I stuck this photo in Walter's Cordoba topic and realized it would be better to start a new thread....
I'm no expert....just some thoughts, observations and experience....
These resemble the DeArmond 2000 or what Gretsch called the "Dynasonic" but without the more complicated apparatus for raising and lowering the magnet rod pole pieces. In fact the magnets are the screws, not separate parts. Structurally they're just like the model 210 sound hole pickup built into a 2000 frame, so I've taken to calling them 210's.
From what I can tell from looking at old 50's guitars with DeArmonds these did not necessarily predate the 2000 model.....in fact they seem to show up most often on some oddball late 50's Multivox Premier guitars, some circa 1960 early Guild Starfires as well, and show up on a few other Guilds from that time frame.
More info here:
http://www.musicpickups.com/Premier.html
I have a 1960 Starfire II with these and love the sound these produce.
My '61 Starfire II was re-equipped with original late 50's DeArmond Gretsch Dynasonics in the more conventional 2000 style with the black face bobbins. I'm not sure if the more commonly seen white faced Guild versions of the 2000 are any different. Anyway these are famously great sounding pickups
Its hard to describe the sound difference between the 210's and the 2000's.
Both have a very powerful and punchy sound but while the 2000 has lots of "chime" in the trebles and a great bottom end.....I detect a sense of "scooped" mids. Sorry for the chiches but I don't quite know how else to describe this! BS common parlance but I'll use it...
The 210 is more tonally balanced to my ears....a quicker more articulate P-90 or even a very powerful Franz.
No mud in the middle.....still does the DeArmond thing with the unwound strings.
All that blather being said....the '60 Starfire has a maple body....the '61 is mahogany. With that in mind this comparison could be completely useless!
But I think not.....I'll put this extra set in the '61 and find out.
Anyway.....I like the 210's a lot.
I'll keep'em.....
z
I'm no expert....just some thoughts, observations and experience....
These resemble the DeArmond 2000 or what Gretsch called the "Dynasonic" but without the more complicated apparatus for raising and lowering the magnet rod pole pieces. In fact the magnets are the screws, not separate parts. Structurally they're just like the model 210 sound hole pickup built into a 2000 frame, so I've taken to calling them 210's.
From what I can tell from looking at old 50's guitars with DeArmonds these did not necessarily predate the 2000 model.....in fact they seem to show up most often on some oddball late 50's Multivox Premier guitars, some circa 1960 early Guild Starfires as well, and show up on a few other Guilds from that time frame.
More info here:
http://www.musicpickups.com/Premier.html
I have a 1960 Starfire II with these and love the sound these produce.
My '61 Starfire II was re-equipped with original late 50's DeArmond Gretsch Dynasonics in the more conventional 2000 style with the black face bobbins. I'm not sure if the more commonly seen white faced Guild versions of the 2000 are any different. Anyway these are famously great sounding pickups
Its hard to describe the sound difference between the 210's and the 2000's.
Both have a very powerful and punchy sound but while the 2000 has lots of "chime" in the trebles and a great bottom end.....I detect a sense of "scooped" mids. Sorry for the chiches but I don't quite know how else to describe this! BS common parlance but I'll use it...
The 210 is more tonally balanced to my ears....a quicker more articulate P-90 or even a very powerful Franz.
No mud in the middle.....still does the DeArmond thing with the unwound strings.
All that blather being said....the '60 Starfire has a maple body....the '61 is mahogany. With that in mind this comparison could be completely useless!
But I think not.....I'll put this extra set in the '61 and find out.
Anyway.....I like the 210's a lot.
I'll keep'em.....
z
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