the best arch top duncan pickup?

S

spacerealm

New member
hello all,

i just obtained a 1967 Trini Lopez Deluxe arch top project guitar on ebay. a broken headstock, no hardware players guitar. im am now choosing what seymour pups would best suit this instrument for a bluesy, rock, jazzy, country type of playing style. i suppose the antiquity buckers would be fine but just thought id put it out there to the forum. thanks in advance for any suggestions.

-dan
 
Re: the best arch top duncan pickup?

Hi to a new member!

First the Trini is not an archtop guitar! This is what we call an semi-acoustic or better a semi-electric. Most of the folks like a set of 59 (if you like a bright sound e.g. for playing rock and blues style - like Clapton/BBKing), a set of Seth Lovers (round tone for jazz and blues) or Ants (for a more vintage style). If cost are a concern go with 59, if not i would say Seth Lover. Ants are bit dissapointing if you want a fullbodied tone. I ditched mine into my 2nd LP and put on 59 now - much more useable.

Since i rewired my ES 335 completely and can give u some hints. Use only quality parts like CTS pots and switchcraft jacks and toggle. Rewire it without pups but long leads to connect the pup thru the pickup holes (its easier if you want to change pups). Use this schematic to rewire: http://www.doctorvintage.com/drv1_controls_models.html

Have fun with your Trini!
 
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Re: the best arch top duncan pickup?

the trini lopez deluxe might actually be a hollowbody, its about 3" thick. the trini std is the es335 like model.

59's are a fine choice and probably best if country is in your style. personally i prefer the seths or antiquitys but i like a warmer rounder tone and dont play anything that even approaches country
 
Re: the best arch top duncan pickup?

Hi, thank you for the replies. good info here. The Trini is the fully hollow arch top version. kind of like a Barney Kessel Gibson but with funky appointments. I may go with the '59 in the neck & a pearly gates in the bridge as this combo has proven to be very versatile for me on other axes. i may try a few thing till i find what works best. Thanks also for welcoming me to the forum. I have been an Artist User for over 10 years but this is my first forum post. my how time flies. Mahalo for Kaua'i...
 
Re: the best arch top duncan pickup?

I've just seen the specs of that guitar. It's got golden hardware,it's not considered very collectible, (it's considered "ugly", because of the pointy cutaways and the headstock not being matched very well aesthetically) but because of the design it's an excellent player's guitar for straight Jazz and BeBop; 12 to 56 flatwound strings work wonderfully in that 24 3/4" scale, 20 fret neck.

I don't think it's a very good instrument for Rock, though. The neck p'up is located way back the harmonic "sweet spot"; it's got only 20 frets.

If I was you, I'd go with TV Jones p'ups for this axe. Duncan has no stock humbucking wound to TV Jones p'up's specs.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electro...Guitar,_archtop/TV_Jones_Classic_Pickups.html

If you still wanna go Duncan, your best bet is the Seth Lover set for this particular guitar.

HTH,
 
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Re: the best arch top duncan pickup?

hi my choice wd be either Set of 59ers
alternatives 59B + Antiquity Neck! (more open then a SethLoverN)
59b + sh-2 or
or WCR Crossroads Set or Skatterbrane set.
Or a set of P90s.
 
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