DeArmond Rhythm Chief

**palnyberg** · 08-18-2013, 07:28 AM

Hello!

I´m new to this forum. Cool place!

I thought that my first post should be about this pickup that I just got from the US. When I first started to read about it and was thinking about getting one myself, I found that it was rather difficult to find clips of how it sounded. I found some clips on youtube, but very few where it´s actually played jazz on it. Here´s a short clip where I use it for the first time on a gig a few weeks ago. I installed it on my L-7C 1949. I think the pickup is from the same period. Unfortunately the sound quality is not very good here. I will try to post another one soon, with better sound.

Btw, I had major feedback problems with this pickup. I read that you could help it with putting a coin on the pickup just under the two lowest strings. It works!! The magnet in the pickup makes the coin stick by itself so you dont need to glue or tape it or anything. And it´s not altering the sound all that much Amazing really, such a wonderful discovery! I´m using a 5 cent euro coin

**pkirk** · 08-18-2013, 08:42 AM

Nice playing. The coin trick is cool.

**zizala** · 08-18-2013, 09:06 AM

I love your playing........

.....as far as getting some balance out that DeArmond....whatever it takes, so be it.
You sound good!

I also have a '49 L-7c and perhaps its time to take the McCarty rig off and try the DeArmond thats stashed in the drawer.
Its got the adjustable poles, but I might be looking for a 5 cent Euro.....

Thanks!

ziz

**palnyberg** · 08-18-2013, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by zizala

I love your playing........

.....as far as getting some balance out that DeArmond....whatever it takes, so be it.
You sound good!

I also have a '49 L-7c and perhaps its time to take the McCarty rig off and try the DeArmond thats stashed in the drawer.
Its got the adjustable poles, but I might be looking for a 5 cent Euro.....

Thanks!

ziz

Thanks Ziz,

Yes, I found one of those MacCarty pickups in a guitar shop here in Stockholm some time ago. I heard that the L-7s originally came with those. But it looked a bit big and clumsy to me, this one had two P90 like pickups on it. I never tried it but i guessed it would kill the acoustic sound of the guitar a bit. So I went for the Rhythm Chief instead and I´m very happy with it. But one problem with mine is that the volume knob is not very good, when I want to lower the volume it change the tone for some reason, not so nice. So now i always bring a volume pedal with me, witch does the trick!

Cheers!

**zizala** · 08-18-2013, 10:23 AM

Actually I'm a big fan of the old McCarty units, but setting one up with the DeArmond seems like something I should try.
You've succeeded in planting that idea back in my head.

As ungainly looking as a double McCarty can be, they still float with minimal contact with the top.....so surprisingly, acoustic function is preserved.
Mine are all dialed in and work quite well....the black '45 L-7 in my avatar sounds wonderful.
But all that being said, the L-7c ought to have a very nice new flavor with the DeArmond.

I use a volume pedal too......I might set up my DeArmond without volume and tone controls as I tend to run them wide open anyway and use an EQ pedal if I need to. At the very least perhaps a volume only for the times when the pedal stays home.

z

**customxke** · 08-22-2013, 01:12 AM

nice tone, nice playing!!!

**wagz** · 08-22-2013, 04:49 PM

zizala, is your dual McCarty setup noiseless in the center position? I'm thinking that I might want the dual setup.

**zizala** · 08-22-2013, 05:12 PM

Sorry for the momentary thread hijack if you're there palnyberg!!

wagz.....

A dual pickup McCarty has no switched center position.....

Its volume neck, volume bridge and master tone.
Operation of these controls with the two pickups is what I'd call "noiseless"
That said, I find choosing between the pickups and various blends very useful using the two volume controls.
The old mini pots can be somewhat limited as far as fine adjustment of sweep, but I'm pleased with what I can get.

Other things to keep in mind.....

McCarty unit pickguards have a tendency to warp and deform over time as the celluloid material ages and shrinks.
So I've had to take these things apart and straighten them with a little heat and some cauls to bend against before having any hope of getting both pickups to sit just right under the strings.

Here's a double on a '47 L-7.

I like they way these work with my L-7's....but a great sounding DeArmond like palnyberg's might be an easier thing to set up with some satisfaction!

z

**wagz** · 08-23-2013, 12:32 AM

Thanks for the explanation, zizala. I'm trying to decide between keeping what I have, getting a DeArmond, or tracking down a McCarty setup.

**palnyberg** · 08-23-2013, 11:11 AM

Guys!

Here is a clip with much better sound quality where i play with my L-7 and DeArmond. This is shoot this morning in my studio. I play together with my friend Torbjörn Ömalm. ( I play the theme and first solo..)

**palnyberg** · 08-23-2013, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by zizala

Sorry for the momentary thread hijack if you're there painyberg!!

wagz.....

I like they way these work with my L-7's....but a great sounding DeArmond like painyberg's might be an easier thing to set up with some satisfaction!

z

Dont worry man! Oh, what a beauty!!

**AlainJazz** · 08-23-2013, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by palnyberg

Guys!

Here is a clip with much better sound quality where i play with my L-7 and DeArmond. This is shoot this morning in my studio. I play together with my friend Torbjörn Ömalm. ( I play the theme and first solo..)

Very beautiful music.

**wagz** · 08-24-2013, 08:03 PM

Originally Posted by palnyberg

Guys!

Here is a clip with much better sound quality where i play with my L-7 and DeArmond. This is shoot this morning in my studio. I play together with my friend Torbjörn Ömalm. ( I play the theme and first solo..)

Great playing and sounds! Thanks for sharing!

**palnyberg** · 09-02-2013, 02:19 PM

Originally Posted by wagz

Great playing and sounds! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks man! Glad you like it.

**gcb** · 09-02-2013, 06:47 PM

Palnyberg, really enjoyed your music, playing and tone, thanks for posting and congratulations.

**spiral** · 09-02-2013, 08:45 PM

Beautiful playing and sound. Welcome!

**palnyberg** · 09-04-2013, 07:51 AM

Thanks for you kind words guys!

**fritz jones** · 09-27-2013, 02:36 PM

does the coin reduce 60 cycle hum or feedback when playing notes?

**palnyberg** · 09-27-2013, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by fritz jones

does the coin reduce 60 cycle hum or feedback when playing notes?

I actually never had any big hum problem with this pickup. The "coin trick" helps to prevent feedback when playing on the lower strings. It works very good, i can really recommend it if you have a similar problem.

best,

Pål