Seymour Duncan SH-1 '59

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.