Anderson HN2+
Submitted at: 3:50, 2/20/2005
Product Info
Pickup features: Passive Humbucker
Impedence or other specs: I don't remember
Price Paid: N/A
Purchased from: A,L & M Music
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Modified Mexican Strat
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: Stock Fender humbucker
Other pickups on guitar: Seymour Duncan '59 humbucker in the neck; middle is disconnected
Artists using this pickup: Have no idea
You musical style(s): Usually shred over non-metal music; contemporary p&w
Reason for pickup change: Old one was microphonic and just plain poor.
Sound
Perceived output level: Fairly hot, I suppose. Not ridiculously so. Sometimes I wish it were hotter.
Tone: All frequencies present with mids more pronounced.
Sonic evaluation: This is all a little subjective but while my Seymour Duncan '59 sounds good with just about any amp, the HN2+ is very picky. Clean settings can be a bit plinky and flat. It has never gotten along with an EL84-equipped amp on clean settings. Higher gain settings can be okay depending on the preamp circuitry. This pickup is great for playing through guitar modelers and decent solid states. Even tube preamps into solid state amps.
So in general I would say the pickup does better with higher gain settings, which is fine with me. I have heard other pickups that produce pinch harmonics with greater ease, the HN2+ is very articulate, never gets muddy, and seems to allow my playing to come through with more accuracy.
I bought this pickup before I had ever heard of Anderson but I have no regrets whatever. I suspect a Bill Lawrence L500XL is in my future nevertheless.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I like 80s shred but like playing it over funky beats, etc.
Overall Rating
Comments: I am very satisfied with my current set up and have been for about two years. I think so many variables have to be working together that it is hard to fault any particular link in the chain. This pickup is excellent, no doubt about it. The question is, is it right for you? And only you can determine that. Check the Anderson website for pickup descriptions. I believe they are accurate.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 9
Submitted by: Eddie <jam4dlamb@cs.com>
Submitted at: 1:16, 1/31/2002
Product Info
Pickup features: Typical humbucker passive.
Impedence or other specs: Who knows?
Price Paid: US $$94
Purchased from: Mesa Boogie Hollywood
Instrument
Model of guitar or bass: Jackson Soloist
Position: bridge
Pickup being replaced: JB
Other pickups on guitar: Seymour Duncan singlecoils.
Artists using this pickup: Dunno
You musical style(s): Rock
Reason for pickup change: The JB sucks the grand wazoo. A lot of companies put them in their guitars because they know you'll replace it and give the pickup makers more business
Sound
Perceived output level: It's hot, about like the JB
Tone: Bassy, nice mids, sweet high end.
Sonic evaluation: This pickup is really nice sounding. Sustained notes are so beautiful you want to tell all you friends what you have heard.
It has a bit of sag to it. And it sounds like a cross between a neck pickup and a bridge pickup. But, it's one of the great pickups. The best sounding one Anderson makes. I used it with lots of different tube amps.
For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: This is a really good pickup, could use it for anything it sounds so nice.
Overall Rating
Comments: I really liked the sound of this pickup, but I sold the guitar and the guy knew that it was a great pickup, so I couldn't swap it for another so I could keep it. Too bad.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 9