Kent Armstrong Pickups - Opinions...

[riffmagus]

I'd appreciate a little feedback on anyone who has used / has some KA Pickups.

I took the plunge and ordered an enclosed Super Distortion for the Bridge - and they recommended I pair that with a Hot Rails in the neck - replacing my Jackson DK2's single coil.

Now, I currently have the SD JB in the bridge which is almost perfect - just after a tighter bottom end and more harmonics. Thought this may be too good a price - @ £70 for both...

Have I wasted my ££ - they have said aslong as I don't cut the wires and just solder I can return them no problems. Reviews on Harmony Central seem promising - but would appreciate any feedback from any tone pro's on here!!

Cheers.

 

[idsnowdog]

Re: Kent Armstrong Pickups - Opinions...

They're decent pickups. Allparts prices are too high considering they are Asian made OEM pickups. However you can find a lot of places selling them on Ebay for dirt cheap. These places are re-branding them but you can tell their Armstrongs because of the number codes on the stickers. I am not sure that all of their pickups are winners, but I like the Wilburn Custom Shop M-215's I have. The only thing I can fault them on is I don't like the way they wire the leads for their coils. The leads are just sandwiched between tape and they have a tendency to come undone. I bought a Kent Armstrong M-215 from Allparts and it fell apart within days. I have two Wilburn Custom shop M-215's and they are epoxy potted and are nearly indestructible. The M-215 is very close to a Dimarzio Super distortion.

 

[riffmagus]

Re: Kent Armstrong Pickups - Opinions...

Thanks for the info,

I'm hoping the Super Distortion (HSDE-1) will give the Jackson a nice edge in the bridge over the JB. Don't get me wrong, the JB is 99% perfect - just wanted to tighten up the low end and get the harmonics - natural and pinch wailing more.

Keeping the pickup height of the Hot Rails in the neck low should compliment the SD nicely. That was the advice - I guess just wire 'em and see!

 

[Sporky McGuffin]

Re: Kent Armstrong Pickups - Opinions...

My Talman has two Kent Armstrong lipsticks and a Kent Armstrong PAF-a-like and sounds ace. I'd happily use them in another guitar.

 

[Sleeping Martyr]

Re: Kent Armstrong Pickups - Opinions...

I have an armstrong humbucker sized P-90 in the neck of my SG and it sounds AMAZING!! I love it. Great quality and tone, no complaints.