Looking to replace pick ups in 1971 Guild M-65 Freshman

[LilBeeDee]

Hi everyone, I am new here. I have a 1971 M-65 Freshman, A short scale, small body arched up.
The neck is great for my small hands… But the pick up sound is lacking any oomph. I'd like to get different pick ups, and my first thought was that I don't want to carve up the top to allow for a larger pick up… But maybe I should?? Maybe it would be worth it to make this small guitar have a decent sound.
I'm wondering about StarFire pick ups. Any thoughts on what would be a good move for me?

 

[hansmoust]

Hello LilBeeDee,

Welcome! Before you start looking for alternative pickups, maybe you should check out if the period correct Guild pickup would work for you. What you have in your M-65 is a Danelectro pickup, which are great pickups, but obviously not what you are looking for!

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[DrumBob]

I think you meant archtop.

 

[BradHK]

As Hans mentioned, your pickup has been replaced. However, it looks like the pickup ring is the original and hopefully there was no routing. The photo below shows the pickup yours should have had from the factory. No idea if you would like the sound of that pickup but it would be original and you might love it. Finding one may be a little difficult.

 

[mavuser]

yes, u need what is commonly referred to as the Guild "mickey mouse" pickup. not impossible to find. will sound wonderful in that guitar. looks like the lipstick was a drop in and no routing or mods were done. so the og MM pickup is for sure the way to go.

 

[Norrissey]

Yeah, Caveman Music in LA has a minty 1965 M-65 with a "mickey mouse" pickup (at least I think that's what it is) that I've played. It sounds totally awesome. Silky retro jazz tones.
I should buy it really but it's too pricey ($1,795 plus tax) and I'm not a good enough jazz player.
Anyway, just want to highly recommend the "mickey mouse" pickup to you if you can find one.

 

[matsickma]

Wow! A walnut M65!?!

 

[LilBeeDee]

Hello LilBeeDee,

Welcome! Before you start looking for alternative pickups, maybe you should check out if the period correct Guild pickup would work for you. What you have in your M-65 is a Danelectro pickup, which are great pickups, but obviously not what you are looking for!

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

This is the pick up my guitar tech suggested, the lipstick, when I went to him with the original one complaining of the same issue. How 'bout that!

 

[LilBeeDee]

This is the pick up my guitar tech suggested, the lipstick, when I went to him with the original one complaining of the same issue. How 'bout that!