Best Pickup for Laminate Hollowbody Archtop

[Iced Tea]

Just wondering what people's thoughts are on their favourite pickups for laminate body archtops?

I appreciate that this type of thing of is entirely subjective and depends a lot on the individual characteristics of the guitar itself, but this is the internet and therefore opinions can be stated as facts so would be interested to hear what people have to say.

I would that my personal favourite having tried different types of pickups is the Gibson P90 - it's well balanced across the tonal spectrum and is surprisingly versatile, can be quite mellow, smooth and dark with the tone rolled off and bright and growly. This suits laminate guitars better I think as they aren't microphonic and can be quite neutral sounding as well.

Would also say that I love DeArmond Rhythm Chiefs - both 1000 and 1100 versions, but find that their openness and microphonic quality is better suited to carved top archtops.

[Spook410]

I'm about to install a Gibson 57 humbucker in an inexpensive laminate. In carved guitars I tend to like the Armstrong 12 pole but just want a warm electric jazz tone for this one.

[sgosnell]

There is no best pickup, for anything. There may be pickups you prefer, but that's entirely subjective and may not be the same for anyone else. There is no need, and no reason, for your preferences to be the same as anyone else's. Personally, I like different pickups on different guitars, and each is different. Not necessarily better or worse, just different.

[marcwhy]

There is no best pickup, for anything. There may be pickups you prefer, but that's entirely subjective and may not be the same for anyone else. There is no need, and no reason, for your preferences to be the same as anyone else's. Personally, I like different pickups on different guitars, and each is different. Not necessarily better or worse, just different.

+1 on these thoughts!

And with that, I've been pleased with BareKnuckle Pickups on my laminate (and other) guitars! Assuming you have a humbucker, I recommended their HSP90! Fantastic products and customer service!!

[mikeSF]

Echoing the preface that the sound of a pickup is influenced by the guitar, there is no right answer here.
That said, I have a strong preference for the Kent Armstrong PAF-0, handmade by Kent in Vermont, not the import product. It's a winning sound and I put one into every guitar I've owned, mounted and floating.

That said, there was one guitar where that pickup sounded terrible.
I sold the guitar.

[mikeSF]

Echoing the preface that the sound of a pickup is influenced by the guitar, there is no right answer here.
That said, I have a strong preference for the Kent Armstrong PAF-0, handmade by Kent in Vermont, not the import product. It's a winning sound and I've put it into every guitar I've owned, mounted and floating.

There was one guitar where that pickup sounded terrible...so sold the guitar.

[Cunamara]

Laminates and the Classic 57 are a pretty standard sound.

[omphalopsychos]

Maybe a better way to ask is for you to state what kind of sound you’re going for and then people can provide their experience getting that sound with different pickups.

[AllanAllen]

I like a p90. I can get a mellow clarity with them that is just muddy with Humbuckers.