Dearmond Rhythm Chief

[backdrifter]

You can find the original "monkey on a stick" mounts pretty easily, and without the pickup, they're not too much money.

In my opinion, the monkey on a stick mount requires a finger rest as well, otherwise the pickup rests on the top and is not at the right height.

The tab on the Swingmaster pickup is glued to the finger rest, and the neck bar is obviously screwed into the neck. I don't like adding holes to my guitars, but I like the Dearmond and equivalent Swingmaster enough to deem it worthwhile. Besides sounding amazing, they also just look "right" on non-cut archtops like mine, in my opinion. I've played other pickups that I've liked quite a bit - Benedetto, Kent Armstrong, etc - but I couldn't have lived with the looks of any of those on this guitar. Too modern for the rest of the aesthetic. The Swingmaster looks and sounds perfect - I couldn't be happier.

[Archtop Guy]

BD, thanks for the thickness info.

Agreed that they look just right and I might be willing to add the screw holes to the neck for that perfect look too.

[RobertD0]

Originally Posted by backdrifter

You can find the original "monkey on a stick" mounts pretty easily, and without the pickup, they're not too much money."

I keep a pretty close eye out for them and they don't come up too often. It's easy to find original or knock-off screws for the mounting bracket but the full tension rod assembly is rarely for sale without the pickup. I always wondered why someone doesn't produce a copy of the monkey stick mounting hardware. They probably couldn't make them fast enough.

Originally Posted by backdrifter

In my opinion, the monkey on a stick mount requires a finger rest as well, otherwise the pickup rests on the top and is not at the right height.

I don't use a finger rest and I use self-stick felt pads to bring the pickup to the proper height, 1/16" below the strings when depressed to their lowest point for maximum output and the "DeArmond 1000" model designation directly below the 1st string for proper string balance.

Originally Posted by backdrifter

The tab on the Swingmaster pickup is glued to the finger rest, and the neck bar is obviously screwed into the neck. I don't like adding holes to my guitars, but I like the Dearmond and equivalent Swingmaster enough to deem it worthwhile. Besides sounding amazing, they also just look "right" on non-cut archtops like mine, in my opinion. I've played other pickups that I've liked quite a bit - Benedetto, Kent Armstrong, etc - but I couldn't have lived with the looks of any of those on this guitar. Too modern for the rest of the aesthetic. The Swingmaster looks and sounds perfect - I couldn't be happier.

I like being able to remove the original DeArmond and go back to pure acoustic without any alterations to my guitar, which is non-cutaway like yours. I considered installing a neck mounted pickup, pickguard thumb wheel controls, and an end pin jack but I felt, like you, that the look wasn't right for my Gibson-copy Loar LH-400. And I love the Rhythm Chief control box.

I feel the same way about the original DeArmond as you do the Swingmaster. But, although my DeArmond is in perfect working order, it is about fifty years old. If Swingmaster ever offered a full vintage DeArmond setup, based on the glowing Swingmaster reviews I've read, I would buy one for a backup.

[backdrifter]

Originally Posted by RobertD0

If Swingmaster ever offered a full vintage DeArmond setup, based on the glowing Swingmaster reviews I've read, I would buy one for a backup.

I guess I'm still not following your logic. If you already have the monkey on a stick set up, and only want a Swingmaster pickup as a backup, why not go ahead and purchase it? It will mount directly to your monkey on a stick brace - there is no need for a second one. Am I missing something?

[RobertD0]

Originally Posted by backdrifter

I guess I'm still not following your logic. If you already have the monkey on a stick set up, and only want a Swingmaster pickup as a backup, why not go ahead and purchase it? It will mount directly to your monkey on a stick brace - there is no need for a second one. Am I missing something?

I always try to buy complete original set ups, or try to assemble complete set ups when I have to. If I ever decided to sell my vintage pickup I wouldn't have a set up for the new one. It'd be like buying two identical cars but only one set of rims and tires. You know?

I have to add: Since imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, they should do the right thing and offer the full original set up.

[AcornHouse]

UPDATE:
The Guild Store now has the Rhythm Chief 1100 copies available, in addition to the 1000 version (and all the other Guild pup reissues.)

https://shop.guildguitars.com/produc...0-pickup-gold/

[Steve DeRosa]

This is good news, and long overdue - FYI they've also got the Model 1000 "Redhead" in gold (same price as nickel, BTW) and a basic wiring harness for pickguard mounting...

[Spook]

Have one of the 1100's in hand and will install it on an 18" pretty soon. Any thoughts on what strings would be a good match to these?

[Steve DeRosa]

Try a set of Martin Tony Rice Retros - the old-timers used to use monel strings for their double-duty instruments...

[backdrifter]

That's what I'm using with my Dearmond clone. They sound almost as good and as loud acoustically as my favorite phosphor bronze strings, but have much better balance amplified.

[Spook]

Thanks guys.. will try some out when I get the 1100 installed.