Archtop: floating pickup, or anchored into soundboard?

C

Cazarstan

New member
I am attempting to restore a Silvertone archtop and am wondering what pickup method I should use.

I have looked at the Kent Armstrong "floating" pickups that attach to the neck or the raised pickguard, or maybe I should just cut into the soundboard and anchor in more conventional pickups?

What is the best method tone-wise? feedback-wise? sustain-wise?

since I have to drill holes to anchor the pots anyway, is the floating pickup even going to mitigate any effect on resonance?

PS this would be for a neck pickup only, of course.
 
Re: Archtop: floating pickup, or anchored into soundboard?

Which precise model are you restoring? How old is it?

Some floating pickups clip around the edges of the fingerboard. There is no need to drill holes.

With the pickguard attachment method, it would be conventional for the control pots to also be mounted on the pickguard.

Photographs would help.
 
Re: Archtop: floating pickup, or anchored into soundboard?

it is a 57-619

Silvertone_archtop.jpg

(picture isn't mine but it looks exactly the same)
Okay good to know I don't need to drill holes for pots.
now that that is understood, is this method the best for playability/tone?
 
Re: Archtop: floating pickup, or anchored into soundboard?

Are you aiming for a natural acoustic guitar sound - only louder - (AKA electro-acoustic) or the sort of sound associated with a "big box" Jazz guitar (AKA Acoustic Electric)?
 
Re: Archtop: floating pickup, or anchored into soundboard?

Definitely want more of the warm, jazzy (acoustic-electric) tone, but not to the extreme. I at least know I don't want an under-saddle pickup or an internal mic.
 
Re: Archtop: floating pickup, or anchored into soundboard?

I would personally avoid cutting into the soundboard. I have an arch top body slightly thinner than yours Nice tone. I am considering a neck mounting pickup.
 
Re: Archtop: floating pickup, or anchored into soundboard?

What strings? Acoustic or electric?
 
Re: Archtop: floating pickup, or anchored into soundboard?

it would be a shame to cut a hole in such an old guitar as it has earned some respect after surviving unscathed for all these years.
Measure the string height. You might find that the only pickup that will fit is called a 2D by kent armstrong. It is a hand wound pickup that is not part of the regular line. You can find it here:
http://www.archtop.com/ac_access.html

The pickup is different to the regular production model "slimbucker"
http://www.wdmusic.com/kent_armstrong_jazz_guitar_pickups.html

you can get some cool pickguard mounted volume/tone pots so that you don't need to drill the guitar's top.
http://www.archtop.com/ac_access.html#anchor46193451

This means you can run the pickup wire under the pickguard to the pots and then back into the F hole with no drilling. The only hole in your guitar will be the jack plug which can double as the strap button.
 
Re: Archtop: floating pickup, or anchored into soundboard?

Thanks for the links, will definitely be getting that stealthy pot kit or similar. that slimbucker (or custom one , if I can afford it) pickup look like it will fit as well, now to see if my one-ply pickguard is strong enough to hold it all...
thanks guys, I really appreciate your help!
 
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