Mr Wu 18" meets a Pete Biltoft CC floating pickup

**medblues** · 10-15-2016, 12:17 PM

Splendorius! Some sounds please, augmented chords and such :-)

**2bornot2bop** · 10-15-2016, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by bananafist

That really is knockout! I love the white/black plastic binding, cupids bow, etc., much prefer it to wood binding, but that my subliminal Gibson influence creeping in, and that pickup just suits the whole look perfectly. Beautiful!
Can I ask,did you go for 1 3/4" nut width, and what is the string spacing at the bridge?

Thank you bananafist!

To the best of my knowledge this was Mr. Wu's first request for w-b-w American style binding. I purposely chose that to attempt to Americanize the look of the guitar.

Looking back I'd have gone with the Super 400 inlays mated with the cupid's bow...but at the time of ordering I was in the moment and grabbing bits and pieces from many different guitars...the headstock inspired by Benedetto, the inlays "s" holes and tailpiece a D'Aquisto, the cupids bow, scale and nut width from Gibson...

and ironically, while searching to have a bound ebony pickguard made an oversized bound Ebony from Heritage, their better designed pickguard, availed itself....did anyone notice that pickguard design?

Okay, so it's my gumbo git, with a little of this and that...but at the end of the day it sounds great.

The scale is 25.5, with a 1 11/16" nut, and 2 3/32 bridge spacing.

**2bornot2bop** · 10-15-2016, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by ruger9

That. Is. GORGEOUS. Perfection!

Do Pete's CC pickups really sound like CCs? Modern CC pickups always seem to get a bad rap because they can't be authentic because of the magnet and construction being different... but as far as I'm concerned, as long as it SOUNDS like a CC, it's good.

My 17" Broadway was too big for me (well, standing up, anyway), I can't imagine an 18"!

Pete is great to work with. He will custom fit his floating pickups to your specific guitar...he's a great guy to boot!

I didn't care if it sounded like a stock CC... I was attempting to duplicate this tone...which judging by Fred's other video's that tones in the finger's!

**Gitfiddler** · 10-15-2016, 02:56 PM

2B~ Congratulations on an absolutely stunning archtop...from your personal concept, design and 'gumbo' add-ons, the outcome is jaw dropping!

Now we anxiously await your plugged-in tone review.

Play it in good health.

**JazzNote** · 10-15-2016, 03:05 PM

Amazing looking guitar. And the CC is the perfect fit! Congrats!

**Max405** · 10-15-2016, 03:18 PM

2b,
Home Run bro. Like a Jay Buhner moonshot. Wow.
Everything about that guitar is impressive. It probably sounds HUGE!
thanks for showing it is. It functional artwork.
Joe D

**2bornot2bop** · 10-15-2016, 04:36 PM

Originally Posted by BigMikeinNJ

2B or Not To Bop...

Well doggone you sure got yourself an amazing guitar there buddy. Love to see the rest of the instrument when you stop playing it and can shoot outside (big storms there right ??). As you know my 17 inch Manhattan Project is enroute. My thinking is to get it up to Pete Moreno and have him do something similar to what you did with yours. Of course due to the preference most of the regulars here have to dark traditional bursts mine won't ring as loudly with them. I have 4 18 inch guitars now so I know how amazing they can sound, acoustic or plugged in...

You really got yourself an amazing instrument.
And may I repeat what 2B says about working with Lora, she is fantastic. So detail oriented, so thorough in her questions, not just at the beginning but all the way through the project - at each milestone there she is asking questions, making sure it's all just so. I've worked with her some time now, I want to say 7 years, and I have seen her develop into quite the pro doing this. It's an adventure ordering something from them, seeing it bloom into a finished product and then getting someone here in the States to really tart it up with the custom touches we all desire.

Congratulations 2B, you got yourself a real beauty.

Big

Okay BM, a brief photo montage posted just for you!

4 18's!?!?!? Now you're talkin' 2b's language! Keep 'em comin' bro!

**mr. beaumont** · 10-15-2016, 04:59 PM

We ever gonna get to hear this beauty?

**2bornot2bop** · 10-15-2016, 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by mr. beaumont

We ever gonna get to hear this beauty?

Yessiree! I've a pair of mic's and stands that have been waiting for it to be finished...I'm a dinosaur but I'll figure out how to upload something.

**Fred Archtop** · 10-15-2016, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop

What's that tune? "There will never be another Wu"...

Isn't it "Wu came out of nowhere" or "Wu and the night and the music " ? Ok, ok....

Fantastic instrument. Truly exceptionnal. Glad if I could help you in your choice. Now I'm sure she'll have her own voice with this 18" big belly.

Enjoy and take care.

**Cunamara** · 10-15-2016, 05:37 PM

Sweet, 2b1! I have one of Pete's floating CCs on my guitar made by Matt Cushman (mine is designed to be neck-mounted like a JS instead of pickguard mounted) and they are wonderful pickups. Fred was my inspiration for doing this this, too. It'll be interesting to hear it with a big resonant 18"er!

**2bornot2bop** · 10-15-2016, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by Cunamara

Sweet, 2b1! I have one of Pete's floating CCs on my guitar made by Matt Cushman (mine is designed to be neck-mounted like a JS instead of pickguard mounted) and they are wonderful pickups. Fred was my inspiration for doing this this, too. It'll be interesting to hear it with a big resonant 18"er!

It's a small world! Yes, I've seen that neck mount version too. Any feedback issues? Any photos!?

**Cunamara** · 10-15-2016, 06:00 PM

Yes, it feeds back like all archtops do, especially floaters and especially carvetops. It particularly feeds back on 5th string at the 8th fret (F). Big resonance there (but that happened with the 3 other pickups I have had on this guitar). I'll have to get some photos taken. In my case is is the HCC form factor instead of the pointy CC one- it fit the existing cutout in the pickguard.

**JazzNote** · 10-16-2016, 07:17 AM

If i look at the pics closely i start wondering how the pick guard is attached. I see one screw near the neck but believe there must be a second "anchor point" for it to get sufficient stability.

**2bornot2bop** · 10-16-2016, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by JazzNote

If i look at the pics closely i start wondering how the pick guard is attached. I see one screw near the neck but believe there must be a second "anchor point" for it to get sufficient stability.

Good eyes! If you look even closer you'll observe "2" screws at that neck mount.

I purposely requested no side mount bracket, as they look funky on an acoustic. The pickguard has an ebony stop on its underside at the far edge of the pickup. Plus the pot, with a felt backing on its bottom, touches down very near the top. As it is, oddly enough the guard is very stout, displaying no movement. If it becomes a problem later I'll address it...but for now, I'm celebrating not having a side bracket to get in the way of my fingers...I generally fly them out towards the edge ala Wes'.

**Dioxic** · 10-16-2016, 08:31 PM

Lets hear what it sounds like!

**2bornot2bop** · 10-17-2016, 03:33 AM

Originally Posted by Max405

2b,
Home Run bro. Like a Jay Buhner moonshot. Wow.
Everything about that guitar is impressive. It probably sounds HUGE!
thanks for showing it is. It functional artwork.
Joe D

Darn bro, I'm impressed! How'd you know about "bones" as Buhner was affectionately known as during his long tenure with the Mariners?...those days during the 90's with Ken Griffey were priceless in these parts!

**JazzNote** · 10-17-2016, 05:00 AM

Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop

Good eyes! If you look even closer you'll observe "2" screws at that neck mount.

I purposely requested no side mount bracket, as they look funky on an acoustic. The pickguard has an ebony stop on its underside at the far edge of the pickup. Plus the pot, with a felt backing on its bottom, touches down very near the top. As it is, oddly enough the guard is very stout, displaying no movement. If it becomes a problem later I'll address it...but for now, I'm celebrating not having a side bracket to get in the way of my fingers...I generally fly them out towards the edge ala Wes'.

No way for me to observe a second screw, even with the glasses on .... great that it works as you describe!

**Gitfiddler** · 10-17-2016, 01:09 PM

2B~ I have a question about the tuner location of the D & G stings machines.

Is it a problem turning the tuner without scratching the close proximity wood of the headstock?
I thought I read that you either were going to change out the tuners, or already had. So much has been written about your amazing Mr. Wu creation that I may have missed this point.

**wintermoon** · 10-17-2016, 04:03 PM

"any feedback issues?"

w/that extra deep 18" body and farloatin' p.u., you betcha
but you're a home player, no? so your volume level will likely be manageable.
looks great, that does.

"Isn't it "Wu came out of nowhere" or "Wu and the night and the music "

or "are you w/me Doctor Wu?"

**2bornot2bop** · 10-17-2016, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by Gitfiddler

2B~ I have a question about the tuner location of the D & G stings machines.

Is it a problem turning the tuner without scratching the close proximity wood of the headstock?
I thought I read that you either were going to change out the tuners, or already had. So much has been written about your amazing Mr. Wu creation that I may have missed this point.

Not at all brother. The angle of the photo makes the clearance appear closer than it is. Great tuners. The originals were Wilkinson and worked fine but I swapped them out for a higher quality tuner.

**entresz** · 10-17-2016, 06:13 PM

I have a CC just like that one on my Gretsch Synchromatic G400. I asked Pete to wind mine with 38 gauge wire. Sounds very authentic and doesn't hum too much. That Mr Wu guitar looks fantastic -- I can only imagine how nice that thing sounds.

**Archtop Guy** · 10-17-2016, 08:10 PM

2Bop,Mr. Wu is going to have a tough time ever bettering that guitar.You have forced him to reach the top of his craft. What can he do now but,make copies of your guitar for the rest of his days. Congratulations on one beautiful guitar. AG

**2bornot2bop** · 10-18-2016, 01:44 AM

Originally Posted by entresz

I have a CC just like that one on my Gretsch Synchromatic G400. I asked Pete to wind mine with 38 gauge wire. Sounds very authentic and doesn't hum too much. That Mr Wu guitar looks fantastic -- I can only imagine how nice that thing sounds.

Thank you entresz! Isn't it great having a designer who will make a pickup exactly to your liking!

Originally Posted by Archtop Guy

2Bop,Mr. Wu is going to have a tough time ever bettering that guitar.You have forced him to reach the top of his craft. What can he do now but,make copies of your guitar for the rest of his days. Congratulations on one beautiful guitar. AG

Thank you AG! Oh Mr. Wu will be busy making different guitars, because I know Big Mike will be keeping him busy for at least the next 40 years!