[Pumpkinass]

Hello,
I picked up a 1970's Aspen Japanese made guitar for nothing at a garage sale. Nice straight neck, ebony fret board, pretty inlay.
Stripped off the brown stain to find really sweet solid wood with beautiful markings underneath.
I'm adding new nos wiring, caps, good tuners and a b-7 whammy.
Now, i'm looking into pick ups.
I believe it's mahog? So, it can take sharper, brighter pick ups. I'm hedging on TV J Classic&Classic plus English mount, Classic 57&Classic 57 plus or P-90's.
I know the first two will fit/replace the ones pictured..but how about the P-90's? Do I need a special mounting bracket?
I know everybody has sound prefs, but which pups are preferred and why?
I'm leaning towards the TV's or the P-90's if they'll fit. But not discounting the 57's if someone can give me reason.
Thanks and happy Monday!






http://www.gretsch-talk.com/forum/at...1&d=1338206596


http://www.gretsch-talk.com/forum/at...1&d=1338206621

[Archtop 13]

What are you after tonally? Makes no difference how I want to spend your money if we don't like the same guitar sounds. With your humbucker routing you can find just about anything that will drop in, no mods. I'm not a huge fan of 57's, but a guitar like that would tempt me into trying Lollar's new El Rayo pickups.

[Lizardkinged]

I dig that color w/ the binding. I have so many pickup option combinations out there in mind. So I'm of no help.

Get a super hot and bright ceramic humbucker like an SD Invader or a Dimebucker for the bridge, and then put a 13+k ohm P90 in the neck. (It actually does sound pretty cool) Nice spanky/quack tone in the middle, individual pups both make great lead or rhythym pups.

But A P90 in the neck, and a classic plus would be cool too. Or Classic plus w/ super-tron neck would be great too.

[Ricochet]

Great looking guitar! I've got about a hundred leftover pickups scattered across the house, so don't look at me for any sensible PU recommendations...lol

[The Marlin]

My vote. https://bareknucklepickups.co.uk/mai...sissippi_queen

Classy look too!

Marlin

[Pumpkinass]

I guess i'm going with a pair of Lindy Fralin Hum-Cancelling P-90 Soapbar Pickups when I can find them reasonably on Ebay.
Here is the guitar stripped bare I'm waiting for some clear gun oil to rub into it to heighten the striping before spraying it clear.
I guess either chrome or black covers would go with the natural look and the bigsby.

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http://www.gretsch-talk.com/forum/at...1&d=1338241239

[fender62custom]

Lovely guitar..the P-90's will be a great addition....l personally would go with a TV Supertron neck & TV Classic bridge combo for that guitar..please post pics once your done...progress ones even better..cheers!!!

[Pumpkinass]

I actually just got outbid on a TV Classic&Classic Plus pair. Dang snipers! I'm waiting to hear back from another Ebayer about 'the good price' on another set. Otherwise it's LF's

[Archtop 13]

The Dogears will require a little extra routing side to side & "should" barely cover the pickup hole north to south.

[fender62custom]

Have a look at the TV Jones T-90...has some of the Classics flavour & the mounting option to suit....cheers!!!

[Teledriver]

Gonna leave it natural? What about the sides and back? I'd think maybe a slightly darker sides and back for a two-tone look. Just a thought, but I always love natural too.

[Archtop 13]

T90's would be a Filtertron route, correct? Kent Armstrong makes an affordable Humbucker route P90, Lollar makes one at a higher price but they have that funky cover that I just can't live with. I have an Armstrong in my LP Custom which sounds pretty nice. You really need to sit down & adjust it correctly, but once it's there it's a pretty nice sounding pickup, IMHO. & I'm a P90 guy. If you are determined to go the dogear route the Lollar 50's wound are about the best I've heard. He got it right with that one!

[Pumpkinass]

Kinda funny. This was a garage sale guitar. I figured it was stock japanese/korean? But, it turns out that the pups it has are Dimarzios. Guess I was in a hurry to strip the guitar down and figured without looking that they were just some knock off pups. But, a previous owner of the guitar must have made an upgrade
I'm looking them up, even sent pics of them to Dimarzio for identification.
I don't know much about Dimarzio. Reviews place them mid to low range?
Any opinions?
Thanks!

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[PacRat]

Nice guitar, for what it's worth, I don't believe that's mahogany.There are many woods that are used over in the orient that are similar, but as I said I don't think that's mahogany

[Pumpkinass]

I'm no expert. What do you think it is? I'm only going on what vague internet history that i've found on Aspen guitars.
Alder maybe? Seems too striated for maple?

[Ricochet]

I would have to go with Japanese ash, possibly Sen.

[stevo]

Looks like an old Yamaha SBG or SG series, very cool.

I don't recall you mentioning the pickup sound you have now, but what's wrong with the original pickups?

For me, everything is TV jones these days. If I were doing a project guitar like that and thinking about pickup changes, I would go for the TV Jones. That being said, what's wrong with the original pickups?

I'm also convinced in my mind that Jensen tone caps make a difference in the tone. Am I deceiving myself?

[Pumpkinass]

I emailed Warmouth before. They just replied and think it's Japanese ash as well. I had an ash Tele once. It had a maple fret board and was too bright. I'm thinking the ebony on this one will give it good balance

[Lizardkinged]

I'm gonna say those are just your average entry level Dimz. Not bad, but not anything to blow your hair back. For all intent and purpose its a PAF. lol

[PacRat]

Originally Posted by Pumpkinass

I'm no expert. What do you think it is? I'm only going on what vague internet history that i've found on Aspen guitars.
Alder maybe? Seems too striated for maple?

Definitely not alder, we use alder or used to to imitate cherry. It does look more like ash, it is pretty I think you're on the right track going with a light oil maybe a little tinted . . . it is going to be a very pretty git fiddle when done IMHO