Gabojo Dyna style pickups

[glenlivet]

I did a quick search and found a few people that have pickups by Gabojo (The Greeks).
Wondering how close to "real" Dynasonics they come ?

Are they more like a Dynasonic 2000 ?? (Dyna-lite) or are they more true to the originals ??
Hopefully they are not like a Dynasonic 2K ?

Looking at getting the "Dearmond style in vintage Filtertron case" neck pickup ... but I'm unsure if I want to go with the long magnet or the short ...

I plan on dropping it in a Gretsch 5439

The Gabojo's look like they should drop right in ???
...and even use the same standard Gretsch plastic pickup ring ??

I think I could fit either the short or long magnet versions in the 5439 ?
Any significant difference between the two (sound wise that is...) ?

Thanks for any advice ..

 

[BorderRadio]

I'm a fan, they are legit and made by folks who love the real DeArmond Model 2000.

They are closer in build to the originals than those FMIC DeArmond 2000s, and the recent copy of those, the Guild DeArmond Dynasonic. They are wound stronger than the Gretsch Dynasonic, much closer to late 50s early 60s DeArmonds. Only Seymour Duncan and TV Jones get that sound (I've owned several vintage types to compare directly). The 'Greeks' give you that sound for much less.

You have to know these guys do their own tooling and such, and there is a bit of 'hand-made' vibe going on, but don't let it fool you, they are well made and customer service is excellent.

I wanted to compare a Filtertron sized set, long magnet vs short, but just opted to get short for more installation options. I also have a soap bar neck pickup in my Offset Telecaster. I've yet to install my Filtertron sized pickups, I want to put them in a new black or white Gretsch 'Rat Rod' Electromatic model. Presumably, the best thing about short magnets in addition to more installation options/ease, is also less string pull. If you want the traditional design, and you think you can clear the route or route more of the cavity out, then go for the long. Keep in mind that many times I need to drop the neck pickup away from the strings with tall magnets. There are practical limits to this in a solid body (I've installed a Gretsch Dyna in a Tele once)--all the more reason to go with short mags.

 

[chris m.]

I've got a DeArmond M75T. It has Dynasonics, not Filtertrons. They are the 2ks, right? I actually like them a lot...

 

[BorderRadio]

I've got a DeArmond M75T. It has Dynasonics, not Filtertrons. They are the 2ks, right? I actually like them a lot...

They are FMIC DeArmond 2ks, and they are far as one could get from a DeArmond Model 2000/Dynasonic. Not a bad pickup, just not a Dyna-type, IMHO.

 

[schmee]

They seem well liked over on the Gretsch pages. But right after they came out they got expensive... I think.

 

[glenlivet]

They are FMIC DeArmond 2ks, and they are far as one could get from a DeArmond Model 2000/Dynasonic. Not a bad pickup, just not a Dyna-type, IMHO.

...the Dynasonic pickups in a DeArmond (of that time period) are not the same as more traditional Dynasonic pickups....the 2K's (in the DeArmond) are made much more like a P90.

(I have one of those too )...and it may say Dynasonic on it....but it truly is a different beast.

 

[BorderRadio]

Dunno about any price increase, they are still the same as my first purchase. A single, new TV Jones T-Armond cost almost as much as a new set of Gabojos.

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5338148343&icep_item=233017816465

 

[BorderRadio]

...the Dynasonic pickups in a DeArmond (of that time period) are not the same as more traditional Dynasonic pickups....the 2K's (in the DeArmond) are made much more like a P90.

(I have one of those too )...and it may say Dynasonic on it....but it truly is a different beast.

View attachment 742998

Yep, I've posted such info in many threads, even today...but I've yet to see any pickup that says "Dynasonic" on it--but both the FMIC 2k and 2000 say 'DeArmond'

 

[chris m.]

I think the fact that the 2ks sound like P90s, but with a little less growl and a little more brightness are why I like them...
because I love P90s, too. I used to think I liked thinner sounding pickups but I now realize that something close to a P90,
or an actual P90, is the tone that I'm usually chasing even if I don't quite realize it. That's also why I really like the stock
pickups in my MIM Classic Player Jazzmaster-- because they are basically P90s, too, but also sound just a touch brighter.

Lucky me-- people are always switching these pickups out for fancy boutique offerings from TVJones, Lindy Fralin, etc., meaning I can always get more of the stock pickups cheaply.

 

[telemnemonics]

I had to join Gretsch Talk to see pics and search out the real McCoy in the bizarro market.
I think the newest Dearmond is pretty correct but for me the super narrow pole spacing isn't suitable in Fenders.
TV Jones would be my choice in the States but those Greek pups are a better price.
What put me off them is the odd choice of leather for the top flatwork cover over whatever plastic bobbin they use.
I'm also not sure of the pole spacing on the Gabojo, where TV Jones made them wider to suit a range of guitars.

 

[glenlivet]

Yep, I've posted such info in many threads, even today...but I've yet to see any pickup that says "Dynasonic" on it--but both the FMIC 2k and 2000 say 'DeArmond'

you Sir, are correct..... I *thought* they said dynasonic on the bottom....but they do not....

DeArmond -USA on the side....and DeArmond on the bottom.....

My apologizes for the bad info..... they DO NOT say Dynasonic on them !

 

[chris m.]

Even though they don't say Dynasonic on them, because they look like Dynasonics everyone will probably still call them Dynasonics, and that will trigger the whole discussion on the crazy, confusing universe of multiple Dynasonic-style pickups, their construction, and their sound.

 

[glenlivet]

Even though they don't say Dynasonic on them, because they look like Dynasonics everyone will probably still call them Dynasonics, and that will trigger the whole discussion on the crazy, confusing universe of multiple Dynasonic-style pickups, their construction, and their sound.

--yep.

 

[BorderRadio]

It's like we go through this every quarter lol.

Originals are known as the DeArmond Model 2000. Gretsch called it the Fidela-Tone first, then later called it the "Dynasonic". It has six long Alnico poles that are completely adjustable for height using a screw/spring mechanism.

DeArmond Model 2000s were offered on Guild guitars, Martin acoustics, Premier and others, and could be purchased individually.

Harry DeArmond retired in 1976. Gretsch went dark in the late 80s. No confusion yet, right?

Gretsch comes back into production, and introduces a remade/modern Gretsch Dynasonic. Still the same long magnet design (too strong), and wound to an early 50s-ish 8k.

In 1998, FMIC obtains the rights to the DeArmond brand (and Guild, and later partners with Gretsch). They revamp the "Dynasonic looking pickup" and make the 2k for DeArmond guitars (the P90 style), and soon after make the DeArmond 2000 for Gretsch Electromatic models (Dyna like poles, cut down very short, wound low). FMIC uses some 2ks on Fender models, including the Telesonic (I want this). Neither pickup has the long magnets, but both have an elevator mechanism.

Seymour Duncan offers the Dyno, pretty faithful recreation, though on the hot side of the original DeArmond pickups. TV Jones, well versed in the pickup, offers the T-Armond, in many mounting schemes. Notably, the T-A has shortened magnets and widely varying neck and bridge pickup resistances. Most recently, Guild/Cordoba offers a rehash of the short magnet FMIC DA2000 as the (link removed) (note, not a "Gretsch Dynasonic", rather the "DeArmond Dynasonic", very important!). Still with me?

Fralin offers the DynaSonic, but it is not really faithful to the original--no elevator mechanism, and some are actually P90s. Finally, Gabojo Mr. 2000 pickups, but strangely, Gabojo doesn't offer the pickup in the original DeArmond mount. They are faithful though, especially if one gets the long magnet version. They are hotter wound. 10k and 11k typically. My late 50s DeArmond 2000T was 9.9k. Other late 50s DeArmond 2000s also measured around the same resistance.

I attached links in the all the main players of this game (the GAD link is pretty well written, musicpickups is good for all things DeArmond/Rowe). Hope that helps everyone

 

[BorderRadio]

I had to join Gretsch Talk to see pics and search out the real McCoy in the bizarro market.
I think the newest Dearmond is pretty correct but for me the super narrow pole spacing isn't suitable in Fenders.
TV Jones would be my choice in the States but those Greek pups are a better price.
What put me off them is the odd choice of leather for the top flatwork cover over whatever plastic bobbin they use.
I'm also not sure of the pole spacing on the Gabojo, where TV Jones made them wider to suit a range of guitars.

I don't mind the leather, but yeah a bit odd. As for string spacing, they do offer several options, just click on the drop down menu on their website. 52.4mm (Fender) and 49.2mm (Gibson) options for bridge pickups.

 

[glenlivet]

...and if that's not enough..... you can really geek out on DeArmond pickups over at..

https://www.musicpickups.com/

 

[Wallaby]

Great thread

 

[RomanS]

I've got a Tele loaded with the HB-sized short magnet Gabojos and I just got a pair of P90-sized ones - I wanted the neck pickup for a Thinline Tele I'm assembling, the bridge one went into an old Electromatic Pro Jet (with a recent Guild "Dynasonic" reissue in the neck spot).

I have played a Duo Jet with modern Gretsch Dynasonics, and I have owned a G3140 Historic Series, which came with those 2000s. Never tried vintage Dynas, 2k's, T-Armonds, or Seymour Duncans.

So, by comparison, the Gabojos (even the short magnet ones) sound really close to Gretsch Dynas, fuller than the early '00s 2000s.

Oh, and since I have a bridge Gabojo and a neck Guild Dyna (=2000 reissue) in the same Pro Jet, I can say: they balance really well output wise; which leads me to believe that these 2000s were wound with 43AWG wire, vs the vintage correct 44AWG of the Gabojos. This would explain why the 7-8k-ish Guild and the 10-11k-ish Gabojo have the same output, but with more twang for the former, more punch for the latter...

As for pricing, maybe it's because I live in an EU country, but the Gabojos cost about the same as T-Armonds or Gretsch Dynasonics, a bit more than the Guild ones (though shipping and import taxes will make up for the difference - haven't found an EU source for the Guild ones yet...)

Here's the Pro Jet with the Guild neck & Gabojo bridge pickup:

And here's the Tele with the HB--sized Gabojos on the right:

 

[Wallaby]

I am SO TEMPTED to get a set of Dyna's for my Gibson ES-339.... curse you all!

J/K... ( slinking away, not really )