About Guitar Pickups - Newest - Best out there?

[Danny T]

I have a very special guitar to me that needs a pickup. I don't want
to cut any holes but I already have a 1/4 output from the original
pickup (from 1973). The existing one is under the saddle.

I know about K&K and like those quite a bit and have them in several
other guitars but I want something absolutely spectacular for this
guitar. It's not the most expensive guitar in the world but it is by
far my most favorite guitar that I've ever owned out of all my
martins, guilds, taylor or anything.

OK, there is always new stuff out there. What's the best?

Thanks

[John Frink]

Hi Danny,

A guitar pickup is a matter of personal taste, both for the player and
the listener; it's simply not possible to make a general statement
that one pickup is better or worse than another. You'll just have to
try one and see if you like it, and be prepared to change it out for
something else if you don't. Having said that, I'll tell you that my
favorite acoustic guitar pickup is a McIntyre Acoustic Feather GF-30;
it does require an external preamp, but I love the sound. My next
favorites, in descending order of preference, are the Baggs passive
iBeam (external preamp required), Baggs iMix (Element and iBeam
blended, onboard preamp), and Baggs Element (onboard preamp). I put
three different pickups in my favorite performance guitar before I
found the one that works best for that particular instrument.

I've found that the EQ curves of most onboard preamps are set up with
the assumption that the instrument they'll be installed in is a
traditional dreadnought, since that's by far the most common acoustic
body type out there; that means they cut the low bass a bit to avoid
feedback, and they boost the treble a bit because most piezo pickups
(and many dreadnought guitars) are somewhat treble-deficient. But if
you install that pickup-preamp combo in a smaller, brighter instrument
like an L-00 or a C-10 or a 00-anything, you may find that the overall
sound is bass-deficient and upper-midrange-honky. So if your favorite
guitar is smaller than a dread, my recommendation would be to intall a
passive pickup and use an external preamp with some EQ (like a Baggs
Para-DI) to shape the sound the way you want it.

Disclaimer: I have no commercial connection with any pickup
manufacturer or guitar manufacturer; I like what I like and I play
what I like.

Hope this helps.

Best regards,

John Allen Frink
Newark, Delaware

[Danny T]

On Sep 2, 3:44*pm, John Frink > wrote:
> Hi Danny,
>
> A guitar pickup is a matter of personal taste, both for the player and
> the listener; it's simply not possible to make a general statement
> that one pickup is better or worse than another. You'll just have to
> try one and see if you like it, and be prepared to change it out for
> something else if you don't. Having said that, I'll tell you that my
> favorite acoustic guitar pickup is a McIntyre Acoustic Feather GF-30;
> it does require an external preamp, but I love the sound. My next
> favorites, in descending order of preference, are the Baggs passive
> iBeam (external preamp required), Baggs iMix (Element and iBeam
> blended, onboard preamp), and Baggs Element (onboard preamp). I put
> three different pickups in my favorite performance guitar before I
> found the one that works best for that particular instrument.
>
> I've found that the EQ curves of most onboard preamps are set up with
> the assumption that the instrument they'll be installed in is a
> traditional dreadnought, since that's by far the most common acoustic
> body type out there; that means they cut the low bass a bit to avoid
> feedback, and they boost the treble a bit because most piezo pickups
> (and many dreadnought guitars) are somewhat treble-deficient. But if
> you install that pickup-preamp combo in a smaller, brighter instrument
> like an L-00 or a C-10 or a 00-anything, you may find that the overall
> sound is bass-deficient and upper-midrange-honky. So if your favorite
> guitar is smaller than a dread, my recommendation would be to intall a
> passive pickup and use an external preamp with some EQ (like a Baggs
> Para-DI) to shape the sound the way you want it.
>
> Disclaimer: I have no commercial connection with any pickup
> manufacturer or guitar manufacturer; I like what I like and I play
> what I like.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Best regards,
>
> John Allen Frink
> Newark, Delaware

Thanks for that input John, I had not heard of the McIntyre Acoustic
Feather GF-30 - or any other McIntyre pickup before. Its cheap enough
I can buy it and if I don't like it, no big loss.

The Guitar I want to put it in is a 1973 Yairi 5060 which was their
knock off of a martin d41 though I've never played a 41 that comes
close to the sound of this particular guitar. This is one of those
rare guitars that aged perfectly and there isn't even a sign of a wolf
tone. Anyway, I have played it in front of just about every mic you
can think of and you can't really make it sound bad. Of course, I'd
like to play it live and I do solo work mostly so the idea of a mic in
front of an acoustic in a brick room is just a bit much for me to take
on.

How does the McIntyre stand up to output compared to something like
the western mini's or do you know. Those pickups are hot enough that I
use them regularly without a pre. The sound is about the same either
way so its more of a mater of if I need to be loud and if I remembered
to change the battery :)

My biggest issue is that I am in a remote location with the nearest
music store worth anything past white gloves and cheap marching band
gear is Guitar Center and its nearly 80 miles drive from here. SInce I
drive a suburban its usually cheapest to just buy the gear and see if
I like it and if not, feed the ebay machine.

Thanks for the input. If you have anything else to mention I would
love to hear it.

Danny

[Jenn[_2_]]

In article
>,
Danny T > wrote:

> I have a very special guitar to me that needs a pickup. I don't want
> to cut any holes but I already have a 1/4 output from the original
> pickup (from 1973). The existing one is under the saddle.
>
> I know about K&K and like those quite a bit and have them in several
> other guitars but I want something absolutely spectacular for this
> guitar. It's not the most expensive guitar in the world but it is by
> far my most favorite guitar that I've ever owned out of all my
> martins, guilds, taylor or anything.
>
> OK, there is always new stuff out there. What's the best?
>
> Thanks

As someone who is very picky about trying to amplify my acoustic guitars
in such a way that it sounds like the unamplified version, only louder,
I'm a big fan of the new D-tar Multi-Source. It's a under-saddle pickup
combined with an internal condenser mic. The onboard controls are stuck
inside the upper part of the sound hole; no instrument alteration
needed. The advantages of this unit to similar ones include a better
quality mic (in my opinion) and the preamp is 18v rather than the
typical 9v, allowing for more headroom. It is based on the setup used
by Laurence Juber.

http://www.d-tar.com/multi.shtml

[Mike Rivers[_2_]]

Danny T wrote:

>> http://www.d-tar.com/multi.shtml

> I've hear of those before but never looked into them. It looked like
> you had to glue in a preamp or something. is it easy to install?

You can download the manual from that web site. I did, out of curiosity.
I wouldn't try to install it myself, I'd have a guitar repair person do it,
preferably one who has experience installing pickups of this sort.

[Danny T]

On Sep 4, 6:18*am, Mike Rivers > wrote:
> Danny T wrote:
> >>http://www.d-tar.com/multi.shtml
> > I've hear of those before but never looked into them. It looked like
> > you had to glue in a preamp or something. is it easy to install?
>
> You can download the manual from that web site. I did, out of curiosity.
> I wouldn't try to install it myself, I'd have a guitar repair person do it,
> preferably one who has experience installing pickups of this sort.

Around here ..... I'd rather have a monkey do it! I've installed
several now. I would never cut a hole in a guitar but a standard
install of something where placement is about the only concern I'd
feel ok. I guess I just have to go look at that manual..... or wait
till I go back to Nashville in a while.

[Mike Rivers[_2_]]

Danny T wrote:

> Around here ..... I'd rather have a monkey do it! I've installed
> several now.

It might help to have a monkey around to help. Among other things, you
need to
drill an angled hole through the bridge and the top at the end of the
saddle slot
for the cable for the under-saddle pickup to get to the preamp. It looks
kind of
tricky to do without buggering up the bridge. They show using a small
screwdriver
blade to guide the drill bit (you get the monkey to hold the screwdriver
while
you man the drill). Then you need to enlarge the end pin hole to
accommodate the
jack (that's not too hard) and you need to mount the microphone and
control "panel"
and battery holder.

[Danny T]

On Sep 4, 7:44*am, Mike Rivers > wrote:
> Danny T wrote:
> > Around here ..... I'd rather have a monkey do it! I've installed
> > several now.
>
> It might help to have a monkey around to help. Among other things, you
> need to
> drill an angled hole through the bridge and the top at the end of the
> saddle slot
> for the cable for the under-saddle pickup to get to the preamp. It looks
> kind of
> tricky to do without buggering up the bridge. They show using a small
> screwdriver
> blade to guide the drill bit (you get the monkey to hold the screwdriver
> while
> you man the drill). *Then you need to enlarge the end pin hole to
> accommodate the
> jack (that's not too hard) and you need to mount the microphone and
> control "panel"
> and battery holder.

Well, I might want someone else to do it but no one from around here
for sure. I'm in Louisiana for another 3 weeks and believe me, I don't
want anyone from around here to touch this guitar......

Thanks for the heads up

[Scott Dorsey]

Danny T > wrote:
>
>Well, I might want someone else to do it but no one from around here
>for sure. I'm in Louisiana for another 3 weeks and believe me, I don't
>want anyone from around here to touch this guitar......

The best pickup in the world isn't going to sound as good as a relatively
common cheap mike.

Unless you have a real need for extreme gain before feedback or you can't
keep still on your seat, consider a 441 instead. It will make you smile.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[hank alrich]

Mike Rivers > wrote:

> Danny T wrote:
>
> > Around here ..... I'd rather have a monkey do it! I've installed
> > several now.
>
> It might help to have a monkey around to help. Among other things, you
> need to
> drill an angled hole through the bridge and the top at the end of the
> saddle slot
> for the cable for the under-saddle pickup to get to the preamp. It looks
> kind of
> tricky to do without buggering up the bridge. They show using a small
> screwdriver
> blade to guide the drill bit (you get the monkey to hold the screwdriver
> while
> you man the drill). Then you need to enlarge the end pin hole to
> accommodate the
> jack (that's not too hard) and you need to mount the microphone and
> control "panel"
> and battery holder.

Since I've yet to hear one of these complicated systems sound as good in
as many situations as does the K&K Pure Western Mini rig, I will never
bother to take this route. If I want to add a mic to the sound of the
pickup I'm going to use a good external mic. Inside a guitar is not the
way a guitar sounds when you're not inside a guitar.

The K&K setup is three little transducers that go onto the bridge plate,
one specifically designated for the middle position, three wires leading
to the ouput jack, and the output jack. That's it. No batteries, no
onboard preamp needed, no tiny "controls" stuck inside the soundhole, no
drilling through the saddle.

I do understand that the needs of a strictly solo fingerpicker are
different from my own. I do sometimes fingerpick solo, but I also need
something that works under more combat-like situations, and I have an
extreme dislike of complexity in kit that fastens to my acoustic
guitars.

I've really been enjoying the Red-Eye instrument preamp from Fire Eye
Development in Austin. I have now made the level boost stomp switch
routine for solos, and the setup is perfect for me. The K&K rig in the
guitar is dead simple, the Red-Eye runs on phantom power or the internal
battery. Slicker than greased owl ****, and it sounds more mic-like than
anything I have ever used. The piezo sonic weirdness is gone, with or
without the mic.

--
ha
shut up and play your guitar

[Danny T]

On Sep 4, 9:28*am, (Scott Dorsey) wrote:
> Danny T > wrote:
>
>
>
> >Well, I might want someone else to do it but no one from around here
> >for sure. I'm in Louisiana for another 3 weeks and believe me, I don't
> >want anyone from around here to touch this guitar......
>
> The best pickup in the world isn't going to sound as good as a relatively
> common cheap mike.
>
> Unless you have a real need for extreme gain before feedback or you can't
> keep still on your seat, consider a 441 instead. * It will make you smile.
> --scott
> --
> "C'est un Nagra. *C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

I am outside quite a bit and on the beach to boot. Wind is often an
extreme problem. Plus I do a solo thing so response time can often be
a second or two short of major trouble. .... Another problem I
foresee with a mic pointed in the general direction of your butt is
related to having to get away from a mic to belch... It could be a
thundering performance :-)

[Arkansan Raider]

Danny T wrote:
> On Sep 4, 9:28 am, (Scott Dorsey) wrote:
>> Danny T > wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>> Well, I might want someone else to do it but no one from around here
>>> for sure. I'm in Louisiana for another 3 weeks and believe me, I don't
>>> want anyone from around here to touch this guitar......
>> The best pickup in the world isn't going to sound as good as a relatively
>> common cheap mike.
>>
>> Unless you have a real need for extreme gain before feedback or you can't
>> keep still on your seat, consider a 441 instead. It will make you smile.
>> --scott
>> --
>> "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."
>
> I am outside quite a bit and on the beach to boot. Wind is often an
> extreme problem. Plus I do a solo thing so response time can often be
> a second or two short of major trouble. .... Another problem I
> foresee with a mic pointed in the general direction of your butt is
> related to having to get away from a mic to belch... It could be a
> thundering performance :-)

LOL

Nothing wrong with recording a stray burp or two. It keeps YouTube afloat...

---Jeff

[Danny T]

On Sep 4, 10:08*am, (hank alrich) wrote:
> Mike Rivers > wrote:
> > Danny T wrote:
>
> > > Around here ..... I'd rather have a monkey do it! I've installed
> > > several now.
>
> > It might help to have a monkey around to help. Among other things, you
> > need to
> > drill an angled hole through the bridge and the top at the end of the
> > saddle slot
> > for the cable for the under-saddle pickup to get to the preamp. It looks
> > kind of
> > tricky to do without buggering up the bridge. They show using a small
> > screwdriver
> > blade to guide the drill bit (you get the monkey to hold the screwdriver
> > while
> > you man the drill). *Then you need to enlarge the end pin hole to
> > accommodate the
> > jack (that's not too hard) and you need to mount the microphone and
> > control "panel"
> > and battery holder.
>
> Since I've yet to hear one of these complicated systems sound as good in
> as many situations as does the K&K Pure Western Mini rig, I will never
> bother to take this route. If I want to add a mic to the sound of the
> pickup I'm going to use a good external mic. Inside a guitar is not the
> way a guitar sounds when you're not inside a guitar.
>
> The K&K setup is three little transducers that go onto the bridge plate,
> one specifically designated for the middle position, three wires leading
> to the ouput jack, and the output jack. That's it. No batteries, no
> onboard preamp needed, no tiny "controls" stuck inside the soundhole, no
> drilling through the saddle.
>
> I do understand that the needs of a strictly solo fingerpicker are
> different from my own. I do sometimes fingerpick solo, but I also need
> something that works under more combat-like situations, and I have an
> extreme dislike of complexity in kit that fastens to my acoustic
> guitars.
>
> I've really been enjoying the Red-Eye instrument preamp from Fire Eye
> Development in Austin. I have now made the level boost stomp switch
> routine for solos, and the setup is perfect for me. The K&K rig in the
> guitar is dead simple, the Red-Eye runs on phantom power or the internal
> battery. Slicker than greased owl ****, and it sounds more mic-like than
> anything I have ever used. The piezo sonic weirdness is gone, with or
> without the mic.
>
> --
> ha
> shut up and play your guitar

I love my western minis too. I have two guitars set up with them and
they really are nice. I have 2 with the alvarez 600T systems too.
Those are actually the best I have heard yet. They have an under
saddle and I've bought the mics that go with. The mic is sort of a
dull sounding thing and when you blend them the nasty goes away and
they sound pretty good. I've got a few tunes up on myspace.com/
pianomandanny that I recorded with the pickups. (disclosure on songs -
they are one take guitar/vocal and that's it - no dubs or punches. If
I suck, that's why) There are some other things there too but I think
you'll know which ones only have guitar-

The thing is, none of them sound good enough. I've seen but not played
the red eye. They guitar I want to put a pickup in is too important to
me to do more then install so I'm really doing some homework. It's
*my* perfect guitar. I'd really like to play it live but the pickup it
came with is original and 1973 (read sucks).

Are there any guitars that have the red eye in them on retail sale?
That would be the best way to check them out I would think.....

Thanks

[hank alrich]

Danny T > wrote:

> On Sep 4, 10:08 am, (hank alrich) wrote:
> > Mike Rivers > wrote:
> > > Danny T wrote:
> >
> > > > Around here ..... I'd rather have a monkey do it! I've installed
> > > > several now.
> >
> > > It might help to have a monkey around to help. Among other things, you
> > > need to
> > > drill an angled hole through the bridge and the top at the end of the
> > > saddle slot
> > > for the cable for the under-saddle pickup to get to the preamp. It looks
> > > kind of
> > > tricky to do without buggering up the bridge. They show using a small
> > > screwdriver
> > > blade to guide the drill bit (you get the monkey to hold the screwdriver
> > > while
> > > you man the drill). Then you need to enlarge the end pin hole to
> > > accommodate the
> > > jack (that's not too hard) and you need to mount the microphone and
> > > control "panel"
> > > and battery holder.
> >
> > Since I've yet to hear one of these complicated systems sound as good in
> > as many situations as does the K&K Pure Western Mini rig, I will never
> > bother to take this route. If I want to add a mic to the sound of the
> > pickup I'm going to use a good external mic. Inside a guitar is not the
> > way a guitar sounds when you're not inside a guitar.
> >
> > The K&K setup is three little transducers that go onto the bridge plate,
> > one specifically designated for the middle position, three wires leading
> > to the ouput jack, and the output jack. That's it. No batteries, no
> > onboard preamp needed, no tiny "controls" stuck inside the soundhole, no
> > drilling through the saddle.
> >
> > I do understand that the needs of a strictly solo fingerpicker are
> > different from my own. I do sometimes fingerpick solo, but I also need
> > something that works under more combat-like situations, and I have an
> > extreme dislike of complexity in kit that fastens to my acoustic
> > guitars.
> >
> > I've really been enjoying the Red-Eye instrument preamp from Fire Eye
> > Development in Austin. I have now made the level boost stomp switch
> > routine for solos, and the setup is perfect for me. The K&K rig in the
> > guitar is dead simple, the Red-Eye runs on phantom power or the internal
> > battery. Slicker than greased owl ****, and it sounds more mic-like than
> > anything I have ever used. The piezo sonic weirdness is gone, with or
> > without the mic.

> I love my western minis too. I have two guitars set up with them and
> they really are nice. I have 2 with the alvarez 600T systems too.
> Those are actually the best I have heard yet. They have an under
> saddle and I've bought the mics that go with. The mic is sort of a
> dull sounding thing and when you blend them the nasty goes away and
> they sound pretty good. I've got a few tunes up on myspace.com/
> pianomandanny that I recorded with the pickups. (disclosure on songs -
> they are one take guitar/vocal and that's it - no dubs or punches. If
> I suck, that's why) There are some other things there too but I think
> you'll know which ones only have guitar-
>
> The thing is, none of them sound good enough. I've seen but not played
> the red eye. They guitar I want to put a pickup in is too important to
> me to do more then install so I'm really doing some homework. It's
> *my* perfect guitar. I'd really like to play it live but the pickup it
> came with is original and 1973 (read sucks).
>
> Are there any guitars that have the red eye in them on retail sale?
> That would be the best way to check them out I would think.....
>
> Thanks

The Red-Eye doesn't go into a guitar. For me, that's a good point.

www.fire-eye.com/welcomepage.htm

(How would I work a level booster stomp switch if it was inside a
guitar? <g>)

I have gotten multiple comments on the excellence of my guitar sound at
every gig this summer. Of course, It's a McCollum and sounds better than
most guitars, and definitely better for my purposes than any factory
guitar I've ever played.

--
ha
shut up and play your guitar

[Danny T]

On Sep 4, 5:11*pm, (hank alrich) wrote:
> Danny T > wrote:
> > On Sep 4, 10:08 am, (hank alrich) wrote:
> > > Mike Rivers > wrote:
> > > > Danny T wrote:
>
> > > > > Around here ..... I'd rather have a monkey do it! I've installed
> > > > > several now.
>
> > > > It might help to have a monkey around to help. Among other things, you
> > > > need to
> > > > drill an angled hole through the bridge and the top at the end of the
> > > > saddle slot
> > > > for the cable for the under-saddle pickup to get to the preamp. It looks
> > > > kind of
> > > > tricky to do without buggering up the bridge. They show using a small
> > > > screwdriver
> > > > blade to guide the drill bit (you get the monkey to hold the screwdriver
> > > > while
> > > > you man the drill). *Then you need to enlarge the end pin hole to
> > > > accommodate the
> > > > jack (that's not too hard) and you need to mount the microphone and
> > > > control "panel"
> > > > and battery holder.
>
> > > Since I've yet to hear one of these complicated systems sound as good in
> > > as many situations as does the K&K Pure Western Mini rig, I will never
> > > bother to take this route. If I want to add a mic to the sound of the
> > > pickup I'm going to use a good external mic. Inside a guitar is not the
> > > way a guitar sounds when you're not inside a guitar.
>
> > > The K&K setup is three little transducers that go onto the bridge plate,
> > > one specifically designated for the middle position, three wires leading
> > > to the ouput jack, and the output jack. That's it. No batteries, no
> > > onboard preamp needed, no tiny "controls" stuck inside the soundhole, no
> > > drilling through the saddle.
>
> > > I do understand that the needs of a strictly solo fingerpicker are
> > > different from my own. I do sometimes fingerpick solo, but I also need
> > > something that works under more combat-like situations, and I have an
> > > extreme dislike of complexity in kit that fastens to my acoustic
> > > guitars.
>
> > > I've really been enjoying the Red-Eye instrument preamp from Fire Eye
> > > Development in Austin. I have now made the level boost stomp switch
> > > routine for solos, and the setup is perfect for me. The K&K rig in the
> > > guitar is dead simple, the Red-Eye runs on phantom power or the internal
> > > battery. Slicker than greased owl ****, and it sounds more mic-like than
> > > anything I have ever used. The piezo sonic weirdness is gone, with or
> > > without the mic.
> > I love my western minis too. I have two guitars set up with them and
> > they really are nice. I have 2 with the alvarez 600T systems too.
> > Those are actually the best I have heard yet. They have an under
> > saddle and I've bought the mics that go with. The mic is sort of a
> > dull sounding thing and when you blend them the nasty goes away and
> > they sound pretty good. I've got a few tunes up on myspace.com/
> > pianomandanny that I recorded with the pickups. (disclosure on songs -
> > they are one take guitar/vocal and that's it - no dubs or punches. If
> > I suck, that's why) There are some other things there too but I think
> > you'll know which ones only have guitar-
>
> > The thing is, none of them sound good enough. I've seen but not played
> > the red eye. They guitar I want to put a pickup in is too important to
> > me to do more then install so I'm really doing some homework. It's
> > *my* perfect guitar. I'd really like to play it live but the pickup it
> > came with is original and 1973 (read sucks).
>
> > Are there any guitars that have the red eye in them on retail sale?
> > That would be the best way to check them out I would think.....
>
> > Thanks
>
> The Red-Eye doesn't go into a guitar. For me, that's a good point.
>
> www.fire-eye.com/welcomepage.htm
>
> (How would I work a level booster stomp switch if it was inside a
> guitar? <g>)
>
> I have gotten multiple comments on the excellence of my guitar sound at
> every gig this summer. Of course, It's a McCollum and sounds better than
> most guitars, and definitely better for my purposes than any factory
> guitar I've ever played.
>
> --
> ha
> shut up and play your guitar

Do you have any soundclips hanging out anywere?

[Danny T]

On Sep 4, 4:24*pm, Arkansan Raider > wrote:
> Danny T wrote:
> > On Sep 4, 9:28 am, (Scott Dorsey) wrote:
> >> Danny T > wrote:
>
> >>> Well, I might want someone else to do it but no one from around here
> >>> for sure. I'm in Louisiana for another 3 weeks and believe me, I don't
> >>> want anyone from around here to touch this guitar......
> >> The best pickup in the world isn't going to sound as good as a relatively
> >> common cheap mike.
>
> >> Unless you have a real need for extreme gain before feedback or you can't
> >> keep still on your seat, consider a 441 instead. * It will make you smile.
> >> --scott
> >> --
> >> "C'est un Nagra. *C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."
>
> > I am outside quite a bit and on the beach to boot. Wind is often an
> > extreme problem. Plus I do a solo thing so response time can often be
> > a second or two short of major trouble. .... *Another problem I
> > foresee with a mic pointed in the general direction of your butt is
> > related to having to get away from a mic to belch... It could be a
> > thundering performance *:-)
>
> LOL
>
> Nothing wrong with recording a stray burp or two. It keeps YouTube afloat....
>
> ---Jeff

And I've done it. There are some foods I can't eat. 4-5 hours after
I've eaten them I turn from singer songwriter into the burp
monster.... Man I've had some memorable gigs

[Jenn[_2_]]

In article
>,
Danny T > wrote:

> On Sep 3, 10:27*am, Jenn > wrote:
> > In article
> > >,
> > *Danny T > wrote:
> >
> > > I have a very special guitar to me that needs a pickup. I don't want
> > > to cut any holes but I already have a 1/4 output from the original
> > > pickup (from 1973). The existing one is under the saddle.
> >
> > > I know about K&K and like those quite a bit and have them in several
> > > other guitars but I want something absolutely spectacular for this
> > > guitar. It's not the most expensive guitar in the world but it is by
> > > far my most favorite guitar that I've ever owned out of all my
> > > martins, guilds, taylor or anything.
> >
> > > OK, there is always new stuff out there. What's the best?
> >
> > > Thanks
> >
> > As someone who is very picky about trying to amplify my acoustic guitars
> > in such a way that it sounds like the unamplified version, only louder,
> > I'm a big fan of the new D-tar Multi-Source. *It's a under-saddle pickup
> > combined with an internal condenser mic. *The onboard controls are stuck
> > inside the upper part of the sound hole; no instrument alteration
> > needed. *The advantages of this unit to similar ones include a better
> > quality mic (in my opinion) and the preamp is 18v rather than the
> > typical 9v, allowing for more headroom. *It is based on the setup used
> > by Laurence Juber.
> >
> > http://www.d-tar.com/multi.shtml
>
> I've hear of those before but never looked into them. It looked like
> you had to glue in a preamp or something. is it easy to install?
> Thanks

Hey Danny,

Yes, you put a little sticky pad that has velcro on one side in the
guitar and another velcro pad holds the preamp in. It's all pretty
easy, the most daunting part being expanding the strap peg hole with a
drill. Easy to do though; I've done it on 3 good guitars now. The pick
up really does sound great, more to my liking than any other I've
encountered.

[Jenn[_2_]]

In article >,
(hank alrich) wrote:

> Mike Rivers > wrote:
>
> > Danny T wrote:
> >
> > > Around here ..... I'd rather have a monkey do it! I've installed
> > > several now.
> >
> > It might help to have a monkey around to help. Among other things, you
> > need to
> > drill an angled hole through the bridge and the top at the end of the
> > saddle slot
> > for the cable for the under-saddle pickup to get to the preamp. It looks
> > kind of
> > tricky to do without buggering up the bridge. They show using a small
> > screwdriver
> > blade to guide the drill bit (you get the monkey to hold the screwdriver
> > while
> > you man the drill). Then you need to enlarge the end pin hole to
> > accommodate the
> > jack (that's not too hard) and you need to mount the microphone and
> > control "panel"
> > and battery holder.
>
> Since I've yet to hear one of these complicated systems sound as good in
> as many situations as does the K&K Pure Western Mini rig, I will never
> bother to take this route. If I want to add a mic to the sound of the
> pickup I'm going to use a good external mic. Inside a guitar is not the
> way a guitar sounds when you're not inside a guitar.

I agree about the mic in most applications, but this one at least sits
right at the sound hole, attached to the soundboard, so it's not deep in
the guitar.

>
> The K&K setup is three little transducers that go onto the bridge plate,
> one specifically designated for the middle position, three wires leading
> to the ouput jack, and the output jack. That's it. No batteries, no
> onboard preamp needed, no tiny "controls" stuck inside the soundhole, no
> drilling through the saddle.

I agree that it's better to not have an onboard preamp, controls, etc.
but with the instruments that I use in my teaching, I really need it.
I've just ordered a new instrument that will be ready in about a year,
and I'm considering having a passive pick up in it, controlling it from
the Highlander preamp that I use. I won't be walking around teaching
with that one, so having the controls just at my chair side would be OK.

[Danny T]

On Sep 6, 10:51*am, Jenn > wrote:
> In article
> >,
> *Danny T > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Sep 3, 10:27*am, Jenn > wrote:
> > > In article
> > > >,
> > > *Danny T > wrote:
>
> > > > I have a very special guitar to me that needs a pickup. I don't want
> > > > to cut any holes but I already have a 1/4 output from the original
> > > > pickup (from 1973). The existing one is under the saddle.
>
> > > > I know about K&K and like those quite a bit and have them in several
> > > > other guitars but I want something absolutely spectacular for this
> > > > guitar. It's not the most expensive guitar in the world but it is by
> > > > far my most favorite guitar that I've ever owned out of all my
> > > > martins, guilds, taylor or anything.
>
> > > > OK, there is always new stuff out there. What's the best?
>
> > > > Thanks
>
> > > As someone who is very picky about trying to amplify my acoustic guitars
> > > in such a way that it sounds like the unamplified version, only louder,
> > > I'm a big fan of the new D-tar Multi-Source. *It's a under-saddle pickup
> > > combined with an internal condenser mic. *The onboard controls are stuck
> > > inside the upper part of the sound hole; no instrument alteration
> > > needed. *The advantages of this unit to similar ones include a better
> > > quality mic (in my opinion) and the preamp is 18v rather than the
> > > typical 9v, allowing for more headroom. *It is based on the setup used
> > > by Laurence Juber.
>
> > >http://www.d-tar.com/multi.shtml
>
> > I've hear of those before but never looked into them. It looked like
> > you had to glue in a preamp or something. is it easy to install?
> > Thanks
>
> Hey Danny,
>
> Yes, you put a little sticky pad that has velcro on one side in the
> guitar and another velcro pad holds the preamp in. *It's all pretty
> easy, the most daunting part being expanding the strap peg hole with a
> drill. *Easy to do though; I've done it on 3 good guitars now. *The pick
> up really does sound great, more to my liking than any other I've
> encountered.

Thanks Jenn,
It's easier for me to decide on buying a boat or car then a pickup....
Go figure.

[Misifus[_2_]]

Jenn wrote:
> In article
> >,
> Danny T > wrote:
>
>> On Sep 3, 10:27 am, Jenn > wrote:
>>> In article
>>> >,
>>> Danny T > wrote:
>>>
>>>> I have a very special guitar to me that needs a pickup. I don't want
>>>> to cut any holes but I already have a 1/4 output from the original
>>>> pickup (from 1973). The existing one is under the saddle.
>>>> I know about K&K and like those quite a bit and have them in several
>>>> other guitars but I want something absolutely spectacular for this
>>>> guitar. It's not the most expensive guitar in the world but it is by
>>>> far my most favorite guitar that I've ever owned out of all my
>>>> martins, guilds, taylor or anything.
>>>> OK, there is always new stuff out there. What's the best?
>>>> Thanks
>>> As someone who is very picky about trying to amplify my acoustic guitars
>>> in such a way that it sounds like the unamplified version, only louder,
>>> I'm a big fan of the new D-tar Multi-Source. It's a under-saddle pickup
>>> combined with an internal condenser mic. The onboard controls are stuck
>>> inside the upper part of the sound hole; no instrument alteration
>>> needed. The advantages of this unit to similar ones include a better
>>> quality mic (in my opinion) and the preamp is 18v rather than the
>>> typical 9v, allowing for more headroom. It is based on the setup used
>>> by Laurence Juber.
>>>
>>> http://www.d-tar.com/multi.shtml
>> I've hear of those before but never looked into them. It looked like
>> you had to glue in a preamp or something. is it easy to install?
>> Thanks
>
> Hey Danny,
>
> Yes, you put a little sticky pad that has velcro on one side in the
> guitar and another velcro pad holds the preamp in. It's all pretty
> easy, the most daunting part being expanding the strap peg hole with a
> drill. Easy to do though; I've done it on 3 good guitars now. The pick
> up really does sound great, more to my liking than any other I've
> encountered.


I'm a chicken, so I invested in the endpin ream from Stew-Mac. I'd
watched David Enke (PickUpTheWorld) use one on a dozen or so guitars and
that looked pretty safe and controllable to use. It was.

-Raf

--
Misifus-
Rafael Seibert
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rafiii
home: http://www.rafandsioux.com

[Scott Dorsey]

Danny T > wrote:
>
>I am outside quite a bit and on the beach to boot. Wind is often an
>extreme problem. Plus I do a solo thing so response time can often be
>a second or two short of major trouble. .... Another problem I
>foresee with a mic pointed in the general direction of your butt is
>related to having to get away from a mic to belch... It could be a
>thundering performance :-)

Go, right now, and contact Olsen Audio Group in Scottsdale, AZ. Get the
Ultra series Wind-Tech foam windscreens. They are big and silly looking,
but they are only $20 or so and work marvelously well even in fairly
high wind conditions. They are an absolute lifesaver at outdoor
festival gigs.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

[Danny T]

On Sep 8, 8:58*am, (Scott Dorsey) wrote:
> Danny T > wrote:
>
>
>
> >I am outside quite a bit and on the beach to boot. Wind is often an
> >extreme problem. Plus I do a solo thing so response time can often be
> >a second or two short of major trouble. .... *Another problem I
> >foresee with a mic pointed in the general direction of your butt is
> >related to having to get away from a mic to belch... It could be a
> >thundering performance *:-)
>
> Go, right now, and contact Olsen Audio Group in Scottsdale, AZ. *Get the
> Ultra series Wind-Tech foam windscreens. *They are big and silly looking,
> but they are only $20 or so and work marvelously well even in fairly
> high wind conditions. *They are an absolute lifesaver at outdoor
> festival gigs.
> --scott
> --
> "C'est un Nagra. *C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

I went to their site but didn't see any way to buy it there. There is
a page of venders though so I will go buy one. If there is a way to
buy direct I'd probably rather but if not, here is a link to their
vender locations:
http://www.olsenaudio.com/salesreps.html

[Mike Rivers]

Danny T wrote:
> On Sep 8, 8:58 am, (Scott Dorsey) wrote:
>> Ultra series Wind-Tech foam windscreens.

> I went to their site but didn't see any way to buy it there. There is
> a page of venders though so I will go buy one.

Full Compass carries the line and they're pretty easy to deal with.