Kinman Surfmaster DV - Jazzmaster Pickup Review/Demo (unsponsored)

NOTE: Kinman Co. has responded to this review - I think there is merit in what they have to say, though I still disagree with some of it. This link gives a full transcript of their reply, which is too long to post in its entirety here. They are clearly very passionate about their products.
docs.google.co...

[@myretrofuture1731]

PLEASE NOTE: Kinman customer service has responded at length with a rebuttal to the negative aspects of this review, and I have posted a full transcript of that reply in the comments. I don't agree with everything they have to say but they do raise valid points that are worth reading if you are on the fence about making such a large investment in some high end pickups.

[@roygeiger6911]

Where is the rebuttal?

[@myretrofuture1731]

@@roygeiger6911 The google doc in the description has the convo. Cheers.

[@roygeiger6911]

@@myretrofuture1731 I went with Fender CuNiFe WRH on my 40th Anniversary Squier Jazzmaster. They were $620 Aus. , so maybe top shelf pickups cost this much now. I know there are less expensive options. Perhaps you get what you pay for.

[@armandosinger]

Excellent review. I’ve been curious about these, but as you say it’s shrouded in secrecy.
Given cost and your propensity to mod, why not install an illitch coil to cancel the hum-then you can use your favorite pickups. The tricky part is that there is no premade option for the jazzmaster. But that cavity is so huge, you might just be able to put the large illitch coil right in there w/o routing anything. I dunno.

[@UltraPvnk]

Those sound amazing! They are forgiven for the transgression of editing the review.

[@myretrofuture1731]

Glad you think so! Tried to be as fair as possible.

[@LarsAquinonez]

Those sound wonderful! Very scummy to edit your review. It does call into question vendor's reviews. I'm glad there are RUclipsrs with a history of integrity to trust.

[@myretrofuture1731]

Thanks very much for the compliment! It is strange to have both things in mind at once - awesome product, scummy move. Usually you just get one or the other.

[@Markleford]

I can understand some of those edits -- namely the one with the factual correction, but also the one about the timeliness of delivery because that can change depending on their current workload. The one about needing some extra electronics know-how was key, though. I'd tell them just to take it down, or else remove your name from it.
Otherwise, they sound great, and I love crazy switching schemes that extract a ton of sonic possibilities. 👍
Far too expensive for me, though -- I pretty much just buy used and cheap! Most of my guitar mod "victims" are in the $150 range, mainly because I've yet to figure out what I'd want in a "number one forever guitar" like you've managed to determine. At least it fun to experiment with variety in the meantime!

[@myretrofuture1731]

In the end they just took my name off the review and left it as-is. Totally respect these being too expensive - the cost to benefit ratio is a bit out of control

[@philmakesnoise]

I'm with you though, that is weird as hell. Such a small move but it leaves a sour taste.

[@AlxMldzn486]

Awesome vid, pickups seem insane

[@myretrofuture1731]

Thanks! They are indeed pretty heavy duty. Overkill for me even, but I really like them.

[@jester333]

ooh pick guard

[@myretrofuture1731]

Glad you like it! I got a whole video on how to have one made for your guitar, and you can choose some other anodization colors.

[@charleyeastman1795]

Kinman: all you had to do is REACH OUT AND ASK before editing user reviews. Your pickups sound amazing. Back them up with better editorial practices. Cutting corners is always disrespectful.

[@myretrofuture1731]

Totally agree

[@Updog89]

SO SHADY how they changed your review.

[@randallhaney7909]

Nope !!!