Was the Gibson L-7 ever made with a pickup?

[Chrome]

Chrome, you've inspired me! I might try adding a Lollar McCarty to my '44. Not cheap, but a lot less than trading up to my dream L5!

Thanks for the idea.

The sound of the McCarty pickup on this L7 is a pleasure. I am glad I have this pickup on the guitar.

[Chrome]

Hi Chrome, never having had the pleasure of plugging in a McCarty, could you briefly describe its tones, if you will? I read that it is akin to a P90. Does it pick up noise? Does it cop the DeArmond Adjustable Rhythm Chief 1100 tone?

Sorry it took so long to to repost.

I don't have experience with a wide range of gear and can not compare it to the DeArmond.

What I did this morning was plug it into my AI Clarus with the Raezer's Edge cab and compared it to my Sadowsky Jim Hall. Both are strung with Sadowsky round wounds. I set the Clarus to flat on all dials.

The L7 McCarty has a profoundly more acoustic sound to my ear relative to the Sadowsky. This fixed pole pickup is very balanced across the strings, fat, almost organ like in the bottom four strings with a hint of piano-like ring on the B and E which adds some welcome color. The Sadowsky, as set up, is a little less even across the strings and makes me realize I need to adjust the poles on the pickup. It has a bit more edge across all of the strings, but is still warm. When playing at low volume as I was, the L7 has far greater direct acoustic sound than the Sadowsky which I hear as I play, where the Sadowsky sound is more from the amp at equivalent volumes.

Both are beautiful sounding guitars which I am happy to play.

[Max405]

Hi Everyone,

I need some help. I recently bought a 2004 Gibson L7c. I am seriously in Love with this Guitar. It has taken over as my most played guitar. Its my new baby. While I enjoy its VERY lively acoustic attributes, I want to amplify it. I've gone the last week working on the Microphone route and I am sorry, its not for me. Feedback is a struggle. The playing position I need to maintain is un-natural. I need easy, I need good sound and I need to be able to put only the guitar away when I am done, not a mic, a stand, a Pre-Amp, A bunch of wires... Bla Bla Bla. I need plug and play.

I don't want to dig into the sound board so building a pickup into the top is out. I want to keep it clean and I don't want brackets and retro scaffolding strewn across the top. I like the acoustic sound of this guitar and I want to keep it that way.

I've searched like a crazy person on this site and the rest of the web. I've turned up a few posts here and there, but I have not seen anything that is the consensus favorite. I am interested in And absolutely not limited to;

KK Definity - I like the fact that there are no modifications required other than running a Wire and drilling out the backplate for an endpin jack. I am considering an endpin jack because the pickguard on this L7 is not the firmest installation I've ever seen. It only screws (one screw) to the side of the body. The other fastener is a pin that fits in a tiny hole in the neck.

Fishman Archtop Pickup bridge. - I have no qualms about replacing the bridge, as long as I don't have to carve it up and modify it. I am not sure if I have to modify the bridge on this unit. My action is low. On the L7, The Strings touch the top of the bridge 7/8" off the soundboard on both E strings and about 31/32 between the D and G string. String spacing is 2-1/8 from E to E.

Schatten Archtop Pickup Bridge - Same as the Fishman above.

Pickup the world (PUTW) Archtop Pickup - This sounds interesting. Very simple, and Non-Invasive. Not sure I would buy the Pre-amp that goes with it. Perhaps something a little more flexible (LR Baggs) for the same price. Please tell me if I have my head up my butt on this one..

Benedetto S6 - Even though its a magnetic pickup, I've heard this pickup sounds like it has some acoustic properties. I'd still have to address the pick Guard stability. I would add the Schatten stealth volume and tone pots under the pickguard and then I would run it all to an endpin jack. I've heard some say this pickup looses volume on the high b and e strings. And then some other well respected folks have said that is not true.

The main thing is I want easy. I don't want to transform this guitar into something that its not. I just want to amplify it. I have a pretty nice acoustic amp (Marshall AS50R) and I would use that.

If anyone has any of these on a similar guitar (the same guitar would be stellar) please give me your honest opinion. In advance, I appreciate any help you can give me. It will keep me off the shrinks couch because my wife thinks that is where I am headed..

Please note, I purposely excluded the McCarty Pickguard and the DeArmond erector set because I don't like the way they look. Although they probably sound amazing!

Thanks everyone.
Joe D.

PS. Here are pictures of the L7c.

[Jabberwocky]

Barbera Soloist. $300. Acoustic Guitar Pickups There is a version for archtop bridges. Write to Rich Barbera.

Happy 2015.

P.S. Shrink's couch? Welcome to my world. Existential Psychotherapy. Try it. Works a treat.

[Max405]

Hi Jabberwocky.
Do you have one? I saw this website before and I couldn't find an adjustable bridge similar to what I have now. $300 is a good price too.

Couch.. Yeah, I need to lighten up on this stuff. I take it WAY too seriously..
JD

[Jabberwocky]

Hi JD

I am getting one as soon as I free up some funds.

Talk to Rich. He requires some dimensions to make the saddle that fits on your existing base. You may route (I do not mean rout; an unfortunate American malapropism) the wire through the f-hole to an endpin Tapastring Vintage 1/8" jack or leave it hanging freely draped around the tailpiece, terminated with a jack or make a hole in the spruce top for the wire for a permanent installation. Or attach the jack under the floppy pickguard.

I'd probably settle for the latter. Please eschew the execrable 1/4" Fishman endpin jack if you value the appearance and integrity of your guitar. That damned thing has ruined more guitars than I can shake a stick at. Talk to luthiers who have to undo the damage wrought by that damned Fishman endpin jack.

[Hammertone]

Cool! I also have a 2004 L-7C. Excellent acoustic archtop guitar. The existing pickguard is terrible on these - not thick enough, crappy-looking bevel, placed a bit too close to the cutaway.

I'd get a new pickguard, twice as thick, made to accommodate a floating electro-magnetic pickup (like an old Dearmond) - the Gibson rim mount hardware is pretty solid, and the pin mount can be replaced with a screw mount that goes through a small block in a new pickguard and secures it quite nicely, using the existing pin-mount hole. Theres nothing wrong with a WELL-MADE 2-point mounted pickguard.

[artb]

A good electromagnetic that is a sensitive high resistance (impedance) model definitely transfers acoustic qualities from the strings. My good old poorly refinished L7 has the same top playing number one favorite rep. with me as yours does for you. Its very sensitive high output old DeArmond 1185 (7000+ohms with adjustable poles) is perfect for it in my opinion. Some of the newer ones do not have its high impedance. So verify. artb

[Max405]

No label on mine either.
Really well finished inside though.
Great point about the pick guard. I'll probably do what you suggested. Thanks hammer!
Jd

[Max405]

I talked to Rich Barbera. Really nice guy. I am going to get him a duplicate of my bridge so he can lay in the magical parts.
Rich is a really nice guy. Very patient, knowledgeable and generous with his time.

In the mean time, I talked to Micheal at Django books. He was very forthright about all the pickups he carries. He is also, a top notch dude. I placed an order for the K&K Definity Pickup and PreAmp. He told me if I am patient, this can sound really nice. I need to find the right placement but for what I am looking for, this might do the trick. Plus, no invasive work done. Simple..

Also, I talked to a friend of mine who is a VERY well known and respected Producer/Engineer and he gave me some tips on how to mic and record guitar. He recommended that I mic the guitar with all my mics in different channels, 12th fret, F-hole, even my Rode pointed at my forehead and use whatever pickup I would have active in the guitar and blend it all to taste. I will play with this for a while. I've already made HUGE strides with this idea with my ES165, which sounds surprisingly GREAT mic'd.

If anyone is interested, I will post a Youtube link once I find the right recipe.

Thanks, Joe D

[Doctor Jeff]

It sounds like you've made a decision - I've heard good things about the above pickups. Good luck!

I just thought I'd throw this out there, as I wanted a completely non-invasive, reversible pickup for my vintage Harmony acoustic. It's made by Barcus-Berry - The Outsider - there's also an internal version called The Insider that represents modifying the end pin jack. It did require gluing a wood shim to the pickup and sanding it to match the guitar profile just above the saddle. It is very inexpensive, which was a plus in my book. (JMO but seeing as the components of a piezo pickup cost literally pennies and you can make one yourself in about an hour, it's hard for me to justify paying hundreds of dollars for a wire with a bandaid at the end.)

It's got a nice acoustic sound with minimal feedback. I plug it into a Fishman preamp and then into a Fishman Loudbox Artist and adjust the former to get rid of the unpleasant squawk. I have to say, though, having played around with it with our small combo a few times, I prefer a typical electric Archie for group playing, as it's just easier to get the sound I want especially when mixed with the other instruments. It's nice to have this as an acoustic option though.

[fabiansey]

To the Gibson l7 c owners:
A shop which is not too far from me offers an used 2006 L7 c model with a Kent Armstrong Humbucker (very slim one).
I once player a 1946 L7 and really liked the acoustic sound.
The new L7 model has a short scale and a "modern-V-neck". Normally I don't like V-Necks. Could you tell me if you can feel the V a lot? What string gauge do you play?
I am looking for a really acoustic archtop that can easily be amplified.

[iim7V7IM7]

I just had Bill Comins install a Barbera Soloist in my Comins Classic to work together with my 12-pole piece Kent Armstrong floater. It was not an easy install, because it involved making a new bridge and adding a volume pot to my finger rest (volume and tone for the KA and volume for the Barbera). I use a stereo cable from the guitar and plug into each channel of my AI Clarus. I find that it is useful as a means to blend together the acoustic tone with the magnetic PU tone to provide the type of ambience that a player hears but an audience rarely does. The Barbera does seem to have some limitations. When the volume pot is turned below say, half way the pickup's timbre changes (perhaps a phasing issue). This is easily overcome by adjusting the Barbera channel at the amp vs the guitar. You do want a two-way speaker to fully take advantage of its tone.

[Max405]

It sounds like you've made a decision - I've heard good things about the above pickups. Good luck!

I just thought I'd throw this out there, as I wanted a completely non-invasive, reversible pickup for my vintage Harmony acoustic. It's made by Barcus-Berry - The Outsider - there's also an internal version called The Insider that represents modifying the end pin jack. It did require gluing a wood shim to the pickup and sanding it to match the guitar profile just above the saddle. It is very inexpensive, which was a plus in my book. (JMO but seeing as the components of a piezo pickup cost literally pennies and you can make one yourself in about an hour, it's hard for me to justify paying hundreds of dollars for a wire with a bandaid at the end.)

It's got a nice acoustic sound with minimal feedback. I plug it into a Fishman preamp and then into a Fishman Loudbox Artist and adjust the former to get rid of the unpleasant squawk. I have to say, though, having played around with it with our small combo a few times, I prefer a typical electric Archie for group playing, as it's just easier to get the sound I want especially when mixed with the other instruments. It's nice to have this as an acoustic option though.

Doc Jeff, that was great help. You put a lot into helping me and I appreciate it big time. If the Definity flops, I might try your solution. I don't have a fishman preamp or amp so the kk becomes cost effective for me at $118 all in. The bandaid comment cracked me up.
Thanks again, JD

[Max405]

Done!

The KK Definity Pickup came today. I spent $118 and 5 minutes installing it and I couldn't be happier if I spent 10 times that amount and sent if off to a luthier for 3 weeks. There probably better pickups I am sure. This is PERFECT for what I needed. The sound far surpasses my expectations. With thumpy TI 12 roundwounds, this Guitar sounds exactly like I wanted it to sound. If I want warmth and laid back tone, I pick the strings closer to the neck. If I want pitchy treble acoustic twang, I pick down toward the bridge. Amazing is all I can say. I will record my next Youtube video (Johnny Smith's Golden Earrings) with it and I will post the link here for you guys.

For those who haven't seen it, the preamp can easily fit in the palm of your hand. Its a cool little metal box. made very well.

The amp I am using is the Marshall AS50r. I tried it through my Fender George Benson and it sounded bad using the settings that just made my L5 sound great. So the amp has something to do with it for sure.

One other thing, Michael at Djangobooks.com was GREAT. I highly recommend him (and he didn't ask for the plug either..)

Thanks, Joe D.

PS, I tried posting pictures but it didn't work. Sorry.

[Greentone]

If you want the best sound from the L7c, but don't want to spend $1,000+ for a Rhythm Chief, get yourself a DeArmond FHC. It will sound _essentially_ the same as the RC, but will set you back about half. Great pickup.

[Max405]

Hi Guys,
Golden Earrings, Johnny Smith. Let me know what you think.
Joe D.

[Eddie Lang]

If you want the best sound from the L7c, but don't want to spend $1,000+ for a Rhythm Chief, get yourself a DeArmond FHC. It will sound _essentially_ the same as the RC, but will set you back about half. Great pickup.

Cool! This is my L-4C and FHC-B. Actually, if prices have remained constant, it should set you back only about a third of the RC maybe even less. The only thing that I don't like is that the cord is hard-wired. I know it's not a big deal to change; I just need to find someone in town who I will trust with a vintage pup.

[iim7V7IM7]

Fantastic playing of a master's arrangement!

kudos

[Max405]

Fantastic playing of a master's arrangement!

kudos

Thanks Bob. I love Johnnys stuff. It's hard to find something by him without the low E tuned down to a D (that messes me up for some reason).
I hope I did the song some justice.
Joe D

[christianm77]

Hi Everyone,
Happy New Year.
I need some help. I recently bought a 2004 Gibson L7c. I am seriously in Love with this Guitar. It has taken over as my most played guitar. Its my new baby. While I enjoy its VERY lively acoustic attributes, I want to amplify it. I've gone the last week working on the Microphone route and I am sorry, its not for me. Feedback is a struggle. The playing position I need to maintain is un-natural. I need easy, I need good sound and I need to be able to put only the guitar away when I am done, not a mic, a stand, a Pre-Amp, A bunch of wires... Bla Bla Bla. I need plug and play.

I don't want to dig into the sound board so building a pickup into the top is out. I want to keep it clean and I don't want brackets and retro scaffolding strewn across the top. I like the acoustic sound of this guitar and I want to keep it that way.

I've searched like a crazy person on this site and the rest of the web. I've turned up a few posts here and there, but I have not seen anything that is the consensus favorite. I am interested in And absolutely not limited to;

KK Definity - I like the fact that there are no modifications required other than running a Wire and drilling out the backplate for an endpin jack. I am considering an endpin jack because the pickguard on this L7 is not the firmest installation I've ever seen. It only screws (one screw) to the side of the body. The other fastener is a pin that fits in a tiny hole in the neck.

Fishman Archtop Pickup bridge. - I have no qualms about replacing the bridge, as long as I don't have to carve it up and modify it. I am not sure if I have to modify the bridge on this unit. My action is low. On the L7, The Strings touch the top of the bridge 7/8" off the soundboard on both E strings and about 31/32 between the D and G string. String spacing is 2-1/8 from E to E.

Schatten Archtop Pickup Bridge - Same as the Fishman above.

Pickup the world (PUTW) Archtop Pickup - This sounds interesting. Very simple, and Non-Invasive. Not sure I would buy the Pre-amp that goes with it. Perhaps something a little more flexible (LR Baggs) for the same price. Please tell me if I have my head up my butt on this one..

Benedetto S6 - Even though its a magnetic pickup, I've heard this pickup sounds like it has some acoustic properties. I'd still have to address the pick Guard stability. I would add the Schatten stealth volume and tone pots under the pickguard and then I would run it all to an endpin jack. I've heard some say this pickup looses volume on the high b and e strings. And then some other well respected folks have said that is not true.

The main thing is I want easy. I don't want to transform this guitar into something that its not. I just want to amplify it. I have a pretty nice acoustic amp (Marshall AS50R) and I would use that.

If anyone has any of these on a similar guitar (the same guitar would be stellar) please give me your honest opinion. In advance, I appreciate any help you can give me. It will keep me off the shrinks couch because my wife thinks that is where I am headed..

Please note, I purposely excluded the McCarty Pickguard and the DeArmond erector set because I don't like the way they look. Although they probably sound amazing!

Thanks everyone.
Joe D.

PS. Here are pictures of the L7c.

I am so so so so so jealous.

On the other hand, amplifying carved archtops with a degree of fidelity? Tricky. Aside from mic'ing (which kind of rules out playing with drums) this is not trivial.

Ignoring electric/magnetic options, which generally work pretty well (I love the rhythm chief) more acoustic options are ... problematic (or so I've found.)

I have a cheap box (a Loar LH 600), which has become an electric archtop with a floater because, basically I gave up.

I have the K&K Definity. Not sure about it, but it is pretty cheap so you could give it a go.

Some people report success with the Fishman bridge, but I've never tried it and there are no sound examples I can find.

Schatten - cheap knock off of the Fishman?

PUTW gets a good write up, never tried it.

Other options

Has anyone tried the Schertler Dyn-G on an archtop?

Lavelier mics? Might be an option depending on your sound man.

DPA mics are apparently, like, 'and say hello to the drums!'

TBH I think you are going to have to try some options and see what works best. Archtops are high maintenance :-) Perhaps worth it?

[Max405]

Christian,
I decided to try the K&K sound Definity and I am very happy with it.
Check out the video I linked above and let me know what you think.
Thanks, Joe D.

[christianm77]

That sounds great! Aside from your beautiful playing, what am I doing wrong?

What's your preamp and eq details? Did you record this direct?

[Max405]

Thanks Christian. I appreciate the nice words.
Using the K&K Sound Definity Pickup with the standard preamp, I didn't touch the factory settings inside the preamp box. Mic'd with just a touch of a Blue Bluebird for some added dimension. In the video, you can see where it is pointed. Maybe 6 inches away from the box, pointed at lower f-hole. There is a slight amount of reverb added by my mixer. EQ settings were flat on the mixer. From the mixer, straight into the USB port on my PC. The PC is recording @ 60 (in the recording settings tab). That's it.

Give the KK another try. Its a nice system.

Joe D

[christianm77]

I use it for my Macaferri and it works very well but can't get a sound I'm happy with for the Loar.

It could just be the guitar, but it's a decent sounding box. The most annoying thing is the midrangey ugly tone and the noise from the scratch plate and strings (I use roundwounds). I'm using a Baggs Para DI. I may retry with the supplied preamp, although I don't like how hard it is to access the phase switch.