The Chetboard

I have a 1967 Gibson super 400 with one floating pickup...like the JS type. I think the guitar was originally an acoustic instrument and someone put the floating type on it, but it was shot when I got the guitar....but at any rate I wouldnt want to permanently change the originality of the instrument any more than has already been done, but I am wondering if some one builds a floating style with 2 pickups....the pickup that is on it is a Bendetto and I really dont like it...I should have gone with Kent Armstong pickups I guess...I have a Benedetto Bambino and it has double pickups that I really like, but not this one...but I do want double pickups on the super400. thanks in advance for any leads.

Larry, I don't know if any one currently makes a 2 floating pickup setup. In the past, Gibson has made a couple of them. One is for the Johnny Smith Double pickup guitar and one is the McCarty pickup/pickguard made in the 50's. Sometimes you can find these on Ebay or in one of the advertisers in Vintage Guitar Magazine. They are not cheap. Since Heritage is a kind of small outfit, they make floating pickups for some of their models and they might be persuaded to make one up on a special order. I am posting some links below to show the pickguards and a demo of a McCarty double pickup on Youtube. Good luck on your search.
Ray

Johnny Smith Double pickup/pickguard
http://www.archtop.com/ac_67jsd.html

McCarty double pickup/pickguard
http://www.vintagearchtop.com/mccarty.htm

McCarty Pickup demo on Youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRcqQWQ0rn8

A link to the advertisers in Vintage Guitar Magazine - some of the guitar and amp dealers list guitar parts as well as instruments.
http://www.vintageguitar.com/friends-of-vg/

Probably not a TRUE floating bridge pick-up, as there'd be too much leverage on the neck mounting area that could split the overhang by repeated bumping with one's hand. Maybe a pickguard type might do ya?

I vaguely remember a pick-up mounted to a rubber-coated bracket that sandwiched between the bridge and top. I think Bill Lawrence might have made it, but I don't recall as it was back in the 70s when I saw it . . .

You could also try John Buscarino at buscarino.com he makes a unbelievable jass archtop guitar as many others but he makes or has his own custom pickups,he may have what you want.

One thing that you want to keep in mind is the tonal quality of the instrument being compromised from a massive picksguard hovering over the top, dampening it's natural acoustic properties.

I've seen these pickguard mounted pick-ups with a felt block or pad between the pick-up and the top of the instrument, acting as a resonance damper as well as protection against the back of the pick-up digging into the top.

Thanks guys for the responses....this is what I was looking for....I think the McCarty type is what I want, if I can find one. Thanks, at least I know what to ask/look for !

Hey guys, just letting you know that Dunham Specialties has a fully loaded hand wound pick up pick guard out. Here is the link to the site: www.Dunhamspecialties.com