Questions about McCarty pickup

**JazzIsGood** · 08-01-2024, 01:00 AM

I started playing gigs with an L-7 with McCarty pickup, the one that is built in to the pickguard.

I really like it and I want to keep gigging with it, but I kinda don't trust it. It uses a cable from 70 years ago that looks all tattered and I can't believe this thing actually still works. The cable is not a normal quarter inch cable like all other guitar cables. Looks like a car cigarette lighter from the 70s.

I am thinking this cable is gonna crap out on a gig. So here's my questions-

1- Does anyone know where to get a backup cable? Any chance there's something brand new out there for this?

2- Is there any kind of adapter available?

3- I saw a shop that had a McCarty pickup that was converted to normal quarter inch jack. Where can I get parts for this or get it done. I asked the shop and they said they have the part but would not sell me one "because we need these parts ourselves."

Here's some pictures for reference-

https://rvb-img.reverb.com/image/upl...u7gtaicnks.jpg

https://www.jazzguitar.be/forum/atta...ar-mccarty-jpg

https://cdn.shoplightspeed.com/shops...ng-mccarty.jpg

**GuyBoden** · 08-01-2024, 07:13 AM

The original McCarty Pickguards are rare and expensive. I'd be reluctant to modify an original.

See reverb original McCarty Pickguard sale price in link below:
Just a moment...

Lollar sells new Mccarty type pickguards, I bought one about 15 years ago, it has a normal 1/4 inch jack socket.
https://www.lollarguitars.com/blog/2009/09/lollar-mccarty-style-pickup-for-archtop-guitar/

**omphalopsychos** · 08-01-2024, 08:14 AM

It’s very easy to modify a McCarty pickup and it’s reversible. I removed the output connector and instead ran a wire from the pots to a 1/4” jack at the tailpiece. Huge improvement. The original design is also ungrounded which is a pain, I don’t know what Gibson was thinking.

**powerwagonjohn** · 08-01-2024, 08:53 AM

My original deArmond pickup that came with my 1952 Gibson L-4 has that same old style microphone connector. I was able to buy the connector and some nice wire to make my own cable at an electrical supply store. Works great and was cheep.
Thanks John

**Chris Brown** · 08-01-2024, 10:59 AM

You won't be able to find the McCarty pickguards locally easily. I'd suggest find them from a trusted seller online. Good luck!

**sgosnell** · 08-01-2024, 11:26 AM

The connectors look fine. It's not hard to just put them on a new cable. That's the easiest way to deal with it. If you have average soldering skills it's a simple job. Get quality cable, or even use a cable already on hand, and just replace one of the plugs with the screw-on connector.

Looking at the photo of the underside of the pickguard, that looks like a standard 1/4" jack. It shouldn't be hard to wire it to use a 1/4" plug.

**GuyBoden** · 08-01-2024, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by powerwagonjohn

My original deArmond pickup that came with my 1952 Gibson L-4 has that same old style microphone connector. I was able to buy the connector and some nice wire to make my own cable at an electrical supply store. Works great and was cheep.
Thanks John

Archtop.Com sell the DeArmond Cable.

But, is it the same as a McCarty Pickguard cable?

I think Joe at Archtop.com would know, if you ask him.
Quote: 'contact Joe Vinikow at [email protected] or call 206-325-3737 between 9am and 7pm Pacific Time.'

The Cable is here, in accessories

'Original Style DeArmondScrew-Connector Cable'

**sgosnell** · 08-01-2024, 12:42 PM

I wouldn't bet on those being the same. I have no actual knowledge, but the one in the OP looks to connect to a standard 1/4" jack thread. I may be wrong, but that's how it looks to me in the photo. I don't think the DeArmond uses the same threads, but I could be wrong again.

**JazzIsGood** · 08-01-2024, 01:34 PM

Thanks everyone! I think with all this info I can solve the issue.

**omphalopsychos** · 08-01-2024, 02:27 PM

I can confirm the dearmond and mccarty connectors are different. Same product, but different dimensions. I have previously tried to purchase those connectors. They are still made but are not stocked anywhere, so to place an order you need to purchase a large bulk order (>100 units i believe) for the mfr to justify making it.

Just to close out, I'll double down on my statement that changing the jack is easy, totally reversible with no damage, and is a huge improvement over the original.

**JazzIsGood** · 08-01-2024, 05:02 PM

Found some possible stuff on Switchcraft's website-

Vintage Microphone Connector, removable coupling to change gender | Switchcraft

Vintage Microphone Connector, mounts .390" hole | Switchcraft

**JazzIsGood** · 08-02-2024, 11:34 PM

I think this is the exact connector, and can be used to make a cable.

SCM Single Circuit Connector

Product Description
Single circuit connector made for older Ham and test equipment. This is the larger size in the Amphenol 75 series. 0.708" OD nut shell, 0.585" ID nut. Alternate P/N: Switchcraft 2501F. The Amphenol P/N is 75-MC1F.

**JazzIsGood** · 08-10-2024, 05:53 PM

These connectors arrived and they are the correct fit. Now just gotta get a cable made.

**Archie** · 08-10-2024, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by sgosnell

I wouldn't bet on those being the same. I have no actual knowledge, but the one in the OP looks to connect to a standard 1/4" jack thread. I may be wrong, but that's how it looks to me in the photo. I don't think the DeArmond uses the same threads, but I could be wrong again.

I've got one, I'll take measurements on Monday.

**icr** · 08-13-2024, 09:27 AM

I built my McCarty replica pickup from scratch. I could not find the correct style connector, so I fitted a standard 1/4" Switchcraft out of convenience.

Questions about McCarty pickup-finished-l7-mccarty-fingerrest-pickup-jpg

Questions about McCarty pickup-finished-l7-mccarty-fingerrest-pickup-jpg

**icr** · 08-13-2024, 09:30 AM

The previous owner of my L7 had already fitted an end-pin jack, so I plug the McCarty into the endpin jack, that keeps cord tension off the pickguard. In the end I think that is a good way to do it.

Questions about McCarty pickup-l7-gibson-new-knobs-mccarty-jpg

Questions about McCarty pickup-l7-gibson-new-knobs-mccarty-jpg

**icr** · 08-13-2024, 09:36 AM

Thanks for the link to the Vintage Amphenol connector. I may upgrade mine to original specs now...

Questions about McCarty pickup-screen-shot-2024-08-13-9-35-38-am-png

Questions about McCarty pickup-screen-shot-2024-08-13-9-35-38-am-png

**JazzIsGood** · 08-13-2024, 11:45 PM

Yes I thought about going with the plain 1/4 inch jack, but wanted to keep it original and embrace the weirdness of this oddball pickup.

The 1/4 inch is a good option if this thing ever starts acting up on me.

**JazzIsGood** · 11-22-2024, 10:48 PM

Well I got the connector, but not sure where to get the actual cable that goes with it. I tried to use the connector with a regular guitar cable, but the cable is too thick. It needs a skinny one and not sure how the electronics work.

Here's the connector-
Vintage Microphone Connector, removable coupling to change gender | Switchcraft

**Marty Grass** · 11-23-2024, 12:15 PM

I had an old L-5 with a McCarty pickup on it. The guitar was from the late 1920s and the pickup was maybe from the late 1940s or 1950s.

It's a good single coil sound. If I still had the guitar, I'd use a Humdebugger with it or at least have one available for gigs.

**sgosnell** · 11-23-2024, 12:27 PM

Coaxial cable comes in different diameters. You can find lots of cable at Mouser. Access to this page has been denied.

I'm not sure what cable you tried, but the link posted indicates that the connector accepts a cable diameter of .28 inch, which is pretty big for a guitar cable.