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Post new topic Identify an "American Academy" Mystery Bakelite?
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Author Topic:  Identify an "American Academy" Mystery Bakelite?
Garth Highsmith

 

Post  Posted 2 Jul 2005 11:19 am    
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[This message was edited by Garth Highsmith on 06 January 2006 at 10:58 AM.]

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Steinar Gregertsen


From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 2 Jul 2005 12:05 pm    
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Looks like a Rickenbacker "Ace" or "Academy" with the horseshoe ripped out to me....

Steinar

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www.gregertsen.com


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Garth Highsmith

 

Post  Posted 2 Jul 2005 12:17 pm    
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[This message was edited by Garth Highsmith on 06 January 2006 at 10:58 AM.]

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Steinar Gregertsen


From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
Post  Posted 2 Jul 2005 12:31 pm    
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Check what our resident Rickenbacker specialist, Rick Aiello, writes about it on his website.

Seems like you agree on the sustain..

Steinar

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www.gregertsen.com


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Denny Turner

 

From:
Oahu, Hawaii USA
Post  Posted 2 Jul 2005 1:29 pm    
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Garth,

I am almost sure the pickup is a mid 1960's Teisco pickup.

I would suppose that Rick Aeillo could fix you up with a horse-shoe pickup equal to or better than an original (IMHO) ...or a MRI drop-in that Rick reports to be a "superior" pickup (and I'd bet money on Rick's opinion!).

Food for thought:

Since you said, ["(re: bakelites) I surely do like. It's got a lovely nasal tone and sustain for days"]; I would do some experimenting before discarding the existing pickup for a change-out. Sometimes a particular pickup marrys with a particular guitar with "magical" results; Which just might be the case with your Ace / Teisco. Your sound-file sounds very good (IMHO). I've heard many Teisco pickups like that one with incredible tone in spanish guitars; And your sound-file sounds very much like what I am referring to. Gang two of those Teiscos adjacent to each other like dual coils, incorporate versatile coil switching (either or both on / phasing / series / parallel) for a variety of Ghadzilla tones (Always use 2 original pickups from the same guitar, or at least read the static resistance to reasonably be assured of a good match); IN ANOTHER STEEL OF COURSE ... NO CUTTING ON THAT ACE!!!!! If you have another test-bed steel to install the Teisco pickup in, you could reasonably answer the question of whether the Teisco pickup will sound similar in other Steels ...allowing a horse-shoe change-out (considerable investment) in the Ace and still keeping the Teisco for another steel.

If I were betting money though, I'd bet you would be stoked with and prefer a horse-shoe replacement.

-------

I sure do like the playing style in your sound file. I would sure like to study that style one of these days. And study references from anyone would be appreciated.

Aloha,
DT~

[This message was edited by Denny Turner on 02 July 2005 at 02:30 PM.]

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Garth Highsmith

 

Post  Posted 2 Jul 2005 1:53 pm    
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[This message was edited by Garth Highsmith on 06 January 2006 at 10:58 AM.]

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Jim Sliff


From:
Lawndale California, USA
Post  Posted 2 Jul 2005 6:19 pm    
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I was just playing my Academy today! Tooo bad about the horseshoe on that one - it's a great pickup.
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Garth Highsmith

 

Post  Posted 2 Jul 2005 6:47 pm    
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[This message was edited by Garth Highsmith on 06 January 2006 at 10:58 AM.]

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Jeff Au Hoy


From:
Honolulu, Hawai'i
Post  Posted 2 Jul 2005 9:55 pm    
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Hi Garth, do you have more mp3s of your playing? I really enjoyed the sample you posted. Awesome tone!
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Denny Turner

 

From:
Oahu, Hawaii USA
Post  Posted 3 Jul 2005 5:27 am    
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Thanks for the KJP references, Garth. I had heard that style of playing awhile back, ...but the refs and links have gotten buried in my files. Now I know where to go look online again. :~)

I heard a couple cuts off off a Gatton / Emmons collaboration today; Made me think that allot could be done with that "KJP" style ... not that what limited amount I've previously heard wasn't amazing enough in itself! :~)

Aloha,
DT~
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Rick Aiello


From:
Berryville, VA USA
Post  Posted 3 Jul 2005 7:47 am    
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Now I know why I woke up with burning ears ...

In my opinion ... Academys were fabulous designs ... integrated nut & bridge, one piece bakelite ... I love them ...

Denny ... have a look ... these 1.5" MRIs are for Terry Farmer's Shortys ...



Paybacks are a $&%@# ... Just jokin' ... Thanks a-million Terry.


No spammin' here ... I'm "magnet-ed" out after this weeks work ...





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Aiello's House of Gauss


My wife and I don't think alike. She donates money to the homeless and I donate money to the topless! ... R. Dangerfield


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Garth Highsmith

 

Post  Posted 3 Jul 2005 11:51 am    
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[This message was edited by Garth Highsmith on 06 January 2006 at 10:59 AM.]

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Denny Turner

 

From:
Oahu, Hawaii USA
Post  Posted 4 Jul 2005 2:41 am    
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Quote:
Denny ... have a look ...


Spycam captures Rick and his Tiki at work.




Aloha,
DT~

[This message was edited by Denny Turner on 04 July 2005 at 02:36 PM.]

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Rick Aiello


From:
Berryville, VA USA
Post  Posted 4 Jul 2005 4:02 am    
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... my secret is exposed

Quote:
The integrated nut/bridge on the guitar make me a little nervous. I'm terrified that I'll snap one or both off


I wouldn't worry about that ... it would take a serious force to snap them off ...



------------------

Aiello's House of Gauss


My wife and I don't think alike. She donates money to the homeless and I donate money to the topless! ... R. Dangerfield


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