Eternal Timeless “Shin Kicker” Stratocaster Pickup Set
The Spirit of Rory’s Legendary ’61 Strat — Three Voices, One Iconic Sound
Inspired by the well-travelled, battle-scarred heart of Rory Gallagher’s iconic 1961 Stratocaster, the Eternal Timeless “Shin Kicker” Pickup Set is far more than a vintage replica — it’s a faithful recreation of the evolving, working musician’s pickups that defined Rory’s unmistakable sound.
Because Rory’s original pickups were replaced, rewound, and modified over years of heavy touring, there’s no single spec to follow — only a trail of tonal clues, recorded legacy, and road-worn character. After extensive research, prototyping, and listening, we’ve recreated a set that captures not just the tones, but the spirit of Rory’s beloved Strat.
Three Distinct Voices — One Unmistakable Sound
Each pickup in the Shin Kicker Set has its own unique story, designed to match the authentic mishmash of eras and styles found in Rory’s guitar — all working together to create that instantly recognizable tone.
- Neck Pickup — Sweet, Flute-Like Clarity
Based on a late ‘50s/early ‘60s Heavy Formvar-wound neck pickup, this position delivers the smooth, woody, flute-like tones Rory’s clean passages are famous for. Soft lows, gentle mids, and beautifully glassy highs — perfect for everything from delicate fingerpicking to full-throttle blues.
- Middle Pickup — Flattened Pole Mojo
Modeled after a mid-‘70s Plain Enamel pickup, this middle position brings in a slightly darker, throatier voice. To match Rory’s modifications, we’ve recreated the rare pushed-pole mod, where the normally raised D and G poles were pressed down through the bottom flatwork. This subtle shift creates a more even string response and adds a unique tonal texture — a blend of warmth, openness, and road-worn grit.
- Bridge Pickup — Beefy & Bold with Vintage Soul
Rory often replaced his bridge pickup for something hotter and thicker to cut through a roaring amp. Our version is a bespoke overwound late-‘50s style pickup, wound with Heavy Formvar wire and black wax-potted for just the right touch of microphonic edge. It delivers a fatter, punchier voice, perfect for driving Rory’s signature overdriven leads, all while retaining the clarity and dynamics of a great vintage single coil.
The Magic of the Unbalanced Set
By combining three distinctively voiced pickups from different eras and designs, the Shin Kicker Set unlocks the same unbalanced but beautifully complementary combinations that gave Rory’s Strat its legendary versatility. Whether you’re running each pickup alone or exploring the parallel 2 and 4 positions, you’ll hear that unique clash of voices — airy highs, rich mids, and just enough grit — that captures the spirit and swagger of Rory’s tone.
Available Only as a Complete Set
To preserve the magic of the set’s intentional imbalance, the Shin Kicker is available exclusively as a calibrated set of three — offered in your choice of aged or unaged finishes to suit your guitar’s story.
Key Features
- Three Historically Accurate Designs – One set combining late ‘50s, early ‘60s, and mid-‘70s elements, just like Rory’s.
- Hand-Beveled Alnico Magnets – Custom stagger for each position to match vintage specs and Rory’s modified poles.
- Heavy Formvar & Plain Enamel Wire – Era-correct winding materials for authentic tone and harmonic detail.
- Scatter-Wound by Hand – Individually hand-wound for tonal complexity and response.
- Custom Flattened Poles (Middle Pickup) – Recreation of Rory’s unique pole mod for even string response.
- Black Wax Potting (Bridge) – Just like the originals, preserving the vintage microphonic edge.
- Aged or Unaged Options – Tailored to match your guitar’s look and feel.
- Non-RW/RP Middle Pickup – True to vintage spec, preserving Rory’s original phase relationships.
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Tonal Profile
- Neck: Clear, warm, and flute-like — effortlessly musical.
- Middle: Slightly darker and throatier, with balanced string response and a touch of grit.
- Bridge: Bold and punchy, with enough output to drive your amp into natural breakup, while staying clear and responsive.
- Combinations (2 & 4): Unbalanced, harmonically rich blends — full of the character, quack, and grit Rory’s Strat was famous for.
Specifications
- DC Resistance:
- Neck: ~5.7k
- Middle: ~6.1k
- Bridge: ~9.4k
- Magnets: Hand-Beveled Alnico 5
- Wire:
- Neck & Bridge: Heavy Formvar
- Middle: Plain Enamel
- Flatwork: Black & Grey Bottom
- Potting: Black Wax (Bridge)
- Polarity: All pickups wound in the same direction (no RW/RP)
- Lead Wires: Vintage Cloth Push-Back
Rory’s Road-Worn Tone, Brought to Life
The Eternal Timeless "Shin Kicker" Stratocaster Pickup Set is more than just a tribute — it’s a living, breathing collection of voices, each with its own history, quirks, and character, all working together to create the unmistakable spirit of Rory Gallagher’s Strat. Whether you’re chasing his fiery blues leads, his haunting cleans, or the ragged beauty of his in-between tones, this set delivers — with all the passion, grit, and individuality that made Rory a legend.
