Inspired by the well-travelled, battle-scarred heart of Rory Gallagher’s iconic 1961 Stratocaster®, the Eternal Timeless “Shin Kicker” S-Style Pickup Set is far more than a vintage tribute - it’s a recreation of the evolving, working musician’s pickups that helped define Rory’s unmistakable tone.
Because Rory’s original pickups were replaced, rewound and modified over years of relentless touring, there is no single specification to follow, only a trail of tonal clues, recordings and road-worn character. After extensive research, prototyping and listening, we developed a set that captures not just the tones, but the spirit of Rory’s beloved instrument.
Three Distinct Voices - One Unmistakable Sound
Each pickup in the Shin Kicker set has its own distinct voice, reflecting the authentic mix of eras and styles that existed in Rory’s guitar, working together to produce that instantly recognisable sound.
Neck Pickup: Sweet, Flute-Like Clarity
Based on the character of late-’50s / early-’60s Heavy Formvar-wound pickups, the neck position delivers the smooth, woody, flute-like tones heard in many of Rory’s clean passages. Soft lows, gentle mids and beautifully glassy highs make it ideal for delicate fingerpicking or expressive blues phrasing.
Middle Pickup: Flattened Pole Mojo
Modelled after the tonal character of mid-’70s Plain Enamel pickups, the middle position introduces a slightly darker, throatier voice. To reflect Rory’s well-known modifications, we recreated the unusual flattened-pole mod, where the raised D and G pole pieces were pushed down through the flatwork. This subtle alteration produces a more even string response and adds a unique tonal texture — combining warmth, openness and road-worn grit.
Bridge Pickup: Beefy & Bold with Vintage Soul
Rory often experimented with hotter bridge pickups to cut through a roaring amplifier. Our bridge unit is an overwound late-’50s-style design, wound with Heavy Formvar wire and black wax-potted for a touch of vintage microphonic liveliness. The result is a fatter, punchier bridge tone that drives overdriven leads while retaining the clarity and dynamics of a great vintage single coil.
The Magic of the Unbalanced Set
By combining three distinctively voiced pickups drawn from different eras and design approaches, the Shin Kicker set recreates the beautifully unbalanced combinations that gave Rory’s Strat its legendary versatility.
Whether played individually or in the classic parallel positions (2 and 4), the result is a unique blend of airy highs, rich mids and just enough grit - capturing the swagger and character of Rory’s tone.
Available Only as a Complete Set
To preserve the character of the intentionally mismatched design, the Shin Kicker is available only as a calibrated set of three pickups, offered in aged or unaged finishes to suit your guitar.
Key Features
Three Historically Inspired Designs
One set combining late-’50s, early-’60s and mid-’70s tonal characteristics.
Hand-Bevelled Alnico Magnets
Custom stagger for each position.
Heavy Formvar & Plain Enamel Wire
Era-appropriate winding materials for authentic character.
Hand Scatter-Wound Coils
Each pickup individually wound for harmonic complexity.
Custom Flattened Pole Pieces (Middle Pickup)
Recreation of Rory’s distinctive pole-piece modification.
Black Wax Potting (Bridge Pickup)
Preserves vintage microphonic liveliness.
Aged or Unaged Options
Choose a pristine appearance or subtle vintage patina.
Non-RW/RP Middle Pickup
Vintage-style configuration preserving traditional phase relationships.
Tonal Profile
Neck
Clear, warm and flute-like with exceptional musicality.
Middle
Slightly darker and throatier, with balanced string response and road-worn grit.
Bridge
Bold and punchy with enough output to push an amp into natural breakup while remaining articulate.
Positions 2 & 4
Unbalanced yet harmonically rich combinations full of character and sparkle.
Specifications
DC Resistance
Neck: ~5.7kΩ
Middle: ~6.1kΩ
Bridge: ~9.4kΩ
Magnets
Hand-Bevelled Alnico 5
Wire
Neck & Bridge: Heavy Formvar
Middle: Plain Enamel
Flatwork
Black & Grey Bottom Fibre
Potting
Black Wax /Lacquer
Polarity
All pickups wound in the same direction (no RW/RP)
Lead Wires
Vintage Cloth Push-Back
Rory’s Road-Worn Tone, Reimagined
The Eternal Timeless “Shin Kicker” S-Style Pickup Set celebrates the spirit of Rory Gallagher’s legendary Stratocaster® — a guitar shaped by years of touring, experimentation and fearless playing.
Each pickup carries its own voice and personality, combining to create the raw energy, clarity and individuality that defined Rory’s sound.
Trademark Notice
Fender®, Stratocaster®, Telecaster®, Precision Bass® and Jazz Bass® are registered trademarks of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.
Any reference to these names is used solely to describe compatibility or tonal inspiration. Eternal Guitars is not affiliated with or endorsed by Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.
