Guild DE400 mini HB replaced with vintage DeA 2000 PuPs

[matsickma]

In an earlier discussion I mentioned that the mini humbucker guitars are good instruments to experiment with different pickups. I noted that you can install a DeA pickup in the same pickup location as a mini HB. In reality the screw holes don't line up but if you install them at a angle they will go into the stock holes. On older guitars the bezel of the mini HB will leave some discoloration. If installed on newer Newark Street guitars the new finish may not show a difference. So here is my example of a late 60's Guild DE400 in stock configuration and with the vintage DeA's.

M

 

[Jeff Haddad]

That looks great!

 

[Default]

That's a pretty interesting idea, Mr. M! GC has a couple of NS Starfire IIIs that are science experiments waiting to happen.

 

[Walter Broes]

Hey, thanks for posting those!!! Now that is excellent - very good to know! Makes you wonder if Guild designed those humbuckers around the body cutout of a DeArmond pickup, so they could use up their remaining stock of bodies without any real problems.

I can see a Newark Street Capri in my future, with two TV Jones T-Armonds. (I emailed them about those a little while ago, and the good news for us Guild folk is that they'll gladly do a custom order with white tops!)

 

[Default]

Whoohoo!

More incentive to thrash my credit cards! :-D

 

[dbirchett]

Boy, that is a beautiful job!

 

[Jimmy Mack]

But how do they sound, in comparison to the original mini-hums?

 

[Walter Broes]

But how do they sound, in comparison to the original mini-hums?

More like a Duane Eddy record than the humbuckers, I'd be willing to bet!

 

[matsickma]

The DeArmonds and hog body have a full low end sound and the bright twang of the vintage pups. Very full tone. I have not been a big fan of the tone of mahogany hollow body guitars and the mini humbuckers. I like them on semihollow models like a SF4 or 5 and on thicker maple top body but not my preference on a thin 'hog body. I have difficulty describing the preference but to my ears some combinations match and others don't.

M

 

[Jimmy Mack]

I understand. I am in total love with my SF III from '61 with the DA's (HOG body) It just sparkles and kills with tone. Nice full bottoms with clarity and punch, and the most musical highs. Mids are there too, but you don't even notice, as there is so much else goin' on. What a guitar!

 

[Kslam]

In an earlier discussion I mentioned that the mini humbucker guitars are good instruments to experiment with different pickups. I noted that you can install a DeA pickup in the same pickup location as a mini HB. In reality the screw holes don't line up but if you install them at a angle they will go into the stock holes. On older guitars the bezel of the mini HB will leave some discoloration. If installed on newer Newark Street guitars the new finish may not show a difference. So here is my example of a late 60's Guild DE400 in stock configuration and with the vintage DeA's.

M

Wow, that is really cool! I love the mini-hums in my IV and V, but the idea of acquiring a NS SF III and throwing in DeArmonds holds a lot of appeal!