This is the pickup that comes as standard in the Yamaha Attitude (Billy Sheehan) bass. As such, it has all the growl that can be expected of such a beast of a bass. Sparkly it is not, but if it's powerful mids and rich bass and harmonics that leap out that you are after, as well as volume that will best almost any active bass, then this is your weapon.
Oddly, for such a powerful pickup design that is jam packed full of pole peices, it can cope with being very close to the strings. I use mine as a makeshift ramp, with no detriment to tone.