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Thread: Pickup suggestions for a Harmony archtop tenor and a Blue Ridge

  1. #1
    Registered User Freddyfingers's Avatar
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    Default Pickup suggestions for a Harmony archtop tenor and a Blue Ridge

    Hi all. I have two tenor guitars. A blue ridge acoustic and a 1965 Harmony arch top. Recently my wife and I started to use them in our writing, and want to use them when we perform.

    I was having a hard time finding a P90 style pick up that could mount on the harmony, I need to plug it in, like my arch top guitars, and get some gain out of it. There are not many out there for sale. I would be playing blues, some slide with it. So I was wondering what other suggestions you all may have. Simple is good.

    The blue ridge would be played more acoustically, and I am looking into a saddle pickup, or similar. I have never installed any of these, and would most likely get help doing it.

    Thanks!
    Its not a backwards guitar.

  2. #2
    Registered User Freddyfingers's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pickup suggestions for a Harmony archtop tenor and a Blue Rid

    I am guessing its pretty quiet around these parts.......sssshhhh, don't wake anyone....
    Its not a backwards guitar.

  3. #3
    Registered User Seonachan's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pickup suggestions for a Harmony archtop tenor and a Blue Rid

    Soares'y sells P90-style pickups for archtop tenors.

  4. #4
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pickup suggestions for a Harmony archtop tenor and a Blue Rid

    Back in the 60's when I converted a half dozen Harmony archtops to 8 strings and then electrified them I used the DeArmond archtop guitar pickups on them. They sell for stupid prices these days but you might get lucky on eBay. If I was doing it today I'd probably check out what Stewmac offers for archtop guitars. There's no sin in using a six-string pickup if you can't get a four string pickup.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

  5. #5

    Default Re: Pickup suggestions for a Harmony archtop tenor and a Blue Rid

    From Mike's link I can recommend the Kent Armstrong's

    http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electron...Humbucker.html

    Mount easy enough at the end of the fretboard. I have one and the sound quality is great.
    VerneAndru.com | oKee.ComX

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  6. #6
    Registered User Freddyfingers's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pickup suggestions for a Harmony archtop tenor and a Blue Rid

    Thanks all! I will look into them all! Simplicity is the key for me. I have never added a pick up before, and fear setting the guitar on fire! will let you know how it goes.
    Its not a backwards guitar.

  7. #7
    Registered User MdJ's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pickup suggestions for a Harmony archtop tenor and a Blue Rid

    RE the acoustic- I recently (nervously) veered away from my schertler gear habit and bought a k&k pure for my 5string tenor on the recommendation of my luthier - $90.00 on amazon -IMHO it is an unreservedly great p-up and an insanely good value.

    Keep it moist,

    MdJ

  8. #8
    Lord of All Badgers Lord of the Badgers's Avatar
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    Default Re: Pickup suggestions for a Harmony archtop tenor and a Blue Rid

    I personally won't even risk it. I run pathetically to my local shop or luthier...!
    My name is Rob, and I am Lord of All Badgers

    Tenor Guitars: Acoustic: Mcilroy ASP10T, ‘59 Martin 0-18t. Electric: ‘57 Gibson ETG-150, ‘80s Manson Kestrel
    Mandolins: Davidson f5, A5 "Badgerlin".
    Bouzouki: Paul Shippey Axe
    My band's website

  9. #9
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    Default Re: Pickup suggestions for a Harmony archtop tenor and a Blue Rid

    For the Harmony, the DeArmond "monkey on a stick" guitar pickups were an "industry standard" back in the '50s and '60s. Still quite sought after by archtop jazz guitar players. The guitar ones have gotten quite pricey, but for tenor guitar the mandolin ones should work, and they're much less expensive in my experience.
    EdSherry

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