Pickups for Blackbird Savoy

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

Chris, thanks for the kind words.

Originally Posted by Amar911

I noticed that the bracing for the top of the Savoy is somewhat unique. Imagine the guitar standing straight up on its endpin, facing you. One of the braces on the under-side of the top extends from the bottom edge of the primary soundhole straight to the center of the bridge plate, running directly along the center line between the D and G strings, but inside the guitar. Hopefully, you can picture what I'm describing. I wonder whether that brace would interfere with the usual bridge plate pickups, like a three element K&K or JJB, an L.R. Baggs Lyric (or Anthem), or other pickups that sit in that position between the D and G strings on the bridge plate, directly beneath the saddle. One model of bridge plate pickup that would seem to ideally fit is the Trance Amulet because it has two elements that sit on either side of the center position, not directly at the center like the three-element transducers or the L.R. Baggs Tru-Mic. The Trance Amulet seems to be high quality, but it is also expensive compared to some of the other options, and except for Maury Rutch and Jackson Browne, not too many people seem to know a lot about them.

Besides the Misi with the Fishman UST that is offered by Blackbird, what other pickup systems have been successfully mounted in a Savoy, what problems were encountered, and what sound results were achieved? Thanks for any information.

Amar, as noted, Blackbird also offers the K&K option, but I'm almost certain that you can have your luthier install any pickup you like.

[Fixedgear60]

Originally Posted by Captain Jim

Congrats, Chris! That should make a great pair for your playing enjoyment - looking forward to the photos and reviews on the NGDs.

Thank you Captain!!! Looking forward and will share as soon as I get them

[Fixedgear60]

Originally Posted by Acousticado

The standard Gotohs Blackbird is using on the Savoy look good and I’m sure are excellent quality, but I’m partial to the 510s. AGFer Tøf posted his NGD Savoy thread a couple of months ago and he opted for the 510s on his burst Savoy and I find they look great...better than the standard. If it was me, I’d absolutely go with the 510s on the Savoy, and the El Cap.

Fwiw, here’s Tøf’s Savoy...

Wow .. thats a beauty!!!! Hummm... oh boy .. please do not get me started!!!

[tommyld]

Thought I should chime in...

I decided to try an LR Baggs Lyric in my Savoy, and am really pleased.

There's a brace that runs through the center of the bridge plate, but the Lyric doesn't have to be mounted dead-center. I went with this placement:


It's warm yet clear (like the Savoy's acoustic tone), and does a good job capturing it.

The Vol/presence control doesn't fit at the soundhole (due to bracing), but of course, the sound port is the obvious place for it:


Also, I mounted the battery bag just inside of the sound port, and with nimble fingers, you can access/change the battery through the port.

[JerryM]

To my eye that Savoy in the burst is the best looking composite guitar I have ever seen. Looks like an upscale wood instrument. Like the traditional lines and that finish is really nice. Great job Joe!! Only wish there was a place to try one out, if it plays like it looks I just might need to have one soon.....

[tommyld]

Originally Posted by JerryM

To my eye that Savoy in the burst is the best looking composite guitar I have ever seen. Looks like an upscale wood instrument. Like the traditional lines and that finish is really nice. Great job Joe!! Only wish there was a place to try one out, if it plays like it looks I just might need to have one soon.....

Yes. I think my next Savoy will have that finish.

Also, the playability is phenomenally smooth.

[kramster]

Originally Posted by tommyld

Yes. I think my next Savoy will have that finish.

Indeed! That is if I get another ... I prolly will. Ill go take a Gas-X and relax some...be back later.

[Strumalot]

I like it better each time I see it. Congratulations to all of you riding with Joe on this new and beautiful guitar.

[kramster]

Originally Posted by Strumalot

Soon nice! Can that hand be adjusted to play a chord? Then when you walk by and play that chord so conveniently and not disturb the resting guitar much at all.

[Strumalot]

Originally Posted by kramster

Can that hand be adjusted to play a chord? Then when you walk by and play that chord so conveniently and not disturb the resting guitar much at all.

Sort of... I am working on robotic controls so you can play any song ever written via a smart phone app.

Unfortunately, my phone isn't as smart as I thought it was and the system got stuck playing the guitar part from In A Gadda Da Vida non stop for several days.

Drove us nuts.

[Captain Jim]

Originally Posted by Strumalot

Sort of... I am working on robotic controls so you can play any song ever written via a smart phone app.

Unfortunately, my phone isn't as smart as I thought it was and the system got stuck playing the guitar part from In A Gadda Da Vida non stop for several days.

Drove us nuts.

I hate when that happens.

[Earl49]

Originally Posted by Strumalot

....my phone isn't as smart as I thought it was and the system got stuck playing the guitar part from In A Gadda Da Vida non stop for several days. Drove us nuts.

This reminds me of a business trip to Fairbanks (from Anchorage) back in the late 90's. A local radio station KFAR was suddenly converting over to another format, and letting all of the on-air staff go. They barricade themselves in the station and only played "Louie, Louie" for about 28 hours -- "all Louie, all the time".

People were dropping off pizza and different versions of the song to the DJ's. There was everything from choir versions, to punk rock, to marimba bands. It was quite amusing. Since I was only there for the day, I did not learn how the whole episode turned out in the end.

[Acousticado]

Originally Posted by Strumalot

That is one beautiful guitar, Strumalot. The standard ekoa is beautiful, the black burst is stunning, and this reddish burst of yours is equally exquisite. Congrats!