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Pickups for an archtop “tres”
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Author:  Tim Mullin [ Sat Aug 24, 2019 10:05 am ]
Post subject:  Pickups for an archtop “tres”
A Cuban “tres” guitar is often based on a regular 6-string body-neck style, modified as necessary to install 3 double-string courses. One of my semi-pro clients wants to add one to his stable. We are starting with an archtop with trapeze tailpiece, making the arrangement of strings straightforward.

My question concerns pickups that would be appropriate for the 3 courses of double strings. I presume this would exclude all PUPs designed around 6 pole pieces. So what then? Rails? A piezo-style is a possibility, but then the acoustics of the body become a much bigger (and limiting) factor.

A noiseless pup would obviously be preferred, but at this stage, the size and format is not a concern (we can do the required woodwork for up to 3 pickups). It mostly needs to work with three string courses!


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Author:  Freeman [ Sat Aug 24, 2019 12:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pickups for an archtop “tres”
Tim, are you expecting the soundboard to be active or will you be bracing it to be structural supporting the pup(s) (in other words, a true acoustic archtop that needs to be amplified or something more like an ES-175 or L5)? I guess the other way to ask that is do you want a magnetic p/u or some sort of acoustic/piezo one?

I built an archtop looking acoustic guitar for a friend but he wanted the option of plugging it in, we settled on building K&K transducers into the guitar - they were installed before the box was closed since there is no access).

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Author:  Tim Mullin [ Sat Aug 24, 2019 4:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pickups for an archtop “tres”
I should clarify that the plan is to modify an existing, not-too-expensive archtop. Most such used guitars seem to have at least one P90 or humbucker already installed, but these would be useless on a 3 course string arrangement. So, I was thinking of replacing with a magnetic pickup that is less sensitive to string arrangement.

The attraction of a magnetic PUP was it’s feedback control on stage and being less sensitive to the acoustic quality of the instrument. However, I did today find a used Godin archtop without any electrics and wonder if a piezo PUP designed for a Bouzouki might work well (for example, the Schatten Design BM-1).


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Author:  Freeman [ Sat Aug 24, 2019 6:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pickups for an archtop “tres”
I understand Tim. Would one of the blade or rail style pickups work? SD makes them in various configurations. Also I recently worked on a bajo quinto and it had a soundhole magnetic pickup that was basically a cylinder with some spring loaded tabs on the ends. A bajo quinto is a five double course instrument and apparently this pup worked fine. Last though, if you are going to use an archtop style bridge there are some with built in piezos
Author:  B. Howard [ Sun Aug 25, 2019 8:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Pickups for an archtop “tres”
What type of music is played? That is a very important part of the equation. Most rail Pups are really hot!

I would think maybe a cheap 60's foil type Pup.
Author:  Tim Mullin [ Sun Aug 25, 2019 2:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pickups for an archtop “tres”
Freeman wrote:
I recently worked on a bajo quinto and it had a soundhole magnetic pickup that was basically a cylinder with some spring loaded tabs on the ends.

Have no idea what that PUP might be, but sounds interesting.

Freeman wrote:
if you are going to use an archtop style bridge there are some with built in piezos

Certainly that's a fallback, although I was hoping to avoid stage feedback so hoping to go magnetic.

B. Howard wrote:
Most rail Pups are really hot!

That was exactly my concern when I looked at offerings from DiMarzio and SD. The attraction was that odd string spacings might not be problem.

B. Howard wrote:
I would think maybe a cheap 60's foil type Pup.

Now THERE's an idea!! Gosh, I had one on an old Regal through the shop a couple of weeks ago and never thought about it for this project. I see some have 6 faux pole positions indicated on the outside, some just a blank foil -- are they usable for ANY string arrangement?
Author:  Durero [ Tue Aug 27, 2019 6:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Pickups for an archtop “tres”
There are quite a few non-polepiece pickup designs available.

I've had good experiences ordering from a Canadian eBay store called Bezdez.
Here's an inexpensive example which I've tried and liked: https://www.ebay.ca/itm/HIGH-OUTPUT-BLADE-HUMBUCKER-GUITAR-PICKUP/202573452661?hash=item2f2a519575:g:8sEAAOSwyDxXhvNA

I also really like Lace Alumitones: https://lacemusic.com/collections/7/products/alumitone-humbucker
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