Kent Armstrong STS-1 Set

Kent Armstrong 3-Single Coil Strat Set -
Neck (5.8K) - Middle (6.8K) - Bridge (7.5K).

Passive pickups - not stacked - not humbucking. Fibre bobbins with cloth covered leads. Middle Pup is RWRP and compatible with Dimarzio PAF PRO in postion 2.

In the UK, these are known as "Kent Specials"
Model numbers - STS-1F,STS-1M,STS-1R

In the US, these are known as "Tweedtone"
Model numbers - STV4-N,STV4-M,STV4-B

I installed these on a `94 Mex Strat that has a Dimarzio PAF PRO in the bridge. Stock Fender Neck/Mid Pups were just too mushy when pushed.
I ordered the STS-1 Kent Armstrong Set and haven't looked back.
Ok first off I have to admit an error on my part. I got mixed up and wired the bridge pickup in the neck. So my set up is STS-1R (7.5K) in the neck, STS-1M (6.8k) in middle and Dimarzio in the bridge (8.4K). I didnt realise this error until about a year later!!
No idea which artists are using these pickups - there dont seem to be many reviews/hype about them. However, that is no reflection on their quality - which is exceptional.

Ok - my amp is a Laney 50w tube combo. 2 channel. Fairly simple (but useful) fx rig - Boss SD1,GE7,DD6, DOD compressor,EH Clone,EB Volume.

I'm really pleased with theese pickups. I have never been tempted to correct my mistake as, despite my mixup, I enjoy having a beefy neck pickup.
Balance is fine - as I said earlier I didnt realise for ages!!
Output is generally higher than 5K Vintage pups - which explains the good balance with the PAF PRO.

Playing clean I still get trad strat sounds but if I dig in I can get a little more bite. Perhaps these pups do add a little more mi-range than vintage pups but only a tad.

Overdriven they perform well - they can get that "scooped blues" sound and respond well to changes in dynamics.

Distorted these pups shine - response, detailled sounds. Having a 7.5K neck pup is REALLY useful. Its almost like having a neck humbucker, but with the benefits of stratty clean sounds.

I'm in a covers band and with my strat loaded with these pups I can achieve a range of different sounds.
I generally dont play metal, but my guess that these pickups arent for EXTREME HIGH gain applications. They suit full on ROCK distortion - but not anything more than that.

I dont have loads of money and pups in the UK are, IMHO, overpriced. I cant afford to swap/change pups all the time like some of the other reviewers. Besides I rather save time and money and just PLAY GUITAR. I believe that half the time people are just looking for a SOUND which can be achieved by pratice. If your guitars player, it is possible to get too bogged down by pups, FX, pedal boards valves etc.
At ??60 a set on ebay, you cant complain - exceptional sound with a price to match!! MEGA VALUE. Cheaper than Duncan, Dimarzio, Kinman etc. GFS are cheaper still and i have tried them, but I prefer Kent Armstongs single coils - they simply sound more detailed and robust.
Would I buy them again?? - I AM!! I'm building a parts guitar and want the same pickups on that (still with the 7.5K pup in the neck!!).
Overall a quality setup of pickups and with a price that can't be sniffed at.