DeArmond Dynasonic Pickups 1950-60s with Harness

One pair of vintage DeArmond Dynasonic pickups with original harness. Both pickups have a resistance around 9Kohms. One pickup may need some minor work where the cable connects to the pickup (see last pic). I tested the harness at the jack but got no resistance. All pole pieces adjustment screws work. Markings on the epoxy show these were made at Rowe Industries in Toledo, OH.

Identification Notes:

The DeArmond Model 2000 was introduced in Gretsch's 1949 catalog as the first guitar pickup with six individually adjustable polepieces. Gretsch eventually switched away from them, but a 1965 DeArmond catalog clearly shows the Model 2000 still in production. The Dynasonic was actually the very first pickup ever made with individually adjustable polepieces.

One important authentication note from the Gretsch collector community — key indicators of a genuine vintage DeArmond vs a reissue include the epoxy color and texture holding the bobbin in the case, plus the specific wiring loom that holds the cable where it attaches to the bobbin. The orange epoxy visible in the photos is a very good sign of authenticity. DeArmond Dynasonics are now considered cult classics for their retro vibe and vintage tone, used by Guild, Gretsch, Epiphone, Harmony, and Silvertone throughout the 1950s, 60s and 70s.

Vintage DeArmond Dynasonics vary wildly in resistance, anywhere from 7.5K all the way up to 13-14K ohms, though later examples generally settle in the 7.5-9K neighborhood. 9K puts these right at the upper end of the later vintage range.