Barcus Berry pick ups

[Stuball48]

Did Guild ever use Barcus Berry electronics in any D25s - a friend discovered his D25 has one. I thought they were involved in Violin electronics not guitars..

 

[kitniyatran]

Putting Barcus Berry's on acoustic guitars was a big thing in the early '70s before all the other saddle transducers and whatnot came into prominence
I know a lot of people would put Hot Dots and the like on their guitars but I don't know if any of the manufacturers installed them from the factory

 

[hearth_man]

Guild used Barcus Berry pickups and preamps early on in the 1980s FS-46 crossroads series guitars before Guild switched to early Fishman systems shortly after on these guitars.

 

[Stuball48]

This is on a 1974 D25 archback. Might be original? It is not hooked up but that may change.

 

[fronobulax]

GAD is lacking many of the 70's catalogs but I could find no reference to Barcus Berry or factory electronics on a D-25 in the 1976 catalog. The two '74 price lists refer to a "Special built-in Guild pickup" on some electric flatop guitars but a D25 is not one of the models.

So - did Guild use Barcus Berry pickups (perhaps rebranded as Guild)? Dunno.

Did Guild offer factory electronics in a D25 in the 1970's? I'm gonna say no. I won't say Guild never put factory electronics in a D25 but I cannot recall any examples.

 

[SFIV1967]

The two '74 price lists refer to a "Special built-in Guild pickup" on some electric flatop guitars but a D25 is not one of the models...

...Did Guild offer factory electronics in a D25 in the 1970's? I'm gonna say no. I won't say Guild never put factory electronics in a D25 but I cannot recall any examples.

The "Special built-in Guild pick-up" was the Hagström made pickup like on that D-40E. It was offered until end of 1974, at least it was still in the November 1974 price list.

Starting around 1974/1975 Guild installed Bacus Berry Hot-Dots in any model you wanted as the November 1975 price list and 1976 Acoustic Catalog shows:





Ralf

 

[Stuball48]

Thanks Ralf - will pass along your research. I am sure it will be appreciated.

 

[SFIV1967]

This is on a 1974 D25 archback. Might be original?

Thanks Ralf - will pass along your research. I am sure it will be appreciated.

So it sounds like Guild already switched to Hot-Dots during 1974.

Ralf

 

[GGJaguar]

BB ad from 1975.

 

[fronobulax]

Did Guild offer factory electronics in a D25 in the 1970's? I'm gonna say no. I won't say Guild never put factory electronics in a D25 but I cannot recall any examples.

Starting around 1974/1975 Guild installed Bacus Berry Hot-Dots in any model you wanted as the November 1975 price list
Ralf

I learned so much that being Ralf'd didn't sting. Thank you.

 

[hansmoust]

Starting around 1974/1975 Guild installed Bacus Berry Hot-Dots in any model you wanted as the November 1975 price list and 1976 Acoustic Catalog shows:

...... as was mentioned in the Prices Acoustic Flattops section on page 178-179 / 6-'75 (5) of 'The Guild Guitar Book'.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[fronobulax]

and Hans'd...

 

[Br1ck]

I think anyone buying an acoustic older than ten years old should get new modern pickups installed. Even the cheaper pickups of today leave a lot to be desired. Trance, Baggs Anthem, Dazzo, and even K&Ks will likely be far better. Maybe if you have FRAPs, just for the cool factor would be OK.

 

[Bernie]

I think that Barcus Berry hot dots were very good for the time. An old friend of mine had a F50.ish jumbo maple Guild that had them, and I remember he had a vey natural sound with that guitar (better than several Fishman at least)...The fact they didn't go along with a built.in pre.amp maybe, might have been it's major issue if any, but with a good genuine P.A., they worked very well...
As a mater of fact, I remember it as one of the best sound I've heard from an acoustic guitar

 

[SFIV1967]

The fact they didn't go along with a built.in pre.amp maybe, might have been it's major issue if any, but with a good genuine P.A., they worked very well...

I don't know how good or bad the simple Hot-Dot Box preamplifier was that shipped with them. (and were they all red?)



Ralf

 

[Bernie]

Yes thanks Ralf, now I remember from seeing it, the guy did have a similar box too (it was black I believe)... My friend's guitar was a 6 strings though. So it's not built in, but did exist (I had forgotten about it). Worked well, and I remember thinking about it all not so long ago, and wondering what newer systems had brought...
I liked this other one with two 9V batteries (can't find back the name right now) that Guild used as well...They have been good with that side of the tone too !
Many thanks