Pickup replacment - before/after

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Author Message   Sgjazz Username: Sgjazz Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 10:10 am:    I thought I would let you all witness my project. I decided to replace the aftermarket pickup on my FA 800 with a Kent Armstrong Handwound PAF. The existing PU is from a GB. It does have a good output but recently I've heard good guitars transformed to great guitars via the Kent Armstrong. Here is the existing setup: Here are the new parts. Benedetto Ebony pickguard (he calls it a finger rest), an ebony volume knob and the pickup. I intend to use the same hardware and wiring. The PU will be mounted under the pickguard rather than the bracket on the neck. I should mention that I will not be doing the installation. I'm leaving this one up to a professional. I am making before and after recordings, I'll post them with the after pics. I'm dropping it off today and I should have it back next week. -STU   Wildfield Username: Wildfield Registered: 5-2005 Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 10:27 am:    I personally really like the look of the Benedetto ebony finger rest. I retrofitted one on to a AF105F I once owned. Looking forward to seeing the finished results and hearing the before and after clips. Here is a photo of my AF105 with Benedetto finger rest...   Guitartim Username: Guitartim Registered: 4-2001 Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 10:32 am:    Stu~ I installed one of Kent's 12-pole paf's on one of my archtops and it sounds fantastic. However, word of caution...Make sure the pickup is low enough so as to not be in the way of your picking. They can be a bit microphonic. Your pick touching it can cause an audible 'click' if not careful. Secondly, the distance from the strings has a dramatic effect on the tone...and once installed Johnny Smith floating style, you cannot raise or lower it. Good luck with the mod and let us know how you like it afterwards.   Sgjazz Username: Sgjazz Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 10:42 am:    Wildfield.... Beautiful guitar, did the acoustic sound change much with the f hole being exposed? Guitartim.... thanks for the advice. Generally I don't have a picking problem with current PU. The new one is the same thickness but 1/4" wider. Have you found an ideal distance from stings for mounting the pickup?   Wildfield Username: Wildfield Registered: 5-2005 Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 12:18 pm:    Sgjazz, Good question...but I didn't notice a difference in the acoustic sound. To be honest, I did not pay close attention to the acoustic (unplugged) sound before or after. I was always more focussed on the amplified sound. I do miss having an ax with a floating humbucker. I'm thinking of picking up another AF105 one of these day - because it has a floater, I love the feel of the neck and they seem to remain fairly reasonable on the used market. I'll be interested to hear your comments on the Kent Armstrong floater. I truly think that is the one for me, if I ever get another archtop with floater. Good luck.   Guitartim Username: Guitartim Registered: 4-2001 Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 2:27 pm:    "Have you found an ideal distance from stings for mounting the pickup?" Sgjazz I don't have an ideal placement for floaters, just get it as low and away from the strings as your archtop's neck attachment and top carve permits, but not touching the wood. You can always raise the individual poles on the KA paf if necessary.   Sgjazz Username: Sgjazz Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Thursday, September 13, 2007 - 3:47 pm:    Well, I hit my first speedbump. Can't use the Bennedetto pickguard because it is too small. There is not enough room underneath for the jack. So, I had the repairman order a pickguard very similar to the original (same quality or better). No big setback, it will just look more original. The ebony knob stays.   Munch Username: Munch Registered: 2-2001 Posted on Friday, September 14, 2007 - 2:02 am:    Yes, I think those Benedetto style guards look cool too. Here is one of that style on a Gibson L5 sized guitar that my Dad made. Clarification: My Dad made both the guitar and guard! Cheers, Mark   Guitartim Username: Guitartim Registered: 4-2001 Posted on Friday, September 14, 2007 - 2:01 pm:    Munch~ Your dad has incredible skills as a builder/luthier! And his choice of woods are amazing.   Wildfield Username: Wildfield Registered: 5-2005 Posted on Friday, September 14, 2007 - 3:20 pm:    Mark, Gorgeous guitar. Do you mind if I ask what is the name on the peghead? Does your dad build many guitars? Darryl   Sgjazz Username: Sgjazz Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Friday, September 14, 2007 - 4:48 pm:    Mark, the Benedetto pickguard attaches at the point only, and just rests on the lower end, is that correct?   Wildfield Username: Wildfield Registered: 5-2005 Posted on Friday, September 14, 2007 - 4:55 pm:    Sgjazz, Btw, when I mounted the Benedetto finger rest on my (previous) AF105F. I drilled an extra hole in it so I could attach it to the existing bracket coming from the waist of the guitar. Please see my photo in my original post. One other option (which is what Benedetto and other makers do) is to mount a thick piece of felt like material (don't know what you call it) under the finger rest. This suspends the finger rest off of the guitars top and allows sufficient clearance for volume and tone pots. I can send you a photo of my Holst K200 later this evening as an example of what I have described above. Let me know if you're interested. Darryl   Munch Username: Munch Registered: 2-2001 Posted on Friday, September 14, 2007 - 8:03 pm:    Sgjazz, Wildfield's description is accurate on how the fingerest is attached. Sorry to hijack, but to address the comments re timber choice and headstock name, here are a couple of photos. Unfortunately my Dad is not building anymore. A few health issues have conspired to restrict the time he can spend at a workbench. Small jobs are fine, but the 200+ man hours that go into building an archtop just isn't possible anymore. Cheers, Mark   Wildfield Username: Wildfield Registered: 5-2005 Posted on Saturday, September 15, 2007 - 12:59 am:    Mark, What a gorgeous guitar. And your dad's story (which I found written in his own words) is remarkable. I did a google search on Emberg Guitars and found a link right back here to the ICW. Here's a link to the discussion in which your father participated. http://www.ibanezcollectors.com/discus/messages/17 /2388.html?1097247308 Anways, sorry to contribute the hijack of this thread, but viewing photos of your dad's guitars and reading about his remarkable history was worth the hijacking. Although he is unable to build guitars any longer, I sincerely hope he is enjoying his life and living comfortably. Please be sure to let him know we are all gushing over his guitars. Sgjazz - I will attempt to post a photograph of the pick guard as it is mounted on my Holst, later tonight. Darryl   Wildfield Username: Wildfield Registered: 5-2005 Posted on Saturday, September 15, 2007 - 2:02 am:    Sgjazz, Here are a couple photos of my newest guitar made by Steve Holst. I tried to get shot that shows the felt like material that is stacked to create clearance between the pickguard and the top. Hopefully this information is helpful.   Gemberbier Username: Gemberbier Registered: 5-2006 Posted on Saturday, September 15, 2007 - 8:34 am:    Although I admire Poppa Munch and his work a lot, I think it is a pity that the brand name he chose, is a part of a much more famous luthier's name, EMBERGHER (*1856 +1943), who made world famous mandolins. For historical information: http://www.embergher.com/ In this light, the NAME Emberg (not the quality) is like Vester, Fenix or Chevy. If the guy was still alive, he could sue the person or firm exploiting a part of his name in the instrument business, and with success. I wonder what inspired Poppa Munch to use this name... Could be something from the underconscious, that he had picked up somewhere. If you have the name Emberg (with -her) checked, you will find it's not registered, but it is just too much alike and could cause problems. Ginger   Sgjazz Username: Sgjazz Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Saturday, September 15, 2007 - 12:56 pm:    Wildfield, thanks for the pics. It looks like the pad under the pot stabilizes it.   Wildfield Username: Wildfield Registered: 5-2005 Posted on Saturday, September 15, 2007 - 6:21 pm:    "It looks like the pad under the pot stabilizes it." - Sgjazz Affirmative. Sorry for the poor photo...couldn't get a good shot underneath the pickguard with my camera. Basically, it appears that the felt like material is cut into small squares. 2 are stacked and attached to the tone pot. Seems very stable to me. Good luck...looking forward to some photos and also your review of the KA pickup. Darryl   Wildfield Username: Wildfield Registered: 5-2005 Posted on Saturday, September 15, 2007 - 6:21 pm:    By the way, I have the KA handwound PAF (top mounted) on my Holst. I love it!   Munch Username: Munch Registered: 2-2001 Posted on Saturday, September 15, 2007 - 7:02 pm:    Ginger, We've never heard of Embergher before. My Dad and I came up with the name as a function of our own surname "Munchenberg". We decided that the family name was too long so worked out a truncation that was memorable, pleasing to the eye, and fit on a headstock nicely. Its a shame you take such a negative view of it. You all but accuse my Dad of passing off!!!!!!   Sgjazz Username: Sgjazz Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Saturday, September 15, 2007 - 8:38 pm:    I recorded a tune before I dropped off the guitar. I thought you all might want to hear the track. It's Jimmy Smith's "Blues For J". When I get it back I'll re-record the same tine for the comparison. Blues For J   Mwmeci Username: Mwmeci Registered: 4-2007 Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 8:35 am:    Sgjazz, Wonderful sound. What amp, strings, pick are you using?   Gemberbier Username: Gemberbier Registered: 5-2006 Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 9:14 am:    Mark, I'm not accusing anybody. My view is not negative, but realistic. I don't question the craftsmanship and/or the good intentions of your dad. I'm just pointing out that even if you had the brand name checked, there can always be legal consequences if the name looks or sounds too much like another brand. Among mandolin specialists Embergher is the summit , like Stradivarius among violin specialists. Ginger   Wildfield Username: Wildfield Registered: 5-2005 Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 10:27 am:    Sgjazz, Sounds great! Thanks for posting the link. What amp are you playing through?   Sgjazz Username: Sgjazz Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 10:35 am:    Mwmec... thanks man, I use a Dunlop 205 for a pick. A few months ago I started buying string from webstrings.com, they are roundwound 13's. I didn't use an amp, I am direct to Logic Pro through a Mackie. I only added some reverb in the computer, no eq. For gigs I use an Acoustic Image Corus and sometime a Walter Woods.   Sgjazz Username: Sgjazz Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 10:42 am:    Wildfield, no amp, direct (read above). For the "after" recording I'll play the same tune but I'll stretch a little. I was little rushed and did this one just before I left to drop off the guitar. I'll be able to take my time with the new pickup.   Chucke99 Username: Chucke99 Registered: 2-2007 Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 12:47 pm:    Very nice playing, Jazz. Here's how Windows Media Player interpreted the music: -Chuck   Sgjazz Username: Sgjazz Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 3:45 pm:    Chuck, groovy... looks just like a guitar.   Rguit Username: Rguit Registered: 10-2005 Posted on Thursday, September 20, 2007 - 12:34 pm:    Just FYI, I heard Kent makes a PAF with an Alnico 3 magnet as well, I think but am not sure, that this is the same magnet type used in the GB pickup. Many say the Alnico 5 is a bit strong, more output, and sometimes has the effect of pulling the strings out of tune, but who knows !!   Sgjazz Username: Sgjazz Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 - 1:19 am:    Got the guitar back today. Noticeably different sound. Much more sensitive and live sounding. Chords are distinctly clearer. The pickguard is replaced with the same type but looks much better. Partly because it is clean and unscratched but also the binding is cream color and matched the guitar binding more closely. I will post the after recording tomorrow.   Wildfield Username: Wildfield Registered: 5-2005 Posted on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 - 9:41 am:    Sgjazz, Looks great! Thanks for posting photos. Although I really like the slender look of the Benedetto finger rest, I somehow feel the look of the pickguard you selected matches the look of your guitar better. It looks great and classic. Looking forward to hearing the "after" clip. Btw, did Kent comment on if he would accept orders from the general public (i.e. me)? Darryl   Sgjazz Username: Sgjazz Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 - 1:47 pm:    I recorded the same tune for comparison. "Blues For J" Kent Armstrong Pickup   Jazznote Username: Jazznote Registered: 5-2006 Posted on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 - 2:35 pm:    Sgjazz, nice playing! I think the new pickup sounds warmer, more acoustic. I bought the same pickguard for my L5 as a replacement. Still have a second "spare one" (see second foto, still in sealed package). They are available from ALLPARTS if anyone is interested. Cost $50.   Sgjazz Username: Sgjazz Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 - 2:49 pm:    Jazznote....thanks... my repair guy ordered the pickguard and I was relieved to see the quality. Compared to the other pickup this one sounds almost like a mic.   Petruz Username: Petruz Registered: 5-2004 Posted on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 - 4:23 pm:    hmmm... sgjazz, this sounds good... wildfield, the pickup on your holst is the same? maybe it would be a nice addition to my PM100.

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