I wanted to build a Parts-caster Strat that retains some of the traditional “Stratty” tones, but avoids that shrill ice-picky bridge pick-up sound. I wanted a fatter sound with more mids when playing lead. I also wanted a warm jazz tone from the neck pick-up. I didn’t want to muddy things up by adding humbuckers, or run into pot/cap complications with HSS or HSH.
I’ve never had a P90 guitar before, but decided to take a punt on Mr Glyn’s Sassy [P90] set of two necks and a bridge, and Emerson 5-way Strat kit with 500K/0.022uf controls.
I’m very happy with the results. The clarity of tone is great. Ok so SSS Strats are already famed for clarity, especially if the pickups have “pre-CBS” as their inspiration. So you may wonder “why?” The difference here comes when one really digs in with the P90s. They are very dynamic, and offer “extra”. When played with a lighter touch it gives you “stratty”, especially from the 2 and 4 positions. But it can snarl too, and gives tones that are certainly not obviously stratty (which is what I wanted). Neck pickup with tone rolled down to 3 is a nice warm jazz tone and, with eyes tight shut, one wouldn’t even guess that it’s a Strat. Bridge pickup with tone on 4 is a super smooth and creamy lead sound. With the tone on 10 it’s as bright as anyone could wish for. In between “jazz” and “Neil Young/Crazy Horse”, you’ve got great funk (2), country-rock (3), and Knopfler/Mayer (4) noises. A very versatile set-up!
I have replaced many pickups through the years on various instruments and Glyn always has something exceptional sounding that suits my client’s playing style. The product range makes it easy to choose the right fit.
I have – on more than one occasion- purchased a set for a client to try only to purchase more for their other guitars. I also use them in instruments I make and first choice for people building their own guitars with me.
Recently purchased some of Mr Glyn’s ‘Jazz master style’ pick ups and honestly blew me away. The have a lot of the classic JM sound but there’s something else that makes them a tiny bit smoother. I also had the pleasure of meeting him at a Guitar Gallery event and can confirm he’s a good bugger as well. Highly Recommended for quality and service. Izzy, New Zealand [2025]
Here is the email Antonio sent me with his review of his Cloud Nine bridge pickup, along with the links to his YouTube. Thanks Antonio!
Cloud nine review:
Hi mate.
Just wanted to give you some feedback on the cloud nine I recently installed.
Firstly, thanks for the amazingly fast service.
Secondly the pickup sounds fantastic, especially alongside the Dimarzio hs4s that were already installed on the guitar. I got the cloud 9 to replace the PAF pro which was only standard spacing but needed to be f spaced. I absolutely love the PAF pro, but I’m so glad I went with the cloud nine.
Even in coil cut mode it sounds fantastic.
Anyways, I wanted to send you a couple of links to videos I made with the finished guitar.The Cold Chisel one I used the humbucker in full mode on the second solo.As for the Europe cover, all the rhythm guitars were recorded in coil cut mode including the parts of the solo when I switch to the bridge. Because the HS pickups are such low output pups, the cloud nine in coil cut mode is a perfect output match.
I’m definitely going to give more of your pickups a go.
” Hey, I just wanted to drop a line and give you some feedback on your pickups. I’m using the Black Sand in the neck and Cloud 9 in the bridge position and I have the Could 9 wired with a 3-way toggle on/on/on switch for full humbucker/single split/both singles in parallel.
I have to say, I could not be happier with the sounds.
Been playing for 32 years and been through more pickup combinations that I can count, including very expensive boutique sets. I’ve always still had some aspects about them that I was unhappy with. I’m very particular about timbre and I suppose one could easily refer to me as a “tone snob.”
This is the first time I’ve had the versatility that I’ve desired in one guitar, without any complaints or positions in which I didn’t care for the sound.
The combination of the Black Sand and the Cloud 9 is about as close to perfect a combination as I could ask for.
Every single pickup combination and voicing is useable and sounds spectacular, and even every combination with every position of the tone knob sounds spectacular.
So I wanted to give you a very big “well done” on your pickups.
I chose these pickups because the demos convinced me that not only would they be a better choice than branded Texas Specials.
I was also looking for a blend of twangy, chiming Stratocaster tones that could be punchy and strong when playing at higher gain settings.
Result:- I’m almost in disbelief at how much the Tuis’ deliver on both counts. “Beauty” as the say in the eye of the beholder and all guitar players have our own preferences. When you find gear that not only delivers on its promotional claims but opens up new dimensions in your own playing and soundscape, you want to tell others about it.
Kia ora Glyn – just thought I’d flick you a note to say I’m very happy with the pickups. In combination with my Princeton Reverb, it’s exactly the tele sound I’ve always been chasing. The bridge in particular has really surprised me, as I’ve always found tele bridges a bit much, but yours has the perfect 60s country twang and I find I’m actually staying on the bridge most of the time now. Probably should have gone with vintage output pickups a long time ago!
Anyway, thanks again for the great service. Kind regards, Matthew Gore
A couple of weeks back I installed a set of your ‘attitude’ Pickups (18k bridge etc). I was really impressed ..for such hi gain they sounded nice and open and with a great singing type tone, harmonics jumping out on any note played …and this was on a thin neck floyd rose equipped ibanez …turned this normally toneless guitar into a decent instrument ….happy customer [October 2020]
Suffice it to say it’s exceeded expectations. Every single tonal dynamic has been enriched and enhanced. It delivers on everything you promised. Tight, punchy bottom end with soaring singing highs. Well done sir, it’s truly superb. As soon as I can I’ll order a second.
[after ordering the 2nd Attitude]
When I was a teen poring over Guitar Player magazine in the ’80s and ’90s, I always thought it was so cool reading about artists discussing going to manufacturers directly and talking with the names behind the companies. So I get a real kick out of the personal communication, and I really appreciate it too.
Both Attitudes are now installed, along with the Obsidian Wire 60s coil-tap harness. I had a brief play on it at my mate’s last night through a small Marshall valvesate combo, today I have rehearsal, so I get to properly let it off the chain through my ridiculously monstrous ’69 Holden Wasp XL. It sounded amazing enough last night; I’m champing at the bit to hear it today.
