Klein Pickups Vintage Pro '50s Stratocaster Set

Vintage 50's: Output is 5.5, 5.7, 6.0. Formvar wire and Alnico 3 (I think) magnets.
High Output Tap: 7.0, 7.2, 7.5 same wire and magnets (of course)

To utilize the tap, I installed a 3PDT switch into my pickguard (which Klein included free of charge). If you don't want to drill a hole in your guard, you can use push/pull pots. I haven't found any 3PDT push/pulls though and I wanted them all on one switch so I just drilled the hole. While I was in there, I installed a second switch to run the neck and bridge together as well.

I play an American Standard Strat through a Fender Deluxer Reverb Reissue. I enjoyed the sound of the stock pickups but they seemed to lack some clarity, especially when the amp volume was cranked. I put Klein tapped pickups in all positions.

Vintage 50's: Output is much lower than stock pickups to my ears. They have excellent clarity even when the amp is cranked. I can get a lot more clean headroom out of my Deluxe Reverb with these pickups, which I love. They sound slightly weak at lower volumes compared to stock but they really come alive and retain the guitar's tone better at higher volumes. All positions are distinct and very useable. Excellent string balance and tone when chording, something the stock pickups lacked. Very smooth. If you like a Robert Cray type of blues sound these are for you.

High Output tap: The tap sounds closer to the stock pickups in output but retain similar sound qualities to the Vintage 50's. When the amp is turned up, the tap doesn't seem to add volume, but rather adds warmth and drive. While the 50's are more jangly and trebly, the tap offers slight mid-hump with reduced highs. A real treat to have both on one guitar.

I like to play blues and dabble in country, vintage rock, and worship music at church. These pickups won't nail the SRV tone, but they will definitely play blues well.

Overall, you can hear the quality and attention to detail in these pickups. I sort of miss the "traditional stratty" sound of the stock pickups but at the same time I don't want to give these up. I guess two strats is the key. I tried Texas Specials in my guitar and hated the enormous mid-hump they produced. Output was way too high and killed the tone of the guitar. I'm probably going to buy a Mexican Strat and put my old American stock pickups in there so I have all the sounds I want.

I highly recommend Klein pickups. On top of a wide variety of affordable boutique pickups, they have the best customer service that I have experienced recently. Chris went above and beyond to make sure that I got what I wanted.

Single coil set, aged magnets, I think Alnico 3 magnets (not sure). Specs are something like 5.7 neck, 6.0 middle, 7.0 bridge (overwound, which is what I wanted).

Installed in a 90's strat plus deluxe (ash body, maple board), all positions. Had higher output Kleins (A2 hot, see my review) installed (7-9K) and wanted to try something more vintage. The guitar is somewhat dark and dense, wanted to lighten it up a little.

Output is vintage 50's, except for the bridge which is a little hotter, but huge sounding -- NOT brittle or harsh. Super balanced, VERY old style stratty... but not weak or thin sounding at all. I play rock, blues, surf, fusion -- superb for clean to mid gain...probably wouldn't play Korn with these. Can go into Ventures, Hendrix of SRV or Trower territory no problem, but closer to old Jeff Beck (Wired, Blow by Blow) for me.

And they're not terribly noisy, probably a little quieter than others.

Bottom line -- these are incredibly good, especially for $100, period, end of story. This is the second set I've bought from Klein and I will buy more.

Would get these agin in a second. Been playing close to 30 years, have had all kinds of gear. My other favorite single coils are Fralins and Van Zandts -- Klein pickups are their equal (if you want to compare) BUT A LOT LESS $$$. Like I said, I have another set of Kleins which are higher output, and they're great as well, just not 50's/vintage sounding. I'm glad to see Chris Klein's recognition getting up there -- he's a good guy and makes a really, really good pickup. He's not there to spout about special mojo or secret sauce or whatever... he uses the right magnets, the right wire, and does it by hand -- what the heck else do you want?