Impersonator E56

The Impersonators have knocked it out the park and sound better than my original 62s and 97% of my mint original 57s.  These pickups have the air and the top end sparkle that I crave, and with no hum.  That's a stunning achievement given the laws of physics and the fact that other brands, even the big ones like Duncan, DiMarzio and Fender themselves, have not been able to match these Kinmans.

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 will 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!

I have an all kinman strat, humbucker, 56 imp, p90.  I love them.  I had a 3 x 56 impersonater strat, but I found myself playing the other one mainly and moved the middle and neck pickups to a telecaster, that I routed for 3 pickups. I should add that this is a major problem with Kinman pickups - once you've used them you're spoiled for other brands.  There's a richness to the tone... Dave.

Hi Joe and Chris,

I finally installed the pickups, and I just wanted to share my impressions with you.  In short: they are absolutely fantastic. Honestly, I could not be happier with them. First, here is my setup and the kind of music I usually play.

Guitar
Momose Strat-style guitar
- Roasted maple neck
- Lightweight ash body

Amp / Recording Setup
Mooer Radar → Yamaha THR30II

Styles I play:
- Blues: Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, John Mayer, Mateus Asato
- Pop: Judy and Mary, Yorushika
- Anime songs: K-On!, Bocchi the Rock!
- Rock: Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Hard Rock / Metal: Mr. Big, Yngwie Malmsteen, Van Halen, Ozzy Osbourne, X Japan

Overall Impression

These pickups are simply amazing.  They respond exactly the way I want them to, and the sound I imagine in my head actually comes out of the guitar.  They are extremely easy and enjoyable to play, and most importantly, they make me want to keep playing.

There is a very direct connection between what I do with my hands and what comes out of the amp. They respond beautifully to picking dynamics, articulation, and different playing styles.

The E56 is outstanding.

It has a strong attack and a great sense of bite, while still remaining clear and musical.  It also works exceptionally well with overdrive and distortion.  The notes remain clear and well defined, even with high gain. The low end is full and powerful, so the sound feels thick, but it never becomes muddy.  There is also a very satisfying midrange push.

At the same time, it can still produce that dry, woody, slightly aged vintage Strat character when I want it.  What impresses me most is that the pickup really lets the sound I want to hear “ring out” naturally.

I can even play distorted rhythm parts on the neck pickup that I would normally associate with a bridge pickup, and it still feels completely natural.  With many other neck pickups I have used, heavier distortion often caused the sound to become muddy, compressed, or unclear. With the E56, that simply does not happen.

Another major surprise is harmonics.  Compared with every other Strat neck pickup I have used, the E56 makes harmonics dramatically easier to produce. The difference is immediately noticeable.

Among all the neck pickups I have owned, the E56 is the best I have experienced in these areas.  Previous neck pickups I have used include:

- Lindy Fralin Real 54s
- Suhr V63+ / ML
- Suhr V70
- Seymour Duncan SSL-2
- Seymour Duncan YJM Fury STK-S10
- Mojotone ’54 Clone Strat
- Funk Ojisan Strat pickup
- Y.O.S. Smoggy Single Coil

The Texas Jalapeno EXTRA is equally impressive.

It has a thick, powerful sound, but it still keeps the lively and open character that I want from a Strat bridge pickup.  There is plenty of treble and clarity, but the high end is never harsh or painful.  It has excellent attack and bite, and once again, it works beautifully with distortion.  Even under high gain, the sound remains clear and defined without collapsing or becoming muddy.

Natural harmonics are very easy to produce, and pinch harmonics are also extremely responsive.  It also handles heavily distorted hard rock and metal rhythm playing very well, including tight palm-muted riffs on the low strings.

Despite being a single-coil-style Strat bridge pickup, it has enough power and authority for this kind of playing while still sounding unmistakably like a Strat.

Once again, the biggest compliment I can give it is that the sound I want to produce actually “rings out” from the guitar.  Among all the bridge pickups I have owned, this is the best I have experienced for these qualities.

Previous bridge pickups I have used include:

- Seymour Duncan SSL-6
- Seymour Duncan YJM Fury STK-S10
- Y.O.S. Smoggy Single Coil
- Kinman Hx-85 v2
- Kinman Kick in the Arse Standard
- Kinman Kick in the Arse Heavy

E56 + Texas Jalapeno EXTRA as a Set

I am also extremely impressed with how well the two pickups work together.  The transition between the neck and bridge pickups feels incredibly natural.  There is almost no sense that I need to completely redesign my amp or pedal settings when switching between them.  I can create one core sound and comfortably use either the neck or bridge pickup without worrying about one becoming too dark, too bright, too muddy, or too thin.  That balance is extremely important to me.

The neck + bridge combination is also excellent.  It has a smooth, rounded, almost “rolling” character with the sharp edges softened slightly. It is very musical, easy to control, and very usable in many situations.

Overall, this combination has exceeded my expectations.  I have tried many Strat pickups over the years, including several Kinman models, but this E56 + Texas Jalapeno EXTRA combination feels especially complete.  It gives me the clarity, power, harmonics, dynamics, bite, thickness, and versatility I have been looking for, while still keeping the character of a Strat.

Most importantly, they are simply inspiring to play.

Thank you very much, Joe, for all of your help with my order, and Chris, for creating such incredible pickups.

I am genuinely very happy that I chose these.

All the best,
T. K.