Interested in this '60s metal covered p/u in an X-50

mad dog

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Hey all. Was checking out X-50s, expected to see many with Franz p/us. And did. Saw this clip too:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4Rm3fJNlWg

Here it's a 60s model, called the Cordoba x-50 I'm quessing. Hadn't heard this p/u before. It does sound good. According to Han's book, this particular p/u also appeared on early S-100 polaris solid bodies.

To those more experienced: Is this p/u single coil or HB? In terms of single neck p/u archtops, has anyone compared how this metal covered p/u sounds with Franz or P90 equipped examples (Gibson ES-125 et al.) The clip sounds really good, would like to know if it gets warm drive going with a little more volume. Thanks much!

MD
 

mad dog

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Mav:

That is a helpful link. Had searched, but not found it. And yes, the sound in that video has me thinking. I'm kind of in Gibson ES-125 (older, no cutaway, full body) search mode, realized today the X-50 is equivalent. And this one with the non-Franz p/u has a different kind of tone. Would love to hear it. Thanks!

MD
 

mavuser

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the one in the video sounds great with the Fender amp tone. if you search youtube for the 60s Polara (S-100) or Jetstar (S-50) there are some videos with overdrive, distortion etc. they are solidbodies but might be worth checking out.
 

Neal

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I just picked up a beat-up '64 T-50 (the thin-line version of the X-50) that has this pickup. Expecting delivery Saturday. Man, I hope it sounds like the one in the video above!
 

walrus

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I had a '65 X-50, great sound! Mine had the MM pickup.

FWIW, these also sound very nice unplugged...

walrus
 
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I just picked up a beat-up '64 T-50 (the thin-line version of the X-50) that has this pickup. Expecting delivery Saturday. Man, I hope it sounds like the one in the video above!

Hi Neal, I hope you were happy with your T-50. I bought a '64 T-50 with the same pickup about the same time as you wrote that post. I love mine - and the best feature (for me) is the sweet acoustic clarity of that pickup, as we could hear in the video.
I mainly gig as a bass player, but also play blues/jazz on acoustic at times. I've decided that for an amplified sound I prefer the sound of the T-50 pickup (though an old Ampeg Jet) to a piezo-ed acoustic, so my old Bruno stays in the living room and the Guild gets to party.

I've been around Guilds for a while but haven't seen this pickup before. Does anyone know where the 'Mickey Mouse' name came from?
 

Quantum Strummer

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That's a great sound for sure, and it's why a '60s T-50 is on my Guild "must have" list. Just waiting for one to show up locally…

-Dave-
 

geoguy

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Really nice tone, & an arrangement inspired by Duke Levine's interpretation of that song, to boot.
 

matsickma

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Love the Guild "soap bar" pickup. My T50 has one. I was weened on this pickup in the 60's with my S50. I also love the sound of it on both an alder and mahagony S100 Polara and a 'hog M65.

Occasionally a T100 comes up with these pickups.
They are not as bright as a Mickey Mouse pickup. Think of them like a smaller P90. The early "soap bar" model had plastic top covers then they changed to a full chrome brass cover and sides.

M
 

parker_knoll

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This thread just prompted me to buy one of these from one of the evil strippers on ebay
 
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