Gents.I posted my 1958 Johnny Smith a few months ago.I'm looking to take the Bigsby off of it and replace it with a Harp tailpiece and ebony bridge which I purchased from Archtop.com.However,I can't locate a DeArmond model 1000 rhytum chief pickup anywhere.There's a model FHC on it now which sounds great but does'nt fit the pickguard properly.....any help....Rich
58 Johnny Smith...again!
- Thread starter rsarmento
- Start date
Unfortunately those pups are VERY expensive, the gold ones even more so (there are so few out there) and the 1100s (w adjustable pole pieces) are priced somewhere in the range of OMG! I recently saw a gold 1100 go for $1400 on eBay. :shock: The price on the one in the link from Dan does seem a bit high, but it looks to be in good shape. You'll see them now and then on the bay for less, maybe even as low as $500 if you're patient and you get lucky. Some of the collectible prices do seem to be coming down lately.
To me, the 1000 doesn't sound all that much better than the FHC although they do have the nice addition of a tone control, but I do know a couple of pro jazz players that run Rhythm Chiefs and swear by them.
I have the FHC on a '48 Epi Broadway and It sounds great to my ear, but if that mis-fit bothers you or moves the pup too far to the bass side another option might be to get a temporary replacement for the pickguard while you're waiting to score the 'correct' pup.
To me, the 1000 doesn't sound all that much better than the FHC although they do have the nice addition of a tone control, but I do know a couple of pro jazz players that run Rhythm Chiefs and swear by them.
I have the FHC on a '48 Epi Broadway and It sounds great to my ear, but if that mis-fit bothers you or moves the pup too far to the bass side another option might be to get a temporary replacement for the pickguard while you're waiting to score the 'correct' pup.