Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Maybe this was covered before. But I recall a forum thread about adding a middle pickup to a standard 2 pickup model without drilling any extra holes. The added pickup wire was run under the pickguard, so the added pickup could be removed at any time without any mod to the guitar. Does anyone recall how to install the pickup? Thanks.

Don't know about the thread, David, but you'd be limited to rubber-magnet pickups (Hi-Gains or RIC humbuckers) and possibly short magnet toasters (haven't tried it) and you'd have to use one of the foam cushions to mount it, with double-faced tape, running the wire as you describe.

I'd think you could fit one of those monkey on a stick DeArmonds, like the Rythmn Chief on a Rickenbacker, but they're run off of a separate Volume and Tone control, and I don't know if they'd add much to the mix. I've got one installed on my '54 L-5N, it locks onto
the taunt strings between the bridge and tailpiece, and the pickup itself slides up and down a metal rod, so you can position it at about any point between the edge of the fingerboard and the bridge. The control box, that has the Volume and Tone knobs, as well as a mini-output jack clamps down on the strings behind the bridge. It's a well designed device and was popular with Jazz artisits wanting to convert their prized archtops without having to route it out for pickups.

http://www.vintagearchtop.com/dearmond.htm

I thought David wanted to stay within the Rick family. Perhaps a wrong assumption.

The DeArmonds are definitely a cool vintage accessory, and kind of bring back hazy sepia memories and have that jazz bandstand vibe.

As far as sound, I'm a bit in the dark here, and suspect the sound would be, as well!

BTW, the folks at vintagearchtop.com are very fine people.

A new toaster with replaced magnet rods would fit the bill.

http://www.magnetsource.com/Solutions_P ... lnico.html 1/4" diam x the length of the depth of a coil and the aluminum bottom plate.