I expected this pick-up to be good, based on other people's reviews,the specs that I've read and the fact that it's been on the market, unchanged for so long, but I wasn't prepared for just how much it improved the tone and definition of the guitar in which I installed it.

On the downside, you do need step back the volume when using the clean channel on your amp. At least I had to with my Mesa/Boogie, but when you're ready to cut loose, this little sucker sounds amazing. I couldn't believe how much it improved both my tone and the tight definition of each note played; it never got the slightest bit muddy. It made a $750 Ibanez sound like a worthy counterpart to my custom made ESP (which features all high output pickups) The ESP is bold and in your face. My Ibanez now has better manners. I will not change anything on the ESP, but this pickup really opened up my options in timbre.

Thought George Lynch had great sound. He obviously did not use this pickup in any of the classic 80's albums. NO DISTORTION AT ALL. Sound is much lower than all other pickups in my other guitars, needed to turn my amp up to 4 just to hear it. (100w stack) I would try the DiMarzio Super Distortion Pickup if I were you.

I have tried a multitude of pickups and until recently had never tried the sh12.

I own a Pearly Gates and a '59 which are in my Strat. And I have a JB in the bridge of my Jackson.

The teacher at my music store swears by this pickup so I tried his strat, and was blown away by this pickup. It does just as advertised, it fat and punchy with great highs and lows, and a neat kind of airy midrange. It cleans up with your volume control, and if you love to shred it will let your technique shine through.

I just recently installed one in our teacher's Les Paul, and it sounds great in it as well.

I have been a Lynch fan for a long time and have loved his tone (even before the sh12 when he was using the cutom wound SD distortions) and can tell you that this (along with his technique and rig) is an integral part of his sound, Just be sure you match the right wood to this pickup. so far I've installed iit in a maple neck strat, and a Les Paul and it sounds great in both. I'm getting one for mine.

Also check out George's website, he's alot busier than you think.

I bought my first screamin Demon in 1990 and put it in an Ibanez RG570. I do read a lot of reviews, but after hearing one I had to get it. This pickup in combination with a Peavey Triumph 120 is the fattest, squealinest combo I've ever heard. I attribute malcontented reviews from improper installation. This pickup is not meant for clean .. it's meant for down and dirty. I am surprised that the George Lynch name has stuck to this product for 20 years since he hasn't really done much for a while. Someone must like it. Definite Buy.

Way back in 94 I bought a brand new Jackson JDR94 and immediatley had the bridge pickup replaced with one of these. Absolutely beautiful pickup, gives you all the bass and high end response you need, sweet harmonics and all you could desire for metal back then. Cut to 2009 and I have again picked up the guitar after a 10 year hiatus, this time round I am more of a blues type player and I have recently purchased another JDR94 from ebay and slapped one of these in it and YES it is GREAT for the blues, sweet and warm very quiet, just back off the volume and it is very civilised, crank it and it will rip your head off. Also a point to note for anyone who actually uses the tone knobs on the guitar "The tone ACTUALLY WORKS with this pickup"

Thoroughly reccomended pickup