Dtar & Other Electronic Options

[Scratch]

Just an observation on Dtar... I visited with Ross the magic luthier last week. I go by once a week or so, just to chat and see what he's working on.

Anyway, he was working away on a Tacoma D50 replacing the Dtar with an undersaddle pickup. He showed me a box full of Dtars he had removed from several instruments played by musicians on the Austin, San Marcos, New Braunfels circuit. I asked him why and he responded that weight is the biggest complaint and it outweighs the easy battery replacement benefit.

I came home that evening and played 'Pahdnah'. I usually play sitting on a stool, so I hadn't payed that much attention, but when I stood up to play (its hard to tell when I'm standing :? ) I immediately noticed the lower bout weight difference compared with my other 6ers.

Don't get me wrong. I wouldn't part with the D55 for anything and since I don't stand when I (try to) play, the weight thing doesn't bother me that much anyway. In terms of electronics, however; I really prefer the fishman preamps on Gipper and Lucky compared with the volume/control wheels on the D-55.

I haven't seen any D55s with preamps. Wish they offer as an option at the soon to be East Coast Guild facility... Any opinions?

 

[Guildmark]

How does it sound, Scratch?

I know a lot of folks don't like the big-ol' honkin' pipe fitting the D-tar puts on the endpin (I don't either), but the convenience of changing the batteries seems to "outweigh" that. (Sorry. NPI.)

I had a Baggs active iBeam mounted in my D-55 last summer. I love it. Haven't had to change a battery yet, it has a normal endpin, I like the discrete volume wheel inside the soundhole, and I've been getting many compliments on the tone. I'm starting to think about putting one in my G-312 now, bypassing the factory original Hot Dots.

 

[Scratch]

She sounds great, Mark. Just kinda heavy in the bout; that's all. Are you bringing the 312 to Arlington again? Sure would like to hear what it sounds like hooked up to an amp.

 

[Dr Izza Plumber]

Gotta love those IBeams. I've installed one into My D55, and another into My GAD G212.
Don't even know they are there, but ahh........now tuning both of those guitars is a breeze!

 

[FelX]

I'm very interested in buying a D-Tar for my GAD JF-30. I bought one without a pickup, but these days we plan to start making some more acoustic stuff and I need something more than a mic.

Any suggestions where to get D-Tar in Europe? In last few days I wrote many emails to online shop but either thay don't have anything or they wouldn't ship to Europe.

Thanks for any info on these...


Matija

 

[sitka_spruce]

I'm very interested in buying a D-Tar for my GAD JF-30. I bought one without a pickup, but these days we plan to start making some more acoustic stuff and I need something more than a mic.

Any suggestions where to get D-Tar in Europe? In last few days I wrote many emails to online shop but either thay don't have anything or they wouldn't ship to Europe.

Thanks for any info on these...


Matija

Well, there's this thing called eBay...

 

[count savage]

I purchased my new F 512 with the D-Tar already installed. I really like the small, discreet volume and tone knobs inside. The sucker IS a heavy acoustic, but, having played live for years using guitar straps with Les Pauls, Telecasters, Strats, a Vox 12-string, the weight isn't really an issue. Was impressed with the sound and accuracy. In fact, I'm thinking about putting a D-Tar in my Larrivee six string.

 

[jp]

I'm very interested in buying a D-Tar for my GAD JF-30. I bought one without a pickup, but these days we plan to start making some more acoustic stuff and I need something more than a mic.

Any suggestions where to get D-Tar in Europe? In last few days I wrote many emails to online shop but either thay don't have anything or they wouldn't ship to Europe.

Thanks for any info on these...


Matija

Dealer List from the Duncan-Turner website.

 

[FelX]

Thanks, I just found it on ebay

 

[6L6]

I have a Fishman Matrix pup in my '74 D-40 and '06 D-55.

I also have an '06 D-40BJ and '06 F-412 with the Highlander iP-2 pup installed. If I had to lean one way or the other, I'd probably go with the iP-2 although both sound really good to my ear.

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