Hx-85 v2 Pickups

Having been a player and connoisseur of Kinman strat style pickups since 2009, I tell you no other brand comes close for both tone and zer-hum. I've had the recent pleasure to upgrade from the already amazing HX-85 V1 (bridge) pup to the new HX-85 V2 (bridge) model and wow!!! Just when I thought that it couldn't get any better, the HX-85 V2 is everything and more of the V1.

More strat twang, thwack and chime - than that of actual strat pups - that cuts through in both the the studio and band setting - it's simply inspiring. 

During breaks at my gigs, I get countless compliments from strat players all of whom cannot believe the tone that I get with these pups. This is nothing new as it all began once I started out with the original HX-85 V1 over a decade ago. Most of those cats have since taken the leap of faith and are now firm believers in the gospel according to Kinman. Even my students are switching to Kinman pups. In all my years, I've tried everything and Chris and his amazing crew keep on delivering the goods in their own cutting edge, zero-hum fashion. It's good to be home with my Kinman pickups. 

Best in tone,

Craig Small

 

Ed:  thanks for your Report Card Craig, we here at Kinman were thrilled to read it.  One never really knows how any new model will be received and when we release one it is done with a degree of trepidation, so it is very gratifying to hear about your experience with the Hx-85 v2.  We were all quite taken, actually we were very surprised, when we first heard it ourselves and so much so we decided to release it immediately and so it, and it's companion AVn-69 v2, were added to the website within hours.  Boss Chris hit a home run with those two, actually it was a hole in one since he felt no need to mess with the first choice of coil specifications which, some might say, is always a wild guess.  That's what comes with his vast experience.  Thanks again for writing,  Joe.

 

I finally got around to trying the Impersonator MV in the bridge position and then compared it with an HX-85 v2 of mine. The verdict: They both sound exceptional in their own right and better than any actual S style pups that I've had & heard over the decades.

The HX is hotter with mids that got me hooked back in 2009. It has more of a 70's vibe to it whereas the Impersonator is less aggressive, has more of a vintage (50's/60's) vibe to it and has the sexiest mids I think I've ever heard in a S style pup. Both are absolutely stunning whether they're played clean, edgy and/or overdriven.

They both are capable of covering at least as much territory and genres than any other pup on this planet. They and are more musical and pleasant to the ear, mine anyway, simply because A) there's none of that spiky, ice picking sound/frequency that is inherent with many a S style pup and... B) there's ZERO hum!

It's impossible for me to decide which one I prefer so, I now have a 50's/60's S style rig and a 70's S style rig and man do they pack some serious vibe. 

Thank you for your patience, support and curiosity. I hope this message finds you, your crew and our fearless leader, the K Dude, well and good.

Best in tone,  Craig Small

ED:  Thank you Craig, your descriptions are pretty much in line with our impressions.  It's great to know we are one the same wavelength as our customers, it means everything to me and I am so glad you agree.  All the best, Chris Kinman (the fearless K dude ahahaaha)