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Kent Armstrong Pickups?

bill_banwell

bill_banwell

Oct 19, 2002
2,074
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England
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#1
Hi Everyone,

I've just been lent a 7 string from a friend (infact the guy is selling the bass) and it is installed with Kent Armstrong pickups? I've never heard of them before? Does anyone have any past experiences with Kent Armstrong pickups? They sound ok to me, I recorded a little demo/video with the bass:



Any info would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks :-)
Bill.
 
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#3
I've got a custom-made pair of Kent Armstrong humbucking pickups that sound amazing. I don't know much about his other models. I've tried one of the standard models (sold by wdmusic.com) and thought it was nice, but not quite on the same level as the custom models.

Most of his custom pickups seem to be standard humbuckers, but I've heard reports that he also makes "sidewinder" style pickups as well. From the clips you've posted I can't tell which it is for sure, but the upper midrange and treble tone seem to suggest a sidewinder. You were solo-ing the bridge pickup, correct?

Are these pickups in plastic shells, or are they completely epoxy-cast on the outside?
 
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#5
I play two Boerjes basses Invalid Link Removed with Armstrong pickups and both sound really good.
They're made in England, but I'm not quite sure if they're still in business. Last thing I heard senior boss moved to the US and junior boss took over.
Great pickups, punchy and fat with a little touch of aggressive rock tone (IMO).
One of my basses has the stingray model pickup and it sounds incredibly powerful.
 
#8
Kent Armstrong makes a number of different hand-wound pickups and will do custom work as well. His pickups are really, really nice. He also has a line of Korean-made pickups that are very good for the price, but they're not in the same league as his hand-wound stuff.
 
#13
Custom Armstrong mag for my old Azola deco. Sounded great.
Armstrong Split Barrel Jazz set in my Pre. Sounds great.
Armstrong Slimbucker on my Taylor ABG. Sounds great.

Talking to him about making some noiseless soapbar single coils to fit an existing p.up cavity. So far he's very easy and straightforward to deal with. His dad is Dan Armstrong who's been making pickups since the 60's so there's no shortage of experience.
 
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#16
I have been playing 2 P-basses, both fitted with Kent Armstrong VPB (alnico 5) PU's for 10 years. I really like these. Excellent response to finger dynamics. Very wide range. Deep deep bass, mids and plenty highs, but not too hot. Sound sweet yet authoritative. I like to tweak back the treble at the amp or back off a bit on my tone knob, to attenuate highs. Good pickups. No doubt about it.
 
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#17
bassliner50 said:
I have been playing 2 P-basses, both fitted with Kent Armstrong VPB (alnico 5) PU's for 10 years. I really like these. Excellent response to finger dynamics. Very wide range. Deep deep bass, mids and plenty highs, but not too hot. Sound sweet yet authoritative. I like to tweak back the treble at the amp or back off a bit on my tone knob, to attenuate highs. Good pickups. No doubt about it.
Click to expand...
10 years down the track......do you still rock the Kents in your p-basses? I used these a few years back and after trying several other top of the line brands, I'm going back to the Kent Armstrong Hot Vintage P. I knew there was a reason this was the only pickup I never sold and held on to. Your description is bang on! 👌🏽
 

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