Monkey on a stick bracket repro

[garybaldy]

Hi. I've just bought this on a whim. I'm hoping to use it on one of my budget German archtops. What pickup do you think I should get for it?

[GuyBoden]

Would a P90 Soapbar fit?

Cut the end off the pole pieces.



These Alnico2 P90's are good for an inexpensive price:
OLD TIMER PICKUPS

[Flat]

I'd probably go with a Guild DeArmond reissue.

Parts and Accessories - DeArmond Pickups - Guild Shop

[garybaldy]

I'd probably go with a Guild DeArmond reissue.

Parts and Accessories - DeArmond Pickups - Guild Shop

Thanks.
Which do you prefer, the 1000 or 1100?

[Flat]

I put the 1100 on my 1945 L-7. I'm really happy with it. But it's the only one I've ever heard or played.

I bet other guys around here know more about those other options...

[garybaldy]

The vintage DeArmond Rowe p/u would be a good choice. You can find nice examples for sale that aren’t much more than the today’s 1000 and 1100 reproductions.
Just a moment...

Unless you are going for that vintage look with the monkey on a stick, Krivo Pickups offers a few alternative options. These are great sounding pickups imho. They have a very natural sound and are the next best thing to a good microphone. I am buying the resophonic p/u myself.
KRIVO PICKUPS - Home

I like the idea of the vintage DeArmond as I now have the repro monkey on a stick.

[Flat]

Your repro is probably stronger, but just fyi, I snapped three of the neck rods trying to mount the DeArmond. I eventually gave up and used putty. It's been working out fine, but I would have preferred to use the traditional neck rod. I might take it to a clever luthier someday and see if they can install it properly.

[garybaldy]

Your repro is probably stronger, but just fyi, I snapped three of the neck rods trying to mount the DeArmond. I eventually gave up and used putty. It's been working out fine, but I would have preferred to use the traditional neck rod. I might take it to a clever luthier someday and see if they can install it properly.

I've read about that problem. Very annoying.

[sgosnell]

You have to be very careful if you try to bend the rod. The screw holes are weak points. Do not apply pressure there, but use a vise or good pliers to do the bending by applying force only to the full rod, not the flat areas. I broke one, and learned my lesson. Replacement rods are available, and not expensive, but it's far better to use care and not need replacements. Those photos show a lot of bending, and I can't imagine needing that much displacement.

[Woody Sound]

I had all 3 of those original D'Armonds at one point or another. I don't recall much difference between the 1000 and 1100, other than the 1100 has adjustable poles. But the Guitar Mic is different, much more full and round, if you like that.

[sgosnell]

I have both 1000 and 1100 pickups installed on different guitars. The 1100 is a little more versatile, because of the adjustable polepieces. The 1000 is a little thinner because it has no polepieces, and might work a little better on guitars with little space between the strings and the top. I think I prefer the 1100, mostly because of the adjustable polepieces, and because it sounds very slightly better to me. I think it has just a little more mid voicing, but it's subtle. Some might prefer the aesthetics of the purple insert on the 1000, or not. I'm not much concerned with aesthetics.

[garybaldy]

I have both 1000 and 1100 pickups installed on different guitars. The 1100 is a little more versatile, because of the adjustable polepieces. The 1000 is a little thinner because it has no polepieces, and might work a little better on guitars with little space between the strings and the top. I think I prefer the 1100, mostly because of the adjustable polepieces, and because it sounds very slightly better to me. I think it has just a little more mid voicing, but it's subtle. Some might prefer the aesthetics of the purple insert on the 1000, or not. I'm not much concerned with aesthetics.

There is something about the simplicity of the 1000.
I did a really stupid thing some 7 or 8 years ago when I wasn't 'collecting' archtops - I had one, that's all I thought I wanted and would play.
Long story short, Antiques Market, Elderly couple running a small unit. They had an old guitar case. Inside there was a Cromwell with a 1000! Thought it was nice but didn't really know anything about Cromwells and just knew of the 1000. The wife said "buy it!". I said "I wouldn't play it"! So they dropped the price from £450 to £400. But I still passed! You live and learn.