|
Post by Mitch on Apr 17, 2007 9:42:16 GMT -7
Thinking about getting either the MKII's or the Woodstock Strat set. Anyone using these ? Like em ?
|
|
|
Post by drew on Apr 17, 2007 9:59:03 GMT -7
Hey Mitch, I've got the kinman blues in my strat. I replaced the stock SNC pups (i think that's what they are called, samarian cobalt...). Since I don't have any recordings to baseline the SNC pups I can only guess on the differences. I like Kinmans, they are noiseless. The difference I noticed was the bell like clarity and articulate response even when you turn down the guitar volume. I also installed a treble bleed circuit (220K ohms and .0025mf) at the same time which probably has an effect on the overall tone. YMMV.
|
|
|
Post by Hohn on Apr 17, 2007 9:59:18 GMT -7
I'm on my second set of Kinmans-- They are the first mod I make to almost any strat.
My Zion Strat has a pair of AVN Blues that replaced the Fralins in there-- I prefer the kinmans to the Fralins, and that's some stiff competition!
My first set of Kinmans replaced a stock set of SCNs in an Am Del Strat that is now departed (insert baying donkey sound here). That guitar had the SRV growl for sure!!
I LOVE KINMANS. But I don't have any comment on the particular models you are considering. I'd buy them sight unseen-- I trust Chris Kinman's ears. You might not be comfortable doing that, though.
When/if I build my partscaster, it WILL have Kinmans in it.
Justin
|
|
|
Post by garyh on Apr 17, 2007 10:55:27 GMT -7
I use AVN Blues and love them; a little thicker than his other pickups. The samples on the Kinman site are pretty representative of the true sounds, I think.
|
|
|
Post by Hohn on Apr 17, 2007 13:39:56 GMT -7
I agree, Gary. That's why I went with the Blues for my Zion Strat instread of the AVNs I had in my Fender American Deluxe.
The Fender was an Alder body and rosewood fingerboard-- more of an SRV voiced strat.
This Zion is a swamp ash body with a maple top, and an all-birdseye neck. Hence, it's got a lot more SNAP to it than the Fender did, and I envisioned that a little "rounder" sound from the Blues models would fill out the mid on this guitar a little more.
So far, that's been exactly the case, and I think I guessed pretty well.
That said, there's a lot of versatility in the Kinmans based on pickup height setting. If in doubt about which ones to choose, I'd choose the standard AVNs for most guitars. If you have a pretty bright amp and/or guitar (like my Maple Zion and Stang Ray) then the Blues are probably a better choice.
Both pickups are GREAT imo. They aren't exactly the same as a true vintage pickup, imo-- I think they sound more musical-- a little smoother. With the Kinman pre-wired setups, swapping one for another is easy. I'm not sure of his return policy, but IIRC you can send back the pups within a certain period if you wish to try one of his other models.
One note on installation: Kinmans can be a tight squeeze in the neck position if your body has individual routs for the pups (i.e. no swimming pool "universal" rout under the pickguard). They will fit, but it might just take a little maneuvering.
Justin
|
|
|
Post by GuitarZ on Apr 17, 2007 19:26:45 GMT -7
I put the AVN Blues into my American Deluxe strat to replace the Fender Noiseless pickups. I am definitely happy. I did the 'pre-wired kit' or whatever it's called with the pots and switches. I'm pretty good with a solder iron, but the kit made the swap a piece of cake.
The Strat is relatively new to me and I can't compare the Kinmans to single coils. I just know that I'm happy with the Kinmans.
|
|
|
Post by funkyjazz82 on Apr 18, 2007 8:49:00 GMT -7
I have the Woodstock Fralin pickups you speak of and they are awesome, especially through the Z.
|
|