Hi!

I have what I think to be a 53' Synchro model 6014-5 and with Serial number: 7763

http://i46.tinypic.com/2ufegbs.jpg

It is 100% stock original accept for the pick guard (which I think is awfully ugly).

I wan to add a pickup to this guitar but I do not want to cut a hole anywhere on this baby especially not for a filtertron.

I have considered the following three ideas and am more than willing to hear other I didn't think of which is why I am posting in the first place :)

Option 1: Attach pickup made for current Korean made G100CE which screws to the sides of the fretboard for a neck position pickup. I already own one of these (30 bucks on ebay) and the picture is attached.

http://i45.tinypic.com/dpwwar.jpg

Concerns: This pickup sucks. I will be drilling into my precious fretboard to find that it sucks. It will sound bad.... you get it.

Option 2: Find buy and attach one of the DeArmond Cheif or Guitar Mike floating archtop pickups.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220611558543&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_1936wt_1137 (Vintage Rhythm Chief - eBay)

Some of them, including the Rhythm Chief and the Super Chief had a pretty good punch to them and when overdriven can achieve the sound I am looking for. The only problem is that they are very expensive and pretty rare for good quality well kept units. The one in the above auction is about the average price for one of this quality and model. A super Chief in that condition would go for 500-600 maybe even 800 depending on the bidders.

Concerns: Too expensive. Too hard to find. Spend a lot of time and money to not know how they sound and find that it is unsatisfactory to my ear.

Option 3: Find a Gibson made McCarty pickup/pick guard combo which were used in the 60's on ES-300.

http://www.guitarnerd.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/mcartypickguard.jpg

This is my favorite option as I have seen/heard these in action and they have that overwound single coil feel which is exactly what I am looking for as I love me a good p90. They also have great feedback control as they were designed for full hallow archtops like the G-7 and the ES-300.

Concerns: I will NEVER find one anywhere for sale. Price is not a factor in this search as it will be the only one I find ever and I will just HAVE to buy it. It might not fit the Synchro as well as I think it will. I have messured the guitar and inspected the specifications of the McCarty but just want to sure.



I hope you guys are willing to dive in with me on this project and like I said before if you have any other ideas that I have not thought of them by all means please let me know. Also, if I can get some verification on the model and serial numbers to match what I think this guitar is. THANKS!

Check out the GFS NYII. Its a top mount single coil that's a little hot and has a rickenbacker look to it. 4 screws to attach it but you could probably use 2-way tape.

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-50206111187217_2105_4680336

This could work. I like the way they describe the tone. The only thing I can think of as an issue is electronics. These were designed for cables to come through the bottom of the casing so I would have to customize a bit. No biggie.

Nice! Thanks guitarmaker, a new idea! I like it.

You bet. I have a set of these and a thin spacer (1/8") would be plenty to get the wires through.

you might also want to talk to Setzer here on the forum, and kind of have a McCarty set up custom made for you.

If you do a combination of pick up and the custom pickguard, in that style but made to fit your guitar in the material you would like, you might be a happy camper.

Think dogear or soapbar p90 without the outside plastic shell with the adjustable height screws coming through the pickguard

Check out the system on this... it may do what you want. It looks like the magnetic pickup is attached to the pick guard.

http://wildwoodguitars.com/electrics/misc/a21124/a21124.php

you might also want to talk to Setzer here on the forum, and kind of have a McCarty set up custom made for you.

If you do a combination of pick up and the custom pickguard, in that style but made to fit your guitar in the material you would like, you might be a happy camper.

Think dogear or soapbar p90 without the outside plastic shell with the adjustable height screws coming through the pickguard

I like the idea of having one made with the specific pickup I want right in there.

That would be awesome. Who do I talk to and how do I find him? Is this done by someone who uses these forums?

Also, are you referring to THE Setzer? I would love to talk to him ;)

The soapbar p90 is the exact pickup I want with white pearloid pickguard but it would be cool if the pickguard matched that off white of the original soapbar p90.

I would then get better results using nickel strings too I presume.

So I did some digging and Paul DOES exist here.

Paul! I need your help!

Hey Andrew, I can make you a guard no problem. You'll need to check your clearance for the pickup and provide me with a general pattern to gauge the mount hole locations etc. Curtis Novak now offers a slim jazzmaster style pickup that fits under the strings of a Telecaster and requires no routing to the body. He might be able to make you a custom P90 to your specs. Give him a call and tell him I sent you and what you have in mind. He is a great guy to talk to about projects like this.

I personally use a floating Dearmond, monkey on a stick on my '49 Synchromatic. Curtis is rewinding a Red Chief for me at the moment. Can't wait to get it back.

Also have a look around archtop.com for pickup ideas like the ones mentioned above in everybodys post...except the GFS unit.

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l303/setzersigns/Gretsch%206014%20Synchromatic/GretschSynchromatic2.jpg

http://www.kksound.com/floatingbridge.html Reversible if needed

Here's another:

http://www.fishman.com/products/details.asp?id=4

Thanks a lot Paul and others! I will do some more home work and get this going.

Does your label have the 6014-5 model # stamped on it... just curious? Also is the headstock bound in white?

This guitar looks pretty nice. I assume it sounds good too, and that's why you want to amplify it. Might you consider leaving it stock, and buying a different acoustic electric guitar for times you need the volume? Just a thought.

BTW... she's a '52 model year example.

Really? Yes, it does have those exact model numbers printed on the sticker inside.

It actually has the price hard written into the label ($100) haha!

Yes, it does have the white band around the headstock. What does that mean?

It is in really nice condition and is completely original, the guys wanted 2200 for it but I weaseled them down to 1300.... I win. Thats whay I go to the same shop for the past 10 years...

I decided to build a pickguard with a pickup in it so I do not have to modify the top or the guitar at all.

Accept for a jack hole of the side, which I dont mind doing.

Is it possible to find a jack that would go under the pickgaurd? That way you would not have to alter the guitar in any way. It may be a good idea to keep the guitar as original as possible for collectable reasons.
Pop's

Good point.

I guess there is no reason to drill a hole if I dont have to.

Plus, then I will not be running cables through the F hole or anything.

That makes more sense.

If you use a jack in the strap endpin that can be easily reversed.

Agreed! Find a non-invasive solution for the jack. You drill that hole, and your $1300 original Corsair becomes a $800 player.

Also.. be sure to hold onto the pickguard that's on it... that appears to be original equipment. I have several photos of others from this period with the identical guard! So keep it safe and sound in case you ever decide the sell the guitar.

Good luck with the mod!

Will do, thanks Wayne.

After a couple whiskeys and along Friday at the office...

This guitar sounds so good and makes me feel so good that I am really questioning doing anything to it.

As much as I love a project and it would definitely be the most awesome electric Synchro in the state, I think I am going to keep it the way it is for now and just look for a player 6120 or another Anni.

I will still make the pickup for giging purposes but I am so in love with this guitar I though that modding it would dilute my passion for it exactly as it is.

If this guitar was a woman I would love it just the way it is and I am slowly realizing that even though guitars dont talk back much, this is a thing I would be wise not to change.

Concurrence?

Oh, I'd leave it as is, definitely.

Wait... you had a couple of whiskeys, then went to the office?

Ahhh... cooler heads prevail! Good man!

Yes, we have an American Legion Post across the street from the campus that has a full bar and happens to be duty free.

We call it building V (for Veterans).

I am a "Son of Liberty" member as my family has been military.

So I get pitchers for $4 and whiskeys for $2...

We take clients there for business meetings sometimes too LOL.

And yes, I have a mini fridge in my cube....

And he's only 24 friggin' years old!

Keep the guitar as is, man.

Is there such a thing as a bridge that is also a pickup?

They sell archtop bridges with built in piezo pup. The Best, "TROLL"

@ SaltyDog

Nice Phil Specter photo... Martha Reeves would have made a better Diana Ross IMO...