Johnny Smith Sans Pickup?

[Swingfiddle]

Years ago I discovered that my Johnny Smith is one of the best sounded acoustic archtops I've ever heard. I never liked the looks of the original wood pickguard. So I had an early Gibson type pickguard made for it, and intended to put a new floater on it - but it looked so good and sounded so good without the PU that I left it like that (the connection is secured inside, rattle free). I love it - it's my be acoustic guitar. I have a hollow body electric with a p-90 on it, so I don't need it as an electric.

 

The original parts could be re-installed, no problem. But for me, this short scale, awesome archtop is perfect without the pu on it.

 

Has anyone else gone that way?

 

Doug Tanner

[Genericmusic]

Sounds really nice have any photos?

[Swingfiddle]

pics

[Genericmusic]

[Gitfiddler]

Oh my, that is gorgeous!!

 

Are you using phosphor bronze acoustic strings on her?

[Spectrum13]

+1

+1

[skydog52]

Beauty!

[skydog52]

[yoslate]

 

What a honey!

[Swingfiddle]

Oh my, that is gorgeous!!

 

Are you using phosphor bronze acoustic strings on her?

 

Yes, DR 12-52's

[hinesarchtop]

It's aged beautifully. Very very nice! Love the pickguard.

[pressure]

That is a fab idea!

[Ned]

That looks perfect. I bet she sounds better. Love the acoustic Heritage Archtop!

[tulk1]

How well does it project as an acoustic guitar? Looks gorgeous!

[2bornot2bop]

That appears like an Amber finish. Most JS I've seen from Heritage were Natural finishes. I dig it!

 

Maple Leaf guitars in Vermont has had a later model produced by special order JS in Amber on consignment for many months.

 

http://www.mapleleafmusic.com/guitar-archtop/heritage-archtop-guitar-johnny-smith-the-rose#

[randy2270]

I don't usually fancy Gibson hardware but I must admit that looks cool. My friend has a Johnny Smith that I am gonna buy in a few months, giving me some ideas. I also like your reasoning with having a gtar with P90 so I you do not need a pup. I got a sweet 16 and now I am thinking of making the Eagle solely acoustic. I am curious as to whether or not there was much modification needed or did it fit right in. Could you send me the luthier's name that make the pick guard.

[SofaPlayer]

Man, that guitar is beautiful! I could stare and drool for hours. Still I wonder, would it sound any different with the floater installed? I bet it sounds oh so sweet amplified, too. Either way, congrats & enjoy!

[tsp17]

Wonderful guitar.

[houndhome]

My Golden Eagle has a K&K pickup fitted to the underside of the top,so there is no obvious sign other

than the jack plug socket fitted in the endpin.The dealer I bought it from had not realized that there was

a pickup fitted.I also use phosphor bronze strings,D'addario EFT17's 013-056"

[Genericmusic]

Mr. houndhome you have a very nice looking guitar.

[houndhome]

Thanks,I'm rather fond of her.She's 1988,Golden Eagle serial 103

[SofaPlayer]

My Golden Eagle has a K&K pickup fitted to the underside of the top,so there is no obvious sign other

than the jack plug socket fitted in the endpin.The dealer I bought it from had not realized that there was

a pickup fitted.I also use phosphor bronze strings,D'addario EFT17's 013-056"

 

I've never heard of those pickups, this seems to be a very interesting variation. Funny that even the dealer didn't know about it.

 

And what a beauty it is!

[2bornot2bop]

My Golden Eagle has a K&K pickup fitted to the underside of the top,so there is no obvious sign other

than the jack plug socket fitted in the endpin.The dealer I bought it from had not realized that there was

a pickup fitted.I also use phosphor bronze strings,D'addario EFT17's 013-056"

 

Gorgeous GE too!

[Swingfiddle]

Thanks for all the positive feedback. I don't think it sounds any different than it did with the pickup on it. Originally I had the Gibson-like pickguard made for it with the intention of putting the highest quality floater I could find on it - but it was so comfortable and cool looking without it that I left it that way.

 

Brad Nickerson did the work, although he didn't make the guard. He said whoever made it was the same person who has been making guards for many high end archtop builders, including himself.

 

It could easily be switched back to the original guard and PU.

 

The guitar at Mapleleaf music is/was the same one. That was me. I decided not to sell it right now, although everything has it's price. Mine would be around $3500 plus shipping Hah! but I didn't post here to advertise it, I was just interested in if other people were using these as acoustics.

 

I often carry it in a nice heavy gigbag. That works a bit better w/o the PU because there's nothing to snag on the bag - no dials, etc.

 

Projection wise- it pretty astounding - especially considering that it's not as large as an L5. With the action up a bit it really roars. I play the fiddle mostly, so my fingers aren't used to the usual rhythm guitar action. But most of the people who have played it have loved it. It's really "alive" - more so than most archtops.

 

Doug

[Swingfiddle]

That appears like an Amber finish. Most JS I've seen from Heritage were Natural finishes. I dig it!

 

Maple Leaf guitars in Vermont has had a later model produced by special order JS in Amber on consignment for many months.

 

 

 

Yup, that's an Amber finish and the same guitar. It's a custom ordered finish. I traded another archtop - a full size pre-benedetto Guild for it - straight trade with the guy who had ordered it from Heritage. I don't know why he prefered the Guild. It was too big for me and actually I don't think it sounded as good acoustically. They were very similar plugged in.

 

The original pick guard has the JS rose inlaid on it too. Also custom. It's lovely but I don't particularly like that ornamentation on the pickguard. But I still have it.

 

Doug