having a pickup installed in my DV52

[jimistone]

I'm having a fishman under saddle pickup installed im my DV52. I really didn't want to have the strap button hole drilled out to accomodate the fishman but I really wanted a pickup.
I hope I'm not screwing it up (lowering the resale) but, honestly I don't plan on selling it.
A professional is doing the installation by the way.

 

[plaidseason]

I think the whole idea of a pickup installation lowering the value of guitar is outdated. These days I'd expect to pay more for a guitar with a pickup installed. If you ever decided to remove the pickup, all you'd have to do is replace the saddle and replace the end pin with a larger one (which I'm pretty sure is how Taylor handles things on the production line).

-Chris

 

[NEONMOONY]

I'd have to agree that a properly installed pickup does not hurt the value of the guitar and may help it. I would expect a higher price on a guitar with a pickup. My DV52 came with one.

 

[evenkeel]

I concur on the value issue. A properly done pickup installation should not negatively affect the value of your DV52. A prewar Martin, well that's a different deal. :wink:

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

There is an end pin plug that you can buy that doesn't require the hole to be enlarged.
I think that the K&K people have it.
It's a bit pricy but if you have any doubts about drilling, it may be worth it.
It's called the Vintage Jack.

 

[dreadnut]

Been there, done that, my DV-52 sounds great thru my Crate Acoustic amp! Don't sweat it

 

[walrus]

Just put a K & K in my D-64. I love it! I agree it will not diminish the value, and in fact I would argue it would enhance it.

walrus

 

[bluesypicky]

Another voice for resale value being only affected positively by a p/u installed.
I bought both my Martins with p/u installed, and it was an upside in my mind, no doubt.
I would have been only more pleased if my DV52 had come with one.....
But I'm not complaining.

 

[evenkeel]

There is an end pin plug that you can buy that doesn't require the hole to be enlarged. I think that the K&K people have it. It's a bit pricy but if you have any doubts about drilling, it may be worth it. It's called the Vintage Jack.

Did a bit of research into this. Vintage Jack is made by Tapastring and can be ordered with some of the K&K pickups, not all. It's also a 1/8" plug, not the standard 1/4" guitar plug. I used to own a guitar with an 1/8" plug and old Barcus Berry pickups. Adaptors are available.

http://www.kksound.com/vintagejack.html

 

[NEONMOONY]

dreadnut said

Been there, done that, my DV-52 sounds great thru my Crate Acoustic amp! Don't sweat it

I get nothin' but compliments on my DV52 plugged in.

 

[6L6]

I'd have to agree that a properly installed pickup does not hurt the value of the guitar and may help it. I would expect a higher price on a guitar with a pickup. My DV52 came with one.

+1

I have a Fishman Matrix pup installed in my '06 D-55 and '74 D-40. They work great thru a PA and exceptionally well thru my Fender Acoustasonic Jr DSP amp.

6

 

[dreadnut]

To quote my friend, Steve: "It ain't no frickin' Stradivarius!" :lol:

Here's an interesting dilemma, though - the pickup in my D-25 is inherently louder than the one in my DV-52. They are both passive, under the saddleLR Baggs pickups run to a 1/4" jack. I had one installed in my D-25 first, when I bought an acoustic amp. I wanted passive pickups because I didn't want to fiddle with a battery, so I also bought a Fishman preamp-EQ that fits on my belt. Now, there is a passive/active switch on my Crate CA-125D acoustic amp, and when I have it in the "passive" position, the D-25 comes through loud and clear at low volume and gain settings - with no preamp. Plug the DV-52 directly into the same amp, and I have to crank the gain and volume way up to get anything out. So I always have to use the preamp with the DV-52, then it works ok. Any suggestions from anyone here why the difference?

At least with the preamp on my belt, I have volume and tone controls right there.

 

[jimistone]

The dude that is doing the installation is a nice guy, does good work, and has a very cool little music store.

Here is a link to his store:
http://www.fondrenguitars.com/My_Homepa ... Page9.html

Check out the gibson 45 jumbo he is holding...it gave me a bad case of G.A.S. when I saw it in there yesterday.
I'm gonna have to play it some when I go pick up my guild next week.

I try to support small music stores as much as possible!

 

[Dr Izza Plumber]

Reaming out the end pin opening for a quality pick up is not a detractor, IMHO.

As long as one does not drill a friggin hole in the middle of the headstock, for hanging on a rusty nail in the barn.