Klein Pickups '69 Stratocaster Pickup

Single coil passive 5.8K Ohms for neck, middle and bridge with vintage staggered poles (I use a 7.25 neck). I requested RWRP for the middle deviating from true vintage specs. I have recently ordered a normal wound middle so that I can use the Suhr Backplate... not that hum is a real problem. I roll off the guitar volume and it's all quiet in a well shielded guitar. I just like to experiment with my equipment.

I should mention that I ordered my bridge pickup with a steel baseplate, but ended up removing it as I didn't like the hotter sound. These pickups are best without the baseplate to my ear (your mileage may vary).

The pickups are installed in a "partscaster". MIM Alder body and MIJ '57 maple neck with light strings (0.09-0.45).

I have swapped out all 3 '69 RI pickups that were originally purchased with the neck.

The '69 RI pickups lacked clarity and especially became muddy during rhythm playing. The output of the RI pickups is at 5.8K Ohms and they have a ceramic magnet. I have nothing against ceramic magnets in pickups, I own a 1982 Ibanez Blazer that has the sweetest set of tapped pickups, I won't sell that guitar for anything. Anyway, they are ceramic magnet pickups.

The output is fine. They are based on vintage pickups so I didn't expect anything more or less than what was provided, although they do have more slightly more output than the '69 RIs that they replaced. I had to setup the pickups lower to get the sound I was after.

I run the guitar through a Line 6 Spider III 75W 1x12 with a Modtone Dynodrive and occasionally with a Boss Stereo Super Chorus (although I tend to reserve that for my electro-acoustic guitar nowadays... it's not a good pedal for electric). I would consider the amp fairly even in tone overall... that is to be expected since it models all sorts of different amps.

The tone I get from the pickups is totally vintage. They are bright and clear with wonderful harmonic overtones that weren't available in the '69 RIs. I would describe the overall sound as stratty... they are typical stratocaster. Articulate is a great word, playing rhythm guitar with these pickups is a true joy.

I have wired the tone pots to the neck and bridge... the middle pickup is free. This setup has produced some truly eye-opening results. Before this change, the bridge pickup was still good and did not have the ice-pick sound some people describe in some vintage pickups. I found the 2nd position of neck+middle to lack the desired clarity I wanted with the traditional tone pot setup. Now everything is as is it should be. When using distortion, the tone control on the bridge is VERY useful and brings a balance that was not normally possible before.

I ordered the bridge pickup with a baseplate to increase the output. I lost the harmonic feedback in the bridge and suffered microphonics. Rather than wax potting the baseplate to the pickup, I removed it. I didn't need the extra output... they are fine as is. I messed with a formula that works unnecessarily... don't fix what isn't broke :-)

I play all sorts of music. The Police, Satriani, Pink Floyd (these pickups nail Shine On You Crazy Diamond), some jazz, some folk, some metal. With the right amp settings I can do it all, my tastes vary. although I come back to

I'm very happy with the sound I have now, I am in the late stages of the honeymoon period. I have tried to provide a balanced review, but I think that improvements can always be made, hence the 9.

I would buy these pickups again... and plan on doing so for a guitar build for a friend.

I've been playing for 18 years (on and off for 16 years... seriously for the last 2 years). It's amazing the progress you make when you enjoy hearing the sound coming out of your equipment.

I love the clarity and articulate nature of these pickups, yet they have a warmth that was missing from my previous set. The harmonic feedback that you can get with these is.... heaven.

If I had to mention something I didn't like... it would be the single coil hum. But I don't really have a problem with it. It's not hard to manage and it forces me to be creative and thoughtful about how I setup my sound.

I compared this set to other pickups from various manufacturers, including the big F. But found Mr Klein to have reasonable prices and an excellent product. I didn't see the point in going elsewhere. I was considering a tapped 65/69 set, but chose the 69 set. I have a guitar with tapped pickups... I've created less music with it than my current strat that has regular pickups.

This review is for a set of 3 Strat single-coil. Klein pickups, model 69s. They are custom wound by Chris Klein of http://www.kleinpickups.com/

I asked for the bridge pickup to be slightly overwound, and also for a ferrous plate to be added to 'beef' it up.

I am a big fan of Fender, Custom Shop 69's, so was looking for something similar.

These are installed in a MIJ 1987 Strat. This guitar plays very nice, but its pickups sounded flat to me.

This is a standard set of 3 Strat pickups, neck, middle and bridge. The bridge pickup was overwound, and has a 'plate'.

The guitar has two tone controls, and one volume control. It has a five-way pickup seector switch. All controls are hooked-up in 'standard' Strat fashion.

I play this guitar generally through a Dr. Z Maz Jr. 1 x 12" combo, with reverb.

These definitely have the character of the Fender Custom Shop 69's. These seem to be a little fuller and a little less bell-like than the Fender 69s and for this reason, I believe these will take distortion a little better than the Fenders.

The output of these pickups is moderate. I guess the impedance is 5K to 6K.

These provide a broad range of adjustability. Using the tone, pickup selector and volume controls on the guitar, and the amp controls, I can get everything from 'sweet' sounds to raunchy tones, all within the limits of the amplifier (Dr. Z Maz Jr.)

I play classic rock, mostly, and these are great for this type of music.

These pickups cost just $105, which included shipping. They are a great bargain. Chris Klein is a friendly, business-like guy, and good to deal with. It took about 10 days from the time I ordered my pickups until they were in my hand.

I love the clarity and fullness of these pickups. Nothing I don't like about them. As previously stated, these compare favorably--or perhaps surpass--Fender Custom Shop 69 pickups (retail $220).

I am very satisfied with this set of pickups, and will purchase other pickups models from Klein in the future.

I can't find anyting to not like about these, and about the buying experience.