Guitarist Magazine (UK—May ‘24)

[hunter v2.0]

Many thanks!

Interesting he changed the pickups in his signature Stratocaster

Just picked up a copy and yes, he had Callahan pick ups fitted to his 2008 Sig Strat. It is used a lot on ODR

That he chose the Texas Special pickups to begin with is total mystery to me. I have no first-hand experience with them, but most recordings I've heard have sounded harsh. I also have a friend with a big collection of nice new and vintage guitars, including an original MK signature Strat. He says the same thing.

[dustyvalentino]

MK used them on plenty of albums and live shows and they sounded great

[Knopflerfan]

MK used them on plenty of albums and live shows and they sounded great

Love the texts puck ups myself...

[3Strats]

They sell the Texas specials as being a bit "fatter" & more powerful than the standard Strat pickups but not so much that you can't still get clean tones with them. They just have a bit of an "edge".
I've got a Tonerider pure vintage set in my 80's MIJ Strat and they are much cleaner than the Texas Specials. (and sweeter than the ceramic pickups that came in it). I tend to use this guitar for early DS tones.