Well I like mine very much !
They started life in my Les Paul Standard, where they really brought a sweet clarity and definition over the stock pickups. As I wanted contrasting ( but still vintage ) BKPs for my S.G. also, the S.Ms ended up in my S.G. standard on Tim's recomendation - and they sounded even more suited to the lighter body. To clarify what I mean, I feel that Les Pauls sound more 'Les Paul' with a slightly hotter pickup and a mid range 'hump' . For this I chose the Mules.
Anyway, back to the S.Ms :D
You will get a very evenly balanced sound, no pronounced emphasis on either treble, mid or bass strings. What you do get is a lovely clear, bright and articulate presentation across the strings with perhaps some sag or softness in the bass strings. The treble manages to be both articulate, yet not harsh if the bridge is pushed. With a matched pair in an S.G. it lends itself to the B.B.King, Albert King or T.Bone Walker tonalities - especially with both pickups on together. I can imagine it can handle some classic gain sounds, but I have not had a chance to 'open them up' with a gainy amp yet.
( I do tend to play clean and mellow through Fender or Laney 6L6 type amps or a Peavey Classic 20 with EL84's ). This is where I think S.Ms excel.
I would expect that the overall effect with gain would be soft and sensuous, as opposed to grindy and chunky. Clear they are, but 'Metal' they aren't. They respond to playing dynamics nicely, sounding mellow or quite 'spanky' according to picking pressure.
Perhaps initial impressions of the sweet, even, articulate nature of the S.Ms are best summed up by my mate who tried them in my Les Paul. He had a play, and said :
" I realy like these pickups, but if I had them, I'd have to actually practice " :lol:
