Crel Serial Killer

(Originally written by Nordin/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
How long have you been using it?

I mounted this pickup on a CUSTOM 77 Explorer guitar (bridge position).

I wanted a sound for fat distortions and clear arpeggios.

I didn't want a muddy tone. I've been using this pickup for one month.

- Which feature do you like the most / the least?

I like that the sound always stays accurate with this pickup

both in clean or distortion mode. With distortion the sound has strong overtones and

a rather long sustain.

The sound character is close to a Gibson PAF but with the color of a Seymour Duncan SH-4 Jeff Beck and a DiMarzio PAF Pro. The output level is nearly as high as a Tone Zone Dimarzio.

The lows, mids and highs are well-balanced.

The pickup allows you to play several music styles: from blues to rock, funk, pop, hard rock and even melodic heavy metal.

Spec sheet of the Crel Serial killer bridge pickup:

Output: 350 mV

Impedance: 11 kOhms

Resonance frequency: 4.3 Henries

(this pickup is also available for Floyd Rose string spacing)

Output: 4 wires + shield

- Did you try any other models before buying it?

Yes I tested several models: Gibson Paf, DiMarzio Paf Pro, Tone Zone, Super Distortion, Seymour Duncan SH4, SH11, SH12, KCPI Kamel Chenaouy Vintage KC-V-58, EMG 81, 85, SA, GFS 59 and boutique PAF, etc...

- How would you rate its value for money?

For a handmade pickup with lifelong warranty, the value for money is excellent.

- Based on your experience, would you buy this product again?

I would buy it again considering the quality and originality of the pickup.

I bought this microphone after Christmas 2005 to put in the bridge position, as well as a "sniper" of the same brand next round. The victim is a Cort M600, including microphones mightymite did not satisfy me. I played the original pickups only 10 days actually, as I intended to buy to replace them, having already tried this model very nice, simple with a violin that deserved to be the correct upgrade.

Features: Recommended humbucker in the bridge position.
output level: very "hot"
mic response: many acute mediums well-balanced, low enough.

Sound: sharp. cut at first for the big rock "on branch, we do not care and let's go." In the taming it is versatile. see more. Parasites minimal, what is expected in this range of quality. Note that I am connected directly to pc and it unforgiving. It restores everything must have a set net, without exaggerating either, the micro incentives to improve his game anyway. The sound really depends on the settings and amplification is used. The fidelity is good. I come out a great sound of a PA or 15 watts though. The most important thing (for me) it fit snugly into the mix so good. To taste can bring out the Grat more or less, it's a good mic work.

the most:-sound. it's still essential. The sound is good no matter what you do with hacks (except maybe to the treble and the bottom is zero ... it would not be good as pie cucumber)
-Versatility, I have not lied, we can tackle any style in a book "rock" within very broad (blues, hard, etc ...) as this is my thing (I do times but not for those who are stuck to the securities we love quite easily with 2 knobs of 3 settings).
It has its original grain. Not "too" original, but it's not an SD, let alone a DiMarzio. I wanted something roots, of surly, and with sufficient power reserves, and color just enough to "separate". I have what I want. I can not describe this microphone to the expectations that I did not.

Cons: A-metallers will perhaps find no happiness. I said "perhaps" because I like metal and I play in small doses, but the micro has nothing to do with assets with a balance of 8/8/4 ... But why there are other models in the brand is very well marked. The "sniper" full well the microphone, and the intermediate position will fill the "gaps" identified above. Yep There's two pickups on a guitar, it must be remembered.

I had a Start 40th anniversary there was a time ... I thought the sound of the pickup would be impossible to fill a lack, well, never say never. The goal was to have a more versatile guitar, without losing too much of the sonic identity that gave me this guitar. It is sure bet to me.

I paid the same price as a major brand ... including shipping (online sales only way if we do not live nearby). For all that I have quoted is not expensive at all.
So, I'm not endorsed, etc ... and I'll sell my guitar not long before trèèèès (I even tried a gibson, here!). But again, my opinion is based on my expectations. I would do that choice and that choice I do it again for another instrument (a bass). Super. The 10 is because this microphone is not (yet) imposed limits on what I want acoustically speaking.

It's been one year that I use the Serial Killer and Sniper brand mounted on a STHAC SL24 Custom Shop to replace the Di Marzio EVO 2.
Precise, sharp, soft, round, angry, powerful, obedient ... everything will depend on your volume and tone knobs, switch from clean to crunch, crunch of the voicing and eventually destroy a lead, they go with everything shine and presence. Harmonic solid and warm on the first eighth of a turn of Pot. / volume.
Excellent mics do everything, but against, the game of precision pinch, they leave nothing to spend any means. You can spend a m7/5- in without distortion blurs.
Excellent value for money.
And for sure on my next scratch custom shop, it will be of Crel's or anything

I am professionally for fifteen years and I use the Serial Crel from home since a season now.

It is a combination of circumstances and especially my bass player, who spoke of Crel. In fact I changed twice a Seymour Jeff Beck due to coil flinguée (classic seems to be! But twice is enough). I did not want to buy a third, not want to change that, but because of his career (for a chain of Televison moreover ..) I could no longer afford to risk failure. Our bass player that uses Crel therefore directed me to them.

It's very tough reliable (I understand why they guarantee lifetime!) That does everything and thus a perfect mix of sound palettes Dimarzzio Seymours. You can go there with closed eyes.
A colleague set up a T Rex on his own and it's heavy .. heavy.
I would say the Serial provides additional flexibility for a humbucker. Even Split on a spool that hangs well. Good job.

Antoine 1971