Apples and oranges. Fender's provides 25db of gain. You need to ask the maker of the unit you posted how their product compares.

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"Another day in paradise!"

It does look tempting but I think I'd go with the Fender if for no other reason than they tweaked the sound to fit the guitar.

I can go to a guitar store to hear Fender's version. Don't know where I'd go to hear the other version.

-T

FWIW, I installed the Clapton mid-boost in my 1999 Am Dlx strat which came stock with VNs. I took a pickguard assembly (ebay) from a Deluxe Player, personally routed my Am Dlx front and back just like the Clapton/Guy strats and installed. I now have a rosewood fretboard, LSR nut-equipped (aftermarket install by local luthier), alder bodied (crimson red transparent), strat with 7 pickup switching options. A VERY versatile strat indeed. What started me on my journey was that I took found the VNs in their original form lifeless. Even after installing the boost, I found that they (as nearly EVERYONE agrees) need careful height adjustment tweaking for optimal sound. The addition of the boost significantly alters the character of these pickups.

Additionally, I use this guitar with everything from a Digitech GNX4 processor to my GDEC 30 to various tube amps. In order of "best" sound:
1) Tube amps LOVE this setup. Clearly this is (for me at least) the best tonally (variety and responsiveness). I have a BillM modded BJ, '79 DR, Pignose G40V, 2 Gibson Falcons (tweed and tree bark versions), among others.
2) The GNX4 sounds fantastic, particularly with headphones on. Using the boost affects the quality of the sound, making it more saturated (to me). I find it easy to over do it. I also use an original POD at church and find essentially the same thing; using the boost increases the volume and helps cut through better, but easily becomes too much without being sonically satisfying.
3) The GDEC 30 has some great presets, I usually use the headphones (late night practicing) and I usually use the clean presets. I find it very rewarding to play with the various tonal options available with raising and lowering the volume, playing with the TBX and the mid-boost. There are MANY subtle complexities in this setup, very easy to miss when playing with lots of gain or in live situations. Headphones on clean settings help a lot... Once you add gain, you learn a whole new set of optimal settings!

Bottom line is that this is indeed a very useful tool and WELL worth the time to spend the effort and to get accustomed to it.

The biggest drawback I personally noted is the loss of the great quack in positions 2 & 4. It's still there, but something about the boost made it less intense. I bet those who have the VNs without the boost can testify to quackiness being those particular pickups strong points. YMMV

[quote="collinsml"]FWIW,]

In short, the VN's are part of a purposefully designed circuit with the midboost included and not necessarily to be used alone, though they are installed in another Fender model as stock.

That's a great write-up. Thanks!

-T

I've been browsing through the Fender forum for quite a while now because I'm thinking about buying an EC Custom Shop Strat but the decision is harder than I thought. On the one hand it hat that beautiful soft V-shape neck but then again there are those VN pick ups, which are my main concern. They may sound good in combination with the mid boost system but they just can't deliver a classic single coil sound.

Changing the VN's for let's say CS 69's isn't an option either because of the active circuitry. So what other possibilities does one have to get the best of both worlds, a clapton soft V neck and a classic "vintage" single coil sound?

I think I'm quite close to answering that question. I read through the FAQ section of Kinman's website and found the following post:


30) Do your pickups work well in Eric Clapton Strats with the active mid booster?

In a word -YES (read the review by L-G Pekkari below). I have received many compliments from other EC Strat owners as well over the years so the practice has been well and truly proven to be a good decision. If you decide to remove the actives then ensure all pots adhere to my recommended 250K 'A' curve (see Pot values on 'Perfect Guitar' page).
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Hi Chris.Bought a set of Woodstocks for my Clapton signature strat. The pickups combined with the electronics of the clapton strat is fantastic. Warm, fat and with a top end that sounds like velvet. A magical strat tone, and paired with the electronics in the clapton strat very flexible.I usually don´t send in rave letters about products I like but this time I could´nt stop myself:-) Very,very pleased with my sound and I´ll be ordering a set for my backup strat also.A big thank you. L-G Pekkari Sweden


Does anyone here maybe have an EC strat fitted with Kinman PU's? I've watched some videos on YouTube and the PU's sound really nice but I don't know how the mid boost will alter their sound.

[quote="RobGordon"]I've been browsing through the Fender forum for quite a while now because I'm thinking about buying an EC Custom Shop Strat.


I've had in my collection a Clapton based guitar with SCN's instead of VN's. They worked well.

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