Godin pickup!! HELP PLEASE.

[clumster]

Hey all...

Need some help.

I have a godin 5th avenue (non pickup model)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3612/...03dd7cb8e7.jpg
and really need to get a pickup on it.

Not sure what to get.. I need a cheap option since I am short on money now.
I live in new zealand so money is less than US ... Preferably under 100 NZ.

Please help..

Thanks in advance,

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

Maybe a dogear P90? GFS makes some. I've heard good things about them, but I haven't heard them if you know what I mean:

GFS Alnico Vintage Wound Dogear Black Pickup

I'm picking GFS in particular since they tend to be more affordable, and a P90 since that seems to be Godin's choice for these guitars.

[BigDaddyLoveHandles]

A bit of an aside. I stumbled across this '59 Hofner archtop with a floating Schaller floating pickup:



I've never seen a volume pot and jack mounted in an f-hole before. I wonder if that's a custom job.

[Little Jay]

Have you thought about what kind of pick up you want? Single coil? Humbucker? Are you going to cut your top or not? In that case you will need a floating pickup that you attach at the end of the fingerboard..

Me, I would saw right through the top and install a P90. I hear good things about GFS (guitarfetish) too, but haven't heard them either. They also sell neck-mounted floating pickups if you want to keep your top intact (But why? It's plywood. Acoustic volume will hardly decrease if you cut through it. Electrify that baby!) They also sell a P90 with humbucker-dimensions. Then you could switch to a humbucker (and back?) just to try in the future.

Check Neck Mount Jazz Pickups

(And no, I am not related to GFS in any way )

[robertm2000]

YouTube - AP's Godin 5th Ave Project Finished

There is a person on this forum who put a Kent Armstrong pickup on his Godin Fifth Avenue, and posted several clips on Youtube about it. So you could hear it.

I think it sounds quite good. I personally dig and use Tele and Strat style or I might have gotten a Fifth Avenue and done pretty much the same thing.

[mongrel]

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

A bit of an aside. I stumbled across this '59 Hofner archtop with a floating Schaller floating pickup:



I've never seen a volume pot and jack mounted in an f-hole before. I wonder if that's a custom job.

That looks like what would be called a home-made job, like something I would do to a cheap beater that's not worth much. I don't know what the exchange rate is in New Zealand, but I imagine $100 NZ ain't much so he would be best off looking for a cheap used floater and rigging it up something like that Hofner pictured making sure to connect a ground wire to the Godin tailpiece.

[frogeye]

Originally Posted by clumster

...need a cheap option since I am short on money now.
... Preferably under 100 NZ.

I recommend to go with a solution that mounts to the pick-guard like in the youtube clip shown in the link above. With the budget constraints I would do the following.

1. Get a PU that glues under the pick-guard using double sided adhesive tap or velcro like to the Kent Armstrong PU in the clip. A Kent Armstrong may push your budget. It goes for about 68 bucks here in the US and the seller ships internationally:
   Kent Armstrong Side Mount Jazz Pickup Chrome - eBay (item 140420306619 end time Jul-23-10 12:10:12 PDT)
   If that's too much there are several low cost offers on eBay like this one here at USD 18.50 and the seller ships worldwide
   Black Floating Pickup for Archtop Jazz Box Guitar - eBay (item 130407258370 end time Aug-04-10 14:36:37 PDT)
2. The simplest way initially (and lowest cost) is to hook up the PU directly to the jack and add volume and tone when additional funding comes available. I personally don't care for knobs on top of the pick-guard and instead of the standards pots used in the clip you could spend some money and go with this option:Archtop Jazz Guitar Volume and tone control - eBay (item 380211342628 end time Jul-29-10 09:28:25 PDT)
   It's a little more expensive but I believe it's worth it. There is a slightly cheaper version available that uses a regular jack instead of the end-pin version here.

If you don't mind not having volume and tone control on the guitar, spend your money on the Kent Armstrong and a 1/4 jack.

Otherwise consider buying the low cost PU as a starter with the thumbwheel controls and upgrade the PU to a Kent Armstrong at a later point.

Of course there are plenty of other options available. These here are my 2 cents worth.... Hope that this is somewhat helpful.

Good Luck!

[clumster]

Originally Posted by Little Jay

Have you thought about what kind of pick up you want? Single coil? Humbucker? Are you going to cut your top or not? In that case you will need a floating pickup that you attach at the end of the fingerboard..

Me, I would saw right through the top and install a P90. I hear good things about GFS (guitarfetish) too, but haven't heard them either. They also sell neck-mounted floating pickups if you want to keep your top intact (But why? It's plywood. Acoustic volume will hardly decrease if you cut through it. Electrify that baby!) They also sell a P90 with humbucker-dimensions. Then you could switch to a humbucker (and back?) just to try in the future.

Check Neck Mount Jazz Pickups

(And no, I am not related to GFS in any way )

Well.. I want kinda like an electric sound that is completely different from the acoustic sound of the guitar.. Thanks for your help..

Also would I have to plug the guitar into an acoustic amp?
I have a fender blues deluxe and want to use that with it..

I don't just want the acoustic sound amplified.

Cheers,

[frogeye]

Originally Posted by clumster

Well.. I want kinda like an electric sound that is completely different from the acoustic sound of the guitar.. Thanks for your help..

Also would I have to plug the guitar into an acoustic amp?
I have a fender blues deluxe and want to use that with it..

I don't just want the acoustic sound amplified.

Cheers,

OK, do you like the sound in the youtube clip provided by robertm2000? That setup will work fine with your Fender Amp as long as you don't crank it up too far.

[clumster]

Originally Posted by frogeye

OK, do you like the sound in the youtube clip provided by robertm2000? That setup will work fine with your Fender Amp as long as you don't crank it up too far.

Hmmm.... not entirely... it is on the right track though... I am thinking of one that you put straight onto the body ... so I get a more electric feel I think.

Cheers

[frogeye]

Originally Posted by clumster

Hmmm.... not entirely... it is on the right track though... I am thinking of one that you put straight onto the body ... so I get a more electric feel I think.

Cheers

Well, with that in mind I agree with BDLH and Little Ray that a P-90 would be a good place to start and there is enough low cost material out there. GFS is certainly a place to consider in the US.

I would advise to stay away from the high output pickups for this type of guitar, they are for solid body guitars in my book.

Have fun.

[clumster]

Originally Posted by BigDaddyLoveHandles

Maybe a dogear P90? GFS makes some. I've heard good things about them, but I haven't heard them if you know what I mean:

GFS Alnico Vintage Wound Dogear Black Pickup

I'm picking GFS in particular since they tend to be more affordable, and a P90 since that seems to be Godin's choice for these guitars.

Do you think I should get this one? and also does anyone have any videos of this pickup?

[jazzbow]

<Me, I would saw right through the top and install a P90.>

First rule of guitar club, do not cut through the top as you will hit the support struts that run inside your guitar.

Second rule of guitar club, DO NOT cut through the top as you will hit the support struts that run inside your guitar!!

http://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/attac...d=127888920 7

http://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/attac...d=127888924 2

http://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/attac...d=127888925 1

If you don't know what you are doing (such as the owner of attached horror!!) buy yourself a floating humbucker or scratchplate mounted pickup. Oh, and this godin guitar sold for £69 stirling on ebay.... Ouch...

Check out this link, I don't know whether they're for sale yet?

YouTube - Jason Lollar McCarty install




Or try your hand at this Gibson style pickguard pickup, I did a version myself for an old zenith archtop I had a few years back.

http://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/attac...d=127888904 0
My version used the same shape but attatched by the same system as outlined in the youtube link above.

Please don't cut the top or you will deeply piss yourself off and bear the scars for many years to come.

[frogeye]

Well said, jazzbow. That's why they make the floating PUps I guess.

[frogeye]

Originally Posted by jazzbow

If you don't know what you are doing (such as the owner of attached horror!!) buy yourself a floating humbucker or scratchplate mounted pickup. Oh, and this godin guitar sold for £69 stirling on ebay.... Ouch...

Check out this link, I don't know whether they're for sale yet?

YouTube - Jason Lollar McCarty install

Check out this link and listen to Attila Zoller playing a scratchplate setup like the one put together by Lollar. Zoler played a Framus guitar in this video and the PUps were Framus "low noise" single coils. Gotta love that sound. Free guitar lesson by Jim Hall is included ENJOY!

YouTube Video

[clumster]

Sorry, so... does anyone have any videos of the pickup in action?

[jazzbow]

Hey clumster, check out these vega guitars, they offer a unique solution to adding floating pickups to archies'. By adding the controls to the tailpiece you don't have to run any grounding wire in the body. Whatever you decide have a go yourself, scratchplate material is cheap, buy the best floating pickup you can afford and hey presto...

Try this link for floaties
ac accessories
Best pickups out there.....

[jazzbow]

And furthermore, this rare grimshaw has a fingerboard extention/pickup with scratchplate controls - ignore the chrome rhythm chief pickup.

[Little Jay]

Originally Posted by jazzbow

First rule of guitar club, do not cut through the top as you will hit the support struts that run inside your guitar.

Second rule of guitar club, DO NOT cut through the top as you will hit the support struts that run inside your guitar!!

You are right off course, I was kind of assuming - maybe too lightly - that TS would know there are parallel or A-braces to support the top and would check if there was enough space. You can't cut through the top if there's not enough space between the braces to fit a pick up. And if you still would want to, you'll need to take different measures to support the structure but then you'll need the skill of a luthier I guess.....

So I hope you didn't pick up your hacksaw yet and started cutting away...

That being said, in most cases that I have seen there is sufficient space between the braces to fit a pickup (Epiphone, Gibson).

But I should have pointed out that might not be the case with the 5th Avenue...........
(*edit* And according to the pics jazzbow attached, apparently there isn't...... I would go for the floating neck PU!)

[mr. beaumont]

You can get a dog ear P90 on a godin 5th avenue without cutting into the top. three small holes--two for screws, one to run the leads to wherever you're gonna do the jack and controls. That's how the single pickup kingpins are set up. You'll need a spacer underneath (look at pics of the kingpin online, then call warmoth or stewmac to see if they have one--it's not on their websites IIRC) The P90 is a nice match to the "old school" vibe of these guitars.

I think if you're handy enough to tackle that yourself, you can come in under your budget. If not, the floating pups that attach to the fingerrest are a better idea, as installation will be a good deal easier to either pull off yourself (or cheaper to have someone else do)

[clumster]

Originally Posted by Little Jay

You are right off course, I was kind of assuming - maybe too lightly - that TS would know there are parallel or A-braces to support the top and would check if there was enough space. You can't cut through the top if there's not enough space between the braces to fit a pick up. And if you still would want to, you'll need to take different measures to support the structure but then you'll need the skill of a luthier I guess.....

So I hope you didn't pick up your hacksaw yet and started cutting away...

That being said, in most cases that I have seen there is sufficient space between the braces to fit a pickup (Epiphone, Gibson).

But I should have pointed out that might not be the case with the 5th Avenue...........
(*edit* And according to the pics jazzbow attached, apparently there isn't...... I would go for the floating neck PU!)

Haha yeah I haven't started cutting into my baby yet. I have a small local guitar shop/luthier and we have sorted out a cheap installation deal.

I'm thinking I'm going to lean towards a pickup on the body....

Floating may not be for me.

Cheers

[frogeye]

Originally Posted by clumster

I'm thinking I'm going to lean towards a pickup on the body....

Check this out:

YouTube Video

Just check that you have enough clearing to mount the dogear P90 on top of the guitar so all you need to do is drilling holes for the wire and the mounting screws.

[frogeye]

This fella is playing an ES-125 with P90 through an old fender tube amp. Enjoy:

YouTube Video

[clumster]

Hmmm... My the local luthier said to get this one

SH AZ 48 Attila Zoller Floating-Jazzgitarren Humbucker

He said about 200 nz but I don't have that much money.. are there any cheaper options?

[clumster]

Hmmm... My the local luthier said to get this one

SH AZ 48 Attila Zoller Floating-Jazzgitarren Humbucker

He said about 200 nz but I don't have that much money.. are there any cheaper options?

[Little Jay]

The Attilla Zoller is a good PU, but it's not a P90 mounted on the top, so it sounds different. It's up to you what you want, so I think you should try to establish what sound you're after. Did your luthier motivate why you should go for this specific pu? Or does he just want to sell you one? It's not a bad choice though as lots of pros use the AZ, so it is a good advice and you will probably never need another PU, but you seem to hesitate because of it's high price. I can relate to that, but you wouldn't be the first person to go for a cheaper PU just to end up buying the expensive one in the future..... (been there, done that.......)

There sure are cheaper alternatives for the Attilla Zoller, but then they will sound different too. Not necesarily worse or better, but different. Also for floating pickups there are humbuckers and single coils and again: it's what sound you're after.

I have a Furch G-1 archtop that has a floating Kent Armstrong (I think it's a mini-humbucker). Kent Armstrong has a cheap line and a more expensive line. I think mine is the cheap (Chinese?) version and it sounds just fine. The above mentioned floating mini-humbuckers from GFS ($37.95) look exactly the same and I wouldn't be surprised if they are and if you realy don't want to spend a lot of money I would try those.

But finding the right PU is a long and winding road and if you are not sure if you want a HB or SC then maybe it's good to start with a cheaper version to see if it's the type of sound you're after.

[M. Smit]

Amen ( very good posting )

Originally Posted by Little Jay

The Attilla Zoller is a good PU, but it's not a P90 mounted on the top, so it sounds different. It's up to you what you want, so I think you should try to establish what sound you're after. Did your luthier motivate why you should go for this specific pu? Or does he just want to sell you one? It's not a bad choice though as lots of pros use the AZ, so it is a good advice and you will probably never need another PU, but you seem to hesitate because of it's high price. I can relate to that, but you wouldn't be the first person to go for a cheaper PU just to end up buying the expensive one in the future..... (been there, done that.......)

There sure are cheaper alternatives for the Attilla Zoller, but then they will sound different too. Not necesarily worse or better, but different. Also for floating pickups there are humbuckers and single coils and again: it's what sound you're after.

I have a Furch G-1 archtop that has a floating Kent Armstrong (I think it's a mini-humbucker). Kent Armstrong has a cheap line and a more expensive line. I think mine is the cheap (Chinese?) version and it sounds just fine. The above mentioned floating mini-humbuckers from GFS ($37.95) look exactly the same and I wouldn't be surprised if they are and if you realy don't want to spend a lot of money I would try those.

But finding the right PU is a long and winding road and if you are not sure if you want a HB or SC then maybe it's good to start with a cheaper version to see if it's the type of sound you're after.

[frogeye]

Originally Posted by M. Smit

Amen ( very good posting )

I second that.

[jazzbow]

How about trading in the 5th avenue for the kingpin and pay the difference??
Simple..
Then you can fret over what amp to buy

[jazzbow]

Here we go, just found the scratch plate pickup mentioned in earlier posting. Please view at your pleasure.. notice use of tobacco tin in various forms. Hope this helps!