Adeson Tri-Sonics

Submitted at: 5:14, 2/7/2005

Product Info

Pickup features: Single coil replicas.
Impedence or other specs: Standard 7K 1964 Vintage spec.
Price Paid: UK Pounds Ł90
Purchased from: Adeson

Instrument

Model of guitar or bass: KZ Red Special and Home made Red Special
Position: all positions
Pickup being replaced: Kent Armstrong Tri-Sonics
Other pickups on guitar: N/A
Artists using this pickup: Brian May
You musical style(s): All styles but mainly rock music.
Reason for pickup change: I decided to try out the Tri-Sonics after reading the very interesting details on the website and chatting with Adrian at Adeson. The cases, baseplates, coil winding methods and magnets have all been replicated.

Sound

Perceived output level: I expected these pick-ups to be slightly hooter than what I was using. But compared to original Tri-Sonics they were very close indeed.
Tone: Middy
Sonic evaluation: I use these pick-ups with a treble booster and two AC30's connected in stereo with a Boss CE-1 Chorus. These pick-ups were based on the typical value of a Tri-Sonic from 1964. I figured that this is what Brian May would have got when he bought his at that time. The sounds are stunning. Of course Brian's pick-ups are wired in series so they add together rather than like a Strat or other type of guitar. Generally the were more powerful than my Kent set. The clarity was retained though. They are very warm but clear. The bridge and middle in phase at full volume gave a very warm, rounded and smooth tone. Plenty of sustain and clean as well. Lowering the volume retained some gain and of course a cleaner tone came. This was great for a crunchy rhytym sound. Powerful still but with a kind of strat twang to it. Low volume and the guitar cleaned up with a clean bell like tone. This was something I could not get right before. Out of phase settings such as neck and middle had warmth but were really screechy. Very tuneful but just as I wanted. Something else I was unable to achieve properly before.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Generally I play Classic rock music.

Overall Rating

Comments: I would definitely replace them if they were lost or stolen but then I would have to replace the guitar too! These pick-ups have transformed my guitar and I would not use any other set for my two Red Specials. I asked for them to be waxed to further reduce any microphonics. These things were totally silent. Adeson have been very helpful and very informative about the history of these pick-ups. They are very highly recommended.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value

Submitted by: Mark <markoz12@hotmail.com>