Fitting a DeArmond Rhythm Chief parallel to a neck HB

[Peter C]

Looking for different options that would allow me to keep the neck HB in place on my PM2, I came upon the Rhythm Chief and discovered how much I like its bell-like tone (both the 1000 and 1100, with a slight preference for the former). Looking at the fitting options, I got to wondering if the mounting bar might have just enough of a bend in it to clear the HB assembly and also if it's long enough, to sit right "behind" the HB. I know there is a monkey on a stick option, but have no idea if that would be compatible with what I have in mind.

Know anyone who has done this? Would it work?

This pic suggests there may be enough room:

[sgosnell]

If the rod is too short, you can use something like Blu-Tack to hold the RC in place. Many people use that method, because it doesn't require any holes or screws, and is plenty secure enough. It also allows adjusting the angle of the pickup in all 3 dimensions, plus it couples the pickup to the top, so that the sound is more complex and less tinny. Works for me. Blu-Tack is widely available, and I got a couple of lifetimes supply off ebay for very little money.

[Peter C]

Blu-Tack? Cool, got loads of that! This guy has done what I was talkign about, but with a monkey on a stick:

[xavierbarcelo]

You know that you can buy a monkey on the stick repro, right?

Here’s the link: Store | Panique Jazz
.

[Peter C]

I just found a store in Barna that can supply them. The Panique Jazz one is considerably cheaper..... 1. Is it good? 2. What's the shipping cost to our wonderful country? Moltes gràcies

[xavierbarcelo]

I think it was 25 $ last time I ordered. He’s perfected the model, because when I bought it, he was using plastic for the fastener. Now it’s metal. It is a good solution. Esper que t’ajudi!


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[Peter C]

Oh, so that's just the stick sans monkey. Pretty obvious and I should have noticed. $90 ain't cheap!

Gràcies de totes maneres.

[sgosnell]

In the clip with both pickups installed, I hear the Biltoft as brighter, even though it's closer to the neck. Neither sounds bad, and treble can be reduced by the tone controls on the guitar and amp. I think it's a subjective decision as to which is best. As I posted above, with BluTack you can mount the pickup anywhere, without any need to make any changes to the guitar at all. Whit Smith of the Hot Club of Cowtown had a DeArmond FHC attached to his Gibson with BluTack, although he's lately been playing it acoustically without a pickup for YouTube videos. For a few videos, one could still see the remains of the BluTack before he bothered to completely clean it off. It's not an onerous task. BluTack is certainly cheaper than a stick, and it's easier to use.