Kent Armstrong HPAC-1 Vintage C PAF

This is a full-size passive humbucker in a nickel case. It comes with a four-wire conductor as standard, Alnico magnet and a series impedance of 8.9 kohms.

The four-wire conductor is crucial as I want both coil tapping and phase reversal options.

The KA PAF was installed in the neck position of a brand new Hamer XT SATF Sunburst. The original Hamer-branded PU lacked clarity and sweetness but not power. From experience I know that KA pickups are not only great value but sound pretty good too. The bridge PU was replaced with a KA Rocker [15k, ceramic magnet] for power and punch. The neck PU should complement that so I opted for the PAF with cooler windings and a softer sounding Alnico magnet.

The four-conductor wiring offered coil-tapping and phase reversal options that would open up additional tonal possibilities.

Humbucking output is similar to the OEM Hamer neck PU BUT with far greater clarity and sweetness. Rolling off the volume brings out the woody nature of the beast. Killing the treble gets you right into Woman-Tone territory.

I opted to fit a coil tap to both the PAF and bridge PUs. In tapped mode the PAF has a single coil cut but without being harsh or edgey. So in its own right it is a pretty versatile PU.

Linked to the bridge PU out-of-phase in humbucking mode and its P A Green all the way. Both PUs together in single-coil configuration is toppier and without the body of the humbuckers.

For blues and blues-based rock this is a pretty good neck pickup. When you consider its price it is brilliant.

I like Kent Armstrong pickups. This is my second PAF but the first with a metal [Nickel] case. I have two KA Rocker PUs (one Alnico, one ceramic), two Texas Vintage Str*t single coils and a Firebird.

The only thing that might make me try another manufacturer for the Hamer's PUs is whether the KA were to die; but that isn't very likely.

The UK distributor, WD Music in England, is a cracking sales and information organisation that help you get the best out of your gear and their products as opposed to optimising their sales regardless. This counts for a great deal.

Overall I have been as satisfied with the PAF as I have with all my other Kent Armstrongs. It does what it claims and, with alternative wiring otions, so much more.

This is a great pickup. No b*llsh*t, no hype, it does what is says it will. But when you consider the stupid price this must qualify as the best sound-per-pound known to mankind.

Pickup features: Humbucking passive
Impedence or other specs: See WD Music

Model of guitar or bass: Wesley Les Paul Style
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: standard wesley
Other pickups on guitar: similar bridge pup
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): blues, clapton, etc.
Reason for pickup change: I bought the Wesley off eBay as a cheap guitar to experiment with pickups, setup, etc.
The pickups on the Wesley were suprisingly good but I wanted a more soulful blues sound.

Perceived output level: Seemed to be slightly more than the standard Wesley pup
Tone: Definitely not trebly (compared to SDs) but in now way muddy either. Lovely vintage type tone.
Sonic evaluation: I have a Marshal FDX15 and Kustom solo 16DFX. I mainly play through a Vox Tonelab into the Kustom.
I have a Cort 260HB, Cort Matt Murphy, Washburn WI66-pro and a Squier.
I have also had a Vintage guitar. Until now my favourite was the Matt Murphy (beatiful) but now I find I am playing the Wesley with the new pup all the time. Not because I think I should, but I genuinely prefer the tone and the Wesley is actually a very good guitar (when you replace some of the cheap plastic pup mounts, knobs, etc.).
Go figure - I have two ?600 guitars and I prefer the el cheapo with this new pup!
I am seriously thinking of buying some for my Cort Matt Murphy now...

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: I have it in the neck position. I like blues/clapton at the moment. It might work well if used in conjuction with the very crisp and clear, high output SD pup in the bridge position from my Washburn... hmmm...

Comments: Played acoustic for years off and on. Went electric about a year ago.
This pickup is made in Korea and I was really worried before I fitted it that it would not be very good. Boy was I wrong.
If anyone is disappointed with the tone of their guitar but like the feel of the guitar itself and it has cheap no-name pickups, try these!

Pickup features: Passive Humbucking
Impedence or other specs: 8.9K

Model of guitar or bass: Epiphone DOT
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Neck & Bridge
Other pickups on guitar:
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Blues/Blues Rock/Classic Rock
Reason for pickup change: The stock pickups are toneless crap. They do not do the instrument justice and hold back what is a good guitar. The bass is pure mush (despite what others have said about the Epiphone stock Classic 57 pickup, it is very poor). Pull them out and watch your guitar come to life.

Perceived output level: More output and less muddy than the stock pickup. lets you control the bass very well. More sustain also.
Tone: Clontrolable Bass, fantastic middle, can be a little to trebly if not controled by the amps settings and guitar tone. over all very nice balanced sound. Realy works well in this guitar and opens up its tone options.
Sonic evaluation: Epiphone Dot, Boss BD2, Boss SD1 or TS9 into Fender Hot rod deluxe or Marshall MG30DFX (when the wife moans).

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Blues/Blues Rock/Classic Rock (good for all). Suitable for all positions.

Comments: This brings the Epiphone DOT to life. Compared it to Seymour Duncans (its better and stock Gibson pickups in other instruments, its also half the price). I would (and will use Kent Armstrong Pickups again). Other gear is Gibson SG (standard) & Epiphone Riviera (another under rated guitar).

Pickup features: Passive Humbucking
Impedence or other specs:

Model of guitar or bass: Gibson ES-135
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Gibson P100
Other pickups on guitar: Only these
Artists using this pickup:
You musical style(s): Jazz, soul, funk, blues
Reason for pickup change: Felt the stock P100s were very weak and characterless. Was sure this guitar could sound better than it did.

Perceived output level: Slightly hotter than P100s but still a fairly low output pickup (in true PAF style)
Tone: Full bass, soft mids, clear treble. Very balanced indeed
Sonic evaluation: I play my ES-135 through a silverface twin, occasionally with some wah, phase or overdrive. I was after a sound much fatter and richer than that provided by the P100s that would enable to sound more jazzy (Benson, Burrell, Green, Montgomery) but also with more sustain and edge for some mellow soul (Withers, Hathaway, Gaye) and blues (BB, T-Bone, Hooker). Obviously there's no way I'm going to achieve all that with one guitar/pickup/amp combination but I am now more than happy with the sound I get.
Great versatility - very soft, bouncy bottom with a clear, jangly top and just enough edge if needed. Put the P100s to shame.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Sound great at the neck and the bridge

Comments: Overall a huge improvement over the P100s. Still not giving me exactly what I am looking for but to do that properly I probably need a different guitar and/or amp.
Value-wise they are half (or even less) the price of similar Seymour Duncans or DiMarzios who, in my opinion, make way too many pickups and go into way too much anorakey detail about each.