Is my D-50's pickup original equipment?

[Charlie Bernstein]

I just bought a '92 D-50. I like it. My one question is about how original it is.

it has a volume knob and an endpin socket for the pickup. Could that have been installed as original equipment the factory?

I don't mind if it was put in later, but I might decide not to add a neck-heel strap button if the guitar is all original.

Thanks!

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

Pics?

 

[awagner]

Even if the pickup system is original, you should still install a strap button, if you want one.

Adding one won't affect value at all, IMHO, and could even be considered an improvement. I have added strap buttons to several of my acoustics.

 

[plaidseason]

Pics?

Exactly. Otherwise . . . "maybe."

 

[chazmo]

I just bought a '92 D-50. I like it. My one question is about how original it is.

it has a volume knob and an endpin socket for the pickup. Could that have been installed as original equipment the factory?

I don't mind if it was put in later, but I might decide not to add a neck-heel strap button if the guitar is all original.

Thanks!

Yeah, Charlie re: the electronics, we'll need to see pix before giving you a verdict on original vs. non-original.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Even if the pickup system is original, you should still install a strap button, if you want one.

Adding one won't affect value at all, IMHO, and could even be considered an improvement. I have added strap buttons to several of my acoustics.

That's a welcome answer! Thanks!

I always add a neck-heel button, but I don't buy many new instruments. I'm a sucker for the spunky beaters. Trying to clean up my act in my old age. (With an assist from Saint Jude, patron of lost causes. . . .)

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Pics?

A smart phone is in the '24 budget, but I don't have one yet, so pix are tricky. But I learned what I needed to know from Professor Wagner in post 3.

Haven't ruled out a photo or two, though. If I manage it, I'll post something. It would be nice to know. Maybe when I have that smart phone.

Thanks!

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

A smart phone is in the '24 budget, but I don't have one yet, so pix are tricky. But I learned what I needed to know from Professor Wagner in post 3.

Haven't ruled out a photo or two, though. If I manage it, I'll post something. It would be nice to know. Maybe when I have that smart phone.

Thanks!

Sorry, no pressure intended!

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Sorry, no pressure intended!

Understood! Every time I have enough money for a cell or a microwave or a trip to Nashville, I blow it on some damn guitar instead.

 

[SFIV1967]

it has a volume knob and an endpin socket for the pickup. Could that have been installed as original equipment the factory?

If it shows something like D-50E on the label yes. Otherwise I would say aftermarket. What kind of pickup is it and what kind of knob is it and where is the knob located?

Ralf

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

If it shows something like D-50E on the label yes. Otherwise I would say aftermarket. What kind of pickup is it and what kind of knob is it and where is the knob located?

Ralf

Thanks! The label just says D-50 SB, so the pickup must be aftermarket. (The seller said it's a K&K pickup. The knob is a little wheel on the upper inside of the soundhole.)

 

[Bill Ashton]

Look inside on the bridge plate...if there are three black thingies there, then its a K & K....

 

[jeffcoop]

Trust me, this is a situation where you want it to be an aftermarket pickup. A stock pickup would almost certainly have been the Fishman Quackmaster that's in my '90 D25, my '92 Songbird, and my '03 D50.

 

[chazmo]

Thanks! The label just says D-50 SB, so the pickup must be aftermarket. (The seller said it's a K&K pickup. The knob is a little wheel on the upper inside of the soundhole.)

It sounds like you have the K&K Pure pickups attached to a volume control attachment (also K&K) That's a nice system, Charlie, although I find blended (multi-source) systems (with condenser mic on the PCB) to sound more "acoustic." In any case, I kind of agree with Jeff above... Old (acoustic) electronic is crappy electronics.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

It sounds like you have the K&K Pure pickups attached to a volume control attachment (also K&K) That's a nice system, Charlie, although I find blended (multi-source) systems (with condenser mic on the PCB) to sound more "acoustic." In any case, I kind of agree with Jeff above... Old (acoustic) electronic is crappy electronics.

Good to know!

Most of my other pickups are K&K, and I like 'em. I have no need for the volume knob, but it's not in the way of anything, and the pickup sounds good with the knob turned all the way up, so I'm leaving it be.

And I'm fine with the sound. It had its first pub gig last Saturday night and aced it. For years I just used a single-coil soundhole pickup plugged into a tube amp and liked how that sounded. And K&K Minis sound a lot better.

I do care (a lot) about how a guitar sounds unplugged, but in any situation where I'd plug in, the audience only cares about being able to hear you. Noisy pubs and festivals are not generally populated by tone-sniffers. If I'd wanted a hi-fi sound plugged, I'd've bought a used Cole Clark instead.