Impersonator E56

First off let me say the set of E56 pickups I received are absolutely phenomenal. They put my Suhr V60s to shame. I also gotta say the authentic Knopfler quack is so astounding with these E56. Anyway thanks, can't say enough about how blown away I am.

I am also very satisfied with the K9 harness and it's build quality and convenience.

Thank you for the SRV set (3x Impersonator E56). This set has a very unique sound. Just the right amount of sparkle, thwack, upper mids, and not too much low end. All string response including the plain are even and balanced. They are bright and vintage at the same time. I don't believe it's the guitar, it's the unique sound of the pickups. The SRV set is exactly the sound in my head for this particular guitar. It was what I call a wild-ass educated guess. They are unique to my ear in that they have the things I like in a vintage tone with out the things I don't care for like the clanky crashing sound many true 52 / 54 vintage Fender pick ups have.

(Technical assistant to Hank Marvin and creator of the TVS Echo unit)
I put a set of Impersonator 54 and a set of Impersonator E56 into my 2004 American Strat and a Mexican Strat and they sounded great in both. I did a lot of detailed comparisons with Fender CS54's (through my Vox AC15) with the Impersonator 54's and the original Shadows recordings and am completely blown away! You have certainly achieved your goal of nailing that early tone in a noiseless pickup. The 56's have that bite of the early sound without any of the harshness that sometimes is evident with the Fender CS54's, particularly in the bridge position. In comparison the Impersonator 54's are just a very slight touch more mellow (which Hank likes) but still full of life and air. Needless to say they are both perfectly balanced and there is no hum or noise. These pickups completely transformed the Mex Strat with it's original horrible bright, tinny sound of the original Mexican pickups. Gary Taylor and I spent the afternoon recording Blue Star with the 54's and they absolutely nailed the sound of the original. Stunning stuff! Both the Impersonator 54 and the Impersonator E56 pickups are superb and without hum, an incredible achievement! I take my hat off to you.

Ok guys, I admit it...I was a little nervous about the Clapton set. I've had the Woodstock set for a couple of years and they're soooo good I pretty much stopped playing my other guitars. Would the A56's be as good?... Hellyeah!!!!! I'm just blown away!! Just wanted you to know these are THE BEST pickups ever. I've been playing for 35 years and always been a humbucker man. Now, I'm looking to Kinman-ize a Jaguar, a couple of Tele's and a Danelectro. Thanks for the OUTSTANDING pickups. I am singing the praises of Kinman to all my guitar buds here in Texas. Now let's see, Broadcaster set for the two teles, jaguar dano ...man, my wife is going to kill me.

This is a review in regards to the new Impersonator A56 set for strat. I have a John Mayer signature strat that I replaced the pickups in with Lollar Blackfaces and loved the upgraded sound. Then I decided to try out the A56 pickups as I was sick of noise problems in old buildings. These A56 are beefier, spankier, more even, and more dynamic than the Fender Big Dippers or the Blackfaces I had tried. Its been said before but I’ll say it again, these pickups are not only SILENT compared to my other single coils, let alone my humbuckers, but they SOUND better than the other single coils, by far. I would still install these pickups even if they weren’t noiseless. That’s how good they are. I have a full set in a guitar and have just ordered two more for a fat strat. Perfect combination of technology, vintage sound, and usability. Well done Kinman and you have earned a customer for life.

As I said, when we played the show a couple of weeks ago it was our first in a long time (18 months) due to personnel changes and my drummer breaking a finger. However, no one had heard the new guitar. The reaction I received from people was pretty amazing, players and general public alike. The dynamics from the clean tones are huge, very bell like with a wonderful natural sustain, a recording doesn't quite capture it in all honesty. The lead sounds just soar. For me the balance between the pickups is very good, no ice pick to my ears, sweet soaring lead...seriously my tone really is great.

I've had time to put these pickups through their paces and they are fantastic! Thank you so much Joe for your help.

Impersonator A56 & Gilmour set: thank you for transforming a good guitar into a great, expressive polyvalent quiet and inspiring instrument. Long live Kinman!