Vintage Dearmond "Bug" pickups model 800/700 1940-60s - owned by Bill Thacker

The DeArmond "Bug" (Models 700 and 800) lot. These are a vintage contact transducer or microphone pickup made by Rowe Industries in the 1950-60s. Designed for archtop acoustics, violins, and mandolins. Refered to a "bug" due to it's small, rounded casing resembling a bug and its rubber boot. In this lot we have 7 with cables, 5 models equipped with volume control dials and 2 models without. Unfortunately non of these have the original brackets, which isnt unusual as most get lost and are often used without the bracket under the strings behind the bridge on archtop and upright bass. These have all been tested and are fully working. One 800 does have its original instruction sheet and warranty card.

These came from the estate of the legendary Western Swing Hall of Fame, Country Music Association Texas Hall of Fame, and the Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest Hall of Fame musican Bill J Thacker (1930–2023). Bill was an acclaimed American pianist and Western Swing musician from Cleburne, Texas, who dedicated decades of his life to performing, preserving, and celebrating traditional Texas Western swing. Bill was a well known California Dj as well as co-owner and operator of the legendary Palomino Club in Pittsburg, California from 1961-76. During that time Bill also served as talent booker and house piano player. The Palomino Club played host to legendary musicians like Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, Jimmie Rivers, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Tammy Wynette, Buck Owens, Patsy Cline, Jerry Lee Lewis, Marty Robbins, Glen Campbell, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Gram Parsons, Kris Kristofferson, The Everly Brothers, Rick Nelson, and frequent unannounced sit-in guest Elvis Presley.
My long time friend Tin Man Travis purchased this in a lot from an estate sale at Bills home, after which he went to vist the legendary musician himself at a care facility nearby. Given the age and assortment for the items Tin purchased its highly likely these were part of the Palomino Clubs stage gear. I included a couple of image from the club in its hey day and a picture of Tin with Bill.

This ones is a consignment for my buddy Tin. I test everything personally before shipping, so there are no surprises.

​