.

Listed on website as moderate output, I'll go with that. Slightly hotter than the Burstbucker 2's in my Gison SG. Using this with an array of Pete Cornish distortion pedals through a 1982 made in England 50 watt Marshall 800 series 1x12 and/or a 2001 made in England Vox AC15 with the blue alnico speaker. Both amps have been fitted with early 1960's NOS Mullard tubes (worth every penny). Also playing straight into a Mesa 50watt rectoverb 1x12. The tone is everything I'd hoped for. Crisp, snappy highs with big ballsy bottom, tight not flabby. Mega sustain. Can easily go from gorgeous chimey cleans to ass-ripping high gain depending on amp/pedals. I used to love my Burstbuckers in my SG but now they sound thin by comparison and they'll probably be replaced with the SD '59/Jazz combination soon. I bought the Epi fully intending to replace the pickups in order to save big $$$$ from the somewhat overpriced new Gibsons. Also, no squealy feedback like I get from the Burstbuckers (the guys at Gibson warned me about installing the Burstbuckers aftermarket and I can see why). I can't say if the SD'59 is comparable to an original 59PAF but man, it's one helluva good sounding humbucker. I haven't tried it in the neck but alot of reviewers seem to think that's a pretty cool deal, too. I've got Seymour's SSL1's in my Strat, an STL1 54 lead in my Tele and now the SH1'59 and SH2 Jazz pups in my Epi LP and love all. I've also owned a couple of sets of Seymour Duncans that I've hated. You just have to find the right pickup for your taste, which is why I really like they're exchange policy. I originally tried the Seymour sh5 custom in the bridge but found it to have too high of an output for my distortion pedals. No problem, you get 21 days to try something else. Good deal. Duncan guys were very pleasant and helpful as well. They've got the service thing figured out.

Great pickup, especially for under $70. I highly recommend the Epi LesPaul/SD 59pup combo for anyone wanting the Les Paul look and tone that can't afford the Gibsons. No disrespect to the quality of the new Gibson LP's, they're really nice, but some of their prices are just sick and the Burstbucker is an OK pickup but, IMO, not worthy of a $3000-$7000+ guitar which is what Gibson's asking for many of there new LP models.

Pickup features: humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: PRS SE Tremonti
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Stock humbucker
Other pickups on guitar: DiMarzio Steve's Special in bridge position
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): dunerrock / stonerrock
Reason for pickup change: Stock pickups lack character and life

Perceived output level: I put a bridge model in the neck position so it is hotter than it should be but this way it work fine with the Steve's Special which sits in the bridge position. Standard series wiring since Seymour Duncan told me the SH-1 output would be too low for this configuration when put into parallel mode.
Tone: low but sweet like honey, nice and round full bodied tone, not muddy or hazy at all, just what I was looking for.
Sonic evaluation: Using a PRS SE Tremonti which is cheap. I do not believe in putting down more than ?500 for any guitar - it is very possible to pay a normal amount of money for a good guitar which you equip with the hardware you like best. You probably have to do this with the expensive (over ?2000) guitars anyway. Using it with a LabSeries L4 bass head and the Orange 4 x 12" cabinet. Still try to figure out the pedals. Experimenting with a Boss SD-2 (dual overdrive) and a Korg AX-30B.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Good pickup for what I do but can do many styles and sounds. Suitable for every position.

Comments: I had a LAG Roxane before which had two Seymour Duncans as stock. Which types I do not know. That guitar has a very nice sound to it but the neck is too thin for me. So I figured a fatter neck with the same pickup would be as good and right I was.
I do not know what will happen to the Steve's Special when time goes by. The Seymour Duncan is definatly my favourite one. But since I rarely play with only the bridge pickup and this configuration is not the most typical one I guess I will leave it where it is.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: 1 conductor braided shield

Model of guitar or bass: '97 Washburn P-II QS model
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Washburn 621
Other pickups on guitar: Seymour Duncan SH-5 (Duncan Custom)
Artists using this pickup: Quite a few; I believe Dimebag Darrel used it in the neck position
You musical style(s): Hard Rock, early Metal, Instrumental Prog Rock
Reason for pickup change: The stock pickups on the Washburn were nasty, even though they were "duncan designed" supposedly. I wanted an updated "vintage" tone for the neck position

Perceived output level: slightly more than a normal PAF
Tone: middy with pretty smooth highs
Sonic evaluation: Line 6 PODxt modeling technology with amp packs installed going straight through a Mackie 1202-VLZ Pro into a Layla3G for recording on my DAW.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Currently into Progressive Instrumental Rock/old school metal; I am using the neck model

Comments: It this pickup was destroyed, I'd probably go with the SH-2 "Jazz" model due to the more high end response with that pickup. However I'm pretty satisfied with the '59 model. I've been playing for over 20 years and I used to use strictly DiMarzio Super Distortions paired with a HS-3 in the neck position of a modified strat. I found the Washburn P-2 a few years ago for dirt cheap and bought it for a more "rock" guitar with a traditional bridge (I am used to Floyd Rose floating bridge setups). I had to replace the toggle switch as well as the stock pickups.
It's a very clear, midrangey sound which really sings when you run it through a distortion pedal (like the Tube Screamer). The pick definition is very high, so if you are into fast lines this pickup really does a good job in making it all sound very clear and defined. I also like the fact you can easily change the pole height, and I had to lower the poles on the low E and A string in order to get a more defined sound on those strings. An extremely WARM sound, to my ears.
I'm pretty satisfied with this pickup choice, as I wanted a vintage warm sound with a little more "oomph" to it. Playing it clean is a joy as it every chord is very defined.

Pickup features: Neck humbucking....
Impedence or other specs: DC resistance: 7,5 kohms, inductance: 4,27 henry...

Model of guitar or bass: Les Paul
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: stock pup, with ceramic magnet.
Other pickups on guitar: SHPG1 and now, APH1 instead of the SH1...
Artists using this pickup: Too much people.
You musical style(s): All I can eat.
Reason for pickup change: first change: stock pups = crap;
second change (APH1 instead of the SH1): the mix was not good between our alnico 5 SH1 and the alnico 2 SHPG1;

Perceived output level: Moderate but high for such a DC resistance. The magnet is rather strong.
Tone: Bright and dynamic.
Sonic evaluation: It's an update of my previous review (done a year ago): the SH1 is a good pup but its frequency resonance and power are higher than with other PAF replicas. I've read here a review saying that this pup wasn't in fact a PAF clone. My answer: YES, it is. But Seymour seems to have duplicated the "ideal" PAF defined by Seth Lover (7,5 Kohms and alnico 5 magnets) instead of the real PAF pups made by Gibson in the years 1957-1961 and often defined by their "flaws" (overwound coils giving an higher inductance, alnico 2 because alnico 5 was out of stock, etc.). The result is a "clear" PAF variation, with a sharp attack and resonant frequency. To obtain a "sweet" pafish sound, choose an alnico 2 magnet and a higher DC resistance/inductance - in other words, a Duncan like the Seth Lover, the AlnicoPro, or the mythic Antiquities (i forget the Pearly Gates, that I use and love but which also has a bright tone).
If you buy the SH1, you have to know that the expected good round sound comes after a sharp attack which can become a little harsh. Good mix with ceramic magnets or alnico 5. Not so good with an alnico 2... Good sustain and woman tone reachable during the sustain. Not so satisfying when you attack the strings IF you want a classic hot and sweet lespaulish tone (and in this case only).

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Good match for all styles, gears etc. if you know its features and know how to use it...

Comments: See above: good pup, all purpose device, if you want a sharp attack and a clean tone. Reproduces the clearer PAF models, with a low inductance and DC resistance. The sweet/buttery/spongy/honky tone is not its territory. That the reason why I've changed the SH1 for an APH1 bridge (yes, in the neck position). Strangely, this one is lower in output, with its 8,29 kohms and 4,67 Henry, than the SH1 with only 7,5 kohms and 4,27 Henry... my neck tone is now much more sweet (principally because I've bought a bridge model for the neck pos.). I plan to mount the neck SH1 on another axe, maybe a semi-hollow body...

Pickup features: humbucker
Impedence or other specs: ?

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone SG
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Stock
Other pickups on guitar: Seymour Duncan Invader
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s): Classic Rock, Blues
Reason for pickup change: I decided it was time for an upgrade and Seymours are one of the best. I'm saving for an Ameican Deluxe Strat that has amazing pickups, but until then (could be a while, 1000 bucks is not a small amount of money) I must have some killer humbuckers.

Perceived output level: ?
Tone: Trebly/balanced, but fair mid and bass
Sonic evaluation: I'm using it on my sg with a fender stage 160 and it sounds great and i'd be even better on a tube amp. Sounds best on a clean channel strumming chords or melodic riffs. Sounds good with distortion also. For most rock an blues i put the switch in the middle position using the '59 and the invader.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: It works great for rock and blues. It would probably be good in the bridge too.

Comments: If it were destroyed i would definately get another. It's an intigral part of my setup now. I've be playing for about 7 years now, seriosly for about 3 or 4. I don't have a lot of other gear, some effects, but i'm saving for a strat and maybe a tube amp.

Pickup features: Passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs: 2 conductor; no push-pull

Model of guitar or bass: Squier Custom Telecaster (I)
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: crappy Fender Indonesia Humbucker.
Other pickups on guitar: I replaced the duplicate Fender bridge pickup with a Distortion humbucker (SH-5, I think)
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock Music
Reason for pickup change: I bought the Squier Custom because I wanted a cheap guitar that had been routed and cut for humbuckers with a nice tele maple neck. I planned on the pickups being bad. They were. So I swapped them.

Perceived output level: Actually, compared to the "REALLY HIGH OUTPUT" SH-5 in the bridge, the SH-1 puts out just nearly the same output.
Tone: A great balance. Not muddy at all, I find. Sounds nice and round in the upper range without too much bite. Slightly mellow, but not so much as I anticipated.
Sonic evaluation: I've used the pickup through both a small Ampeg Jet II tube and my Ampeg V-4 head into Marshall 4x12 Slash Snakepit cab (give me a break; I hate Slash but this cab is awesome). In the Jet it sounded full and was LOUD. Matched the output of the SH-5 nicely. Together they sounded pretty sweet, with the SH-5 getting a little bit more crunch. I used to have a Standard Gibson LP, sounds like this bit with the bass pushed a bit. I like it better, actually.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I'm in an indie band playing stuff that tries to do too much, all over the map. Haven't used it too much in this context, but my sound role is kind of to fill the lowed midrange, a more mellow timbre, while the other guitarist has a nasty trebly sound (why does he scoop the mids? ar). Promises to work great.

Comments: Yep. It's pretty cheap (1/2 the price of SD Seth Lover's, which the SH-1 claims to mimick). I've briefly played Fender MIM Customs. This is the sound I wanted. I got it for half the price. Do it. Especially if you're starting with such bad pickups.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Steinberger Spirit GP-2R
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: EMG Select
Other pickups on guitar: Seymour Duncan Distortion
Artists using this pickup: Dunno with Steiny + '59 combo
You musical style(s): Pop, Rock, Metal
Reason for pickup change: EMG Selects are just... a hunk of junk! Lifeless and sterile, but no hum.

Perceived output level: Hotter than I thought for a '59 PAF copy
Tone: Middy + Trebly yet warm even though my guitar has maple body and neck.
Sonic evaluation: I put this on a Steinberger Spirit GP-2R which has maple body with maple neck (read : BRIGHT guitar). I still have to turn down the treble a bit and turn up the bass in a lot of my patches on my ToneLab SE, but after that it is the best neck pickup I've ever heard for clean and overdriven leads. When strumming, only the clean is usable.
Also, I noticed that this pickup has a very smooth, buttery tone compared to other pickups I have (and had).

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pickup can do Pop and Rock well, definitely not a Metal pickup. I can get decent Blues tone out of it too.

Comments: # If it were destroyed or stolen, would you buy it again or get something else?
Probably get something else, there's a lot of different pickups out there.
# What do you love about it? What do you hate?
I love that liquidy, buttery, whatever tone it has.
# Anything you wish it had?
Wish it has a better overdriven rhythm tone.
# Are you satisfied with this pickup or still searching for that sound?
Pretty satisfied.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: ??

Model of guitar or bass: Schector Omen 6 (with tailpiece - not string through)
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: stock (duncan designed)
Other pickups on guitar: stock humbucker in bridge
Artists using this pickup: ????
You musical style(s): Hard Rock, Gurnge, Blues
Reason for pickup change: Wanted a more smooth vintage Les Paul sound like Slash

Perceived output level: A bit more than the stock, but not hot.... Medium? Good response.
Tone: Well balanced. A bit warm. maybe a bit bassy in my guitar, but that's the wood
Sonic evaluation: Plugged into a Crate FXT120 combo. Pedals: Boss Drive Zone Distortion Pedal and Vox Wah Pedal. It's got a nice well balanced tone. I use the lead channel on the amp for most leads because I get a smooth warm sound. This pup has a lot of sustain! Awesome.
I lost all the tone in my middle position when I had this put in.... I'm guessing it's that it doesn't match well with the stock in the bridge.. I don't know what it is, but the mid position blows now, it's what I used to use for clean. However, now I can use this pickup for my clean playing. It's not harsh at all. Very nice tone.
As mentioned before, this thing has a lot of sustain. Maybe I'm not used to getting any from the stock pickups.... In any case I really like the sustain.
The distorted tone, aside from sustain, wasn't such a big improvement. But it's noticeable. Not harsh when hitting the high notes, and not muddy at all when hitting the lows.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play mostly everything. It's very versatile. Good for about everything IMO. Something agressive would be better for someone strictly metal.

Comments: I have been playing for over 5 years. I also own a Fender HM Strat that I picked up used, a Squier strat with a Duncan Performer Scorcher in the bridge, a Prelude classical accoustic, and an Epiphone jumbo body accoustic-electric.
This pickup is great. It's not EXACTLY what I wanted, but that's cause I don't have a Les Paul or a Marshall with tubes...
I really like the improvement. To someone else, maybe the pickup wasn't worth the money, but for me, every bit of tone I got is worth every penny. I'd get this pickup again probably... Especailly since the Duncan Jazz was too bright for my taste and Gibson pickups are too pricey.

Pickup features: Trembucker.
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez S1520 Sabre
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Duncan JB
Other pickups on guitar: Ibanez QM1
Artists using this pickup: Scott Henderson
You musical style(s): Jazz-Rock Fusion
Reason for pickup change: This guitar came with a JB, which frankly, I have never liked. Way too shrill and harsh for me.

Perceived output level: Slightly hot PAF style
Tone: Emphasis on the high mids. See overall rating for description.
Sonic evaluation: MAudio Duo Preamp > TC Electronic TripleC compressor > Yamaha DG80112 with TC Electronic G Major in the effects loop. I am very satisfied with this rig!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This is a versitile pickup, and it is suitable for most styles where low to medium output is desired

Comments: The tone I am after is a smooth, singing (almost horn-like) overdrive. With good clarity, but without too many shrill harmonic overtones. I was going for a tone similar to Scott Henderson's early '90s sound, when he was using the Ibanez Sabre. I also like a more aggressive rock tone sometimes, but it needs to be able to clean up when I want it to. This is a good pickup, but it missed the mark for me. I like an emphasis on the mids, but the emphasis is on the higher mids, a little too high pitched. I prefer a more vocal, almost "aaaah" tone. The '59 is an "Improved PAF" design - I don't believe it is a classic PAF design as SD would have you believe. It is more defined, and more harmonically active I would say. This is probably perfect for many people.
The thing that makes choosing pickups so hard, is that there may be something much better out there, but you'll never know it until you try it in your own rig. I believed I was the best bridge pickup, until I tried the Ibanez V2 pickup that came stock in my early '90s sabre. I will submit a review for the V2, but in short, it is miles ahead of the '59 in terms of what I was looking for - More of a mid voiced pickup, and vert defined and musical. The '59 sounds shrill and sloppy in comparison.

Pickup features: NECK HUMBUCKER
Impedence or other specs: 7.2 K

Model of guitar or bass: TRADITION LES PAUL
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: FACTORY
Other pickups on guitar: DUNCAN CUSTOM
Artists using this pickup: A LOT
You musical style(s): ROCK BLUES
Reason for pickup change: FACTORY PICKUP WAS BASICALLY TOO HOT FOR ME

Perceived output level: PLENTY, BUT NOT TOO MUCH. MORE THAN AN ALNICO II OR JAZZ
Tone: WARM AND BRIGHT VINTAGE STYLE TONE THAT DOESN'T WEAR ON YOU AT ALL. IT IS GREAT CLEAN OR DIRTY. I CALL IT SWEET WITH LOADS OF SUSTAIN. THE HIGHS ARE THERE BUT DONT GRATE ON YOU AT ALL. IT SOUNDS BETTER TO ME THAN WHAT COMES IN ANY LES PAUL FROM THE FACTORY INCLUDING GIBSON.
Sonic evaluation: I HAVE PLAYED IT INTO A MARSHALL JTM312 AND 70 FENDER PRINCETON, ALSO A MARSHALL DSL50 HEAD WITH 1936 CAB. IT JUST PLAIN OLD KICKS BUTT IN A VINTAGE WAY. THE DISTORTION WITH THE MARSHALL IS VERY ROCKIN. THE SOUND IS VERSATILE AND I SUSPECT THIS PICKUP WILL WORK FOR MOST PAUL PLAYERS IN THE NECK

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: PERFECT FOR ROCK, BLUES AND JAZZ. MIGHT BE TOO VINTAGE FOR METAL

Comments: I ALSO PLAYED AN ALNICO II IN A FRIENDS PAUL, BUT I PREFER THE GREATER OUTPUT AND PUNCH OF THIS PICKUP. THANKS SEYMOUR FOR MAKING WHAT MAY BE THE BEST VALUE GOING IN A LES PAUL PICKUP

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: Standard PAF in the 8s

Model of guitar or bass: PRS CU 24 & Les Paul '73
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: T TOP & PRS Vintage Bass, Gibson 57 Classic
Other pickups on guitar: Air Nortons, T TOPs, Tone Zone, Air Zone, you name it
Artists using this pickup: Millions
You musical style(s): Rock, Blues, Jazz, 70s, you name it
Reason for pickup change: No sparkle, dead, lifeless

Perceived output level: Strong and well balanced, little more than very vintage-y PAFs
Tone: Warm, balanced,. woody
Sonic evaluation: I use a Seymour Duncan Convertible with Altecs and Celestion 80s, Relic Fenders with Jensens, you name it. THIS IS MEANT TO BE A WEIRD REVIEW.
Here is the deal, this pickup has no dynamics, it is totally flat, has some decent harmonics. However, it is very woody. This is labeled a building block pickup and IT IS. If you want something straight forward and basic, something vintage that works very well with modern music, something that matches any type of pickup from metal to hard rock, this is a good choice. NO GUESSWORK!
It is basic and to the point. The EQ description is as on the site. It is very warm, but not too warm, decent mids. You can use it for anything. In my PRS it sounded dead. In my Les Paul it is very Dickey Betts - this is a good thing. It is warm, you can even play jazz on it, but it would NOT be my first choice for that. You can play blues on it all day, but it doesnt have that dynamic spank and growl.

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

Comments: You can't go wrong with this pickup. However, you can't necessarily go right. It is basic and to the point. It is quality with the harmonics. I have tried recording with it, and it is kinda disappointing. I have heard it in bridges and it sounds better to me than the neck. It doesnt cut thru the mix all that great. ON THE OTHER HAND - thru any amp - Matchless to Marhsall it gives you a woody sound that works with anything.
I give it an 8 since it is a B level pickup. I think the 57 classic is warmer and sweeter all around. It has better articulation, harmonics, definition etc etc. BUT IT IS ALNICO 2 SO IT CAN BE HARD TO MATCH THE BRIDGE, AND GIBSON DOESNT MAKE 4 CONDUCTOR. MY LES PAUL HAS THE JIMMY PAGE MODS. If I had no huge preconceived notions, just wanted good sound, not after the holy grail - then this is it, an easy no brainer. If you want something articulate - that is both modern and vintage at the same time, great for all kinds of sounds, may I recommend the DiMarzio Virtual PAF. I have tried Voodoos and the SD Jazz (decent), some other brands, not the Fralins yet. But for the price the 59 sets you off very well.
Hope you are now thoroughly confused. Hear me at www.olinmusic.com

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....

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker - Made to be a faithful replica of a PAF
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Bridge on Washburn A5, Neck on Ibanez RG
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock Pickups
Other pickups on guitar: A5 has a SD Jazz Neck, RG has a SD Custom Bridge & JBJr Middle
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock, Pop, Blues
Reason for pickup change: Stock Pickups didn't sound this good

Perceived output level: '59s are a replica of PAFs
Tone: Vintage
Sonic evaluation: Possibly the nicest sounding neck pickup I've ever heard. You've got to remember that these are made to duplicate original PAFs, and that's what they do.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: If your going for modern medal, better find something else. These give you vintage tone.

Comments:

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: Can't remember the specs. Seems average for a bucker though

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson Les Paul
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock 490's
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Dont really know or care
You musical style(s): Too many to list
Reason for pickup change: 490's sounded lifeless & boring in the Les Paul. I wanted to get closer to a vintage type of tone.

Perceived output level: About the same as the stockers. Maybe just a little less but not much at all.
Tone: Nice vintage sound. Very warm yet a smooth sparkle on top. Mids are not harsh in the least. These pups seem to be very balanced.
Sonic evaluation: I plug straight into a Fender Princeton or an Epi Galaxy 10 (a very cool little tube amp) & a few others. No distortion boxes for me (I rely on my tubes for my tone). That's right, I'm one of those damn purists.(hehe) These pups drive the front end of my amps pretty well.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This is a good pup for just about anything except it may not be aggresive enough for metal. But with all these effects boxes nowadays you could probably even coax metal out of it.

Comments: If I had to choose a pup again I'd probably get these again but I would like to try the Seth Lover because I've heard they're even smoother & warmer than the '59. But overall I can't complain about these pups. To me, they do sound like a vintage Les Paul & I think they're worth the price. The 490's were chrome covered & these are open coil (black & creme) so they give the Les Paul a different kind of look. I'll most likely keep these for a while until I talk myself into getting a pair of Seth Lover but for now I think they're just great.

Pickup features: humbucking
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: dillion DR-450 PRS hollowbody copy
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: stock
Other pickups on guitar: stock
Artists using this pickup: many
You musical style(s): country 50's rock, gospel, mild smooth jazz
Reason for pickup change: pickups were extremely bright and edgy neck and treble with not much bottom.

Perceived output level: quite a bit louder
Tone: well a nice warm deep sound that still sparkles for the neck and lots of drive for the bridge.
Sonic evaluation: changed this guitar into what it was meant to be. it sounds wonderful

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: country 50's rock, gospel, mild smooth jazz. these pickups should cover just about any style except death metal but who needs that?

Comments: well I got these 59's with nickle covers from a guy on ebay. he just took them out and put in fralins. he sold three pickups at once. a new Al Demeola and the two 59 duncans from him new guild bluesbird. got them all for about 80 dollars. one of the best deals I ever got on ebay. over the last 24 years I have owned about every guitar except a PRS. I got a chance to buy this beautiful hollowbody copy for only 227.00 but was dissatisfied with its pickups. now I have a wonderful sounding guitar that I think will be my main guitar for a long time to come and all for about three hundred backs. what a bargin.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: ???

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez AX220QQMB
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Was a Burstbucker but switched back to it
Other pickups on guitar: Burstbuckers
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Alternative emo/power pop hard rock.
Reason for pickup change: Just thought that the Duncan 59 and Custom 5 would be better sounding than my Burstbuckers........bad idead!

Perceived output level: Medium Hot
Tone: Balanced throughout the spectrum
Sonic evaluation: I have a Marshall DSL 100, Engl Thunder 50, Laney VH100R and LH50R with Mesa Recto 4x12 V30 cabs.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play alternative rock with a touch of emo. It would be a solid match but unfortunately Duncans just aren't my cup of tea and after reading all the reviews I'm surprise not many has tried the Gibson Burstbuckers. The Bursbuckers sound better than the 59 or any Duncan that i've tried....Custom 5, JB, Seth Lover, Invader and etc.

Comments: I'm returning the 59 and Custom 5 back to guitar center so that answers your question if they were stolen or destroyed. I'm kinda disappointed from what I heard from the 59 ...not to say that they are bad but they are sterile sounding compared to the Burstbuckers! If i was going to go head to head between the two the plus of the 59 is that it has a tighter bass and overall tone, it's very well balanced you can hear all the notes ring out but when i cranked it with distortion along with the custom 5 while performing palm muting i get a screechy noise...can't descibe it except that it sounded synthetic compared to the Burstbuckers.....the BB had a smoother richer organic tone that sounds terrific it didn't have the darker mids of the 59, it actually had less mids and the sound is a bit brighter, but overall it's pure magic with a great vintage vibe. Sorry Seymour....not my type of pickup

Pickup features: Passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs: 7.43k

Model of guitar or bass: Les Paul Custom
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock Gibsons 490R & 498T
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Pull up a chair, this is going to take a while...
You musical style(s): A huge swath of noise best described as bluesy-alterna-pop-rock.
Reason for pickup change: Tired, flat, muddy Gibson pickups needed a time-out in the case while another pickup brings life to my guitar.

Perceived output level: Slightly higher output than stock, but those were covered and these are installed as open-coils. The Duncan site states that covers take 15-20% of your tone, so...
Tone: Richer and more full bodied on both clean and distorted. The sustain alone makes this an improvement over the Gibsons.
Sonic evaluation: This is going into my Vox Cambridge 30 Reverb and the tone is so much better now! I use a Dunlop wah and a Digitech RP-100 from time to time, but since I've only had these pickups in for a few days, I'm going to spend a lot of time getting used to them before I start adding any color.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I opted to put the SH-1 in both neck and bridge as it's my first upgrade and I wanted some balance. A lot of players on the Duncan forum talk about swapping in a JB or Custom Custom in the bridge for sharper leads, but for now, the 59's give me everything I want in all positions. I think you could tackle everything short of metal with this pickup, but you can coax anything out of processors these days...

Comments: If destroyed (and with the open coils, that could happen) or stolen I would probably get both again, but this isn't a fair statement, as there are tons of replacement pickups out there. I guess I could find each manufacturer's site and download sample files and compare who knows how many tones trying to find one I like. Seymour Duncans have a reputation as some of the best pickups available. If I had more money, maybe I would have gone for a more boutique brand so I could flaunt the exclusivity factor, but why bother? The price on these were good and I'm just a bedroom guitarist, so until I'm making a living off of this, I'm not going to waste the time and resources to investigate every single available pickup. I considered the Gibson '57s, but the price was too high and the general consensus from the forums (including here) is that they're okay, and sound about the same. I wanted a fat, rich, creamy PAF tone with excellent sustain and that's what I got. Everything else after that is brand loyalty. I just didn't connect with the brand identity of DiMarzio or any number of other manufacturers so the Duncans are what I opted for. If another maker said their pickups would offer me the same tone for $10 less and take twenty pounds off of my midsection, I would've opted for them.
All wisecracking aside, I am very, very happy with this pickup. If you're taking your first steps into pickup replacement, I think you'll be just as pleased. Will I look into other types, more than likely yes. Will I try other brands? Can't say for certain right now, but I will say Seymour Duncan makes excellent pickups.
I'll also say that I have hardly any electrical experience, and I was able to install these myself and saved the $50 I would have paid some tech to do it. Unless you're afraid of soldering irons, you can do this yourself!

Pickup features: Passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs: Neck 7.43k, Bridge 8.13k

Model of guitar or bass: Les Paul Standard
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock Gibsons
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Too many to list
You musical style(s): Blues/Rock
Reason for pickup change: Stock Gibson humbuckers were muddy and lacked the PAF tone that you get a Les Paul for.

Perceived output level: Fairly low output... but pretty close to what a '59 PAF would have been.
Tone: Good bass and mids, but really lacked high end punch with bridge position
Sonic evaluation: 92 Les Paul Standard through a Marshall JCM 900 Dual Reverb half stack. Not many effects, I like the sound of a guitar, not a circuit board.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This is suitable for any blues, most rock, escept for maybe heavy metal or punk.

Comments: If these p'ups were stolen, I'd still buy one for neck position, but I've already gone ahead and put a Custom in the bridge, I just felt that the '59 lacked a good overdriven lead tone, in my opinion anyway. It's fine for blues or lighter rock, but not for the really nasty lead tone I look for in heaver rock.

Pickup features: Humbucking
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez RG450
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Powersound Neck Humbucker
Other pickups on guitar: DiMarzio Virtual Vintage Blues, PWR Snd bridge Humb.
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Blues, Death metal, Jazz
Reason for pickup change: Former pickup was too weak and lacked clarity, especially at high amp volumes. Bass notes were muddy and treble notes indistinct.

Perceived output level: Not 'hot' but louder than my former stock humbucker.
Tone: Balanced with slightly scooped mids.
Sonic evaluation: Ibanez RG450 into a Marshall V65R.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Jazz, blues. Delivers a balanced sound that can be shaped at the amp for almost all kinds of clean sounds. I shan't speculate how it'll sound in any other position.

Comments: If I lost it I wouldn't get it again because it's my first replacement and I'd like to hear other options. I certainly don't regret buying it though because its balanced sound makes it a very versatile pickup. At a neutral sound setting (with every knob set halfway) the tone is on the whole warm and slightly scooped. Chords sound full bodied and single notes are punchy. I'd say it's natural sound would be suitable for jazz. This pickup also responds well to an overdriven amp and provides a considerable amount of sustain.

Pickup features: passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs: something

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez GRX-20
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: stock Ibanez, then SH-5 Custom
Other pickups on guitar: Neck and Bridge both have '59s
Artists using this pickup: Spakko Munkle and many more
You musical style(s): blues, blues rock, classic rock, and everthing in between
Reason for pickup change: The stock powersound ones were cheap and ceramic. The Duncan Custom was expensive and ceramic. I don't like ceramic magnets. They have too much treble and sound brittle. But they have lots of output.

Perceived output level: Less hot than the Custom but I these things don't matter to me - I just turn the gain up.
Tone: Pretty balanced really. I add to the bass and take away from the treble on my EQ but not much. This could be because of the guitar.
Sonic evaluation: I use an el cheapo Ibanez GRX-20. I am left handed. This means that it costs more than it should. Soon I will replace it with a custom Warmoth LP double cut of mahogany. The Ibanez guitar has a maple neck with rosewood fretboard, and an alder body. It's basically a Strat with humbuckers. I blocked the tremolo so it has a bit more oomph.
The amp I use is a Marshall AVT 20. It seems quite good for my style of music if I put the clean channel on and the gain at about 3:00. The OD channel seems to take something away from the dynamics of the amp so I don't use it often. I like to be able to feel what I am playing come out properly and this is an important part of the guitar experience. This also means that I have an excellent feel for the pickups!
These are very good pickups for classic rock and blues stuff which they are supposed to be. I can get Led Zeppelin and similar sounds from the bridge and Rolling Stones from bridge and neck together and good blues sounds from the neck alone. If you split the coils (I have a switch for this) you can get a kind of interesting but weak sound from the neck that is good for blues. The bridge sound doesn't give a proper single coil sound when split, but it is useful for cleaning up the sound. The Marshall isn't truely channel switching so I like to use split coils for semi-clean parts and humbuckers for dirty. Keep in mind that this is relatively low gain so don't try it if you are a metal head. If you are, there are probably better pickups for metal anyway.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play blues and classic rock stuff (see above). It works for this. Hard rock is workable but try something else for metal.

Comments: This is really a versatile pickup, and I can use it for many styles. It is designed for blues and classic rock, but with my friend, the amp's EQ, I can do lots of styles. It can do metal but I would not recommend it for full time hi-gain madness. Jazz may work but I really have the wrong setup for it. For most everything else it works very well. There is nothing that immediately comes to mind that I really love or hate about it - I just blame my guitar for all the problems ha ha. These are top quality pickups and are kind of out of place with a guitar that buzzes on nearly every fret.
I did try a Seymour Duncan Custom, which I bought mostly because I thought it would sound similar but with higher output. I found it to be too trebly, but I kept it. It is more agressive pickup that could do harder rock than the '59, but I am not overly fond of high treble sounds. I bought the '59 after deciding that the Custom didn't really work. I'l put it on the Ibanez and put the '59's on my new Warmoth.
I maybe could rate these pickups a ten or a nine if I felt that I could hear the best sound that they could give. However, I am not the best guitarist ever, and my equipment is similar in quality. They are very good, though, and they definitely deserve no less than an 8.

Pickup features: passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs: uh..?..?

Model of guitar or bass: Dean Icon
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: stock
Other pickups on guitar: JB
Artists using this pickup: Everyone
You musical style(s): Hardcore/Emo + ClassicRock/Blues
Reason for pickup change: Stock PUs were getting progressively microphonic and sounded muddy and weak.

Perceived output level: Balanced and smooth output, not terribly hot. Same out put as the stock humbucker.
Tone: Very clear, transparent and3 dimensional, not muddy at all. Clean it almost has a singlecoil like snap and sparkle to it. Roll off the tone and it fattens up handsomely. Distorted It sounds like Santana/Cream era Clapton. Boost the mids, pour on reverb and itll wail for days - nice sustain.
Sonic evaluation: My guitar is a Dean Icon Custom - made in Yugoslavia or someplace and I play it through a Crate VC3112 all tube amp. The guitar has the 59 and a JB in the bridge and the Amp has a Celestion V30. The net result is a tone to die for. Powerfull, full, clear, transparent - I could go on. The 59 is a crucial component in the chain - it delivers the perfect neck pickup sound - both clean and distorted and its very versatile - from comping jazz and blues, clean to Led Zep and Black Sabbath distorted. It even does country - I dont go there though - maybe a little Allman Bros and Lynerd Skynerd hehe.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This thing everything its supposed to do - it gets heavey but not in a metal kind of a way. I do play a lot of heavey stuff and thats what the JB is there for. This baby is there to shine when it comes time to mellow out. Oh and combined with the JB there is nothing the two of them cant do together.

Comments: I wanna try the DiMarzio PAF Pro and the Gibson classic 57 and see how they hold up against the SD '59. My last guitar was a Strat an I am loving the humbucking experience, but its still lacks the magic of a good singlecoil. My next venture will be a P90 in a semihollow. I will keep searching for "that" tone.

Pickup features: passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs: go to the website

Model of guitar or bass: epi les paul(can't afford a gibson, alright)
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: stock epi
Other pickups on guitar: duncan jb
Artists using this pickup: dunno
You musical style(s): everything jazz, blues, rock, metal,
Reason for pickup change: epi pickups blow goats for quarters

Perceived output level: not huge, very mellow pickup
Tone: got a little trebly, biting, I gotta role my tone down to five or lower
Sonic evaluation: I have a marshall 60, and a fender deville, use it wiht a line 6 pod and a crybaby wah and a boss mt-2

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

Comments: allright, bottom line, I don't use the neck pickup for crazy overdrive, that's what the jb is for. This pickup is silky sweet, full and gobs of great tone. Overdriven and clean, it does everything I want it to do, and sounds great the whole time. One of the best sounding pickups I've ever heard. I'm putting one in any humbucking guitar I ever buy.

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

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson SG Faded Brown
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Stock 490R
Other pickups on guitar: Stock 490T in Bridge (soon to be Duncan Distortion)
Artists using this pickup: Not researched, don't really care. It works for me.
You musical style(s): Hard Rock, Blues, Metal.
Reason for pickup change: The stock pickups are muddy. I wasn't as aware of it before and was thinking about changing the speakers in my cab. Not anymore. :)

Perceived output level: Hotter than the stock pickup, but still has calrity and harmonics.
Tone: Well balanced all around.
Sonic evaluation: I play through a Mesa Dual Rectifier and a Marshall 1960TV cab with Celestion 70's in it. The SG is my main guitar.
Previously the neck pickups was just about useless. It was too muddy to even get decent note definition. Now, I am stoked! The note definition is there, and the added harmonics made the dead strings I had on the guitar, when I changed pickups, sound great. Now the Bridge pickup sounds muddy.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play Hard Rock, Blue, and some Metal. This pickup is a great match for these styles. It has clarity and can still sustain when you want it. The harmonics are wonderful.

Comments: I bought the SG at an incredible deal and love it. y only problem was that my tone was a bit muddy. I like to play celan stuff with a little delay, and just wasn't getting the clarity I like. I suspected the spekaers in the cab I picked up. Then I played my US Strat through the rig, and I knew it was the SG's pickups. SO, I started shopping around for pickups. I bought and installed the Zakk Wylde EMG pickup set into the guitar, and thought it was great. Then after playing them at a show, I got rid of them. Very sterile. SO, I went back to the drawing board. I wanted more clarity, some bite, but still some warmth. A good freind of mine plays a Les Paul Classic, and has a Duncan DIstortion in the bridge of his guitar. WOW. I played it and was blown away. I had a DUncan lil '59er in a previous guitar and remember how good it sounded. SO I decided to put the 59 model in the neck and the Distortion in the bridge. I custom ordered them with Nickel covers. The 59 model cam in after two weeks, but I am still waiting for the Distortion to come in. Apparently they had to custom make one.
I am very satisfied with this pickup. It sounds GREAT, and is the solution I was looking for.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone (S)G-400
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Muddy Stock Epiphone POS Pick Ups
Other pickups on guitar: Stock
Artists using this pickup: Myself, other than that I don't know
You musical style(s): Classic Rock, Hard Rock , Blues
Reason for pickup change: The original stock Pick ups were muddy and didn't have clear note definition. I also wanted to get a more versatile sound.

Perceived output level: Slightly hotter than normal, sounds pretty close to a PAF
Tone: well balanced, clear note definition
Sonic evaluation: I'm using an Epiphone (S)G-400 plugged straight into my Marshall half stack, sometimes I'll use my Jim Dunlop Cry baby 535Q Wah and my Boss Super Chorus. With thess Pick ups I can get a lot of good Classic Rock Sounds(Led Zeppelin, Cream, Black Sabbath, even some Hendrix) I can also get a Pearl Jam Ten album era sound and even early Soundgarden

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play Classic Rock, Hard Rock, and Blues Which this Pick up is perfectly suited for. But if you're looking for more extreme Metal sound look somewhere else.

Comments: If it were destroyed or stolen, I would buy another in a second. With this Pick Up I can easily get that Clapton "Woman" tone out of it and it's still versatile enough to play Zeppelin or Black Sabbath.

Pickup features: humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Epi Explorer
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Epi Stock PU
Other pickups on guitar: JB in bridge
Artists using this pickup: shit i dont' know, check the website, lotsa them
You musical style(s): Blues, Rock, Metal
Reason for pickup change: The Stock pickup was really muddy and i needed something with alittle more edge, i was recommended the 59, and it is a great pickup

Perceived output level: Alot louder than the Stock pu, i'd say medium
Tone: balanced
Sonic evaluation: I'm am using a crate gx 30 with an Epi Explorer, i really want to upgrade the amp it is a begginner amp and i've had it for awhile, like to get a marshall or something, make the new pickups come alive.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: blues rock and metal, good for all 3, better for the blues and rock though i'd say.

Comments: If this pu was destroyed be hard pressed not to get another one, i think it's one of the best pu's i've heard in a long time. I've been playing for about 5 years now, besides the amp and guitar i own a boss metal zone, and i jimi hendrix wah pedal. I love everything about it. I chose it as a recommendation, you can hear this pu on any cd. I've found that neck sound.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: www.seymourduncan.com

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Les Paul Standard
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Neck stock pickup
Other pickups on guitar: Dimarzio PAF-Bridge
Artists using this pickup: Seymour Duncan?
You musical style(s): Rock 'n' Roll
Reason for pickup change: The neck stock pickup on the Epi, as many know was way to muddy and lacked clarity.

Perceived output level: A medium output pickup. Very close to the stock pups output.
Tone: I have this pup in the neck position and it does a good job of blending mid treble and bass to create a very balanced mellow sound. It is the perfect complement to my Dimarzio Paf in the bridge position. The Dimarzio has very distinct highs that pierce the ears, it cuts through sound distorted and becomes very twangy clean. The '59 provides a very smooth mellow clean sound that will soothe your eardrums rather than attack them.
Sonic evaluation: I use an Epiphone Les Paul standard through a Crate GX-900 head into a peavey 4x12 cab. Effects wise i use a boss chorus, equalizer, and blues driver. Generally i crank the reverb on my clean channel and play with the chorus on whenever i play clean, but the '59 sounds good enough that i dont need the chorus to make my sound, i can mold it myself. The '59 lets the true sound of the guitar come out, and pays very close attention to detail. Every note is distinct, and every action (by the player) is emphasized, instead of being lost in the mix..

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play rock 'n' roll, and for that it fits perfectly. With my combination of pups i can get very metal with the dimarzios to very mellow with the '59. Between those 2 extremes, there are many tonal possibilities. However, metal players should probably steer clear of this pup and check out the Seymour Duncan Dimbucker, invader, or Duncan Distortion.

Comments: I have been playing for quite some time now and genuinely love this pup. I also play a fender stratocater with 2 single coils and one humbucker. The '59 is more similar to the single coils when clean and gets gritty when distorted (It bears no resemblance to the single coils when distorted at all). As for finding "that sound," i am very picky when it comes to my sound and am currently researching another array of pups for a different guitar (probly another epi standard. I really love Seymour Duncan pickups and will probably never use any others. The '59 is great, but there are also many other great pickups out there too. This pickup is rock 'n' roll all the way, you can get raw or you can break it down monster ballad style.

Pickup features: Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: 7.43

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Dot
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Stock Epiphone Humbucker
Other pickups on guitar: Epiphone Stock Humbucker (bridge)
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Blues, Jazz, Folk
Reason for pickup change: Original pickup sounded muddy and inarticulate when using the neck pick-up for jazz type pieces.

Perceived output level: Noticably hotter than the stock pickups without being over the top. The neck is louder than the bridge pickup now. I wanted to replace the pickups one at a time so I will be getting a P-90 for the bridge soon.
Tone: Very balalnced - just what I wanted. I can hear the bass notes without them breaking up or being a low indistinguishable low rumble.
Sonic evaluation: Playing an Epiphone Dot (335) through a Fender Blues Junior or Fender Hot Rod 410 (usually clean to slightly dirty)

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play Blues, Jazz and some Pop, Country or Rock. It is well suited for theses but obviously not the pick up for louder styles like Metal or Shred.

Comments: I am very happy with the pickup. It is worlds better than the Epiphone stock pickup prodiving clarity and definition to the notes. Seymour Duncan was recommended by my instructor rather than the Gibson '57 Classic as Seymour Duncan is devoted only to pickups. I would agree plus it was $30 less. I had a few questions as I began to install so I e-mailed Seymour Duncan and still haven't heard from them. I figured out my questions from other sources on the internet.

Pickup features: passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs: this information can be obtained through personal research www.seymourduncan.com

Model of guitar or bass: 1997 Fender Big Apple Stratocaster
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: that is in an untrue statement.
Other pickups on guitar: currently a dimarzio super distortion
Artists using this pickup: all six billion humans living on earth use this pickup
You musical style(s): gentle melodies, horrendous overdriven violence, anything with passion and honesty
Reason for pickup change: no change in pickup was necessary as it was included in the guitar itself. one might say that the pickup was like a limb developed in the birthing process of the guitar.

Perceived output level: glows with self-actualization
Tone: full and clean, round bass and clear highs, mids dropped slightly to provide more clarification
Sonic evaluation: with the fender big apple stratocaster running through a marshall head. this pickup is like the sweet whisper of the seraphim as they carry you through the clouds of highest elation in a moment of love. think of the day when you stepped out of a shower, and put on some clean clothes, and felt so fresh and renewed and your day held infinite possibilities; it is what this pickup sounds like. The '59 sounds like childhood.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This pickup's pure sound can be useful for music in its many incarnations.

Comments: i find that on the clean channel of a turned-up tube amp the clean sound i have always wanted is found. if you want another simile it's like when the woman you love leaves you and your life is hopeless and trite. and you wait patiently for years, perhaps dating a few others but never being satisfied because you know in your heart that the woman is right for you. And years later she comes back to you and confides that she has realized that there is only one man in her life...you. I love this pickup's distinction. If, in a burst of metaphysical spontanaeity squirted out of this universe much like a watermelon seed, then I would purchase a new one. I would like to share with you the sound of hope...Duncan '59

Pickup features: Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: DC Resistance neck pos: 7.43k / Bridge pos: 8.13k Resonant peak neck pos: 6.8khz / Bridge pos: 6.0khz

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Les Paul Custom
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Gold factory stock.
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Don't know or care....
You musical style(s): Country and 50's , 60's Rock
Reason for pickup change: Wanted hotter cleaner sound from this Epiphone Les Paul Custom.

Perceived output level: I would say output up to 25% more.
Tone: Balanced sound, good bottom and enough high end for my style of playing.
Sonic evaluation: Recently purchased Epiphone Les Paul Custom with and older Peavey Special 150. I'm and old timer and have been playing in various bands playing various types of music since '63.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Country and 50's and 60's, real happy with all positons.

Comments: Use Morley volume pedal and Boss Blues driver and Delay pedals. I keep everything real basic. Have had many different guitars including a '65 Gibson ES-335,An '83 Gibson Les Paul Goldtop, A G&L Asat Classic, etc.. and am just as happy with with the sound of this Epiphone Les Paul with these '59 pickups.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: 7.9K

Model of guitar or bass: 2001 Les Paul Historic and Kramer 5150 "EVH" Replica
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: '57 classics
Other pickups on guitar: Lindy Fralin 9K Bridge
Artists using this pickup: You name 'em
You musical style(s): Rock n roll
Reason for pickup change: I've had '59's in many guitars over the years. Duncan does a great job chruning out lots of pickups but all of the "have it". The Historic Les Paul's '57 classics lacked character, definition, and clarity. A Lindy Fralin 9K in the bridge and the Duncan '59 with nickle cover in the neck position cured this problem. It was like taking a blanket off my speaker cab. I also currently run a '59 in the bridge position of a detailed Keamer 5150 replica.

Perceived output level: Standard 50's PAF output in both positions
Tone: Open and detailed with balenced and crisp top end. The lows are solid and never bassy. Lacks a bit of the hollow tone of a true PAF. Good note to note articulation
Sonic evaluation: I find the Duncan '59 to have it's own sound. There is a nice "growly" midrange that is attractive about these pickups. In the neck, there is a focused tone that does not get boxy sounding. Bridge pickup has some meat and not shrill sounding. While these may not be as complex sounding as Fralins nor authentic to PAF tone as the Rolphs, Holmes, or Harmonic design PAF's, they are excellent pickups at an attractive price.

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

Comments: The '59 has become the "go to" pickup as they are consistant and deliver the goods year in and year out. While not "this years" new pickup of choice, this old stand-by will cure many woes in a world of sucky OEM pickups.

Pickup features: humbucking
Impedence or other specs: 7.4K

Model of guitar or bass: Les Paul
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Gibson mini humbucker
Other pickups on guitar: JB bridge
Artists using this pickup: Everyone one from Robben Ford to Dimebag Darrel!
You musical style(s): American Roots Music
Reason for pickup change: Never liked the sterile sound of minihumbuckers. Wanted the tone of a 59 Les Paul!

Perceived output level: Bright, clean, room in the mids for some nice air and breath, solid lows, smooth but bright highs.
Tone: Not as bright and clean as Tom Holmes but very balanced.
Sonic evaluation: Tweed 50's Fenders, Blackface 60's Fenders, '70 Marshall 50 watt small box thru old Celestions.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: As a neck pickup this is perfect for blues, rock and jazz...even for heavy rock. A perfect match, IMO, with a bridge JB.

Comments: For the price, it is unbeatable. I also love the 8.2K bridge version...it's brighter and has less mids and a more breathy vintage tone than the JB. If you can spend a little more money ($120) the 8K Fralin is more harmonically complex and detailed...but it's twice as much. The Tom Holmes is cleaner than the Fralin and just as detailed and complex. But the Duncan 59 is a superb value and for $66 nothing else can touch it. Great for everything from Pantera to Robben Ford to Wes Montgomery! The 59n is pretty much the industry standard for a neck humbucker. I feel it is cleaner and bouncier than most real 50's PAF's and I prefer it to any of the newer Gibson PAF's.

Pickup features: Passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs: :sceps rehto ro ecnadepmI

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Sheraton II
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Gibson Classic '57 which went to the neck position replacing the stock pickup.
Other pickups on guitar: Gibson Classic '57 on the neck position.
Artists using this pickup: Jesus Christ!
You musical style(s): Vintage british rock and contemporary rock.
Reason for pickup change: Well, first, it was very cheap. Second, it's a Duncan '59. I couldn't find a better time to drop the shitty stock pup out of my guitar.

Perceived output level: Dunno, I was waiting for something more or less in the verve of the Classic '57.
Tone: In comparasion, the '59 is a brighter and a touch hotter than the '57. Its high end is a bit tighter than the '57. With the '57, it goes along pretty darn well, I might add.
Sonic evaluation: I use this Epiphone Sheraton II through a BOSS ME-8 through a Marshall JCM2000 DSL 401. I do not EQ the guitar signal so the ME-8 is basically in bypass mode as far as EQ goes. I just use some delay, chorus/flanger and eventually turn on the compressor/sustainer to add guts to solos. This guitar has become an ES-335 for one fifth of the price. It sings gently now.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I suppose that the '59ers could be considered the best all around combo available but that'd be too wide open. If you don't know what to do, go for the '59ers on both neck and bridge position until you figure out your sound. The combo will work well for Les Pauls and semi-hollow body guitars like mine. It also works well in humbucker positions in stratocasters. Go for it.

Comments: If it goes, I'd be sad, but I'd probably search for other kind of pup. Not that this is not good but I'd certainly try others.
I've been playing for six years now and I also have an Epiphone Les Paul Standard, a Washburn Lyon Series Strat, an acoustic Yamaha APX-4-12A, an acoustic Epiphone EJ-200 and a Fender Jazz Bass.
I love the clarity and the definition it provides to the notes and the character it brings to the guitar. I hate the fact that the covered (with either chrome or golden cover) SD '59 is almost 20 bucks more expensive than the non-covered one. Aesthetics count...
I wish I could easily cover it.
I am satisfied with it because I have reached a certain level with a semi-hollow body guitar. If I want heavier tones I use my Les Paul. The Sheraton has got a unique sound with which I am satisfied now. It is really an awesome axe!

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

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Les Paul Standard
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: stock
Other pickups on guitar: Duncan '59 (neck)
Artists using this pickup: Gilby Clarke, I think.
You musical style(s): hard rock/some metal
Reason for pickup change: stock pickups sounded too muddy.

Perceived output level: same as stock
Tone: balanced
Sonic evaluation: Epiphone Lp standard through Line 6 Spider 210 set on "crunch."

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play mostly hard rock, namely Kiss and Aerosmith songs. This pickup is slightly week for the KISS stuff but it's ok for the Aerosmith stuff. This pickup is unsuitable for bridge position if youre trying to get a lot of power, like me.

Comments: If it were destroyed, I' replace it with a DiMarzio Super Distortion. I've been playing for almost nine years now, but for the amount of time I've been playing, I suck. I'm a mess. I also own a peavey predator that needs new pickups. This pickup is not my firs choice. I only put it in because I needed my sock pickups replaced right away. I had this pickup lying around and I knew it had more clarity than the stock pickup so I stuck it in. I'm basically trying to get an Ace Frehley tone. The closer to that I get, the happier I'll be.

Pickup features: Passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs: What?

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Flametop
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Epiphone copy of a Gibson Classic '57 Plus (stock)
Other pickups on guitar: Epiphone copy of a Gibson Classic '57
Artists using this pickup: I don't know
You musical style(s): Blues, classic rock, some jazz and stuff like that
Reason for pickup change: Got the guitar at auction and the bridge pickup was busted open and damaged inside.

Perceived output level: Medium. Not as hot as the Gibson '57 Classic Plus in my SG bridge.
Tone: Very good bass response, good treble on clean, less treble on distortion.
Sonic evaluation: I like this pickup, but to me it sounds like a neck pickup more than a bridge pickup. The box said bridge though. It has a real warm sound through my Peavey Bandit 112, so I imagine it would nail a true Les Paul sound through an all-tube amp. My biggest gripe is the fact that when you switch into distortion, the high end seems to fade out quite a bit. The lead tone it gives is fat and full, but with lower treble response, basically a real good blues tone. If you push it into a metal kind of overdrive, it is much too muddy, but for ACDC and that kind of thing it works great. The best part is when it is played clean. It gives one of the most amazing jazz tones I have ever heard. You can get a full sound without any gain at all, but still hear every note with perfect clarity. Even 13th and augmented chords sound wonderfully clear.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I think this pickup is good for playing jazz, blues or classic rock. I don't think it would work for metalheads or punk-style players, but that's not really my strong suit anyway. As far as positions, I think this might be better as a neck pickup, even though it says bridge.

Comments: I have been playing for a few years now, mostly hobby, though. The only other guitar I own right now is my Epiphone SG (G-400). I think this is a pretty good pickup for my needs, I just wish it had a little more top end. Unfortunate for me, I trusted the music store guy when he swore this pickup was the best for hard rock lead tone. I also thought that $95.20 was the actual price (guess I am stupid after seeing you all bought it for about $65). As for THAT sound, I already have that in my SG with the Gibson pickups. If this pickup were stolen, I don't know if I would buy another one for the bridge position. However, I would not take this pickup back out of my guitar. It's not quite what I wanted, but I still like the sound.

Pickup features: Humbucking; passive.
Impedence or other specs: 7.43K

Model of guitar or bass: 80s Gibson LP Standard
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Stock
Other pickups on guitar: Duncan 59er in the bridge
Artists using this pickup: Probably 1/5 the population.
You musical style(s): Blues/Rock
Reason for pickup change: Gave in to the hype.

Perceived output level: A hair louder than the stock one.
Tone: I found it to be bassy to muddy with a vintagey vibe.
Sonic evaluation: The guitar, you know. The amp was a tired Fender Super Reverb.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: For my style of Blues/Rock, this pickup is only good for rhythm on a lower volume. I just don't like it.

Comments: If it were gone, I wouldn't care. I need something with at least some high end to it. I've been playing 34 1/2 years. I own a shit load of Gibson and Fender guitars. I don't love anything about this pickup. It has bridge potential because the highs suck. The bridge model I have sounds OK, not great, just OK. I hate the f*cking hype about this pickup being the greatest thing since sliced bread. It isn't! I listened to many PAF type pickups. Believe it or not, I found the DiMarzio PAF to be the closest to my real PAF. The reason I chose this SD is because of I guess, market saturation. I am disappointed, disgusted and dissatisfied with this pickup. Ironically, I never really was searching for any sound. As I said before, I just caved in to the hype. The only thing I'd like to add is the fact that I could be the lousiest player for someone who has been playing as long as I have but that amount of time counts for something. I've played and owned many a high end guitar with great sounding pickups. If I say this 59er neck pickup sucks, believe me, it sucks.

Pickup features: Passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs: everyone should know this by now

Model of guitar or bass: Homemade Les paul
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: None
Other pickups on guitar: None
Artists using this pickup: Many
You musical style(s): Blues, Rock, and anything wlse I can fake
Reason for pickup change: Wanted to get "that sound"

Perceived output level: Suppose to be a replica of a PAF, pretty good!
Tone: Well balanced as far as my deaf ass can hear
Sonic evaluation: Home made LPS, Peavey delta Blues and a Classic 50 head with 410 ans 115 cabs

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Works for everything I do! I made this to play Duane Allman style slide but it has become my #1 bar bitch!

Comments: I love them, great tones! I might try a set of JM Rolphs, or Holmes pickups. They are all very colse to each other in sound

Pickup features: Humbucking
Impedence or other specs: whatever this one is spec'ed at.

Model of guitar or bass: De Armond D75
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: De Armond standard humbucking
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s):
Reason for pickup change: Guitar sounded flat and at times, muddy

Perceived output level: Noticebly more
Tone: balanced
Sonic evaluation: Amp: Marshall JCM 2000 TSL 122 Combo
Effects: Vox Wah

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Blues, Jazz(Fusion), Rock,Gospel, and some R&B

Comments: When I first plugged in, it brought a smile to my face. I started playing single notes, and immediately I could here the clarity. When I played a chord, (D9) I could hear every note clearly and the harmonics were awesome. It has a bass to mid to high balance that I heard on the older gibsons and guilds.(This was in the middle position.) When I switched to the neck position, I got a nice heavy, sweet sound that was still crystal clear, I mean every note had its own identity. I then then switched to the Bridge and it had nice bite and punch. This pickup brought my De Armond to another level. I considered dropping a couple of grand on a Gibson to get this sound. I can now do my Marshall some justice. I am very satisfied with the sound I am getting now. I would buy this again. I am not saying that the DeArmond was that bad. But I been playing for over 20 years and I have a good idea of the kind of sound I'm after.

Pickup features: passive humbucking
Impedence or other specs: about 7.5K

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson Les Paul Classic
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: stock Gibson 496R
Other pickups on guitar: Rio Grande BBQ Bucker
Artists using this pickup: I dunno...lots I suppose
You musical style(s): classic rock, blues
Reason for pickup change: The stock Gibson 496R wasn't really all that terrible but was a tad too dark for my taste. I prefer a bit of snap in the neck position and the 496R was very mellow in the top and bottom end, but not in an objectionable way. Kind of buttery but lacking in harmonic complexity. I finally had to replace it out of boredom. I did some research on a good replacement neck humbucker and decided that the '59 was the best candidate based on my musical preferences. I wasn't dissapointed either.

Perceived output level: Output level is just right for what I do. Not only was I pleased with the tone and response of the pickup, I was pleasantly surpised out how loud it was compared to the 496R. The '59 gives me punch and warmth with out resorting to an overwound pickup. My only gripe is the dropout that occurs during string bends, but I'll live with this in exchange for the openness and sustain of the '59.
Tone: I get a kick out of reviews that read, "extremely balanced, only with a lot of treble". This is sort of like saying, "same thing...only different". Come on folks! Let's think a little more before we write these reviews (I'll get down off my soapbox now). Let me say that the '59 is reasonably balanced though slightly mid-scooped. Perfect for a neck humbucker. Not only was I pleased with the tone and response of the pickup, I was pleasantly surpised by how loud it was compared to the 496R. The '59 gives me punch and warmth with out resorting to an overwound pickup. I can get a great clean sound or add just the right amount of "teeth" when used in conjunction with slight overdrive boost. With higher gain, it can be creamy or muddy dependant on your EQ settings.
Sonic evaluation: I've used '59 equipped Les Paul with a Marshall JTM 30, a '65 Bandmaster and a Fender M80 combo (solid-state) that I keep around for practice. Works well in each situation.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I'd have to agree with other reviewers that the '59 is superior in the neck position. I've played a buddy's Les Paul with a '59 at the bridge and found the output level to bit too low for all around use. Sounds terrific with high gain though as it tends to be somewhat toppy in this position (another reviewer described it as "strident"). Coil-splitting the '59 in the neck yeilds excellent results if you're into funkier single coil sounds.

Comments: The '59 was everything I expected it to be. Wish I didn't have to deal with the dropout on string bends. If Seymour would design a '59 type humbucker with closely spaced adjustable pole pieces (ala Carvin), it would be a serious contender for the best all-around neck position humbucker.

Pickup features: Humbucking (Single conductor) - Zebra
Impedence or other specs: check the site

Model of guitar or bass: 1981 Gibson Les Paul Custom
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Stock (velvet bricks?)
Other pickups on guitar: Seymour Duncan Custom (bridge)
Artists using this pickup: Me...Check the site, there are lots
You musical style(s): Everything and Anything
Reason for pickup change: Stock pups were weak, not very bright and overly bassy. I also wanted the zebra look.

Perceived output level: Your average PAF with a bit more output
Tone: Very balanced with a glassy top and a bottom that isn't mushy
Sonic evaluation: Using 81 LP Custom, Boss GT-3 into a Crate half stack (GX900H... I think) (Solid State)

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play all kinds of stuff from Metal (ZAKK WYLDE RULES) to Jazzish shat!

Comments: Yes, I'd buy again. It is the perfect match for my LP Custom
I've been playing for about 12 years. I love the crispness with the tone up and the ability to get that smmmooootttthhh tone with the tone rolled back. I'm very satisfied with this and it will stay.... for now.
Highly recommend this pup for a LP neck position!

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: ??

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez as80 (335 copy)
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Ibanez Super 58, Neck
Other pickups on guitar: Seymore Duncan Seth Lover, Bridge
Artists using this pickup: ??
You musical style(s): Jazz, Blues, Groove
Reason for pickup change: Original pickup was completely lifeless, had no character and just plain sounded dead.

Perceived output level: Normal
Tone: Very warm and lively. Sometimes it's almost pianolike. VERY MUSICAL.
Sonic evaluation: I've used this pickup through a Saldano Astroverb, Fender Pro Junior, and my dad's Fender Princeton Reverb Blackface(1965). It sounds great through each amp, although the bass sounds thin through the Saldano, but that is a very bright amp to begin with. Sounds best through the Princeton Reverb, but everything sounds best through that amp. I think this is an excellent neck pickup for jazz and blues. Very musical clean sounds, very warm and clear. I also have it coil tapped, which cuts the volume in half. Sounds very good though, almost like a Strat. I use it mostly as a humbucker though.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Jazz, Blues, Groove

Comments: I really think this is an excellent pickup. I was ready to sell my Ibanez and spend more $$ on a new 335 style guitar from heritage. I replaced the pickups instead and I am glad I did. I think any 335 copy can sound amazing with a set of SD's in it. If your thinking about buying a Gibson 335, save your maney, get an Epiphone dot or an Ibanez as80 and put 2 SD '59's in it. It'll sound better, cost less, and with a pro setup it'll play better too.

Pickup features: passive humbucking
Impedence or other specs: beats me

Model of guitar or bass: ibanez rg170
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: powersound piece of shit
Other pickups on guitar: powersound
Artists using this pickup: me
You musical style(s): emo/noise rock
Reason for pickup change: my old pickups sounded like ass.

Perceived output level: average it's not insanely hot or weak
Tone: it's bassy it still has a very balanced tone it's very jazzy
Sonic evaluation: ibanez rg170, ampeg V-4, crappy 2x12.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: it's badass in the neck position

Comments: if this were stolen i would buy this again.i've been playing for about 6 years.this pickup is quite the rockin'.

Pickup features: PASSIVE
Impedence or other specs: You don't need the specs you have to try it..................duh

Model of guitar or bass: SG Standard
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Gibson pickups
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Many.......
You musical style(s): Rock
Reason for pickup change: Search for new tone

Perceived output level: Manufacturer's terms are useless to me hot, ultrahot, megahot are terms Idon't use...
Tone: Bassy, middy, muddy, trebly, balanced whatever term you used will not explain the sound of you're pickups, also for the the pickup manufacturer stop giving us you're specification cause it's like written in chinesse, I mean how many people are really checking out this specifications before they buy a pickup? we all know that you have to try it first to find out right?
Sonic evaluation: I'm using Marshall stack the jcms/Fender Prosonic
There are so many words to discribe a guitar tones, the only way to find out is to try it. In my opinion the 59 Semour has a lot of gain
cause i'm using high gain amps all tubes compare to gibson 500T it has less distortion but it will give you the bite that you need for agression when you loose you're dynamics you loose you're tone there fore, too much distortion equals to less dynamics I used this pickups
(59 seymour) on my first cd with SG Standard check it out at www.mp3.com/caspersalcedo

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

Comments: If it get's stolen I will buy a guitar with 59 Seymour.hehehe

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: Alnico V Bar magnet. 7.43K (n) 8.13 (b) Single conductor cable

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson ES-335 CRR (factory coil split)
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock 1979 "Dirty Fingers"
Other pickups on guitar: Both "DF"s
Artists using this pickup: Dave Amato
You musical style(s): Vintage Rock, blues
Reason for pickup change: Stock "Dirty Fingers" are essentially, distortion pickups. Their effect on my tone was like a half-bottle of Ketchup on a small order of fries! Also, they lacked clarity. Very powerful, though. Heavily overwound Ceramic magnet."Dirty Fingers" are useful for Heavy Metal types, but not for me.

Perceived output level: Moderate; Vintage. Not near so poweful as "DFs". Fine by me!
Tone: Smooth, bright. Neck pickup is a bit louder, but those ' 59s make my 335 come alive! Balanced tone; thick
Sonic evaluation: ' 73 Deluxe Reverb( new Fender Ceramic speaker, unfortunately) and my ' 91 Super 1-12( Great clean sound). Those '59s overdrive my Deluxe wonderfully. One hears more feedback, but now my guitar sounds semi-hollow! Good combination for that "Hot Legs" or "Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out" tone! These p/u's give me more USEABLE volume than those turbo-injected "Dirty Fingers"!
Through my Super 1-12 (60 watts, all tube!)there's more clean tone, obviously. However with THESE 59s, I can turn up the volume and have a ball! This amp isn't easy to overdrive, but the middle position on my selector switch yeilds juicy, thick satisfying tone! My 335 is SO much more fun, now. Thank You, Seymour Duncan!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Vintage Rocker (Beatles, 'Stones, Chuck Berry, Chicago Blues, etc.) I've got 59's in the neck & bridge. C&W pickers may not appreciate ' 59s, but on a maple-capped Les Paul std..who knows?

Comments: Been playing for 22 years. Other items are my Martin D-28, Stock Fender Tele and a recent model Gibson Les Paul Special( P-100 p/u's). Alos, I've got an old Vibro Champ.If Seymour Duncan has some P-90 replacements near so pleasing as those '59s, I'll be TOO pleased! I'm a "Strat-Man" for some 20 years,so I know little about judging PAFs. However, I can say that I really like my '59s alot! Also, those "Dirty Fingers" seemed to interfere with my tone, instead of enhancing it.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker, based on the Gibson PAF design, single wire lead
Impedence or other specs: According to Duncan about 7.5k.

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson SG Special
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Gibson 496R
Other pickups on guitar: Seymour Duncan George Lynch Screamin' Demon
Artists using this pickup: No one comes to mind right away
You musical style(s): Blues, hard rock, 70's metal
Reason for pickup change: I got tired of the harsh more-metal-than-thou Gibson 496R that I had put in several years ago. I wanted something that was mellower and fatter, something more like the pickups in my '78 Les Paul Standard.

Perceived output level: Low to Moderate. Its not real loud at all.
Tone: Low mids are accented heavily, plenty of thump, very fat with a thick high end.
Sonic evaluation: This pickup went in the neck position of a '92 Gibson SG Special. I pump this guitar through a Marshall JTM 601 which is a 1x12 60w combo with about the same about of gain as a JCM 800.
The '59 has a big fat sound. It just flat out roars at you play with some distortion. Its got a ballsy lead sound that is very very thick. You could play on the neck position all night and never need anything else.
Clean, this pickup is pretty crisp, but it does have a bit of mud in the low end. There's enough shimmer for some chording and notes ring clear and very nicely.
Overall, I could get a variety of sounds out of this pickup, but no real extreme sounds, for instance, its not a super metal pickup, nor is it great for jangly clean stuff. But for smokey rhythms and fat leads, its great.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play blues and rock and old school metal with some shred in there for fun. You can't shred with this pickup. It muddies up too much, but for slow bends and chunky chords, hooo man, its good stuff.

Comments: I've been playing for 8 years now and this is the second best neck humbucker I've tried. The best being the Dimarzio PAF. I would have a hard tme buying another '59 if the Dimarzio PAF was available. But the differences are small. I like SD as a company a little more than Dimarzio, but the Dimarzio is a lot clearer and a lot chunkier.
I do like the '59, however, and would not hesitate to recommend it.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Hamer Vector
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Stock Hamer pickup
Other pickups on guitar: Hamer triple coil (made by duncan???)
Artists using this pickup: lots and lots
You musical style(s): Rock/blues
Reason for pickup change: The stock pickup wasn't very nice sounding....dull and had no cutting ability.

Perceived output level: output is fairly low, which is good
Tone: nice and even, has a good low and top end (beautiful treble response) the middle is musical.
Sonic evaluation: 2 amps, Peavey Classic 30 for small rooms and bluesy jams (or when I have a sore back and a mic) and a Diezel VH4S for most everything (best amp in the world) I plug straight in to both amps no effects...aside from some delay rn through the effects loop or either/both amp

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play primarily rock though I dabble in many things.

Comments: I this pickup sounds amazing in an all mahogany guitar, it has a presence that I think is truly amazing and enough low end to satisfy your gut. I didn't mount this pickup on the mounting ring....I screwed it directly into the body of the guitar (I do this on all my instruments) which is also improves the tome of the instrument IMO. This 59 is a single conductor...I wish they came stock with 4 conductors. Thats about the only wish I had for this pickup and since you can get a 4 conductor, just have to wait a bit, its not arealy good weaknes is it?
You cant miss pickup

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: 71 Les Paul Custom
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Stock PAF
Other pickups on guitar: Duncan JB (modified with an Alnico II magnet)
Artists using this pickup: lots and lots
You musical style(s): Rock/blues
Reason for pickup change: Stock pickups were muffled sounding...didn't sound right.

Perceived output level: Medium output
Tone: balanced, great mid and treble. Bass is very smooth and warm
Sonic evaluation: Using 2 amps, a peavey Classic 30 (for small jams and practice) and a Diezel VH4S. Only effect I use is delay in teh effects loop.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play a rock/blues style....gary Moore-ish

Comments: I love the 59, nicest neck pickup there is IMO. I'm a big fan of the Alnico pro II also but I think the 59 is just a bit better. this pickup has the nicest sounding treble I found for a neck pickup, its really really nice. I also have a 59 in the neck on my Hamer vector which is a very different guitar from the LP......I'll review the 59 in that guitar later.

Pickup features: full sized humbucker
Impedence or other specs: D.C. Resistance 7.4 neck-8.2 bridge.

Model of guitar or bass: USA Washburn WMS Studio
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Duncan Custom Custom
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: Several artist use these pickups.
You musical style(s): Blues,rock,fusion and old school metal.
Reason for pickup change: Wanting a pickup to hear the guitar's wood and strings coming through,not "hyped" in your face midrange and high output.In other words,sweet vintage tone.

Perceived output level: Vintage/moderate output.
Tone: Balanced and warm,with a sweet,singing top-end.
Sonic evaluation: Superb pickup for many styles.I use mine through either my MesaBoogie MKIIC+,Fender Prosonic or Valvetech 22watt 1-12" combo.Clean the '59 is sweet and full,with harmonics "chirps" easily pulled out when coaxed,especially on the neck position pickup.Many think of the '59 as only a neck pickup,but I think it's an awesome pickup for the bridge position [and a close second to the wonderful Duncan Antiquity].The '59 offers tighter lows and more of a shimmering top-end than most "hot" pickups,making it a way underrated pickup for hard rock and metal.I say get a killer tube amp and let it do the dirty work.The '59 seems to sing and growl when pushed,getting a great vocal-like quality when digging in and bending during overdriven solos.I have either had,or have,the Duncan '59 in several of my guitars and find them to be an important part of my ToneQuest.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: As stated before,blues,rock,fusion and old school metal.The '59 is great for any position.

Comments: If my guitar was abducted by an alien species of guitar freaks and was given a "pickup probe" and then dropped in a cow pasture to live it's life out with horrific flashbacks of "Disco Duck" and Grim Reaper videos,while having DiMarzio X2N's installed in her belly,then yes,I would take her back to Fred at The Repair Zone for some tender loving care and have two warm and nurturing '59's reinstalled...though the mental scars may take much longer to heal.

Pickup features: passive humbucker
Impedence or other specs: two conductor

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Les Paul Custom
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Stock high-output humbuckers
Other pickups on guitar: '59 Bridge in bridge, '59 Neck in neck
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): blues, classic rock
Reason for pickup change: I love this guitar. For an Epiphone, it played great, rang like a Les Paul is supposed to when unplugged, and just felt wonderful for me. However, when I plugged in, the pickups were always harsh, ALWAYS distorted (which sounded more like static), and were just simply not musical

Perceived output level: These are definitely hotter than my Texas Special single coils, and seem comparable to the modern Gibson humbuckers (although the sound is different). Also, they are slightly hotter than the standard Epiphone humbuckers (my old high-output versions not withstanding).
Tone: These pickups, when played either through my old Crate 20-watt tube amp or my Fender Bronco solid-state practice amp, are very, very clear. Even when the amp is turned up and on a short-scale guitar, every note in a big chord rings clearly and individually. The balance is fantastic, and these pickups are very sensitive to the nuances of picking and fretting technique. These allow me to personalize my playing immensely
Sonic evaluation: I mostly play clean, but will often use a mild, bluesy distortion. The amps are listed above.
For the clean tones, these pickups ring like a bell. The neck pickup can be very full-bodied, even jazzy when turned up. If I roll a little volume off of it, it gives a great rhythm strumming sound (think Creedence), but with more body and musicality. The bridge pickup gets "spankier" without losing any of the tonal fullness of the neck pickup. I definitely love using that sound for a jumpy, Chicago-blues type sound. When both pickups are selected, I feel like I'm playing B.B. King's guitar, especially when played through a tube amp.
Distorted, these pickups definitley deliver that vintage, Clapton-era "woman tone." Wow. In the neck position, with a little bit of distortion and mild volume on my tube amp, I can get very close to Clapton's "Hideaway" or "All Your Love (I Miss Loving)" tone.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I think the positives are documented well above. As to unsuitable uses, I don't feel like I can get a great metal tone, but as I very rarely play those heavier styles, I may not know how to get those sounds.

Comments: I would definitely buy these pickups again.
I've answered most of the other questions. I did do a LOT of research into these pickups, and looked at these, SD "Pearly Gates," Gibson "Classic '57s", and some Dimarzios. The Gibson "Classics" were close, but were slightly bassier and a lot pricier.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Les Paul Standard Goldtop
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Seymour Duncan JB
Other pickups on guitar: Stock Neck
Artists using this pickup: A Whole Shit Load
You musical style(s): Rock, Heavy Metal
Reason for pickup change: The JB was far to nasal and middy, it was also far to hot, I couldn't get within 20' of any of my amps without unpleasant microphonics... even potting the pickup didn't help.

Perceived output level: Slightly less than the JB
Tone: The tone is sweet, nice smooth highs and ample smooth bass. Mids are never overbearing.
Sonic evaluation: Used through several amps, crate VC30, Garnet r90 through Marshall 1960 4x12, and a Yamaha DG-60. I've never played so much in my life... the JB is a good pickup but the '59 is so much better in my opinion, it is better balanced and far more suitable for a variety of music, My LP has never sounded so good, it literaly sings.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I enjoy metal and also classic rock, while not a super hot pickup, all of my amps have enough gain, and the ones that don't get a pedal.

Comments: This pickup has ended my tone quest... therefor it gets a 10, I would buy another, and if it were stolen I'd hunt down the guy who took it and feed him his nuts for lunch.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: not positive about, 8K

Model of guitar or bass: 1988 Kramer Baretta, American series
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Generic pickup installed by previous owner
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: Eddie Van Halen, (his 5150 Custom Kramer has a 59')
You musical style(s): Classic Rock, Queen, van halen, Rush, Pink Floyd
Reason for pickup change: Old P/U lacked clarity and presence. Overdriven tones were
very congested

Perceived output level: Mild output, much less than my Duncan Distortion, screamin deamon, or dimarzio Tone Zone. Slightly less than the Stock Schaller PAFs in my other Kramer guitars, Slightly less than my EMG 89'. Similar output with the Korean made Duncan Designed pickups in my Hamer Duo-tone.
Tone: Balanced mid and Bass, little low on the trebble.
Sonic evaluation: PLay through a 50 watt carvin tube amp which pumps a 5150 4x12 cab. I have a BOSS DD-5 in the effects loop and an old MXR phase 90. The 59 is mounted directly to the basswood body of my 88' Kramer baretta, no pickup rings or springs. Its mounted at an angle, so the low-E string is picked up further towards the neck.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Perfect match for my style, I can nail alex lifesons mid-80's tones exactly. Its not a high output gain monster, though so metallica and speed metal are a little out of its league. However, with a good stompbox with tons of gain it would probably do great.

Comments: If it were lost or stolen, I'd deffinitely get another.
Been playing since 86'
My other guitars are:
98' Hamer duo tone with "duncan designed" PAFs.
99 Ibanez RG (completely modified with Dimarzio P/Us and a Floyd rose original trem), Tone knob deactivated.
91' Fender Prodigy (with Duncan distortion)
86' Kramer Pacer with EMG S/S/H P/Us
84 Kramer Vanguard completely original, schaller P/Us.
87 Kramer Misc parts guitar, Baretta Body with Pacer Carerra banana headstock neck (With Bartollini active Humbucker)
88' Kramer Baretta "American" with this Duncan 59'
87 Ibanez Roadstar project guitar with Duncan screamin deamon.
Love the classic rock vibe of this PU, very warm overdriven tones. Does not drive my Carvin tubes into massive compression like my Dimarzio tone zone, when the vol knob is maxed. It really lets the acoustic / tonal qualities of the guitar and amp shine through.
I like its looks, looks just like an old PAF, no "SEYMOUR DUNCAN" lettering.
Basically I have experience with the forementioned pickups and I wanted to try the 59' mounted directly to the body of my basswood Kramer. The result is a very warm resonant guitar. Everyone else says its bright and has a lot of mid/high output. I have found it to be quite the opposite. in this guitar it has a very warm bassy output.
Love its warm mild output, drives my amp into fully overdriven tones without pushing it into full tilt tube compression... very unique. The only P/U I have found to accomplish this.
This is MY tone!!! warm and fat, fully overdriven without the fuzzy compression. very dynamic pickup, responds to my playing exactly. Makes me sound even more like Alex lifeson!!!
Dont hate anytihng, wish it came with a mounting ring.
Paid $65 for it so I cant give it a 10, other pickups I have ALL came with mounting rings.

Pickup features: Humbucking PAF Alnico V
Impedence or other specs: Vintage Patent Applied For output

Model of guitar or bass: LP Standard
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Gibson 57 Classic
Other pickups on guitar: Seymour Duncan Seth Lover neck position
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock, Blues
Reason for pickup change: Its been a quest for tone with this guitar really. It started with a change from the pickup the axe had in it when I bought it used 5 yrs ago. It was a nondescript model pickup which was thin and wiry sounding. Hellacious! So I put in the Gibson 57 classic and it was better by far than what I started out with but somewhat unbalanced sounding to me. The other problem was that the new Gibson was real weak compared to the SD 59 that came with the guitar in the neck position. And the SD 59 didnt look right without the cover when the 57 classic did have a cover. So I tried to solder a cover on the SD, but I got a lot of squeal from the amp so I then tried potting the pickup in wax a couple of times to no avail. But now the SD 59 had lost some high end and was muddy so I replaced it with a Gibson 490R and at least now, the volume was closer to the 57 but the 490R lacked definition. After 4 yrs of playing the guitar like that I finally got sick of the fact that when playing with both pickups on together I wasnt getting that cool 50s snarl so, in exasperation, I decided to try the old SD '59N in the bridge and WHOA! What a diff in ouput over the 57 Classic. Way better tone too and decidedly louder than the weak, muddy 490R. So a couple of days later I bought a SD '59 bridge pickup, moved the old '59n to the neck position and later on replaced the '59n with a Seth Lover neck position because it was made too muddy when I potted it. The 59n was not wasted though because I gave it to a friend who has it as his new bridge humbucker and it sounds great in that position!

Perceived output level: Correct PAF output
Tone: Bright but not hot, with great clarity and character and very well balanced. Nice midrange and clear low end.
Sonic evaluation: Im using my Lp with a Marshall Bluesbreaker Reissue amp, mostly straight in and cranked wide open when the wife's not around. The Seymour has a decidedly vintage vibe, covering all the shades of cool 60's and 70's tones like good PAFs should. Gots ta have a taste every day now!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Probably not a good match for Rap artists.

Comments: Below I give the pickup a 9 cause the scale goes in whole numbers but really I'd say 9 1/2 because it is the best PAF clone for the bridge that I have tried as of yet. Im still looking for a pickup with the same basic overall tone as the '59 but with a little more of the "sizzle", that secondary tone that PAFs have which seems so hard to replicate. My Seth Lover has more of that tone now and I may try a Seth for the bridge position. I have played a real 1960 LP Custom with a Bigsby and original PAFs and a 1961 Les Paul SG with PAFs and those pickups definitly had that secondary tone and there's nothing like it. Makes you feel like your playing into the instrument instead of on it, its hard to describe it. The '59 has everything else though and unless your stuck on getting the best Blues or Brittish BLues tones the '59 will be all you'll need. GREAT TONE!! I'd buy them again in a minute.

Pickup features: humbucker passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Les Paul Standard
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Epiphone stock
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: Brian Robertson
You musical style(s): Rock and Blues
Reason for pickup change: Better sound.

Perceived output level: Hot
Tone: Clean, crisp, beautiful.
Sonic evaluation: DOD TEC-8G multi-effects pedal and Marshall JCM 2000 DSL-401 all tube amp.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Play rock and blues. Perfect blues pickups. Great for rock if you believe the effects and amp should provide the distortion and not the pickup.

Comments: I play for a hobbie. I own an Epiphone Les Paul because I am not ready to put down the money for a Gibson just yet. I still want good sound. The epiphone stock pickups are very muddy and distorted when playing double-stops and lead licks that reqire two or more strings to play simultaniously. Went to the music store and played Epiphones and Gibsons through a Marshall tube amp. There is a noticable difference. I have Brian Robertson's video "Sill in Love With the Blues". He had a Les Paul Deluxe carved out to put these picups in. Loved his sound. Put '59s in my guitar, and the sound difference was night and day. This probably won't be my last guitar; I would love to buy a Gibson someday, but now my Epihone sounds great.

Pickup features: Humbucking pickup
Impedence or other specs: I forget...

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Dot (335 copy)
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock
Other pickups on guitar: Dimarzio PAF in neck (it was free)
Artists using this pickup: Dude, Tom Seaton uses these things...enough said.
You musical style(s): Spacey rock & roll (brit-pop)
Reason for pickup change: I liked the way the stocks sounded through my Twin alright. I admit that I wasn't totally pleased with them. Then I got a Marshall and realized that the sound was very thin. A friend of mine suggested that I upgrade my pickups. I was considering the Gibson '57s and the Duncan Antiquitys. I settled on the '59s because they were reasonably priced and were getting the same sort of reviews as the others that I listed above.

Perceived output level: They sound great. Not only did they substatially improve the sound I was getting from my Marshall but they gave me a much prettier clean tone through my Fender. A very versatile pickup... this is exactly what I was looking for. Very clear sounding, but
Tone: Sort of on the Bright side. Bass sounds full though. I boosted the mid. pole pieces on the pickup when I set it up. The mids sound good but the pickup is not extremely mid rangey. I like this about this pickup. Not muddy at all...very clean and crisp
Sonic evaluation: I am using the Epiphone Dot through a Whirlwind A-B-Y box, into a '71 Fender Twin Reverb and a Mid 80's Marshall Jcm 800. This sounds absolutely amazing.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play pretty much Beatles influenced rock and roll. A very good match for me. Just what I was looking for. I am happy with it....

Comments: I would buy again if stolen. I've been playing for about 3-4 years. My friends have a lot of vintage Gibson and Fender Guitars. I have compared the sound with those pickups. I sort of like the way these sound better than the Vintages. A little hotter and a little brighter. More versatile basically.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson Les Paul Studio (Early 90's)
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Stock Gibson (490 or 498)
Other pickups on guitar: Stock Gibson
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Pop Rock (Toad the Wet Sprocket, Hootie, The Eagles, etc)
Reason for pickup change: Stock pickups lacked clarity.

Perceived output level: Slightly hotter than stock Gibsons
Tone: Fairly well balanced...seems a bit bassy if anything
Sonic evaluation: 90's Gibson Les Paul Standard OR 90's Fender 60s Strat (Japanese) -- Ibanez Crybaby -- Ibanez TS5 Tubescreamer -- Line6 2x10 Spider (w/ Floorboard controller)

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Good matched for most pop-rock tunes...also great for dabbling in blues

Comments: I've been playing rougly 6 years with reasonably nice equipment. This pickup fits my style and I think it sounds great. I still haven't found "the tone"...but who has! If stolen or damaged I may purchase again, or maybe try the Duncan AP-1 'bucker.

Pickup features: Humbucker, passive bridge pick-up
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: 97 LoneStar Strat ( Alder body, maple neck)
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: SD pearly gates plus
Other pickups on guitar: Custom Shop Fat 50's on neck and middle.
Artists using this pickup: me
You musical style(s): Reggae, Rock, R&B, Alternative , Blues, Funk, Punk, 80's Rock,Surf, Pop
Reason for pickup change: Needed a versatile pick-up that can cover almost everything.

Perceived output level: A little louder than the Fat 50's when in full humbucker mode but balance in the "in between" position.
Tone: Balanced
Sonic evaluation: I am using Boss effects and Peavey Classic 50 4/10 with J/J tubes(on preamp and power). I have found the pick-up that I was looking for, thanks for Rodney Gene from Seymour Duncan for all the infos. that I asked him. Good for all types of music, very versatile indeed.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play almost anything, from surf to rock.... I think you can use this on any position except middle.

Comments: I have been playing for 15 years, 5 years professionally. I must say it is a very versatile pick-up. I wanted to make my Strat into a Showmaster Strat without the Custom Shop price tag. I also change the volume pot to CTS 500K pot, a master TBX with .1MFD and .047MFD switch, a master midcut/mid boost when pulled up and when flat, normal tone control from Torres Engineering. Maybe on my next project I will use a Trembucker version and with zebra color.

Pickup features: Humbucking, passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: 1973 Gibson SG Standard
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Gibson 500T Hot Ceramic humbucker, awsome but too much output and modern tone
Other pickups on guitar: 496R Hot Ceramic Neck pickup
Artists using this pickup: I dunno...but if they aren't the #$%@! need to!
You musical style(s): Everything from punk to prog The Damned meets Porcupine Tree
Reason for pickup change: I bought the guitar in 1987 and never really cared much for the stock pups, they were too mudande, toneless, and muddy. They were eventually replaced with Gibson 500 and 496 Hot Ceramic pups, while I liked the tone they were just a little too "blazing" and sounded to harsh clean. Spotted this SD 59 on a clearance table for $39 and couldn't pass it up. It's a "Classic Cover" model even! So it makes my SG look vintage stock again which is nice. Can't wait to get a neck model to pair up with it.

Perceived output level: Medium output. Think vintage Gibson, after all it is the "59"
Tone: Its got a subtle mid kick to it which give it a nice nasally singing sustain with the tone knob rolled back. Apart from that its actually pretty balanced and beautifully transparent. Tends to have a bit more treble than bass which helps bring out the highs in the SG, a mahogany dark sounding guitar
Sonic evaluation: I'm using the SG with a Yamaha DG60 (One of their new digital modeling amps, also reviewed) The SD '59 in made for tube tone and luckily the Yamaha does a damn good job at modeling. Like I mentioned above the pup has a very subtle midrange kick that really helps it sing, especially with the tone back a bit. I feel like I'm reviewing wine here...its smooth and crisp with a hint of smokiness haha. Articulate would best describe this pickup, it really lets the tone of the wood sonically shine. Its not a high output deal but it does kick snarl and bite just enough when the gain is maxed out, yet it doesn't get all chunky sounding like a shred model pickup which is nice. Think Social Distortion or AC/DC. Its very responsive to pick attack and vol/tone changes...it picks up every nuance so there's no hiding behind overloaded and colored output. On clean settings its shimmering! I have never been able to say that about my SG. No matter what pickup I've used before its always sounded too muddy or boomy played clean but no more. Its crystal clear now. I actually have to turn the treble back on my amp, something I've always had to do the opposite of with other pickups. I have finally found the pickup I've needed/wanted for this guitar for over 10 years! Why the hell didn't I try one sooner!?!?!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I listed my styles above and this pickup suits me perfectly. It would only be unsuitable for shred metal or trash like Limp Bizkit or Korn

Comments: I'd buy it again in second. I can't wait to put one in the neck position! I'm totally satisfied (at last!) with this pickup. Its THAT sound.

Pickup features: Humbucking
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: ESP LTD H-200
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Stick Duncan Designed Humbucker
Other pickups on guitar: Duncan Designed in Bridge position
Artists using this pickup: uumm.....not enough fingers to count them all
You musical style(s): Heavy Heavy and melodic (weird combo huh)
Reason for pickup change: The Stock Duncan sounded a bit muddy. Needed something a tad brighter and more defined.

Perceived output level: Really warm middle of the road output.
Tone: Well balanced
Sonic evaluation: I basically play through a complete Rocktron setup. Like this -->ESP Guitars -->Rocktron Pro G.A.P preamp -->Rocktron Replifex Processor -->BBE 462 Sonic Maximizer -->Rocktron Velocity 120 --> Marshall JCM900 cabs in stereo.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: As mentioned before....I prefer very melodic and Heavy. I have fun trying to merge the style of Creed with Enya. Very interesting.

Comments: I originally installed this pickup in the neck position. I was blown away by the sound. I just turned an ESP into a Les Paul. Although I am not a big fan of the LP, I do repect the tonal qualties of the instrument. The '59 has a very full bodied sound to it.
Just for kicks....I pulled it back out and swapped it into the bridge position. The '59 became an entirely different animal. And a powerful animal it is.... The clarity was incredible. I couldn't believe what I was missing. I think I have finally found the sound I was looking for. I went online and immediately bought another one.
I have been contemplating on buying many many more and outfitting the rest of my arsenal.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucking
Impedence or other specs: don't know

Model of guitar or bass: Tokai '58 Les Paul Gold Top Replica
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Standard Tokai (bridge position)
Other pickups on guitar: Standard Tokai (neck position)
Artists using this pickup: dont' know
You musical style(s): Rock/Blues
Reason for pickup change: Existing Tokai lacked character

Perceived output level: Slightly less than original
Tone: Balanced
Sonic evaluation: Marshall JCM900 2x12 Combo and Line6 Pod.v2

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

Comments: If it bust I'd go and buy it again. I've been playing for about 12 yrs and thought the original Tokai pickup lacked personality. This baby is brilliant though. It is so harmonically rich compared to the old one I'm going to have to buy a second to go in the neck position. The midrange now has a snarl and an obvious honky quality like a strat and the treble is really smooth. The midrange is the best bit though.

Pickup features: Passive humbucker, alleged replica of Gibson PAF, no cover
Impedence or other specs: Can't remember

Model of guitar or bass: 1996 Gibson Les Paul Standard
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Stock Gibson 498T & 490R
Other pickups on guitar: Now I've got two of these!!
Artists using this pickup: No idea, but it claims to replicate the pickup they all used - Page, Clapton, Green, Kossoff.... and now me.....
You musical style(s): Classic rock, pop, new wave, blues, mock-jazz
Reason for pickup change: The stock Gibson 498T bridge pickup lacked the classic sound and versatility I was after. Flat out and distorted it sounded great but it had too much midrange and it didn't clean up at all when you backed the volume off. For clean sounds it was just bad (too much middle again, I think). I am sure the Gibsons I owned twenty years ago sounded better!
I wanted a classic Les Paul sound. I was impressed by the range of tones Brian Robertson (ex-Thin Lizzy) gets out of his Les Paul on his "Still in Love with Blues" video. I decided I had to get a PAF-type pickup, and I chose the Duncan.
I have to say the Gibson 490R neck pickup wasn't at all bad, though perhaps a bit too thick and syrupy when distorted. However, I loved the Seymour Duncan '59 bridge pickup and changed the neck pickup mainly to have a matching pair.
It is a mystery to me why Gibson don't just put PAF-spec pickups into Standard Les Pauls. Surely most people who buy this guitar want that classic sound? Death-metal enthusiasts buy something black and pointy with a locking tremolo, don't they?

Perceived output level: Classic Gibson PAF humbucker - hotter and fatter than single coil Strat, Tele etc. but it's controllable and responsive, unlike some hotter "modern" humbuckers. Interestingly I didn't notice much of a drop in output from the 498T, but the tone was much better...
Tone: Bright (but not tinny) sounding humbucker. Well balanced. Fat and full when distorted, but cleans up as you back the volume off. Clean sounds are excellent, and it's really good for that blues thing with a valve amp where the sound is just starting to break up. Basically, it doesn't have the overwhelming midrange of the 498T, and it sounds much better!!
Sonic evaluation: I'm playing the Les Paul into a Marshall JTM60 2X12 combo. I use a Boss ME30 for Chorus, Delay etc. and for occasional EQ boost for solos. Generally all the overdrive and distortion comes from the amp/pickup. This is why I needed a more versatile pickup. See my comments on output level and tone above for further sonic evaluation.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Perfect for classic Gibson Les Paul music - blues, bluesy rock, classic rock. Also good for pop and new wave sounds. Probably not one for the satanic death metal / super widdly guys, but what are they doing buying replicas of Gibson pickups anyway? Good jazz sounds at the neck, I think, but I am not a real jazzer...

Comments: I would buy this pickup again and recommend it to anyone looking for that classic Gibson PAF sound. I've been playing for 26 years and have played a number of Gibsons, Fenders etc. The modern stock Gibson pickups seem to lack the classic tone and this is a good way of getting that tone without having to buy a vintage guitar. For that reason I say this pickup is Fantastic Value.
Gibson do their own PAF-type pickups, but I think they're more expensive than the Seymours. Personally I think Standard Les Pauls should come with PAF-spec pickups!!
One other thing - I find the look of the modern Gibson mirror-finish chrome pickup covers a bit gaudy - these open coils (mine are zebra) look much better to my eyes!
One other other thing - sorry about the two times I hit enter accidentally and submitted an unfinished form!

Pickup features: Humbucking
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Yamaha 24 fret strat style with Floyd
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Duncan Custom
Other pickups on guitar: Stock Humbucking neck, and single stack middle
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Hard Rock
Reason for pickup change: Duncan Custom was undefined and had a SHRILL to it.

Perceived output level: Medium
Tone: Ballanced,
Sonic evaluation: Routed this way-- Guitar- Moreley Bad horsie Wah- Digitech GSP 2101- Peavey 50/50 classic Tube Power amp- 4x12's with Carvin VL-12's.
Very ballanced and clear, no muddiness, not shrill, rounded highs. Many people are using this pickup in the NECK but I suggest trying it in the BRIDGE also, Works excellent!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Very Versatile as I see it, I think It would suit MANY styles

Comments: Thinking about getting another for a different guitar of mine. I would indeed get another one if lost or destroyed.

Pickup features: Humbucking/passive
Impedence or other specs: 8k and 9k

Model of guitar or bass: Heritage H-535
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: renaldo pissah
You musical style(s): Jazz, funk, blues, classic/prog rock fusion...man
Reason for pickup change: there was no pickup change, they were stock pickups with the ax, why do you keep asking me that?!

Perceived output level: Normal
Tone: tone is some what middle range, but that's what you get with a semi-hollow instrument, overall I'd say the pickups are balanced.
Sonic evaluation: Mesa boogie Nomad 55 is my main amp, also play a 65' blackface princeton reverb. Mesa does a decent clean, exellent overdrive, sound like a marshall plexi only more compressed, I'd say its a cross between the tone of Duane Allman and Santana(his tone on "supernatural," I like the tone, but the music is kind of gay, except for the song with Dave Matthews, anyways) With the fender, the clean is sounds wonderful, and when cranked the pickups drive it into a really nice blues sound.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Well with a semi-hollow body, i can do just about anything, but sure if you have george lynch fricken screamin demon pickups in there, it might not sound so good.

Comments: That question about stealing a set of pickups is kind of dumb, I won't answer that. I've been playing for 6 years. I'd say for a set of stock pickups, these are pretty damn good, but there is much better out there, Mccarty pickups sound very nice, but I'm not sure how they would sound in any other guitar but a PRS Mccarty. These are very average pickups I would say, the bass notes are kind of boomy, I would prefer a punchier more compressed sound. the 59's do tend to get a little muddy, I would like to switch to Fralins, but for now I think these pickups will do the trick, the guitar more than compensates for the weaknesses of the pickup.

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: ?

Model of guitar or bass: 1997 Les Paul Classic
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Gibson 496R
Other pickups on guitar: Gibson 500T
Artists using this pickup: Don't know of any
You musical style(s): Blues and rock
Reason for pickup change: Stock Gibson pickup was way too muddy. I'm surprised at how loud the '59 is -- really almost as loud as the 496, but much clearer and brighter. I'd expected a major volume dropoff.

Perceived output level: Hot.
Tone: Solid bass, lots of mids and very smooth, mellow treble.
Sonic evaluation: I can finally enjoy playing my Les Paul! So far, I've only played it through my Pro Jr., but I'm going to play it through my Sovtek 50H at our next band practice. I'm extremely pleased -- I can get that sophisticated "old Paul" tone now -- like Peter Green, Mike Bloomfield, etc. The nicest surprise is how well it matches the 500T. I'd tentatively planned to replace the 500 with a bridge '59, but now I think I'll leave it like it is. The volume is nearly equal between the two pickups. I played a stock Paul with 57 Classics in both positions, and I felt the treble pickup was WAY too thin and weak. However, the '59 in the neck of my Paul nails that 57 Classic tone at about 1/2 the price.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play blues. This pickup just sings. Beautiful tone.

Comments: This is the perfect pickup for that vintage Paul neck sound. Match it with a hot bridge pickup and you're there. Can't improve on it.

Pickup features: humbucker ( passive)
Impedence or other specs: duh i think nope gone !!

Model of guitar or bass: Schecter T1
Position: middle
Pickup being replaced: duncan designed
Other pickups on guitar: dunacn designed p90
Artists using this pickup: Stesh - NoHope Wunders
You musical style(s): ska / punk
Reason for pickup change: the duncan designed had to much output and was to trebly no inspiring sound

Perceived output level: low - medium
Tone: balanced
Sonic evaluation: before the pickup change the guitar sounded to thin through my amps and bee in a jam jar tone ( to much output )
the amps i use are a mesa dual rec and a fender prosonic head both are used with my marshall 1960av 4x12 with vintage 30s
the guitar is now feels alive with great response to my finger and hands just the way i like it - i also have a gibson lp standard and a custom ( with kent armstrong custom wound pickups these are not sky pickups they were hand made for what i wanted ) and a gibson SG special which ill come to later.
what can i say the guitar just sounds great i can never understand why people want high output pickups with hi gain amps low output sounds better better to me
i would recomend this pickups to any body

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: ska punk - not suitable for metal probably !

Comments: 9 i can't give it 10 becasue only my kent armstrongs would get that if he made them in the UK anymore !!
but its still one of the best pickups ive heard !!
and i would buys it again !

Pickup features: Humbucking
Impedence or other specs: how should I know?

Model of guitar or bass: '72 Les Paul Deluxe GoldTop
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Gibson Mini Humbucker
Other pickups on guitar: Seymour Duncan JB Bridge
Artists using this pickup: everyone, probably
You musical style(s): rock, punk, Pop
Reason for pickup change: stock Mini Humbuckers were too round and Jazzy. Not nearly enough bite or output.

Perceived output level: More than the stock Mini Humbuckers
Tone: bassy-mid but balanced goodness
Sonic evaluation: OH MY GOD! This '59 on the bridge completely destroys the mini humbuckers the Les Paul came with. The guitar tech who routed out the Les Paul said he couldn't believe how good this '59 Duncan pickup sounded. This pickup is THE SOUND I was looking for! Well worth the money. I think I'm going to trade in the JB model I had installed too for a bridge '59 model. The JB sounds too trebly to me. Duncan, you rock.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Punk, Rock, Pop

Comments: I wouldn't kill the guy who stole this guitar.
..at least, not at first. I'd have to get Medieval first.
I would buy another '59 in a second.This is MY SOUND. This is how a Les Paul SHOULD sound. Through my Marshall Plexi it just makes you want to cry. There... now I've gone and done it...I'm all Ferklempt...talk amongst yourselves...I'll give you a topic...Humbucking Pickup...it doens't Buck, and it isn't a Pickup..discuss.

Pickup features: humbucker--passive
Impedence or other specs: ???

Model of guitar or bass: Squire FR series (similar to the Heartfield Talon)
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: stock squire
Other pickups on guitar: duncan JB trembucker
Artists using this pickup: many
You musical style(s): rock (van halen, kiss, 70's 80's styles
Reason for pickup change: old pickup was microphonic (squeal at high gain settings) but I wanted a more versatile tone anyway

Perceived output level: the actual output I don't think is much more than the stock fender; I think it seems louder due to better tone
Tone: pretty balanced, accentuates lower mid frequencies
Sonic evaluation: my squire through a peavey ultra 410; I rarely use effects, sometimes a crybaby or a Boss metal zone. This is a good neck pickup because it gives me that airy tone that is good for neck solos (like malmsteen or Dream Theater's Pettrucci)

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This is a very good match for rock styles. I couldn't comment on country or jazz, but I would imagine that it would work out

Comments: I'd get a 59 again in the event of some loss or damage. What I like about this pickup is it's versatility--it gets a nice clean tone, and responds well to varying amounts of distortion, from light to very high-gain.

Pickup features: Passive humbucker, coverless, four-conductor cable (this is an option... standard is single-conductor), Alnico V magnet.
Impedence or other specs: Sorry... couldn't tell you...

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez JPM100/4
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: DiMarzio Air Norton (saved for another guitar)
Other pickups on guitar: Seymour Duncan Distortion (may replace with a Screamin' Demon or Duncan Custom)
Artists using this pickup: I am, now...
You musical style(s): Progressive hard rock
Reason for pickup change: I wanted something with a little more body & prescence than the Air Norton, which I thought would sound better in a guitar with something other than basswood... maybe something with a maple cap.

Perceived output level: The output is the same as the Air Norton. It's not an extremely high output pickup, but mid/high output.
Tone: The pickup has emphasis on prescence and lower midrange. Although I thought the Air Norton was tonally similar, the '59 is warmer and has more prescence. It's exactly what I want for this guitar and I didn't even know it!
Sonic evaluation: I am using a 5150 head/cabinet. I also have two EVH Wolfgangs, an American Standard Strat with AlnicoII single coils (Duncans) and a Deluxe Strat Plus with the stock Lace Sensors. I wanted to get a sound from the Ibanez that was similar to my Wolfgangs. While experimenting, I found something different that I liked just as much. The Duncan Distortion matches well with the '59, but I may get something like a Screamin' Demon in the future... something with an AlnicoV magnet and a little less output.
The '59 is very warm and open. It sings. The clean sounds are surprisingly good, but this is still not my guitar for clean sounds. It does sound neat in combination with my Distortion for clean tones (the JPM wiring uses the inside coils of each pickup when the toggle is in the center position). This pickup really sings. It is full, has prescence and bite all at the same time. The people at Seymour Duncan recommended it to me when I told them what I wanted and I was a little skeptical. They were right.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play progressive hard rock, but this pickup is a perfect match for my lead sound since I use it as a neck pickup. I have yet to try a bridge '59, so I can't comment on that. Jazz musicians may want to steer elsewhere... something with more highs.

Comments: I would and will absolutely use this pickup again if I have the need. I have been playing for 13 years and have only truly become comfortable with my sound in the last year or so. The only pickup to which I have compared it in the same guitar is the DiMarzio Air Norton. The '59 has roughly the same output, but is warmer, fuller and has more prescence. I think I have found my neck pickup!

Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: 70 Les Paul Custom
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Gibson PAF
Other pickups on guitar: JB
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): rock, hard rock and blues
Reason for pickup change: gibson pickup was terribly microphonic and lacked clarity

Perceived output level: Not overly hot, normal output
Tone: bassy, bood mids and highs. clear
Sonic evaluation: my setup is a Vox wah, Ibanez tubescreamer, Marshall Guvnor, AB box>>Peavey Classic 30 and a Vox AC 30.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Great rock and blues pickup, smooth warm and lyrical. Probably not good for balls to the wall metal but I haven't tried.

Comments: Great pickup if one wants to retain a PAF sound. Mine is a two conductor model so it can't be split but I'll live. I like the way this pickup punches through in the neck position. My initial desire was for an Alnico II pro like my Brian Moore has but when I saw the deal on this 59 I didn't hesitate to buy it.

Pickup features: Passive humbucker, 4 conductor
Impedence or other specs: Mine = 7.45k

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson Les Paul Custom
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: 490R
Other pickups on guitar: Screamin Demon
Artists using this pickup: n/a
You musical style(s): blues, rock, metal
Reason for pickup change: The 490R was crap.....muddy, unbalanced, and lacked character.

Perceived output level: Medium output, slightly higher than the 490R.
Tone: Great ! Smooth & warm clean but breaks up nicely & cuts when overdriven.
Sonic evaluation: Les Paul--Boss MT-2 or Tube Screamer--Cry Baby 535Q--Marshall JCM602 with Boss DD-3 & GE-7 EQ in effects loop. The '59 is a great neck pickup...just what I was looking for. Bright and clear with warm sweet tone. Nice bottom end without sounding muddy or muffled. Nice vintage PAF sound !!!

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Mostly blues and classic rock......sometimes metal. The '59 is a great pickup for all types of music.

Comments: I'd buy it again & recommend it to anyone looking for the classic PAF sound. It's just a well rounded, clear, balanced pickup that sounds sweet & warm.

Pickup features: Humbucking
Impedence or other specs: Alnico 5 bar high

Model of guitar or bass: Ibanez RG570
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Stock V7
Other pickups on guitar: Duncan Custom Trembucker and Stock S1
Artists using this pickup: Alot
You musical style(s): Rock/Hard Rock/Metal and Jazz
Reason for pickup change: Needed something a bit brighter with more personality, the stock pickup was a little plain and had to much bass with no personality.

Perceived output level: Bright Vintage sound that is very distinctive
Tone: bright and balanced with low
Sonic evaluation: I use a Fender Roc Pro 1000 head with 2 1x12" cabinets and a metal zone pedal, with pandora effects box.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This is great for jazz and blues, as well as that full sound a rock/metal band plays the slow parts of the songs before going heavy like Creed.

Comments: I give this pickup a big thumbs up, and it completes the sound I am looking for with my Ibanez. When I switch my selector the tones I get are so distinctive, and unique it is just great. I clip to the neck for Jazz, and the slow parts of rock songs, and just click back to the brige when I want to kick ass again. This SD 59 gives such a warm beutiful sound, that I can not explain how it makes you feel when you hear it. I would definately replace it if it were destroyed, and damaged.

Pickup features: Humbuckers (Passive)
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone ES 335 Dot
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: stock Epiphone pickups
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup: many i'm sure
You musical style(s): brit/modern pop (Sundays, Smiths), atmospheric rock
Reason for pickup change: stock pickups were dull and bulky sounding.

Perceived output level: std. Humbucker out put. more then the stock pickups. drives my TS-9 a lot.
Tone: great super bright treble end (true to the 335 sound), decent mids. lows can either sound muddy or nice a deep depending on your settings on the guitar and amp. it is wise to use the tone and volume knobs on this guitar to roll off extra brightness or to get the mix of the pickups right. i use both or the neck pu. not the bridge alone.
Sonic evaluation: these are in my Epiphone 335 Dot (like i said) which is running through a '67 Bassman head with 2 Eminence speakers. Good sound. Distorition pedals include the TS-9 and The Rat. i think this guitar would sound exceptional through a Fulltone Fulldrive 2 and then through an AC30. that is the stuff my band's other guitarist uses.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: this pickup is a decent match for my style of music. not clunky like stocks. i don't like to use this guitar for heavy clean rhythms period so i don't know if that would be good.

Comments: if someone stole my pickups out of my guitar? haha. anyway, i'd get these again for the same price (100 for both), but would've ratherd the Ducan Seth Lovers or the Gibson 57s

Pickup features: Passive Humbuckers
Impedence or other specs: Not a clue.

Model of guitar or bass: Fender Fat Strat, standard trem, rosewood (California Series)
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock TEXMEX Humbucker
Other pickups on guitar: 2 TexMex single coils
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Rock and Blues
Reason for pickup change: I didn't like the stock humbuckers, I found them too twangy, and I wanted something hotter.

Perceived output level: It's slightly more than my stock, but there's barely a difference.
Tone: The output has more bass to it, which is nice, and the mids are a bit more filled in. Still too trebly for my tastes but I'll just tone my amp down.
Sonic evaluation: I've got the Fender Fat Strat, into my TS-9 Reissue, into my Dunlop Crybaby 535Q wah, into a Peavey Express 112 (nice amp IMHO). The humbucker really drives the TubeScreamer, it's a nice tight distortion, not muddy. Distinctive crunch. Harmonics are picked up much better. It's not as hot as I wanted, but it does the job. After I got them installed I wondered if there was much of a difference. Clean, normal playing, not much difference, but distorted it sounds better, fuller.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play blues and rock mainly, and I'd say this is suitable for both.

Comments: If it were stolen (but not the guitar?!?! hehe) I don't think I would buy it again. I need something hotter but still mellower. Although I don't regret getting it, my 100$ probably could of been used better somewhere else, maybe an EQ to get my levels nice.

Pickup features: Humbucking-passive
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone Les Paul Standard Limited Edition
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: Stock Neck Pickup
Other pickups on guitar: Dimarzio Dual Sound in Bridge
Artists using this pickup: Don't Know
You musical style(s): Rock, Alternative, Blues, Punk, Grunge
Reason for pickup change: The stock pickups sucked big time

Perceived output level: pretty normal, a little less than i would've thought
Tone: good bass and treble, bright, even sounding
Sonic evaluation: Epiphone Les Paul Standard through a Laney HC25R occasionally using a Danelectro Fab Tone, Dunlop Crybaby, E-H Polychorus

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I play rock, blues, alternative and everything associated with it. It is good for what i play

Comments: Been playing for 4 years and I like it. I'd buy it again if stolen or broke. I found it at a good price which helped influence my discision. I like Duncan more than Dimarzio so i might possibly change the bridge pickup