I’m very handy and have worked on various chores on electrics for years, and more recently acoustics. What challenges are there to install a Nashville pickup in a Goldtone PBS-M? My main concern is sanding the saddle to fit the spider and establish the action height. Also, sanding the top and saddle notching. How much leeway is there? I believe the limit is 0.050".
Edited by - skydog on 03/05/2026 09:08:11
Nobody’s installed one of these?
They are pretty much installed with Beards adjustable spider, so you don’t have to thin them down. Sanding them down to fit a regular spider is risky business, I wouldn’t recommend it, get the adjustable spider. Schoonover also has a good setup for installing these also.
You will need to appropriately slot the pickup. Luthier files are highly recommended.
In addition to the above comment.
You are basically setting up the guitar from scratch.
h
The Beard adjustable spider, or the Schoonover modular spider are the ticket(s).
With either Beard or Schoonover you can provide them with measurements so the top of the Nashville inserts are the appropriate height under the palm rest and they can send the pickup installed and slotted in the spider, then it's up to you to make the connection to a quarter inch input jack at the tailpiece. Since it is a Gold Tone PBS I'd go the Beard route since they have intimate knowledge of this model since it was designed by Paul.
There have been many stories over the years of people who who may have worked on plenty of guitars but have mangled the Nashville installation. Now it's getting real expensive.
Better yet - I looked it up on Apple Maps and you're less than an hour and a half drive from Byrl Murdock of Byrl Guitars in Lafayette, Indiana. If only the rest of us were so lucky to have a quality resophonic luthier that close. I would get a hold of Byrl to see if he has time to do the job, unless you're really insistent on doing it yourself.
When Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley were out here last year I was able to test drive Rob's signature model Byrl in the green room after the show at The Sweetwater Music Hall in Marin County. It's a really nice guitar!
http://www.byrlguitars.com/#/
quote:
Originally posted by MarkinSonomaThe Beard adjustable spider, or the Schoonover modular spider are the ticket(s).
With either Beard or Schoonover you can provide them with measurements so the top of the Nashville inserts are the appropriate height under the palm rest and they can send the pickup installed and slotted in the spider, then it's up to you to make the connection to a quarter inch input jack at the tailpiece. Since it is a Gold Tone PBS I'd go the Beard route since they have intimate knowledge of this model since it was designed by Paul.
There have been many stories over the years of people who who may have worked on plenty of guitars but have mangled the Nashville installation. Now it's getting real expensive.
Better yet - I looked it up on Apple Maps and you're less than an hour and a half drive from Byrl Murdock of Byrl Guitars in Lafayette, Indiana. If only the rest of us were so lucky to have a quality resophonic luthier that close. I would get a hold of Byrl to see if he has time to do the job, unless you're really insistent on doing it yourself.
When Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley were out here last year I was able to test drive Rob's signature model Byrl in the green room after the show at The Sweetwater Music Hall in Marin County. It's a really nice guitar!
http://www.byrlguitars.com/#/
Yes, Byrl is just down I-65 a bit, like 5 minutes from my wife's aunt and uncle. We've exchanged a couple of emails and I'm currently waiting to hear back from him on the install/setup. I heard Ivan play his Byrl on his website. Good stuff!
quote:
Originally posted by skydogYes, Byrl is just down I-65 a bit, like 5 minutes from my wife's aunt and uncle. We've exchanged a couple of emails and I'm currently waiting to hear back from him on the install/setup. I heard Ivan play his Byrl on his website. Good stuff!
Mark is right. You're pretty fortunate to have Rob Ickes' luthier just down the road from you. It's over 5 hrs drive for me, but I make the trek to Darlington, IN now and again for Byrl's setup and installation work. (We have a date later this month actually...)
Good luck!
quote:
Originally posted by JC Dobroquote:
Originally posted by skydogYes, Byrl is just down I-65 a bit, like 5 minutes from my wife's aunt and uncle. We've exchanged a couple of emails and I'm currently waiting to hear back from him on the install/setup. I heard Ivan play his Byrl on his website. Good stuff!Mark is right. You're pretty fortunate to have Rob Ickes' luthier just down the road from you. It's over 5 hrs drive for me, but I make the trek to Darlington, IN now and again for Byrl's setup and installation work. (We have a date later this month actually...)
Good luck!
Hah! Years ago, I worked for a company based in N Canton, so I know the trip well!
quote:
Originally posted by MarkinSonoma
With either Beard or Schoonover you can provide them with measurements so the top of the Nashville inserts are the appropriate height under the palm rest and they can send the pickup installed and slotted in the spider, then it's up to you to make the connection to a quarter inch input jack at the tailpiece.
Thanks, Mark. I've been in contact with Gabby about this exact scenario. Waiting to hear back.
MarkinSonoma JC Dobro
I took the trip to Byrl’s shop this morning and had him install the Nashville pickup and a Legend cone. The guitar sounds so much better!
quote:
Originally posted by skydogMarkinSonoma JC Dobro
I took the trip to Byrl’s shop this morning and had him install the Nashville pickup and a Legend cone. The guitar sounds so much better!
Congrats! Byrl is a setup wizard indeed. Enjoy it!!
Good move skydog. 
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