Problems/issues with Tele pickup in acoustic?

sean79 · October 3rd, 2009, 01:03 AM

Would it be possible to mount a Tele neck pickup in an acoustic guitar (similar to the Gibson John Lennon model)? I know that anything is possible, but what are the reasons to not do it?

Am I likely to run into problems with bracing? Would I need to use "electric" strings - if so, what impact would that have on my unplugged sound (if any)?

Most of the acoustic electric guitars I see have fancy-pants pre-amps with batteries and knobs and stuff. What would I be losing if I skipped a pre-amp and just wired in a volume pot (maybe a tone pot too)?

I have a Tele neck pup sitting around. I think I also have some kind of Strat pup sitting around (it was jammed in the neck position of a used Tele I bought - not really sure what it is).

I'm not looking to tear into this thing tonight - just looking for some input/advice/opinions for now. Thanks.

Edit: Just looked at the guitar I was thinking of modding. The Lennon-style neck pickup is out - truss rod is in the way and the fingerboard comes all the way to the soundhole. Still curious about an electric guitar pickup in an acoustic guitar.

aunchaki · October 7th, 2009, 08:31 PM

If modding your guitar is out, then think about making (somehow) a soundhole-style pickup using a tele neck pickup. If you're creative, it could be a neat project.

I think you'd need to use electric strings.

PaisleyIsGod · October 7th, 2009, 08:41 PM

I have electric strings on my acoustic (long story) and it actually sounds pretty decent unplugged. Not sure how the pickup would work out but I think wiring in a volume and tone pot would be neat.

Big Mike Simpson · October 9th, 2009, 01:05 AM

Take a look at a Dearmond RHC-B, great for that Lightnin Hopkins vibe...
You should be able to mount a Tele PU in a little plate the same way. I use the dearmond on guitars I don't want to cut up.

winny pooh · October 23rd, 2009, 01:18 PM

bronze string will work but be lower output, I knew a guy who used them on his SG.I would not put a pickup right on the fingerboard anyway, would be pretty dark sounding

zombywoof · October 27th, 2009, 02:38 PM

I have been using DeArmond 210 pickups since the 1960s (I prefer the second version with the exposed B pole). Ain't the most acoustic sounding pickups but there ain't nuttin' that sounds like 'em out there.

Years back I mounted a Teisco pickup on an acoustic. I just soldered on two wings lined with felt that clipped to the guitar and ran a cable off of it. Sounded alot like the DeArmonds.

October 3rd, 2009, 01:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
sean79 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: northcentral/western Pennsylvania Posts: 2,767 8 Photos	Problems/issues with Tele pickup in acoustic? Would it be possible to mount a Tele neck pickup in an acoustic guitar (similar to the Gibson John Lennon model)? I know that anything is possible, but what are the reasons to not do it? Am I likely to run into problems with bracing? Would I need to use "electric" strings - if so, what impact would that have on my unplugged sound (if any)? Most of the acoustic electric guitars I see have fancy-pants pre-amps with batteries and knobs and stuff. What would I be losing if I skipped a pre-amp and just wired in a volume pot (maybe a tone pot too)? I have a Tele neck pup sitting around. I think I also have some kind of Strat pup sitting around (it was jammed in the neck position of a used Tele I bought - not really sure what it is). I'm not looking to tear into this thing tonight - just looking for some input/advice/opinions for now. Thanks. Edit: Just looked at the guitar I was thinking of modding. The Lennon-style neck pickup is out - truss rod is in the way and the fingerboard comes all the way to the soundhole. Still curious about an electric guitar pickup in an acoustic guitar. __________________ Every now and then I know it's kind of hard to tell, but I'm still alive and well. Last edited by sean79; October 3rd, 2009 at 02:44 AM.

October 7th, 2009, 08:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
aunchaki Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Western New York Posts: 1,487 24 Photos	If modding your guitar is out, then think about making (somehow) a soundhole-style pickup using a tele neck pickup. If you're creative, it could be a neat project. I think you'd need to use electric strings. __________________ Two Teles + One Strat + Three Acoustics (6, 12 & solidbody 6) + Two Mandolins (4 & 8 strings) + One Bass (5 strings) = 59 strings total

October 9th, 2009, 01:05 AM	#4 (permalink)
Big Mike Simpson Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Gilbert, AZ (PHX) Age: 53 Posts: 1,978 69 Photos	Take a look at a Dearmond RHC-B, great for that Lightnin Hopkins vibe... You should be able to mount a Tele PU in a little plate the same way. I use the dearmond on guitars I don't want to cut up. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/bigmikesimpson

October 23rd, 2009, 01:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
winny pooh Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South London Posts: 2,131 7 Photos	bronze string will work but be lower output, I knew a guy who used them on his SG.I would not put a pickup right on the fingerboard anyway, would be pretty dark sounding __________________ my afro ambient side project: http://www.myspace.com/theswyambusessions I play dancy bass here: http://www.myspace.com/casabellamusic

October 27th, 2009, 02:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
zombywoof Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Back in the Heartland Posts: 3,056 17 Photos	I have been using DeArmond 210 pickups since the 1960s (I prefer the second version with the exposed B pole). Ain't the most acoustic sounding pickups but there ain't nuttin' that sounds like 'em out there. Years back I mounted a Teisco pickup on an acoustic. I just soldered on two wings lined with felt that clipped to the guitar and ran a cable off of it. Sounded alot like the DeArmonds. __________________ "I don't play a lot of fancy guitar. I don't want to play it. The kind of guitar I want to play is mean, mean licks." John Lee Hooker

October 7th, 2009, 08:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
PaisleyIsGod Tele-Meister Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Halifax Age: 19 Posts: 237	I have electric strings on my acoustic (long story) and it actually sounds pretty decent unplugged. Not sure how the pickup would work out but I think wiring in a volume and tone pot would be neat.

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