KNA

KNA

Also known as: KNA Pickups

Unclaimed

KNA Pickups is a Bulgarian manufacturer based in Plovdiv that specializes in pickups for acoustic instruments. The company traces its origins to Vladimir Hranov, who began designing piezoelectric pickups after leading the electric guitar division at the state-run Puldin guitar factory and built an early bridge-mount prototype for nylon-string guitar. Nikolay Iliev — also associated with Bulgari...

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KNA Pickups is a Bulgarian manufacturer based in Plovdiv that specializes in pickups for acoustic instruments. The company traces its origins to Vladimir Hranov, who began designing piezoelectric pickups after leading the electric guitar division at the state-run Puldin guitar factory and built an early bridge-mount prototype for nylon-string guitar. Nikolay Iliev — also associated with Bulgarian classical guitar maker Kremona — partnered with Hranov in 2005 and purchased the operation in 2015, opening a retooled production facility in Plovdiv. Hranov stayed on as senior developer and advisor until his death in 2021.

The product range covers piezo, magnetic, passive, and active designs aimed at minimal-modification installation. Universal stick-on models like the AP-1 and UP-1 work across guitars, ukuleles, harps, drums, and percussion, while dedicated pickups target nylon- and steel-string guitar, ukulele, banjo, bouzouki, violin, viola, cello, and double bass. Pickups are handcrafted using tonewoods and components more typical of instrument building, reflecting the brand's emphasis on a natural acoustic character rather than an electrified or processed tone.

KNA has 6 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Acoustic Guitar Pickups, Solid Body Electric Guitars, and Grand Pianos. Their gear is featured by 3 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Pop, and Funk / Soul. Notable users include Elvis Presley, Todd Rundgren, and Eric Steckel.

Artists Who Use KNA

Elvis Presley uses 1 KNA product

Elvis Presley

Singer, Guitarist · The Blue Moon Boys

Todd Rundgren uses 1 KNA product

Todd Rundgren

Singer, Guitarist · Utopia

Eric Steckel uses 1 KNA product

Eric Steckel

Guitarist

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