Info on SWD ATX-K

[LScottk]

Hello,

I recently bought a used Knaggs Severn. Knaggs sent me info on this guitar, including information on the factory installed pickups. The Knaggs build information says that the guitar shipped from the factory with SD APS-1 single coils. I pulled the pick guard and found that there are pickups marked as SWD ATX-K pickups installed. I haven't been able to find any information on these pickups, including a search on the SD site. A Google search was also unsuccessful. The Knaggs Severn mounts the bridge pickup to a Tele style plate, which I did not remove. This is why the attached photo only shows the neck and middle pickups.

Has anyone heard of SWD ATX-K pickups? If yes, can you share info that you have? Thank you!

 

[beaubrummels]

My wild guess would be that they are APS pickups that were custom wound for Knaggs to match the polarity of the Bare Knuckle in the bridge (or what does yours have in the bridge? Build sheet I saw online for a similar guitar had Bare Knuckle Mule in the bridge and ATX K in middle/neck.)

For a reliable answer, call the Seymour Duncan Custom Shop and ask what they are. (805) 964-9610 (Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm).

 

[Masta' C]

SWD is just the Custom Shop designation for "Seymour W. Duncan"

EDIT: ATX-K is a custom-voiced version of the Antiquities made specifically for Knaggs.

 

[Mincer]

Have you measured them with a meter? I wonder if it is an APS with a different magnet or just different-phase. Or a different wind altogether.

 

[LScottk]

My wild guess would be that they are APS pickups that were custom wound for Knaggs to match the polarity of the Bare Knuckle in the bridge (or what does yours have in the bridge? Build sheet I saw online for a similar guitar had Bare Knuckle Mule in the bridge and ATX K in middle/neck.)

For a reliable answer, call the Seymour Duncan Custom Shop and ask what they are. (805) 964-9610 (Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm).

Thanks for the info. I very much appreciate it!

The Knaggs bridge plate is sized for a strat single coil (SSS). As I'm still on the fence about keeping the guitar (it's a GC used purchase with a 45 day return window), so I decided not to pull the bridge plate when I removed the strings and pulled the pick guard. I assume that it is just a bridge version of the ATX-K set shown in the pic. Tonally and output, the bridge matches the other two pickups (tones from different positions notwithstanding). They are nice sounding pickups. I have a set of antiquities in a Grosh Retro Classic. It like these custom wound pickups better, though it could also be the guitar itself. GC sold the guitar as a 2013 and told me that it was all original. After contacting Knaggs I was told that it is actually a 2019, and that it did not ship from the factory with locking tuners (which is what was installed when I got the guitar). The price is right, but selling any Knaggs can be tough, especially if it is not original. I got it for a good price, but not good enough to be an easy sale without taking a hit. The Grosh that I have covers similar tonal ground. I've had my Grosh for over 20 years and I'm not looking to get rid of it. So, I am leaning toward returning it. We'll see . . .

 

[LScottk]

SWD is just the Custom Shop designation for "Seymour W. Duncan"

EDIT: ATX-K is a custom-voiced version of the Antiquities made specifically for Knaggs.

Thank you for sharing this info. Did you find out about the ATX-K connection to SD Antiquities on the Seymour Duncan website? I looked high and low and couldn't find anything. If you have the link I would be grateful if you posted the URL.

 

[LScottk]

Have you measured them with a meter? I wonder if it is an APS with a different magnet or just different-phase. Or a different wind altogether.

I did measure them, but didn't write down the numbers. DOH! I told myself I didn't need to write the numbers down because I would remember. Oops! I should have known better . . .

I seems like a call to the custom shop is in order. But first I have to decide if I want to keep the guitar. At least I now feel confident that the pickups are factory original. After finding out the tuners are not original I had my doubts.