Are the P90 style pickups in Aristocrats & Freshmen the same

[Tweedledee]

I was wondering if the soapbar P90 style pickups found in the late 50s M75 Aristocrat are the same ones in the late 50s/early 60s M65 Freshman, or are they different since the Freshman was a cheaper guitar? Are the pickups completely identical?

I'm only curious about the soapbar pickups that appear to be the same in both. I know the other pickups they put in the Freshman (the "mickey mouse" pickups, etc.) aren't the same as the ones in the Aristocrat.

An old Aristocrat is one of my dream guitars, but the prices are so high that I don't think one of them is in my future. Since I tend to use the neck pickup mostly anyway, I was thinking a Freshman might be a way to get that same neck pickup tone for a lot cheaper provided they used the same pickup.

Thanks!

 

[Tweedledee]

This info might be in Hans's book, but I'm in Virginia until June and my copy is back in Chicago. Does anyone have the book and could look it up for me? I would appreciate it!

 

[coastie99]

According to the Book of Moust ............. " The p/u's that were mounted on the Aristocrat M-75 and later on the Freshman M-65 were basically the same but looked somewhat different."

However, elsewhere, Hans says " Since the model (Freshman) was available over a long period of time, many variations with different style p/u's were manufactured."

 

[hansmoust]

According to the Book of Moust ............. " The p/u's that were mounted on the Aristocrat M-75 and later on the Freshman M-65 were basically the same but looked somewhat different."

However, elsewhere, Hans says " Since the model (Freshman) was available over a long period of time, many variations with different style p/u's were manufactured."

Hello coastie,

The way you read it, it's a little out of context:

" The p/u's that were mounted on the Aristocrat M-75 and later on the Freshman M-65 were basically the same but looked somewhat different."

Looked somewhat different refers to the Franz pickups that were used on the full body archtops and that were pictured next to it on the same page (The Guild Guitar Book - page 30).

" Since the model (Freshman) was available over a long period of time, many variations with different style p/u's were manufactured."

After the discontinuation of the M-75 Aristocrat the M-65 Freshman was still produced, albeit with different style pickups; meaning ...... not the soapbars!

And to answer the original poster's question: Yes, they were basically the same pickups.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[Tweedledee]

Thanks Coastie and Hans! That's what I was hoping to hear.

 

[zizala]

Hey Tweedle.....

I understand the desire for an older Aristocrat.....its something I've been wanting to have someday too.....

So instead, and for the time being.......I've gotten a bit crazy for M-65's this last few months and have accumulated two from '58 and one from '59.

Excellent and amazing little guitars......my 3 have the longer standard 24.75" scale......not the 3/4.

Whats surprising is how well these little lightweights do jazz......the Franz soapbars are wonderful and complement these odd little hollowbodies quite well.

Its got me rethinking my use of 16" and 17" electric archtops!

z