Hank Marvin Set

(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! I take my hat off to you.

I love the p/ups. Very early Hank Marvinish! A lot more clarity than the V2's and a huge difference to the lower E & A strings. With the V2's they did not ring out so clearly. I'd definitely buy again if they get stolen!!

Dear Joe and Chris Just a little note to let you know that I picked up a set of your Hank Marvin Impersonator A54s for my Strat. They are absolutely perfect - now I have that classic stratocaster sound which is very slightly mid-scooped. Perfect Mark Knopfler tones in positions 2 and 4 too. Thanks very much - great set of pickups. Kindest regards Jay

Installed a new Impersonator 54 in my USA select Jackson Soloist, neck position. I'm absolutely speechless about the tone of this pickup. I never expected to achieve such a night-and-day difference as compared to the stock SD Classic Stack. There is no comparison.

The Kinman pickup is hands down the most dynamic, rich, detailed, and dimensioned pickup that I've ever experienced (both regular pickups and noiseless). Some things in this world are all hype, but Kinman tone is the real deal and is a refreshing expression of true engineering genius, fabricating skill, and top tier quality in all respects. Thank You Chris Kinman for the small package of pure magic! Craig Runk (Michigan USA)

I've gotta' say, I'm loving these pickups. Especially the #2 and #4 positions. I don't get that low mid mush that happens in 2 & 4 position with so many other pickups. Nice quack and definition without adjusting the EQ. Of course the other positions sound brilliant as well. Furthermore I have more sparkle on top then I expected, what a great surprise and again, better than so many other Strat pickups I've tried. Some of the reviews I read on forums asserted that they don't have the top-end extension of "real" Strat pickups. They sound plenty open to me.

Thanks again for all your help and a great set of pickups! Pete (California)

ED: Thanks Pete, we have often said the sonic performance of our Gen-2 models surpasses ordinary Strat pickups ... it's good to receive your confirmation of that.  Thanks for writing.

The Kinman Impersonator 54s are a truly noiseless pickup set for Stratocasters that sounds even better than true single coil pickups.

The first thing I noticed is just how silent the Kinman pickups are. I don’t mean quiet. I really do mean silent. So silent, that I could switch my tuner on and off (which cuts out the signal from the guitar to the amp), and hear no difference at all.

I’ve got guitars with humbuckers that aren’t as silent as that.

For me, one of the most important characteristics of a good Strat is the way that the open low E string sounds. I call it the Piano Test, because I’m looking for that piano-like “boooong” when the string is played. It’s got a lot to do with the nut, the bridge saddles and the trem block. None of that matters, though, if the pickups lack authority.  No problems here at all. These pickups have a lot of clarity, power and authority.

If you’ve ever wished that your Strat produced more low-end, especially on the neck pickup, I reckon you’ll love these Kinman Impersonator 54 pickups.

I’m a huge fan of Bare Knuckles 63 Veneer Board pickups. They have a richness and fullness to them that makes me smile every single time I play this guitar. As much as I like and recommend the Yosemite-equipped American Performer Strat, the BK 63 Veneer Board is the sound that I want from a Strat.

Switching back and forth between the two Strats, my jaw hit the floor, I’m not kidding.

These Kinman Impersonator 54 pickups sound very similar to the BK 63 Veneers – but better. There’s more clarity, and there’s more top-end. Honestly, the Kinmans are making my other Strats sound dark – and they’ve got true single coil pickups in them.

Noiseless pickups aren’t supposed to have better top-end than true single coil pickups, but these do.

In Position 1 – the bridge pickup – the Kinman pickups have a slightly softer attack compared to the other two Strats. When you dig into a string, it’s not quite as stabby as the 63 Veneers or (especially) the Yosemites can be.

These Kinman pickups certainly can rock out, and it doesn’t feel like the pickups lack dynamics at all. If you’re after a smoother-sounding bridge pickup, the Kinman pickup might just be what you want.

With the Kinman pickups, I’ve now got two guitars that sound very similar – only the Kinmans sound the best, they’re completely noiseless, and they’re in the Strat that hands-down plays the best. Why would I pickup my other Strat any more?

That’s how good these pickups are.