Pickup Archtop

[swingtoneman]

Pickup question regarding archtop guitar.

I have an acoustic archtop --very poor acoustic sound--sounding a bit like a 175 unplugged. I want to fit a floating pickup. What type of pickup would you fit for a reasonable jazz tone?

[TedBPhx]

I put a Benedetto S6 in a Washburn J600k. The pickup attaches to the pickguard. I like the tone of the pickup. Kind of woody. Not the guitar though. A case of lipstick on the pig. Got the Benedetto from Django online.

[marcwhy]

For something different, try Krivo.

Here are some good ideas from TGP, too.

[rlrhett]

I used a floating CC style from Biltoff (Vintage Vibes) and absolutely love it. I find the Benedetto to be a bit muddy.


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[Jabberwocky]

What's a reasonable jazz tone? A floating Johnny Smith humbucker seems to be the standard. The Kent Amstrong 12-pole floating PAF is the other one. Pretty wide spread in between these two.

[jazzkritter]

Jabs of the two, which would you say is closest to an in body Humbucker (ie darker, mellow, just not bright)?
TY)
jk

[burchyk]

Jabs of the two, which would you say is closest to an in body Humbucker (ie darker, mellow, just not bright)?
TY)
jk

KA floating PAF, nice pickup

[Spook410]

A Kent Armstrong 12 pole will do most things pretty well and is a good baseline.

There is also a Kent Armstrong single coil model which is a lot more P90'ish.

Some prefer the vintage sound of a DeArmond Rhythm Chief 1100

And some like the warmth of a Johnny Smith humbucker. If you want a classic sound, it's a good pick.

Installation is a consideration. Some require putting a screw or two in the neck. Some attach to the pickguard and it's a little trickier than dropping a swap into a tele. You have to consider type and mounting of controls and how you want to install a jack.

[jazzkritter]

Looked up the KA 12 pole, I didn’t know it came in a neck mount. It will go on a GB10 which already has a neck mount humbucker, should fit well but I will give them a call tomorrow.
Thanks for the suggestion!
jk

[2bornot2bop]

I used a floating CC style from Biltoff (Vintage Vibes) and absolutely love it. I find the Benedetto to be a bit muddy.


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For sure! But I'd also consider a Bartolini 5J. I've had excellent results with that pickup. Otherwise, I'm a big fan of Gibson's BJB floating pickup!

[Jabberwocky]

Looked up the KA 12 pole, I didn’t know it came in a neck mount. It will go on a GB10 which already has a neck mount humbucker, should fit well but I will give them a call tomorrow.
Thanks for the suggestion!
jk

I think Kent is only reachable by Facebook now Kent Armstrong Handmade Pickups

[jazzkritter]

Thanks! I see WD Music comes up as the store. Some pickups say made in USA, most don’t. Since I’m totally new to these pickups, is WD the legit sales rep for KA? I’ll go do some searching too.

[burchyk]

For sure! But I'd also consider a Bartolini 5J. I've had excellent results with that pickup. Otherwise, I'm a big fan of Gibson's BJB floating pickup!

damn this looks hot

[2bornot2bop]

damn this looks hot

Not bad for an 18" $2k WU arch top huh!
The bridge is what set the guitar off. Compliments of luthier Matt Cushman. Thank you for the referral JD!

Here it is...

[sgosnell]

I'm a fan of the DeArmond Rhythm Chief pickups. I prefer the 1100, because of the adjustable polepieces.

[Jabberwocky]

Thanks! I see WD Music comes up as the store. Some pickups say made in USA, most don’t. Since I’m totally new to these pickups, is WD the legit sales rep for KA? I’ll go do some searching too.

Go to Kent directly.

[jazzkritter]

Thanks Jab will do.