Aristocrat Advice

[gevans378]

I'm brand new to this blog but have recently become a fan of the the Guild Starfire III. We do not have much of a vintage market in my hometown, thanks to the Internet, but I purchased a NS Starfire from our local shop and am quite enjoying it.

I have had my eye on an Aristocrat for awhile. I had an Eastwood Airline Tuxedo that I quite liked -- very similar in construction. The Eastwood's P90s, while great sounding, were awfully noisy and I did not want to shell out the money to swap in quieter pickups, particularly on a guitar that would have little to no resale value where I live (if it does not say Fender, Gibson/Epiphone . . .). I am now thinking about buying an Aristocrat.

Anyone had any experience with the NS Aristocrat and can give me advice as to how noisy its P90s might be?

Thanks

 

[Walter Broes]

True single coil P90 type pickups (which the Franz pickup repros in the NS guitars are) hum, that's just physics.

 

[walrus]

No experience with that guitar, but welcome to LTG!

walrus

 

[Quantum Strummer]

The Franz repro pickups in the current Aristocrat have a pretty good signal-to-noise ratio. Being single-coils they'll make some noise, especially if you're not careful about positioning yourself relative to your amp(s) or are playing at real high volume. Being mostly a single-coil guy the hum generally doesn't bother me, but some pickup designs are worse than others. A Jazzmaster pickup in an unshielded guitar can be real annoying. The Aristocrat in my experience is much closer to the other (better) end of the spectrum.

-Dave-

 

[guitarslinger]

I have one and QS says it best. The 60 cycle hum is/will be a fact of life. But the Aristocrat IS quieter and has never been objectionable in a live setting where I could move around the stage.

 

[gevans378]

Plenty of experience with 60 cycle hum -- I'm a single coil guy and not looking for noiseless, just wanted to check on whether or not the hum is obtrusive. Thanks folks.

 

[Guildadelphia]

I live in an old house with old wiring and generally do my electric playing in a basement with florescent lighting which coupled with single coil pu's is a recipe for tons of 60 cycle hum. Unless I'm playing at very low volumes, the hum gets pretty bad, especially with any overdrive pedals kicked in. My NS X175B with the the Franz pu's is about in the middle of the hum spectrum. To get rid of the hum, I invested in an Electro Harmonix "Hum Debugger" pedal. It's not a noise gate, and I'm not sure how it works but it really does get rid of the hum without killing your tone. Much better than a noise gate IMO.

 

[Quantum Strummer]

That EHX Hum Debugger is an interesting gizmo. It creates a notch filter via CPU-governed phase cancellation. Seems to work equally well with 50 & 60 Hz AC. I've used one, borrowed from a friend, a handful of times. Don't own one since most of my electric playing happens at home these days.

-Dave-

 

[guitarslinger]

Never heard of it. Now, I want one. Amazing how often that happens here.

 

[guildman63]

I am now thinking about buying an Aristocrat.

Thanks

gevans,

I have both the NS and the AP Aristocrat, and I concur with the other comments that the hum is not obtrusive.

Now that I have the AP version my like-new black NS Aristocrat is for sale. I brought it to a local Guild dealer in the Boston, MA area to sell on consignment. I'm sure he ships if you are interested, and at $750 it's a great deal!

Union Music
142 Southbridge St.
Worcester, MA 01608
508-753-3702

My craigslist listing has pictures for you to see.

http://worcester.craigslist.org/msg/5013899473.html

 

[Guildadelphia]

New Newark St. Guilds are a great deal......clean used examples are an outright steal. I bought my NS 175B used but mint and I just shake my head in wonder at the quality of guitar I got at that price. A black NS Aristocrat at 750.00 is too good to pass up (don't forget they also come w/ a real nice TKL HSC).

 

[DeluxeToneJim]

Anyone had any experience with the NS Aristocrat and can give me advice as to how noisy its P90s might be?

Thanks

G'day - I had a Newark M75 Aristocrat and compared to 'P-90' loaded guitars I've owned it was a lot quieter. I'm not sure what the construction of the Newark Street 'Frequency Tested' single-coils is actually like but they claim to be 'faithful reproductions'. Personally - I absolutely loved the tone on my M75 and I'm still kicking myself for selling it. I think it would make a great pairing for your SFIV. In any case - if you can try before you buy, then that's the best way to go.

 

[gevans378]

Thanks folks. I am now on the hunt for an Aristocrat. Will you keep you posted.

 

[gevans378]

I shall soon be in possession of Guildman63's Aristocrat. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[guildman63]

It's been shipped and will hopefully be passing over the border of Minnesota to Winnipeg in a few days. Tell customs to be quick about it! Enjoy, and give us some pics and a review from your end once it arrives.

 

[Guildadelphia]

Congrats on your new to you Aristocrat. Always nice to see guitars passed between LTG members. The Franz pu's sound great in a hollowbody.

 

[JohnW63]

I didn't even get to see the pictures ! I didn't need it, but I like eye candy.

 

[guildman63]

gevans,

The guitar got hung up at the border with proof of sale being requested before completing delivery. As far as I know Carl was able to provide all requested information, so hopefully the guitar will be delivered any day now.