New "E" in my 2011 NH F-30RCE

So... I had my guitar tech swap put the DTAR in my 2011 F-30RCE, and replace it with a K&K pure mini. As I said in my original NGD post, I thought the K&K (in my D64) had a better acoustic sound than the DTAR. I also didn't might getting rid of the "look" of the Volume and Tone controls hanging down in the soundhole - anal, I know.

And I really can't notice any difference in unplugged sound as we discussed in this thread:

http://www.letstalkguild.com/ltg/sh...e-a-guitar-negative-effect-on-unplugged-sound

Or at least my ears aren't that good to notice! But either way I'm still very happy with this guitar. It sounds better than I ever expected for it's "small" body. Perhaps it has opened up a bit more with all the playing I'm doing with it? Perhaps it's the NH construction? Who knows? I'm just enjoying it, that's all. And the K&K sounds very "acoustic" and really captures the guitar's sound nicely. I don't play plugged in often, but it will sound good when I do (the guitar that is, hopefully me too!)

walrus

I've heard nothing but rave reviews about the K&K pure mini. I can't imagine replacing the DTAR in my F50R, but it's great you're happy with the switch.

In fact, I was just playing my NH F50R plugged in. Man, that is just the greatest guitar! Still ecstatic after all these months!

Congrats glad it all went well.

My F-30 Std. has that pick up. While I would have preferred no pick up at all, I also have not taken it out, and I would have if it was more intrusive. I agree it probably does not affect the sound much.

Is there more than one DTAR pickup system ? One with a pickup and one with a dual pickup and mic thing ?

JohnW63 said:

Is there more than one DTAR pickup system ? One with a pickup and one with a dual pickup and mic thing ?

Click to expand...

Yes, there was the "lock 'n' load" and then the dual source.

JohnW63 said:

Is there more than one DTAR pickup system ? One with a pickup and one with a dual pickup and mic thing ?

Click to expand...

Cougar said:

Yes, there was the "lock 'n' load" and then the dual source.

Click to expand...

Just a little history: D-TAR was a sister company of Seymour Duncan, and consisted of partners Rick Turner, co-founder of and luthier to the stars, and Seymour Duncan, the electric pickup maker.
D-TAR stood for Duncan-Turner Acoustic Research and focused on acoustic guitar products like pickups and preamps.

There were multiple D-TAR products. Guild for instance used:

D-TAR Multi-Source: https://guildguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/D_TAR_Multi_Source.pdf
D-TAR Wave-Legth (Standad Series): https://guildguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/D_TAR_Wave_Length.pdf
D-TAR Wave-Lenghth UST "Load 'N Lock": https://guildguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/D_TAR_loadnlock.pdf
D-TAR Timber-Line: https://guildguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/D_TAR_Timber_Line.pdf

There were also products like the D-TAR Mama Bear or D-TAR Solstice Digital Acoustic Guitar Amplifiers.

Now the company/brandname D-TAR does no longer exist, Seymor Duncan sells the remaining products simply under their own Seymour Duncan brandname.

SD Overture: https://www.seymourduncan.com/acoustic/overture?__uuid_ref=5c768866cab81
SD Wavelength: https://www.seymourduncan.com/acoustic/wave-length-vol-tone-module?__uuid_ref=5c768866cb16d
SD Wavelength Solo: https://www.seymourduncan.com/acoustic/wavelength-solo?__uuid_ref=5c768866cc368
SD Wavelength Duo: https://www.seymourduncan.com/acous...-source-system-steel?__uuid_ref=5c768866cb7a3

Ralf

Yeah, Ralf got it right.... The Load 'n Lock was a Guild thing that went along with the Wavelength (single source, UST) system. The dual-source had a PCB with built-in condenser mic.

Anyway, Walrus.... Which system did you put in?

[edit: Oh, I'm sorry.... You removed the Wavelength and you went with K&K! I like the K&K pure mini system that I have in my two amplified guitars. Best of luck, Walrus]

I'm on the look out for a DTAR multi source, as I like the mic and pickup blendy thing. I figure I could find a DTAR for less than a new Seymour Duncan version.

Probably so, John, and DEFINITELY go for the multi-source.

The Solstice and Mama Bear are not amplifiers as we think of "amps" but pre-amplifiers or processors that go in line between the instrument and final amplification source.
Fingerstyle master Andy McKee used a pair of them on stage last time I saw him live.

chazmo said:

Probably so, John, and DEFINITELY go for the multi-source.

Click to expand...

I have guitars with the K&K Mini, The DTAR Wavelength and the DTAR Multi Source and others as well. Personally, I don't have a clear cut favorite but I'm a big fan of the DTAR systems. The big end piece on the Lock and Load is a turn off for some and I get that. I have the Lock and Load on probably 10 different guitars and I love the ease and flexibility of unscrewing the end piece and just dropping in two fresh AA batteries. It's really inconvenient if you're playing out somewhere and your battery dies. In many systems that means loosening all the strings to get to the battery, then replacing it and then tuning to pitch again. I'm a horrible string changer and it takes me forever. I detest everything about changing strings personally.

To me, having the volume and tone controls (especially the volume) in an easy to reach location inside the soundhole is a huge plus and at least for me personally, being able to visually see them is a non issue. I seldom play out any more. I'll fill in at Church once in a while or play the occasional benefit for those people and animals that need some help but I still appreciate the ease and flexibility of the Lock and Load DTAR system.