I have done fairly extensive testing. Many sound supurb. None fit the cutout in the guard.
I agree that there may not be an exact match for the pickguard notch. The Kent Armstrong floating single coil pickup will fit pretty nicely in the slot of the pickguard. And if it isn't perfect, still I'm more interested in the quality of sound than how it looks. It also comes with a switchable impedence selector, if so desired. Anyone have any knowledge of the effect of such a switch on the sound of a single-coil floating pickup, such as the Kent Armstrong?
Armstrong Handmade Floating Single Coil -Versatile Vintage Tone
If you've been looking for the sound of the old DeArmond Model 1100 or Gibson P-90, but have been frustrated due to the scarcity, expense, and unreliability of the originals, your solution is here at last. A breakthrough in vintage style amplification, the
Armstrong Handmade Floating Single Coil pickup is the world's only floating pickup that combines the brilliant response of traditional single coil design, with the flexibility of individually adjustable pole pieces for each string. The single coil winding and Alnico magnet replicates the wider frequency response of the classic Dearmond, Gibson P-90 and other classic pickups of the 40's and 50's, but careful shielding and rock-solid epoxy potting makes them much more resistant to noise and interference than the originals. Best of all, the hex screw poles allow the player to calibrate the pickup to match the output of
either nickel or bronze strings. In addition, Kent has tapped the coil with
three connector lugs, so the player may choose either of two output impedances: approx. 8K or 13K ohms, or switch between them while playing. The most versatile floating pickup made.
The pickup is available as shown, with black resin casing and pickguard mounting tab only. (Not availalable with metal cover, or neck mounting tabs.) Each pickup individually handmade in the USA by Kent, and supplied with adjusting wrench and shielded connecting wire.
Dimensions: Length- 2 11/16" (length including mounting tab- 3 3/4"); Width- 1 3/16"; Depth: 7/16". Pole spacing, low to high E: 2". Minimum recommended string clearance: approx. 5/8" from guitar top to bottom of strings at the end of the fingerboard, with strings depressed at highest fret. (Click
here for measurement instructions.) Output: 8 or 13K ohms.
$199.00.
Special: Single coil pickup
plus micro toggle selector switch, ideal for pickguard mounting, allows switching between pickup impedances:
$219.00 (switch not sold separately.)