Acoustic Pickups re-visited

[dklsplace]

Yes, there has been a few threads on this topic....so here's another one.

I'm in the market for a couple acoustic pickups. My only experience has been with the under saddle active type (several brands) & most have been passable, some horrid. My preference is to at least have an onboard volume control.

Seems there has been a flood of new technologies in the last few years in this area, so what are your experiences & recommendations? Tell me why you prefer one over others you have tried.

 

[bluegrass jubilee]

i don't use acoustic pickups, so i can't give a recommendation based on experience. but i hear good things about the baggs M-1 and the K & K pure western

 

[6L6]

I was sold on the Fishman Matrix system. Then I played a Highlander iP-2 and was quickly converted to it. Almost ZERO piezo quack and more accurate acoustic tone.

I had the Highlander installed in my new D-40BJ and will soon refit my oither acoustics with it as well.

6

 

[Jahn]

the Matrix definitely has quack, even with an onboard Prefix system attached to it. i've had good experiences with the fishman rare earth soundhole pickup tho, and you can pop it on and off like the Dean Markley one without touching or drilling the guitar itself. Still doesn't sound like a real acoustic tho.

 

[RussD]

I'm so glad you guys mentioned it first: what the heck is "quack?"

I can think of 10 quick come-backs, but I, too, am shopping for a couple of pickups and heard quack mentioned a couple of times.

 

[dklsplace]

Found this site with a fair amount of acoustic pickup comparisons. Just wish he had used the same guitar set of guitars for each test.

K&K & Highlander are both quite good. The M1 ranks up there & I also like the Trance acoustic offerings, but they're pretty pricey.

 

[Steelpickin']

I like these:
http://www.lrbaggs.com/html/products/sy ... beam.shtml

as well as this one:

http://www.schattendesign.com/HFN-Artist.htm

allthough neither of these have the volume control that you desire.
That aside, I think a lot of it dependes on the individual guitar in question. Maybe thats why so many folks swear by/ at paticular brands.
I have seen identical pickups in the same model guitar sound so different when played side by side.

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

I'm so glad you guys mentioned it first: what the heck is "quack?"

I can think of 10 quick come-backs, but I, too, am shopping for a couple of pickups and heard quack mentioned a couple of times.

Russell, "quack" is a voltage spike that comes when you play a UST-equipted guitar too hard. Makes your guitar generally sound like it's strung w/ rubber bands...

Two cures...higher headroom pre-amp (generally 18-volt) or learning how to control how hard you play (otoh, this translates into a much nicer sound unplugged, as well).

Hope this helps.

 

[Fstpicker]

I highly recommend the K & K pickups. Very natural and loud. I will never go back to Fishman undersaddle pickups after having one of these instead.

Jeff

 

[Jeff]

Don,

This site has a dozen or so different clips of various acoustic pickups & then a section on mikes & I noticed some discussion of D tar here.


Here's a sample:

http://www.andromedan.com/movies/g230sunrise1.wmv

Article is over a year old.

Link to site here: http://www.fingerpick.com/pickups.htm

 

[Firebird]

I have a K and K pickup in my D55. Although I do like it very much, it has a VERY strong midrange to it that I do not like. The D55 has a naturally strong midrange and the pickup tends to exagerate it. I solved the problem by running the signal through a seven band stomp box EQ with the midrange frequencies nearly zeroed out. When I record, I always use a mic. The pickup earns its keep when I play coffee-houses, church, etc. Its just easier. I do however, like the K and K much better than the Fishman pickup thats in one of my other guitars.

 

[Mr. P ~]

I have an LR Baggs Element active in my D-25. I like it pretty well, but it does have big flat yellow feet if you push it too hard. It would do real nicely with microphone blended with it.

I am thinking about a B-Band A2.2 with XOM for my D-40. A local song writer that runs a regular song writers night uses it in his Martin and it is just perfect to my ear.

 

[The General]

I just purchased the LR Baggs IMix pick-up with the element and I beam Transducer. I haven't installed it yet but the reviews I have read and the sound bites I have heard seem convincing. Wish me luck and I will report back after the install and let you know how it sounds! I am installing on the DV-52

The General 8)

 

[fungusyoung]

I'll be honest, I've had very good luck the Fishman Matrix Natural. I have those in both of my Guilds, and I've played them live a couple times now (taking the D25 out again tomorrow). But, I just recently had a K&K Pure Western installed in my Martin 000-15. I absolutely love it.

While I don't like and don't have any onboard controls, the LR Baggs Para DI Box is an awesome alternative. It is very easy to tweak in a hurry, and it sounds great. If the Fishman are quackers, this must greatly reduce it... or maybe I'm just not an audiophile.

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

I'll be honest, I've had very good luck the Fishman Matrix Natural. I have those in both of my Guilds, and I've played them live a couple times now (taking the D25 out again tomorrow). But, I just recently had a K&K Pure Western installed in my Martin 000-15. I absolutely love it.

While I don't like and don't have any onboard controls, the LR Baggs Para DI Box is an awesome alternative. It is very easy to tweak in a hurry, and it sounds great. If the Fishman are quackers, this must greatly reduce it... or maybe I'm just not an audiophile.

Yeah, the Baggs unit is the only way to go, IMABO!

I agree that there's no need for controls in an acoustic guitar if you understand dynamics...if you want it louder, play harder, if you want it softer, play more gently, if you want it brighter, pick closer to the bridge, if you want it mellower, pick up by the end of the fingerboard...it is an acoustic guitar! 8)

Only drawback to SBTs, like the K&K is the much lower feedback resistence...I just stick w/ the USTs and get a good sound w/ those - it's not that difficult.

 

[dklsplace]

I'll be giving Schatten a call in the next day or two.

Trying to compare apples to apples on the site I listed above, the Schatten had more potential for my over all style (or should I say all-over?). The Artist II listed on their website has some potential for blending 2 inputs, though it wasn't on any of the samples I've found. Aside from that, it doesn't appear that they have a dealer in Michigan so I might be able to kill two birds with one stone. 8)

 

[dklsplace]

Now that's the kind of company that's soooo nice to deal with. Very pleasant conversation with Rod & I'm now the sole dealer in the state of Michigan for Schatten pickups!

Anyone interested before I place my first order? The Artist II will be available with thumb wheel controls (in the soundhole) later this year & will be a retrofit to the current model.

 

[dklsplace]

UPS brought a few new Schatten pickups today along with an Ultrasound DI Plus. I'll be putting one in my JF-65 soon. Reviews to follow!

 

[Guildmark]

Anxious to hear what you think, Don!

 

[Jeff]

Anxious to hear what you think, Don!

Ditto, particularly on the Ultrasound DI Plus.