Installing a Rhythm Chief 1100

[2bornot2bop]

So.. a couple of questions before I start drilling holes.

Going to install a reproduction RC 1100 on a '97 Guild Artist Award.

- How far back from the end of the fretboard?

- Distance from strings to poles?

- I've seen that some of these (earlier?) had 1M pots. Thinking I'm going to have a pickguard mounted tone and volume. Was considering 500K audio taper but not sure what others are using.

Attachment 128359

Hey Spook, what pick guard are you going to use?

[pcjazz]

So.. a couple of questions before I start drilling holes.

Going to install a reproduction RC 1100 on a '97 Guild Artist Award.

- How far back from the end of the fretboard?

I lile to locate the pickup right under the harmonic node nearest the end of the fretboard, then adjust the mounting hardware accordingly.

[GuyBoden]

Over here those are known as alligator clips.

We don't have Alligators in England, but we have "Great Crested Newts". (Unfortunately, now an endangered species.)

See 'Great Crested Newt' below

[Mick-7]

We don't have Alligators in England, but we have "Great Crested Newts". (Unfortunately, now an endangered species.)

See 'Great Crested Newt' below

Ah!, that explains why I saw what I recognized as alligator clips labelled "great crested newt clips" on a British music gear website, I was perplexed by it.

Now, "alligator lizard clips" would make sense, I got bit by one once (was trying to catch it but it caught me first) - it had quite a grip.

Western Alligator Lizard:

[Spook410]

Not sure what the status of the OP’s adventure is but I would consider a pickguard mounted Kent Armstrong pickup. I have one on the only Chinese made archtop that I have and it is great. Nuanced tone with loads of depth. No drilling into the guitar’s good parts.

Using handwound 12 pole KA's on two other guitars already. Really good pickups. Was looking for something different and more traditional for the Guild Artist Award.

[Spook410]

Hey Spook, what pick guard are you going to use?

A Korean D'Angelico Scalini pickguard made for their EXL-1. $45 plus shipping. Was kind of dubious given the low price and it certainly isn't as nice as a hand crafted model. However: nearly an exact fit, thick, looks great with a high gloss buff and attractive materials, has all the right cut outs and holes, and is very well finished. Actually surprised how nice it is and the deco design goes with the guitar. Not that I'm a huge fan of art deco.. kind of a Bauhaus guy.. but the guitar is what it is.

Scalini Pickguard - D'Angelico Guitars

[Archie]

Hey Spook

I tried this recently.

If you have a repro DeArmond, the stick will not be right for the AA. To get round this I attached the RC to a pickguard I made. This worked very well but I do like the look of the stick. The trouble is, I thought it would break if I tried to bend it.
I can send you the pickguard I made if you want? If Guild used a template to drill the hole in the top (I doubt it) then it will align with yours.
You will have to drill a little hole in the tab on the side of the RC to attach it to the pickguard.
At worst the pickguard will give you some guidance on where to drill holes and how to attach the pickup. I no longer have the guitar but do have the pickguard.

[Spook410]

Hey Spook

I tried this recently.

If you have a repro DeArmond, the stick will not be right for the AA. To get round this I attached the RC to a pickguard I made. This worked very well but I do like the look of the stick. The trouble is, I thought it would break if I tried to bend it.
I can send you the pickguard I made if you want? If Guild used a template to drill the hole in the top (I doubt it) then it will align with yours.

That is truly a kind offer Archie. If I weren't already set up with the Korean D'Angelico pickguard I would certainly take you up on it. If you have a use for the real D'Angelico pickguard in the earlier pictures (so the seller claimed and looks to be right) let me know and I'll send it. It's only useful as a template as it's well into age degradation and won't serve it's original function any longer.

As for mounting the RC 1100, I don't care for the stick either. I think replacing it with a bit of brass piping is a good approach but I'm going to try not using a neck attachment at all initially. Going to put a slotted piece of ultem (very tough plastic) under the pick guard. It's like an inch square and will be attached to the pick guard with a screw (going to tap the ultem piece) and maybe with additional glue. There will be a slot for the tab on the RC 1100 cut into the ultem using drilling and/or dremel'ing. The tab should be reasonably secure even without a small screw but that could be added. The other end where the stick attaches will be either felt or blue tack. If the whole set up is too wobbly then I'll consider tying into the neck.

[sgosnell]

Blu-Tack alone will be secure enough, no real need for anything else.

[Archie]

That is truly a kind offer Archie. If I weren't already set up with the Korean D'Angelico pickguard I would certainly take you up on it. If you have a use for the real D'Angelico pickguard in the earlier pictures (so the seller claimed and looks to be right) let me know and I'll send it. It's only useful as a template as it's well into age degradation and won't serve it's original function any longer.

As for mounting the RC 1100, I don't care for the stick either. I think replacing it with a bit of brass piping is a good approach but I'm going to try not using a neck attachment at all initially. Going to put a slotted piece of ultem (very tough plastic) under the pick guard. It's like an inch square and will be attached to the pick guard with a screw (going to tap the ultem piece) and maybe with additional glue. There will be a slot for the tab on the RC 1100 cut into the ultem using drilling and/or dremel'ing. The tab should be reasonably secure even without a small screw but that could be added. The other end where the stick attaches will be either felt or blue tack. If the whole set up is too wobbly then I'll consider tying into the neck.

Hey Spook, thanks for the offer. I currently don’t need one but keep it in a drawer and it may come of use one day. I think the D’Angelico looks really good actually and like Wintermoon says, the original plain black Guild AA pick guard, does seem a bit ‘underwhelming’.

Your plan seems like a good one. I put a little piece of Delrin on the back of mine and tapped it for the screw. It worked well because the pickup isn’t very heavy so stays in place well. A little locking washer to help with vibrations and bobs your uncle.

I look forward to seeing the results.