Kent Armstrong Pickups

[JeffB]

I know perhaps this is taboo to ask here on the Duncan Forums... But my local tech is recommending the KA "rails" type PUPs to me. I've seen the website, but was wondering if anyone has used them personally or knows of any sound clips for them?

I'm a bit leery of anything but Duncan, especially cos I have an idea of what they sound like from my own experience, clips here, and many artist recordings.

But this guy does work for some of the biggest name Jazz guys ever, and I would think he would know what a good pup sounds like. And the KA's are the only brand he sells.

 

[Lewguitar]

Re: Kent Armstrong Pickups

And the Kent Armstrongs's are the only brand he sells.

Think that might have something to do with why he recommends them? :laugh2: Anyone who gets a Stewart McDonald Catalog can get Kent Armstrong Pickups...so could you.

KA's pickups are good pickups but I like the way Seymour voices his pickups better. So do most players who have tried both.

Lew

 

[JeffB]

Re: Kent Armstrong Pickups

Think that might have something to do with why he recommends them? :laugh2: Anyone who gets a Stewart McDonald Catalog can get Kent Armstrong Pickups...so could you.

KA's pickups are good pickups but I like the way Seymour voices his pickups better. So do most players who have tried both.

Lew

Lew...oh definitely I know thats why he recommended them over Duncans..Heh. I have some experience in retail

However, this is the only line he chooses to carry. So I'm certain he feels they are "the best". Should have been more clear in my post.

Thanks for the input!

 

[phiit]

Re: Kent Armstrong Pickups

I actually have Kent Armstrong on both of my guitars :wink: and they're good PU's.
My Les Paul has the HRO-1 "rocker" that's pretty close to JB, just slightly not that trebly.

My Tele has the KA hot rails and hot single coil in it and I couldn't be happier I tried duncan lil 59 but I prefer the KA hot rails

so yeah, they may be cheaper but the quality is very good!

 

[Bludave]

Re: Kent Armstrong Pickups

Kent Armstrong PUPS are excellent pups for Jazz. I have a KA on a Tacoma Archtop. It is mounted on the Pickguard, so it floats over the body. It is a very warm sounding PUP and is ideal for chord melody and soft Jazz kind of work. It has a tone similar to the old D'Armond PUPS used by Gibson, Epiphne and others back in the 40's. IF the Pickup is being mounted into a guitar I think the SD Alnico2 would be a better choice. My Tacoma had a EMG HB on it. I switched it to the KA single coil and it sounds considerably better, but this is an acoustic guitar with a floating Pup. Asa I said before if the PUP is going into the guitar like a 175 or LP for Jazz I think the Alnico2 sounds amazing in this application.

 

[seafoamer]

Re: Kent Armstrong Pickups

I had a very, very, very expensive Linda Manzer archtop w/ a floating Kent Armstrong pick-up. The pick-up casing was made of ebony, and it had 12 pole pieces. It was a beautiful warm jazz p-up. Sold the gtr cuz Linda did not make the neck as I instructed, & would not fix it. She's a slut-b!tch, but I got more for the gtr than I paid so she can blow me.

Carry on my wayward sons.