Best Pickup for 7 string Archtop

NSJ · #1 09-11-2011, 11:24 AM

Is it the Benedetto B7? I have factory wound Kent Armstrong on my Eastman 7 string El Rey. I've briefly payed Jeff Hale's 7 string El Rey, which he says has a hand-wound Kent Armstrong on it. My memory is fuzzy but his guitar sounded great.

What is the best sounding pickup for a 7 string arch top? Thanks.

NSJ · #2 09-12-2011, 11:08 AM

**crickets*****

Well, it's unanimous, nary a dissenting voice, the Benedetto B7 must be the best one

(actually feel sorry for you who have never given a seven string a chance, it will change the way you think about music. In a good way.

BigMikeinNJ · #3 09-12-2011, 11:12 AM

Pretty hard to fault one of the hand wound Kent Armstrong pickups.

NSJ · #4 09-12-2011, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMikeinNJ

Pretty hard to fault one of the hand wound Kent Armstrong pickups.

What is the difference in sound between a hand wound and a factory wound one? What does "hand winding" get you?

I just remember that Mr. Hale's hand-wound Eastman sounded better than the Benedetto Bucky P that he for sale.

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #5 09-12-2011, 11:27 AM

Are these factory (I assume the factory is in China) or hand wound?

Kent Armstrong Pickups
Kent Armstrong® 7 String Pickups

BigMikeinNJ · #6 09-12-2011, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NSJ

What is the difference in sound between a hand wound and a factory wound one? What does "hand winding" get you?

I just remember that Mr. Hale's hand-wound Eastman sounded better than the Benedetto Bucky P that he for sale.

Caught me flat footed there for a minute as my last name is also Hale. LOL

The handwound Kent Armstrong pickups that used to have the BENEDETTO wood grained covers are really top flight. The "Kent Amrstrong" pickups that come stock on most Eastman guitars are made I think in Korea and are not in the same league at all. Sorry...

If you want to really get a sound you're gonna be happy with for a LONG time and will also boost the sale potential if you ever decide to flip the instrument you cannot go wrong with the hand wound direct from Kent Armstrong pickups. I believe that Archtops.com also carries them. DO TRY THEM...

Jabberwocky · #7 09-12-2011, 12:36 PM

These are the real KA handmades: Kent Armstrong Handmade Pickups

spiral · #8 09-12-2011, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NSJ

What is the difference in sound between a hand wound and a factory wound one? What does "hand winding" get you?

Skip down to "Winding": Bare Knuckle Pickups, UK - Hand Wound Guitar and Bass Pickups

Hand wound pickups are still done on a machine that spins the bobbin, but the wire is fed by hand--otherwise it would take a looooooong time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMikeinNJ

The handwound Kent Armstrong pickups that used to have the BENEDETTO wood grained covers are really top flight.

Couldn't agree more. That is the pickup Dale Unger uses on the Martin CF-1 / American Archtop and if you like a woody, articulate sound, it is amazing. Tons of body and really well balanced and clear, but i don't know if it works for a 7 string.

@ NSJ: Just call Kent Armstrong. He will make whatever you describe for about $150.

NSJ · #9 09-12-2011, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiral

Skip down to "Winding": Bare Knuckle Pickups, UK - Hand Wound Guitar and Bass Pickups

Hand wound pickups are still done on a machine that spins the bobbin, but the wire is fed by hand--otherwise it would take a looooooong time.

Couldn't agree more. That is the pickup Dale Unger uses on the Martin CF-1 / American Archtop and if you like a woody, articulate sound, it is amazing. Tons of body and really well balanced and clear, but i don't know if it works for a 7 string.

@ NSJ: Just call Kent Armstrong. He will make whatever you describe for about $150.

Thanks. Just sent him an email.