Soundhole/Acoustic Pickups

[Scratch]

I recently purchased three soundhole pickups because I'm recently playing more through an acoustic amplifier. I'm curious what others think or recommend. Of the tree I purchased, I'm impressed with the Fishman: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=303160

I'd rank the DiMarzio #2. I like the volume control on it, but I think the Fishman is a better pickup: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=302357

I bought the Seymour Duncan because it was economical. Wouldn't recommend it, though:: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/ ... sku=300132

I'm awaiting arrival of a D212 and I'm thinking of possibly adding Hot Dots, but I don't know much about them. I think Mark has them on his 312. Recommendations? Expensive? Advice?

 

[fungusyoung]

I have an LR Baggs M1 (passive) in my D15, and it's very nice. Sounds great when used with the LR Baggs Para D/I. The M1 is not the most natural acoustic sounding pup, but it's a very cool tone and there are no issues with feedback, etc.

 

[CurtO]

Hi Scratch, I bought a Duncan Woody humbucker for my 12 string and just can't bring myself to use it. It sounds very weak and as if the sound is comming from a tin can. Not at all happy with it, but it was inexpensive. I was surprised because I'v been very happy with all of the Electric guitar pups from Seymour Duncan. I may have to give the Fishman a try. I've been very happy with the Acoustic Matrix Natural 1 in one of my other guitars.

 

[sitka_spruce]

At last you're getting yourself a REAL guitar 8) :wink:

 

[Scratch]

At last you're getting yourself a REAL guitar 8) :wink:

Guess I'll have to learn a few more T. Petty tunes, Sitka... Sure wish the CT operation would churn out another dread 12er! :mrgreen:

 

[Punkybub]

<brokenrecord> K&K Pure Western Mini - less than $100, useable without a preamp, killer acoustic sound. </brokenrecord>

:mrgreen:

 

[Graham]

<brokenrecord> K&K Pure Western Mini - less than $100, useable without a preamp, killer acoustic sound. </brokenrecord>

:mrgreen:

Shorline has these for $86 delivered.

I just ordered one and I'll compare it against the LR Baggs M1 in a few weeks.

 

[Scratch]

<brokenrecord> K&K Pure Western Mini - less than $100, useable without a preamp, killer acoustic sound. </brokenrecord>

:mrgreen:

Shorline has these for $86 delivered.

I just ordered one and I'll compare it against the LR Baggs M1 in a few weeks.

Grammy. Took your lead and just ordered an M1 from Musician's Friend listed at $139.00. Appears they are $169.00 on this site... http://cgi.ebay.com/LR-Baggs-M1-Active- ... m153.l1262

 

[bighouse]

Graham,

I'll be very interested to hear your thoughts about the K&K and the M-1 side-by-side! Lots of nebulous, provocative adjectives if you please!

I have used both, but never had the opportunity to A-B them.

Bill

 

[Graham]

Graham,

I'll be very interested to hear your thoughts about the K&K and the M-1 side-by-side! Lots of nebulous, provocative adjectives if you please!

I have used both, but never had the opportunity to A-B them.

Bill

I hope to have the M1 in the JF-30 for the Ohio Guildstock. If I can swing it, I'll get the K&K into the DV-52 and take it as well, although I'm already taking the '72 D-25 too.

I guess taking three guitars isn't such a biggie. :mrgreen:

 

[fungusyoung]

Graham,

I'll be very interested to hear your thoughts about the K&K and the M-1 side-by-side! Lots of nebulous, provocative adjectives if you please!

I have used both, but never had the opportunity to A-B them.

Bill

There's a very big difference, but they both have their strengths. If you are looking for a truly natural and woody acoustic sound, the K&K Pure Western mini is unbeatable. It is hands down my favorite pup because on top of the killer sound it also requires no batteries or butchering of your guitar when it's installed. I have these in my 000-15, D17 and DV6. I have a passive M-1 in my D15, and it's also very cool... but I'll use this one more for acoustic in band situations when you need something that will not feedback at higher volumes, etc.

They're both really great options, but also very different.

 

[Graham]

Graham,

I'll be very interested to hear your thoughts about the K&K and the M-1 side-by-side! Lots of nebulous, provocative adjectives if you please!

I have used both, but never had the opportunity to A-B them.

Bill

There's a very big difference, but they both have their strengths. If you are looking for a truly natural and woody acoustic sound, the K&K Pure Western mini is unbeatable. It is hands down my favorite pup because on top of the killer sound it also requires no batteries or butchering of your guitar when it's installed. I have these in my 000-15, D17 and DV6. I have a passive M-1 in my D15, and it's also very cool... but I'll use this one more for acoustic in band situations when you need something that will not feedback at higher volumes, etc.

They're both really great options, but also very different.

Thanks for that Fungus

 

[jgmaute]

I've been thinking about adding a pickup to my D-55 and am, as my son would say, "out of my score of practice" so all of the information in this thread is helping. For my use, the K&K looks like the best fit. So here are my questions:

°Is this something you install yourself at home or is it in the "do not try this at home take it to a trained professional"" category?
°In a recording situation would the pickup be better than using a mike? (Assuming that the engineer knows how to mike an acoustic.)
°Does the jack go in the existing end pin hold without modification?
°Does the jack take a standard 1/4 plug?
°Is a pre-amp needed or do you plug in directly to an amp?"

Thanks for your endless help, Joan

 

[dayuhan]

°Does the jack go in the existing end pin hold without modification?

That's something I'd like to know as well.

 

[fungusyoung]

Good questions... I'm an idiot, so I'd probably never consider installing something like this into one of my babies... so I just have a pro do it. The guy that runs this site/shop is a friend and he's also installed 2 out of my 3 K&K mini's.... this demonstration should show you everything you need to know & more.... well, at least enough to judge if you want to undertake the task yourself or not:

http://www.frettech.com/kk/index.html

 

[jgmaute]

Thanks for the info and link...easy decision on that question...I'll take it to a trained professional.
Joan

 

[bighouse]

Fungus,
That is a great tutorial link! Best I've seen. I have installed 4 of these myself now and it's not that difficult if I can do it. The key, I think, is to practice several times without the glue until you get comfortable working with your hands inside the guitar/by feel. The mirror is of little use once your hand is inside the guitar. And, oh yeah, follow the directions!

I do like the "more natural" sound (at least to my ears) of the K&K, though they are are prone to feeding back in louder-than-solo situations. I used a soundhole feedback buster, and engaged the phase inverter on my PADI, the last time I played out with a group and was able to pretty much eliminate the issue. The $5 black rubber feedback busters (think toilet plunger quality rubber) are butt ugly, but they do the job. I'm presently trying to justify one of the spendy, hand-carved wood feedback eliminators from Lute Hole. GAS is chronic.

I thought the M-1 had great clarity, and was quite sensitive (tho not too much so) but the magnetic sound, particularly on the unwound strings, just doesn't satisfy my ear.

Bill

 

[bighouse]

Just to try and answer a couple of Joan's questions:

I have recorded my Lowden and when we played back the different tracks (mic and pup) there was little discernible difference between the quality of the two - and these were good quality mics. The K&K produces a pretty faithful and natural sounding signal.

A pre-amp is not absolutely necessary tho recommended. I'm not able to speak to the technical bit here, other than to say a pre-amp will provide some boost to your signal and allow you to do a bit of EQ if you desire.

If your guitar has only the factory end pin in it you will need to drill out the hole to accommodate the jack/strap pin. Taking a power tool to your guitar for the first time is a bit nerve-wracking, but if you follow the instructions on Fungus' link, you'll be right, mate!

I hope this is helpful.

Bill

 

[fungusyoung]

I thought the M-1 had great clarity, and was quite sensitive (tho not too much so) but the magnetic sound, particularly on the unwound strings, just doesn't satisfy my ear.

Great stuff, Bill. You definitely gave those on the fence of which pup to get some great things to consider. Totally agree with you on the "magnetic" sound of the M-1... it's definitely not everyone's cup of tea, but I kind of dig it in louder band situations. It's not a real natural reproduction of my D15's sound by any stretch, but by using this with a Para D/I I can get what I need out of it... and it's feedback busting is a reliable plus.

 

[Punkybub]

For the endpin jack question -

You can use a standard endpin jack that accepts a 1/4" guitar plug, but you need to ream out the endpin hole to install it. I believe it needs a hole 1/2" or so - not a big difference but a difference.

There's another place that makes endpin jacks that fit into the original endpin hole here. The advantage is that you don't mess with your instrument, but they're pretty spendy and require a smaller jack to use (included w/the endpin). Maybe worth the $ to install a pickup w/the smaller jack so that you could remove both down the road with little or no evidence they were ever there.

In the past I've just reamed out the endpins on my guitars and used the standard jacks, but for a couple I'm eventually going to try the fancier version to avoid seeing vintage sawdust littering the floor ... :shock:

I don't like the idea of having to use a special cable/end (fears of leaving it home while at a gig - possible disaster), but I suppose the special cables could live in their respective special-cable-needed guitar cases... :roll: