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9+ sounds for Stratocaster* (3 single coil pickups or non-splitting humbuckers in HSS/HSH configuration)

Use this ORDER CHANNEL only if you are buying a harness without pickups.  If you are ordering pickup(s) there is provision to include a harness (same price as displayed above) after you click the BUY button for your pickup(s).  Generally this will not increase the cost of shipping.

Accepts non-Kinman pickups also. The pickups now connect to the green screw-down connector block shown below. 

 

Screw-Down connector block

The K9 is a fully modular harness where all the parts plug together, eliminating soldering 100%

NOTE the 3rd Flying Ground wire for 3C on the Blue plug for the middle pickup.

 

A FREE high quality screw driver to tighten the small screws is included with your harness

 

NOTE: Ideally, existing Kinman middle pickups should have 3 conductor hook-up cable and grounded magnets that prevent contact noise from your fingers when in series mode.  2 Conductor hook-up cables are not suitable so you should upgrade the middle pickup to 3C as shown in the picture above.

Provides the optimum electrical environment allowing the pickups to develop their full sonic and feel potential.  Soldering is eliminated 100% with this ingenious harness when Kinman pickups are included in your order.  

The K9 Goodbye-Soldering Harness Gen-2 provides the utmost sonic versatility.  Offers all but one sound of the K7 plus more Knopfler-esque sounds as well a high output 'in-series' sound reminiscent of a P-90 for overdrive.

The K9 harness provides all 5 normal Strat sounds plus 4 highly usable new dimension sounds.  The 6th, 7th and 8th sounds are variations of the distinctive Knopfler-esque quack sound while the 9th sound is in Gibson P-90 territory and provides boost in output for natural crunch sounds when suitable pickups are installed Example: Texas Jalapeno bridge with a pair of Impersonator E56.  These high output 'SERIES' sounds are selected with the lower Push/Push pot.  Popping the knob out with the pickup selector switch in position 2 re-connects the Bridge & Middle from parallel into series*, for boost in output and instant humbucker/P-90ish crunch: and also *that* plus the neck pickup in parallel for a unique fat hollow Knopfler-esque sounds.  Click this link for the K9 sound switching chart.

You can also get that much sought after 'that' Telecaster mid position funky sound by using the lower K9 rotary Mix control in conjunction with a graduated set of pickups such as our Gilmour set.  Read our Blog article There's Quack and there's Cluck ... and there's other C words

The volume pot has the famous Kinman treble bypass filter so you won't lose highs when you turn the volume down.  However, please read our Blog Article titled "Any old cable won't do

A unique additional feature is the internal slide switch where you can select either of 2 tone caps, the Kinman High Definition Tone control, or a regular tone cap if you want normal extreme treble cut.  Another unique feature is the mini slide switch that changes the volume pot from 250k to 500k -OR- a separate ability to set the volume pot value to either 250k or 500k for any or all pickups.  This allows you to use Humbuckers, P-90's, Kinman Big-Nine-O or other types of pickups that sound best with a 500k volume pot in combination with pickups that sound best with a 250k volume pot. .... -or- perhaps you just want to hear what your Strat pickups sound like with a 500k volume pot.

Kill switches can easily connect without soldering.  Get your Kill switch here

When ordering any Kinman Stratocaster harness with or for a Converge-3 splitting humbucker we replace one of the existing controls with the Converge-3 splitting control, and the rotary part can be configured as a Volume control, a Tone control or a K7 Mix control while the Push switch splits the coils.  And you get to choose which control is replaced so please state your preference in the Order Notes.

The pots and K9 control are user replaceable without soldering (in the rare event one needs to be replaced).

WARNING: when removing the knob from the K9 control the knob must be set to the 'OUT' position, otherwise you risk breaking the clutch mechanism.  If this happens we can supply a replacement. 

The K9 works well with all Kinman pickups.  In series mode the sound is fat and furry on the treble strings similar to a P-90/humbucker, but with better bass side definition than a humbucker. Imagine ..... a Strat and Gibson in one guitar !!!

Shipped with pots set to normal torque but convert easily to Easy Turn pots (right hand only) for easy finger rolling (violinning), the Install Guide shows how.  The Tone pot is the No-load type (without middle detent).  The Volume pot for Strat pickups actually measures 250K+.

Click for K9 footprint template to see if it fits into the control cavity of your Non-Fender guitar.

Introduced March 2006.  Gen-2 released January 2018.

Suits all Kinman pickups as well as other brand Strat pickups.  When ordered with a HSS set the volume pot will revert from 250k for the Strat pickups to 500k when the humbucker is selected.  Humbucker splitting is not available with the K9, but is with the K9-H.

FOOTNOTE: Ideally it is best to include a K9 in an order with a set of Kinman Strat pickups so the middle pickup will have grounded magnets and be fitted with a 3 conductor hook-up cable.  These measures prevent noise, under some circumstances like when your fingers touch the magnets but only when the pickup is switched into series mode.

  • OAK Grigsby lever switch (USA)
  • Switchcraft Jack socket (USA)
  • High quality easy turning pots with accurate value specially made for Kinman (3/8" bushing)
  • Pots are audio taper (log curve) with American 24 tooth knurl (fine)
  • Green colored (Orange Drop) polyester capacitors
  • Knobs & Switch tip included, color co-ordinated with pickups.  We don't have Parchment knobs so use your originals or buy Fender replacement knobs. Instead of Parchment your order will deliver with White knobs.

NOTE-1: available for Right and Left hand

NOTE-2: suitable for both pickguard mounting and & rear rout control cavities such as offered by Warmoth. 

NOTE-3: middle pickup should have 3 conductor Hook-Up wiring

* Fender and Stratocaster and Strat are registered Trade Marks of Fender Musical Instrument Corp, Inc.  Kinman is not associated with FMIC but they kindly permit us to refer to their Trade Marks to reference our products.

 

Sorry, no Technical Stuff for this pickup.

The Kinman Hi Def Tone control demonstrated

Dave Brumitt

Oregon,USA

Dear Chris Kinman I usually don’t write a company about their product or their service but I just had to write you. What sold me on your pickups were the amount of information on your web site, the K9 pickup harness and the sound files of your Woodstock Strat Pickups. Now I know there are so many variables to getting a sound out of a guitar, I’d only hoped to get something close to your sound files,

Well I did get what I’d hoped for and more. I did a couple of hail Mary’s and sent my money. I have never used my neck pickups in any of my guitars or rolled off the treble or volume, it always seemed to get muddy when I did that. With this guitar and your pickups I do all that and more and what comes out of this guitar is a sweet crystal clear sound, your pickups have added a whole new pallet of sound for me and there is absolutely no 60 cycle hum.

There was no detailed picture of your k9 harness on your web site, what I got was the tightest and cleanest looking electrical setup I have ever seen, It’s almost a shame to cover it with a pick guard. Install was fast and painless, you can be assured I will be ordering another set for a Strat type 12 string I plan on making.

Thank you for you fine product and good service.

Sincerely.

Mike Ferreira

I received my order today. Mk II neck and middle with an HX 85 in the bridge along with the K9 no solder wire harness. I downloaded the install instructions online and went right at it. Pretty straight forward install for a first timer like me. Had to reread a couple of the instructions and check the graphics for reference, but in the end, all went well. Restring, tune, plug in and HOLY%$*# !!! My strat sounds amaZING. I will be going over all the K9 options ASAP, but I just couldn't put the guitar down. Thank You for a great product.

Bryan Neumann

USA

Mr. Kinman,

I just wanted to let you know that I have installed my new Blues Set with the K9 harness. The sound is exactly what I was looking for -- no noise, great tone, and the K9 transparently adds a layer of versatility to my Strat that I didn't think was possible.

Thanks for your product,