Barcus Berry 2522 Hi Tek Magnetic Pickup

Submitted at: 15:32, 2/26/2000

Product Info

Pickup features: single coil with hum rejecteion technology
Impedence or other specs:
Price Paid: US $40
Purchased from: Fat Dog Guitars - Berkeley, CA

Instrument

Model of guitar or bass: WWII Vintage Kay Archtop guitar
Position: neck
Pickup being replaced: none
Other pickups on guitar: none
Artists using this pickup: ?
You musical style(s): Jazz and Blues
Reason for pickup change: This is my favorite acoustic archtop - I wanted a pick up that wouldn't spoil the acoustic sound. This one mounts using removable adhesive and therefore effectively floats above the soundboard. I attached it right up under the edge of the fingerboard in the neck position. I have found that the difference it makes when playing the guitar unamplified is almost non-existent.

Sound

Perceived output level: Not as hot as the pick-ups on my Gretsch Tennessee Rose
Tone: middy-balanced
Sonic evaluation: I find that I can plug this set-up into almost any amp. I use a Roland Cube 60 - but I have also plugged this directly into a PA with excellent results. The sound is very mellow but with great articulation on all of the strings. Chords really ring and sound very acoustic - but I can also turn it up and play single notes with good fidelity. I put a pot on the pickguard and normally I play with the onboard volume at the low end then jack it up for solos.

For which styles and positions is this pickup (un)suitable: Jazz/Blues some cowboy songs - jazz standards

Overall Rating

Comments: I would definitely purchase this same pick-up again - this is the first time I have been really happy with the sound of an eletrified acoustic guitar. I have been playing most of my 52 years. I currently own seven guitars from a Guild D-30, to my Kay P4 archtop to a Fender Jazz Bass to a Gretch Tennessee Rose (1995 model) and a few others.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I give this pickup a: 10 Fantastic value

Submitted by: Earl Oliver <jumpcity@earthlink.net>