Ooh...GAS for Klein pickups monthly specials

Browsing today saw this month's specials at Klein:

1952, Broadcaster, and Nocaster sets are going for 190$. I'm thinking of trying a different flavour set of pickups, and these look nice (still pricey though).

Looking at the bridge specs, looks like we have

1952: 42AWG, 7.7 kOhms, A3
Broadcaster: 43AWG, 8.6 kOhms, A3
Nocaster: 42AWG, 8.3 kOhms, A3

Talk me into or out of trying them, and which would you get?

(Disclaimer: I know sound is hard to describe, and that all 3 are probably great, and that amp and guitar settings are important. Still, I really enjoy discussing pickups and sound here with you guys:mrgreen:!)

I really like Klein's. My favorite set of Tele pups came from them. Chris is also a top knotch guy to deal with. Incredibly knowledgable and patient with newbies to the custom pup circus.

I had the Epic 57 in one of my Strats and it seemed a bit bright, but last night I put them in a '54 thin skin and they are just amazing! Toppy, yet sweet with nice firm and fat bottom. The perfect amount of microphonics to keep things lively.

I am trying to decide between a Klein Nocaster and Broadcaster set as I have a Telemaster that is just coming together and two pine T bodies and one neck. I do want to do a black Esquire/Broadcaster with steel saddles in a closet classic look. I do have a set of Rumplestiltskin 1950 Black Rope coming soon, so I do not want them to be too similar as I generally don't like overwound and compressed pickups. I did write him a while back and he recommended the Nocaster set to get close to the Keef sound.

What is nice is Klein just added Nocaster sound clips that should have been recorded with the new magnets and wire, but the old sound clips for the Epic 57 Strat do not sound as good as they do in my 54 thin skin! My other two Strats are Custom Shop and the 54 thin skin sounds better than either one even using the exact same sets of pickups.

The 1952 set is tempting me!

The 1952 set is tempting me!

Me too, that's the one that has me tempted most!

My Esquire has a Klein Broadcaster pup in it and it is out-of-this world. Very punchy, shimmering yet beefy, the perfect Country pickin pickup for me. I was looking for a Bakersfield-type sound ( think James Burton, Roy Nichols ) with chime and muscle behind the twang and I found it. I strongly recommend it, and judging by the quality, anything made by Chris. My guitar guy had to admit it was an improvement over the Fralin Blues Special I had in it before. JMHO YMMV
Right now I'm GASing for a set of his '57 Epic Strat pups.

My Esquire has a Klein Broadcaster pup in it and it is out-of-this world. Very punchy, shimmering yet beefy, the perfect Country pickin pickup for me. I was looking for a Bakersfield-type sound ( think James Burton, Roy Nichols ) with chime and muscle behind the twang and I found it. I strongly recommend it, and judging by the quality, anything made by Chris. My guitar guy had to admit it was an improvement over the Fralin Blues Special I had in it before. JMHO YMMV
Right now I'm GASing for a set of his '57 Epic Strat pups.

Thanks for that!
Going through the sound clips, the broadcaster definitely sounds sweet. Just judging by the specs, it almost seems to be the lowest output one with only 8.6k using 43AWG wire. I don't suppose you've compared your broadcaster to any other Klein pups (or other pickups period)?

...or put another way, given the choice, would you take the broadcaster again, or one of the other two instead? And just out of curiosity, what's the DCR on yours? Cheers

Thanks for that!
Going through the sound clips, the broadcaster definitely sounds sweet. Just judging by the specs, it almost seems to be the lowest output one with only 8.6k using 43AWG wire. I don't suppose you've compared your broadcaster to any other Klein pups (or other pickups period)?

Nope, but I have to say the pickup sounds even better than the clips.

Had an email exchange with Klein. His answers were a bit shorter than I would have liked, but fairly informative. The last email to help new choose between the broadcaster and the 52 was just:

''1952 Telecaster pickup set.

Klein Pickups''

Now, if I can get and justify the funds, I might have some new pickups!

Can't decide between broadcaster and 52! What would you do Weylon?

Can't decide between broadcaster and 52! What would you do Weylon?

Get both ! :lol: No, seriously, I only know the Broadcaster and it's fabulous. They have different resistance so it goes down to if you want a lower or a higher wind, I think. The 52 is 7.7k and the Broadcaster 8.6k. If you want a little more muscle behind your twang and push your amp a little more, get the Broadcaster. JMHO

Get both ! :lol: No, seriously, I only know the Broadcaster and it's fabulous. They have different resistance so it goes down to if you want a lower or a higher wind, I think. The 52 is 7.7k and the Broadcaster 8.6k. If you want a little more muscle behind your twang and push your amp a little more, get the Broadcaster. JMHO

But the broadcaster is 8.6k with thinner wire, so in theory the output should be slightly less than the 52. What does yours measure at, just out of curiosity?

I don't remember. I do know it drives my Custom Vibrolux way harder than my 6.62k Duncan Antiquity.

The gas won, and a set of 52s are on their way!

...And they've finished their journey across the Atlantic already! First impressions, the neck pickup especially is superb.

Awesome pickups. Super meaty sounding.