Suhr DSH

I purchased a heavily modified Fender Stratocaster that was loaded with a Suhr DSH humbucker in the bridge position and it was definitely the high point of that guitar. It is a very dynamic feeling and versatile sounding pickup that I enjoyed using for many styles of music. I did prefer it in more of a rock/hard rock context for sure, but I had no problems using this pickup in a bluesier setting as well. In this alder bodied Strat it was a great match, providing a very thick and punchy rhythm tone as well as a great sounding Van Halen esque lead tone. The tones of this pickup remind a lot of the Seymour Duncan JB in that they're very punchy and have a certain top end "sizzle" that really makes the pickup sound unique. It matched very well with the Fender single coils in the Strat as well. There as no major imbalances in pickup output and they worked well for a wide variety of styles. This pickup cleans up very well with the volume control as well, showcasing that even though it's a bit higher in output, it still retains definition when the volume on the guitar is rolled back.

After a period of time, I sold the Strat, but opted to keep the Suhr pickup to try in a vintage Ibanez Performer 300 (Les Paul esque guitar) from 1978. The guitar came stock with Ibanez Super 70s, which I LOVED, but the bridge pickup died so I had to replace it. The Suhr pickup really shined in this guitar I found, and all of those characteristics that I mentioned before about dynamics and that wonderful top end sizzle were there, but more prominent. The pickup in an alder bodied, bolt on guitar was good. The pickup in a mahogany bodied set neck guitar was stellar. I used it as my main guitar for a couple of years before buying my first Gibson, at which point I sold the Ibanez to fund it.

All in all I felt that the Suhr DSH was a great pickup that worked very well for hard rock esque styles, but could be dynamic enough for most major styles as well. Definitely a great sounding pickup from a great company.