Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2014 15:30:01 GMT -7
Looking for something with a very natural acoustic sound--hate the piezo pingy-ness of a standard under-bridge Fishman, etc. Thoughts?
|
|
|
Post by "Z" Steve on Jun 3, 2014 16:25:42 GMT -7
I have the K&K Western Mini in my Bourgeois. It is an under the saddle install but can be removed easy enough if needed - also doesn't require a battery. I also use the K&K Pure XLR preamp to give me control of the level and EQ depending on where I play out with it.
www.kksound.com/
|
|
|
Post by j4gitr (John) on Jun 3, 2014 22:29:19 GMT -7
I have the K&K Western Mini in my Bourgeois. It is an under the saddle install but can be removed easy enough if needed - also doesn't require a battery. I also use the K&K Pure XLR preamp to give me control of the level and EQ depending on where I play out with it.
www.kksound.com/ Absolutely loved my K&K on my Martin 000-28EC so I installed a second on my old 70's Guild. The XLR preamp, since it's outboard, services both guitars. Nice people at K&K as well.
|
|
|
Post by hymns on Jun 4, 2014 4:18:06 GMT -7
I really like the sunrise with an Avalon 737sp channel strip.
|
|
|
Post by benttop (Steve) on Jun 4, 2014 6:37:41 GMT -7
I have the K&K Western Mini in my Bourgeois. It is an under the saddle install but can be removed easy enough if needed - also doesn't require a battery. I also use the K&K Pure XLR preamp to give me control of the level and EQ depending on where I play out with it.
www.kksound.com/ Absolutely loved my K&K on my Martin 000-28EC so I installed a second on my old 70's Guild. The XLR preamp, since it's outboard, services both guitars. Nice people at K&K as well. Glad to see this - I have the Lyric in my 000-28EC and it sounds really boxy no matter what I plug into. Thinking I need something else.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2014 7:08:44 GMT -7
Anybody got experience with the Baggs I-Beam? I've used soundplate-style pickups in the past and like them a lot, but haven't tried the I-Beam.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2014 7:35:10 GMT -7
I've got a K&K Pure Mini installed in my lone acoustic. Its really nice, and a simple install. Never used the Baggs before.
|
|
|
Post by "Z" Steve on Jun 4, 2014 8:12:28 GMT -7
Absolutely loved my K&K on my Martin 000-28EC so I installed a second on my old 70's Guild. The XLR preamp, since it's outboard, services both guitars. Nice people at K&K as well. Glad to see this - I have the Lyric in my 000-28EC and it sounds really boxy no matter what I plug into. Thinking I need something else. Hey Steve - though I am real happy with my K&K I did have a weird experience with my Guild F40 years ago. The pickup system is a combo under saddle and condenser mic which was installed about 20 years ago. About 10 years ago I have some work done on it and when I got it back it sounded more like a resonator guitar than an acoustic. The tech didn't re-install the saddle correctly and that caused the "odd" sound when plugged into anything. If you have positive reviews re your Lyric it may just be the install - something to consider.
|
|
|
Post by benttop (Steve) on Jun 4, 2014 10:30:20 GMT -7
Glad to see this - I have the Lyric in my 000-28EC and it sounds really boxy no matter what I plug into. Thinking I need something else. Hey Steve - though I am real happy with my K&K I did have a weird experience with my Guild F40 years ago. The pickup system is a combo under saddle and condenser mic which was installed about 20 years ago. About 10 years ago I have some work done on it and when I got it back it sounded more like a resonator guitar than an acoustic. The tech didn't re-install the saddle correctly and that caused the "odd" sound when plugged into anything. If you have positive reviews re your Lyric it may just be the install - something to consider. Well the Lyric is a microphone only - no saddle element at all. The mic installs under the bridge plate, and points right at the back of that, so there isn't really any way to really muck it up. Really a well designed setup for foolproof installations. I asked on the Martin forum about it, and finally got the answer that they usually sound pretty boxy on the small box guitars. That mic system sounds better on the D style guitars I guess. So thinking of a change, and everyone who's had the K&K seems to like it.
|
|
|
Post by brayks on Jun 4, 2014 15:29:27 GMT -7
I have a K&K PowerMix Trinity system in my Bourgeois JOMC and love it. Plug straight into a PA for great natural acoustic sound. Highly recommended.
|
|
|
Post by zpilot on Jun 6, 2014 19:10:11 GMT -7
I'm a big fan of K&K stuff for it's natural sound, but here is the rub. A really natural sounding pickup (any) will be more prone to feedback when played at higher volumes, such as with a band, and especially when near bass heavy instruments. Systems with internal mics are really bad about feeding back and I don't think they add that much to the overall sound. The LR Baggs LB6 pickup is the best compromise I've found but it is limited to 1/8" saddles. It is not an under-saddle pickup. It is built into the saddle itself. It has enough output where you don't need a preamp in the guitar.
|
|
|
Post by Andy 67 on Jun 10, 2014 6:15:44 GMT -7
I have an L.R Baggs M1A installed in my Martin D16, and I think it's an awesome pickup, and not way too expensive. Tons of tone!!
|
|
|
Post by justblues on Jun 11, 2014 7:13:56 GMT -7
I played in a 3 piece band (using an acoustic for the first set) and a duo for several years. I had the Baggs M1 and with a decent preamp was able to dial in a great sound that could hang with a band w/o feedback issues (as long as I stayed away from the bass player). I have also tried the K&K, b-band AST and a fishman undersaddle with Aura system. All sounded nice with some eq tweaking at lower volumes. Only the Baggs M1 and Fishman undersaddle with an Aura could play at louder volumes (with drums and bass). FWIW, the Aura system really sounds pretty good, but takes a bit of work to dial in a good sound. Also, the more "acoustic" sounding you set the Aura, the more prone to feedback it becomes. Of course a more resonant guitar is going to be more prone to feedback. My Martin D-18GE is a large bodied guitar and very lively acoustically...great with the duo, but often unusable with the band. I often used a Takamine which had a solid top with laminated sides ... The thing was a dud acoustically, but sounded okay in the mix and up to volume. For lower volume single or duo, all these pickups worked well ... My favorite was the b-band with a D-Tar Solstice preamp ... really great preamp! Here is a great forum you can find some helpful info... www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/index.php
|
|
|
Post by BW on Jun 11, 2014 7:23:32 GMT -7
Take a gander at this one. I'm not much of an acoustic player, and I bought a Taylor 510 back in the 80's that didn't have a pickup in it, and I was hesitant to install one. My good friend Greg Romano hipped me to the MiSi pickup and I must say it sounds great, no batteries, just plug it into 110 volts for a minute or two and it charges a cap that is good for the whole night. mi-si.com/products/
|
|
|
Post by markT on Jun 11, 2014 8:14:05 GMT -7
Take a gander at this one. I'm not much of an acoustic player, and I bought a Taylor 510 back in the 80's that didn't have a pickup in it, and I was hesitant to install one. My good friend Greg Romano hipped me to the MiSi pickup and I must say it sounds great, no batteries, just plug it into 110 volts for a minute or two and it charges a cap that is good for the whole night.mi-si.com/products/WOW!!! Cool concept!! Need to look into this one~
|
|
|
Post by justblues on Jun 13, 2014 5:22:14 GMT -7
|
|
|
Post by Maddog on Jun 13, 2014 5:36:36 GMT -7
LR Baggs M1 Active
|
|
|
Post by j4gitr (John) on Jun 13, 2014 6:36:41 GMT -7
Take a gander at this one. I'm not much of an acoustic player, and I bought a Taylor 510 back in the 80's that didn't have a pickup in it, and I was hesitant to install one. My good friend Greg Romano hipped me to the MiSi pickup and I must say it sounds great, no batteries, just plug it into 110 volts for a minute or two and it charges a cap that is good for the whole night.mi-si.com/products/WOW!!! Cool concept!! Need to look into this one~ Very intriguing. Now I need a new acoustic to try this out. I'll see if this works on my wife as I try to justify another guitar.
|
|
|
Post by zpilot on Jun 13, 2014 10:02:07 GMT -7
I've had a chance to run sound for a couple of guys with M1 pickups and they were impressive. I'm really interested in the new M80, which is supposed to be even better. If I ever get back into playing acoustic on stage again I'll probably try one in my Martin.
Let me add this. At the church our music director plays a really cheap Martin with Formica sides and back and a cheap Fishman pickup. I run a Yamaha LS9 board with all of the EQ and processors anyone could want. I've managed to make that guitar sound pretty darn good. I've had comments from other professional musicians on how 'natural' it sounds. I've even gotten decent sounds out of a entry level Fender flat top from Wal-Mart. So something like an LR Baggs Para DI can go a long way toward making ANY pickup sound good. A narrow band parametric can remove most of that piezo quack.
|
|
|
Post by justblues on Jun 14, 2014 5:26:11 GMT -7
+1 ... The Baggs PADI is a great tool. A decent preamp is just as important as the pickup choice (maybe more so).
|
|
|
Post by justblues on Jul 11, 2014 5:49:34 GMT -7
|
|
|
Post by drockafella80 on Jul 13, 2014 14:06:53 GMT -7
I have the Martin Thinline Gold Plus saddle in both my HD-28v and D-35SA.. Sounds great in the big dreadnoughts!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2014 17:14:10 GMT -7
Definitely leaning toward the Baggs Lyric--very natural sound, if the clips are accurate. Wouldn't have to be hugely feedback resistant, but apparently is anyway.
|
|
|
Post by mcook217 on Jul 20, 2014 18:25:55 GMT -7
I have an anthem on the way. Should be here tomorrow. I can't wait to get it installed and try it out this weekend.
|
|
|
Post by Christopher on Jul 20, 2014 19:47:52 GMT -7
I have a baggs pickup that hangs in the sound hole. I prefer it to a thinline style sound. It's a much truer sound to my ears. Sounds best w an eq or boost BC its passive and not overly hot outputwise. Gotta look into that one BW mentioned.
|
|
|
Post by zpilot on Jul 29, 2014 12:07:00 GMT -7
I have a baggs pickup that hangs in the sound hole. I prefer it to a thinline style sound. It's a much truer sound to my ears. Sounds best w an eq or boost BC its passive and not overly hot outputwise. Gotta look into that one BW mentioned. I recently ran sound for the acoustic duo "Barnaby Bright". The guitarist was using an LR Baggs M1 and it sounded wonderful. Very acoustic sounding yet it had a little of that 'Michael Hedges/Sunrise pickup' vibe. You can find several of their performances on YouTube so check them out. The YouTube recordings don't quite capture the live sound but you will get the idea. Listen at 3:33.
|
|
|
Post by Christopher on Jul 29, 2014 13:13:24 GMT -7
Pretty nifty handwork there at 3:33+. Thanks for the share.
|
|
|
Post by mustachio on Jul 31, 2014 22:44:18 GMT -7
I used to have all K & K stuff, but I bought a D-18V with a pre installed Fishman Ellipse. I cant believe how awesome that Ellipse is. Good luck!
|
|
davej
New Member
Posts: 18
|
Post by davej on Aug 21, 2014 19:27:14 GMT -7
I also have a D-18V with the ellipse blend. It does sound good, but is VERY feed-back prone (there's a mic in there). And if you use a feedback buster you can't reach the controls.
I use a K&K pure mini in another guitar (Guild D-30) and I like it very well. It's not as feedback-prone, and you can insert a feedback buster. But I did find the K&K to be best plugged in direct to the PA. Does not always sound good with many acoustic guitar amps. Actually, I prefer to use a powered PA speaker as an amp.
|
|
|
Post by harry on Aug 25, 2014 17:20:27 GMT -7
Love both the M1A and the K&K stuff in my Collings D2H. What I like about the K&K is that I do not have to install the PU and it is ready to go; I like to take the PU off when not plugged in to a PA. I run it through an LR Baggs Venue DI and I can dial out the feedback if it creeps in.
|
|