Pickup Recommendations for a 1974 Guild F50?

[BostonTerrapin]

Hi All - I picked up a 1974 Guild F50R back in November. I gig out on occasion and I'd love to incorporate this beautiful guitar in my quiver! That said, I've been having a tough time deciding on a pickup and thought I'd bring this to ya'll for some feedback/recommendations.

This guitar performs beautifully. It’s got strong volume & bass, giving it loud, rich, overall tone. The neck is surprisingly easy to play and the action is solid with no unusual buzzes, even with different gauge strings - I typically play Elixir phosphor bronze nanoweb .013-.056 mediums. There is no indication that there have been any damages or repairs. My understanding is that the tuners may have been changed as some point, however, it doesn't seem to really have any alterations other than a zero-fret (installed by a previous owner) that is a reversible mod.

In the past, I've used a few pickups that I liked, including the LR Baggs Anthem, LR Baggs Anthem SL, and the Fishman Rare Earth Blend. I'll likely be playing small stage gigs/bars, solo or with another musician or two. Right now I'm playing through the Electro-voice evolve column PA.

I'm looking for a natural tone that doesn't skip out on bass. The overall tone and preservation of this guitar is remarkable and I'd like to keep it that way. I'm not opposed to making minor alterations, however I don't want to damage the preservation, integrity, value and natural sound of the instrument. Any thoughts or recommendations?

 

[BostonTerrapin]

Hi All - I picked up a 1974 Guild F50R back in November. I gig out on occasion and I'd love to incorporate this beautiful guitar in my quiver! That said, I've been having a tough time deciding on a pickup and thought I'd bring this to ya'll for some feedback/recommendations.

This guitar performs beautifully. It’s got strong volume & bass, giving it loud, rich, overall tone. The neck is surprisingly easy to play and the action is solid with no unusual buzzes, even with different gauge strings - I typically play Elixir phosphor bronze nanoweb .013-.056 mediums. There is no indication that there have been any damages or repairs. My understanding is that the tuners may have been changed as some point, however, it doesn't seem to really have any alterations other than a zero-fret (installed by a previous owner) that is a reversible mod.

In the past, I've used a few pickups that I liked, including the LR Baggs Anthem, LR Baggs Anthem SL, and the Fishman Rare Earth Blend. I'll likely be playing small stage gigs/bars, solo or with another musician or two. Right now I'm playing through the Electro-voice evolve column PA.

I'm looking for a natural tone that doesn't skip out on bass. The overall tone and preservation of this guitar is remarkable and I'd like to keep it that way. I'm not opposed to making minor alterations, however I don't want to damage the preservation, integrity, value and natural sound of the instrument. Any thoughts or recommendations?

 

[GAD]

Moving to Acoustics

 

[West R Lee]

Hi All - I picked up a 1974 Guild F50R back in November. I gig out on occasion and I'd love to incorporate this beautiful guitar in my quiver! That said, I've been having a tough time deciding on a pickup and thought I'd bring this to ya'll for some feedback/recommendations.

This guitar performs beautifully. It’s got strong volume & bass, giving it loud, rich, overall tone. The neck is surprisingly easy to play and the action is solid with no unusual buzzes, even with different gauge strings - I typically play Elixir phosphor bronze nanoweb .013-.056 mediums. There is no indication that there have been any damages or repairs. My understanding is that the tuners may have been changed as some point, however, it doesn't seem to really have any alterations other than a zero-fret (installed by a previous owner) that is a reversible mod.

In the past, I've used a few pickups that I liked, including the LR Baggs Anthem, LR Baggs Anthem SL, and the Fishman Rare Earth Blend. I'll likely be playing small stage gigs/bars, solo or with another musician or two. Right now I'm playing through the Electro-voice evolve column PA.

I'm looking for a natural tone that doesn't skip out on bass. The overall tone and preservation of this guitar is remarkable and I'd like to keep it that way. I'm not opposed to making minor alterations, however I don't want to damage the preservation, integrity, value and natural sound of the instrument. Any thoughts or recommendations?

I like the Baggs Anthem. I like that you can dial in the amount of undersaddle and internal microphone to mix and have that option. I personally like more internal mic. And they are so easy to install. But it sounds like you're familiar with the Anthem.

West

 

[plaidseason]

I'm a huge fan of soundhole pickups, good ones. My favorite being the Fishman Rare Earth, and I like both the humbucker and the single coil. Lots of people like the LR Baggs M1. And of course, Sunrise.

My qualifier is that I don't so much seek a "natural" acoustic tone, so much as I want something great, present and alive.

 

[Central Florida Folkie]

After trying way too many sound hole, under saddle and under bridge systems along with various preamps over the years (and generally disliking pickups anyway), I have to honestly say that using a couple of EV ND96 dynamic mics has worked extremely well for me; even in loud environments thanks to their tight pickup pattern. These particular mics have a very high gain threshold before you hit any feedback, and they sound really, really great. You get all the natural sound of your guitar, no drilling, and a mic that is well-suited to handle different types of venues - from nice and silent to very noisy. I’m sure you’ll get lots of input on your inquiry, but I had to pop up and give props to the live-mic crowd!

 

[Mikep]

Trance audio amulet is very good.

 

[rg2002]

I just had a Trance Audio Amulet installed in a 1970 F212. It's my second Amulet (first is in a Martin 00-28). I like it.

 

[Christopher Cozad]

Hi Ethan, and welcome to LTG!

My $0.02:

You have a great guitar in your arsenal. I have performed for decades with my '76 F-50R, and it has never failed to receive compliments.

For reliable performance, and consistent delivery of those lower frequencies, the Baggs Anthem is hard to beat. You already have a feel for how this pickup sounds. Active pickup, meaning battery is required.
For the "K&K" approach, but with built-in feedback resistance, the Ultra Tonic from James May is a great solution. Clean, clear, precise reproduction. No battery required (and you can get it with a Volume control)!
For sonic "accuracy and detail," along with hard-to-believe-until-you-experience-it "feedback resistance," I am also a fan of the Trance Amulet (specifically: Trance Amulet M-VT Phantom). I recommend this pickup to my own discriminating/fussier customers. Active pickup, meaning phantom power is required.
Thanks to this very site, I was introduced to what I would refer to as my most recent "favorite" pickup: the MojoTone Quiet-Coil NC-2. It is a soundhole magnetic with a mic. It is downright impressive, as it features the incredible ease of installation of a soundhole pickup (which can also translate to fast instrument "swap-ability") along with providing (what I currently believe to be) the most "acoustic" sounding magnetic on the market (my opinion, but I do own, or have owned, all of the offerings). Active pickup, meaning battery is required.
Of course, there are so many choices available these days, but the 4 named above will not disappoint.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

 

[BostonTerrapin]

Thanks for the feedback and insight here everybody!

After reading these messages, doing some research, and chatting with some friends, I've decided to try out a few soundhole pickups for the easy swap-ability, apparent low feedback, and minor alteration aspect. I've bought both the MojoTone Quiet-Coil NC-2 and the Seymour Duncan SA-6 Mag Mic Acoustic Soundhole Pickup System.

I'll be testing both of them out over then next few weeks and I'll follow up here with my thoughts and feedback. As always, thanks for all the help and happy new year...

Cheers!

 

[Boomstick]

I would probably go with the K&K, they seem to be some of the more natural sounding pickups from my experience.

 

[chazmo]

I would certainly go with Christopher's recommendations!

Since this beautiful F-50R deserves the best treatment possible, I'll note for the record that Guild currently installs the LR Baggs Anthem system. A few years ago, back in the previous (New Hartford) location, they used the D-TAR Multi Source (now Seymour Duncan Wavelength Duo) system. I heard the D-TAR on a live stage and it was by far the best system that day.

Tallyho!