Dearmond Soundhole Pickup Alternatives

joe2517

Hi all,

I've been after a vintage Dearmond soundhole pickup but they seem to be really rare here in the UK. What do most people do who are after that sound but can't got hold of the original? Are there any reproductions/soundalikes out there?

Cheers

Jalapeno

Got any pics of what you mean  ? 

I recently got a Dearmond Rhythm Chief 1000 (think they're Gretsch/Fender re-issues)  -  floating "Monkey of a stick" sort of pickup.

joe2517

There's several models; this is the 210, as used here by Lightnin Hopkins:

victorludorum

I went for one of these:

https://www.thomann.de/gb/schaller_10-43_pickup.htm

joe2517

This looks kind of interesting, anyone have any other suggestions?

paganskins

Cordoba/Guild have brought out a new DeArmond sound hole pickup, not sure how it compares to the originals.

They don't seem to be aiming for pristine acoustic tone!



Chicken Bone John reckons the Bill Lawrence sound hole pickups are the closest thing you can get to the originals tone wise, coincidentally I've one for sale 

joe2517

The Dearmond looks interesting; has anyone tried it out?

Also interested in the Schaller, Bill Lawrence Artec Memphysis if anyone has used one of those.

victorludorum

I use my Schaller on a cheapo acoustic for slide, so the whiney, nasty sound is bang on. These pickups are usually nothing more than very basic electric pickups with clamps for the soundhole. If you're after a good acoustic sound then you're better off going for something from Baggs, Sunrise etc etc

Jalapeno

I've recently got one of these - Peche a la Mouche sound hole pickups - great for rhythm, but turn it up and it sounds like an old archtop - perfick !

joe2517

The Peche al a Mouche looks great, but I think it's better suited to Gypsy Jazz guitars isn't it?

paganskins

joe2517 said:

The Dearmond looks interesting; has anyone tried it out?

Also interested in the Schaller, Bill Lawrence Artec Memphysis if anyone has used one of those.

I've a Memphysis in my blue ridge tenor guitar, I use john Pearce pure nickel and it's great overdriven and for slide.

Haven't tried to get a nice acoustic tone out of the pickup as it also has a k&k fitted. 

joe2517

That sounds quite promising; really not after a perfect acoustic tone! 

DannyP

This dude has a daphon thingy (scroll right to the bottom). Might be worth a punt for a tenner?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/guitarexchange/permalink/1389194081160222/?sale_post_id=1389194081160222