Vintage Starfire III - Dearmonds Vs Mini-hums

[Zelja]

What do you reckon Guildsters? Impressions, thoughts, differences, comparisons between the 2 pickup types are sought - tone. volume, response, driving an amp etc.
Which type pf pickup suits a particular type of music etc.

Any & all opinions welcome!

 

[AlohaJoe]

I've got minis on mine and I've been bonding with them lately. :lol: I'm playing jazz w the neck pu and just bringing in the bridge pu now and then, but even the bridge pu is sweet. Brighter of course, but not ice-picky... nicely round and overtone rich. Sadly I have no experience w that DeA.

 

[Mapleman54]

I happen to own both types of pickups on broadly similar guitars - both on hollow body Starfires, one a Starfire V from late 1963 (same spec as a Bert Weedon), and the other a Starfire IV from 1966 (long scale, hollow body, marked 'special' on the label). The Dearmonds on the '63 provide a more 'hi-fi' sort of sound. Low output (not measured) but amazingly detailed, better for Jazz or fingerstyle. They have the most wonderful bass lift, even Travis-muted. The minis on the '66 are really punchy, less ooomph than Gibsons, but more clarity and touch sensitivity in my opinion. Mind you I play mostly in a pretty low volume environment. I use a Fender Deluxe 2 amp - 1982, 22w, 1x12, played mostly clean, and I love both pickup sets. Had Gibbo HB's on a reissue L4, and didn't compete with either Guild so sold it.

In short, both have distinct personalities - for me theDeArmonds take it for sheer character, but like I say I'm not much of a rocker.

Tim

 

[Mapleman54]

Forgot to mention - I also have minis on a Starfire XII, 1966 and not hollow!, and the front pickup is very special - almost orchestral in character on a 12 string. Possibly the biggest sound I have in my collection.

T

 

[hansmoust]

I happen to own both types of pickups on broadly similar guitars - both on hollow body Starfires, one a Starfire V from late 1963 (same spec as a Bert Weedon), and the other a Starfire IV from 1966 (long scale, hollow body, marked 'special' on the label).

Hello Tim,

Welcome! Good to see you here!

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[SFIV1967]

...a Starfire IV from 1966 (long scale, hollow body, marked 'special' on the label). Tim

Hi Tim, welcome to LTG! I am curious, that 66 SF IV is completely hollow, like the Bert Weedon model? Interesting! What color? Cherry?
Ralf

 

[Mapleman54]

Thanks for the welcome Hans, and Ralf, much appreciated.

The '66 is cherry, on sapele. It was a surprise to find it totally hollow - bought it online from a dealer who hadn't mentioned that. Was delighted to get it, although might have to do some work on the neck angle.

 

[Zelja]

Thanks to both AlohaJoe & Mapleman54 for your thoughts. Anyone else care to chime in?

I'm thinking if trying to get a SFV which would have the mini-hums so maybe an SFIII with mini-hums would be too similar & one with Dearmonds would provide more differentiation. I would more likely be using the guitar in a more rock orientated or jangley pop connotation. Do the Dearmonds work in this configuration? Do they sound anything like Jazzmaster PUs?

 

[Walter Broes]

DeArmonds are loud, clear, twangy single coils with a lot of definition, they're plenty bright, but not just bright, they have plenty of output and bass and midrange grunt on tap too, almost as powerful as a P90, but brighter, and more percussive.

Imagine a Fender pickup on steroids, something like a very loud ballsy telecaster.

 

[Zelja]

^^^^
That sounds might fine! Thanks Walter.