Well, since you called me out, I'll answer in the most objective manner I can. The vintage guys are in love with them for the P90 and "rock" humbucker tones. But there are some guys posting threads about how it's a valid
Humbucker sound in it's own right.
Here's what I can say about the rock/fusion guys: If you're normally impressed with a
Dimarzio Air Norton in the neck, and either a Norton or Air Zone in the bridge, you will be very happy with these humbucking tones. It's hard to say that over on the Duncan forum, and the truth is, we're not targeting those pickups or Dimarzio at all with the P-Rails. But the hard part is, I know that Dimarzio guys will dig the sound of these humbuckers, I just have no good way of spreading the word.
The bridge HB has a Fred/Norton-ish midrange, but is very wide ranged overall. It's almost like what Dimarzio
describes the Tone Zone to be, but many who try the TZ find it too thick and congested. The P-Rails get a more "Seymour Duncan" treble and attack. It does not feel like an Airbucker of any kind; the attack is immediate and crisp. So for a fusion guy that is buried behind effects and Holdsworthian overdrive, that part will either go unnoticed, or could actually be a hinderance. If that's the case, go with 250k pots, or a Dimarzio.
The "inside coils" like on a Petrucci wiring, or one of Ibanez' H/H 5-ways are super clean and glassy, moreso than an AN/TZ mix, and would be great for funk and fusion comping, or processed "hypercleans" with modulation and effects.
I'd love to hear response from anyone who's tried them too.
