Pickup recommendation that can be SWITCHED between guitars ?

[GibbyPrague]

Hi, i need a pickup recommendation that allows me to easily switch the pickup between my Gibson, Ibanez and Taylor.

Style of playing will be primarily strumming and flat picking.

Thinking right now of a Fishman Rare earth Humbucker or blend.

What are your thoughts ?

cheers.

[Ray B]

LR Baggs M-1a.

Ray

[folkfan]

+1 on the Baggs M1 either active or passive

[Side Man]

Originally Posted by TaylorPrague

Hi, i need a pickup recommendation that allows me to easily switch the pickup between my Gibson, Ibanez and Taylor.

Style of playing will be primarily strumming and flat picking.

Thinking right now of a Fishman Rare earth Humbucker or blend.

What are your thoughts ?

cheers.

You have good taste...

[15 Man]

I've got a Baggs M -1 Passive in my Martin and I love it. You can use it without a pre amp; but it sounds a whole lot better with one. One thing to be aware of is this. When you're using a pick, make sure that you keep that hand down near the bridge. If the pick hits the pickup, you get a very audible clicking sound through your amp or PA. However, after not too much time I was able to change my picking habits and it's no longer a problem.

[Doug Young]

Most magnetics, Rare Earth, Baggs M1, Duncan MagMic, and many more, would be good choices, especially if you're playing loud or with a band. There are also various mics, like the DPA4099, the new K&K Meridian, Miniflex Model 2, and others than can be quickly attached. The Schertler Dyn-G sticks on with putty and is easily moved. I'm probably forgetting some.

[alohachris]

Aloha,

IMO. it's not a good idea to constantly move pickups around from guitar to guitar all the time, even dynamics. Bad things tend to happen - such as string to string tonal and power imbalances, a cable that gets caught in your feet because you forgot which guitar you were using, or worse, scratches and other damage around your soundhole.

Doug's suggestion of the Schertler DYN-G is the best of the choices offered thus far. It doesn't offer an instantaneous change, more of a "on your break" type of change. But it really does sound very good.

I suggest you put dual-source pickups in each of your gigging guitars as $ allows. Works flawlessly for my three gigging guitars. And you don't have to think about it - important if you're gigging.

If your venues allow it, consider using a good hypercardioid microphone. That would be the most natural sounding and least hassle choice.

alohachris

[GibbyPrague]

So after the recommendation from the folks here i finally bought the Baggs M1Active pickup.

Impression: sounds very natural when strummed and when picking on the high strings.

BUT: Im getting a horrible 'quacky' sound or as Rick Jones put it 'phased' sound when picking some of the notes on the Low E and A. Not open but just when picked up the neck in particular around the 5-7th frets.

It is completely not natural and completely unacceptable.

Could anyone provide some urgent advice or tips on what it coud be and how to fix it.

Much appreciated.

[SpruceTop]

Originally Posted by TaylorPrague

So after the recommendation from the folks here i finally bought the Baggs M1Active pickup.

Impression: sounds very natural when strummed and when picking on the high strings.

BUT: Im getting a horrible 'quacky' sound or as Rick Jones put it 'phased' sound when picking some of the notes on the Low E and A. Not open but just when picked up the neck in particular around the 5-7th frets.

It is completely not natural and completely unacceptable.

Could anyone provide some urgent advice or tips on what it coud be and how to fix it.

Much appreciated.

Take it out of your guitar and sell it! Now, install a Fishman Infinity Matrix UST system in your guitar, and think too about buying a Fishman Aura Sixteen Pedal. With the Fishman Infinity Matrix system alone, you'll have a superior, acoustic tone compared to the L.R. Baggs M1 electric-guitar-like amplified tone, but coupled with the Fishman Aura sixteen Pedal, the Infinity Matrix will deliver a very natural-sounding. mic'ed-like amplified tone.

Regards,

SpruceTop

[Side Man]

[QUOTE=TaylorPrague;2238683]So after the recommendation from the folks here i finally bought the Baggs M1Active pickup.

I rescind my previous post that you have good taste. Like Spruce Top said...

[GibbyPrague]

Originally Posted by SpruceTop

Take it out of your guitar and sell it! Now, install a Fishman Infinity Matrix UST system in your guitar, and think too about buying a Fishman Aura Sixteen Pedal. With the Fishman Infinity Matrix system alone, you'll have a superior, acoustic tone compared to the L.R. Baggs M1 electric-guitar-like amplified tone, but coupled with the Fishman Aura sixteen Pedal, the Infinity Matrix will deliver a very natural-sounding. mic'ed-like amplified tone.

Regards,

SpruceTop

You dont work for Fishman by any chance Spruce Top ?

[SpruceTop]

Originally Posted by TaylorPrague

You dont work for Fishman by any chance Spruce Top ?

I wish I did!

Regards,

SpruceTop

[rmyAddison]

Sunrise soundhole pickups, if you can find one, are in a league by themselves, but far the least magnetic sounding of the soundholes I have tried/heard.

[Side Man]

Originally Posted by rmyAddison

Sunrise soundhole pickups, if you can find one, are in a league by themselves, but far the least magnetic sounding of the soundholes I have tried/heard.

Here we go... A vote for the 25 year-old modified humbucker pickup designed by Tim Shaw, who at the time worked for Gibson, who in turn licensed the design to Jim Kaufman, who continues to build 'em today. IMHO, file under 'you can't pay enough for this pickup'. That being said, it's a venerable old design and decent sounding pickup but the technology has come a long way since the 1980's. You no longer need a quarter pound of magnets sitting on the top of your guitar.

However like I've stated before on this forum, sound is subjective - suggest you don't take anyone else's advice but use your own ears to make your decision - 'cause you're the one who has to live with the consequences.

Hey - where's the guy who is gonna tell everyone that the K&K is the way to go?

[GibbyPrague]

Originally Posted by Side Man

Here we go... A vote for the 25 year-old modified humbucker pickup designed by Tim Shaw, who at the time worked for Gibson, who in turn licensed the design to Jim Kaufman, who continues to build 'em today. IMHO, file under 'you can't pay enough for this pickup'. That being said, it's a venerable old design and decent sounding pickup but the technology has come a long way since the 1980's. You no longer need a quarter pound of magnets sitting on the top of your guitar.

However like I've stated before on this forum, sound is subjective - suggest you don't take anyone else's advice but use your own ears to make your decision - 'cause you're the one who has to live with the consequences.

Hey - where's the guy who is gonna tell everyone that the K&K is the way to go?

Well, looks like i will be living with the consequences.

And that being that the M1a is ready to go into the trash can - what a shocker !

While a change of the battery seemed to help, overall i cant get past that 'quacky' sound that seems to be everpresent. I just cant imagine how one could perform live with such 'effect'.

Ive also compared it directly to the Matrix Infinity on my Furch, where i have it installed and have to say the Matrix is miles ahead, no comparisement.

I just dont know why folks recommended this pickup when i just cant imagine how anyone could play with that horrible quack.

Although when i look at these youtube clips it sounds just fine, none of the horrible quack in earshot, maybe just mine's a dud ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iItRk7hy4Ck

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhOk3...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRMKq...eature=related

Im guessing that i cant send the M1a back at to Mr Baggs ?