Rookie needs advice

[jstroop]

I have a new guitar (well, new to me) that I absolutely love. It’s my all-around go-to instrument now. I can see the day when I might want/need to plug it in, but I don’t want to drill holes in it! My online research has turned up two possible options - the soundhole pickup or a clip on soundhole microphone. Any advice on those choices, or other possibilities, would be welcome.

Thanks
Joe

[windfall]

Just one perspective... I started with one of those wooden pick ups that just fits into the soundhole. Not great sound quality. I upgraded to an LR Baggs passive M1 and for a while had the cord hanging instead of routing it through the strap button. I didn't want to drill holes in my gorgeous cherry sunburst Dove.

One time at a rehearsal I stepped on the cord and the whole thing came out - fortunately not taking chunks of the guitar with it. But the next day I took it to a luthier who put in a jack socket where the strap button used to be - the usual thing. Never regretted it.

[jstroop]

Originally Posted by windfall

Just one perspective... I started with one of those wooden pick ups that just fits into the soundhole. Not great sound quality. I upgraded to an LR Baggs passive M1 and for a while had the cord hanging instead of routing it through the strap button. I didn't want to drill holes in my gorgeous cherry sunburst Dove.

One time at a rehearsal I stepped on the cord and the whole thing came out - fortunately not taking chunks of the guitar with it. But the next day I took it to a luthier who put in a jack socket where the strap button used to be - the usual thing. Never regretted it.

Wow, thanks. Lesson learned the hard way, huh?

[martingitdave]

Drilling the endpin for a pickup jack opens you to a world of possible pickup options.

[windfall]

Originally Posted by jstroop

Wow, thanks. Lesson learned the hard way, huh?

Yep! The end pin jack is such a straightforward thing - though worth getting it done professionally. I would recommend it if you are going to amplify. Less invasive than undersaddles though you do have the pick up sitting across the soundhole of course.

[jstroop]

Thanks Dave & Windfall. I’m sure this is the rational solution ... but I feel the need to explore other options. This guitar doesn’t even have strap buttons. It’s pristine!

[JakeStone]

I recently bought a 23 yr old Gibson..
It didn't have a pickup or the proper end pin hole for a pickup..

But like you.. I wanted to use the guitar plugged in and I gig occasionally with it.. So I went ahead and had my Luthier drill out my end pin... $25 bucks and 15 minutes time. My guy has a special drill bit that does a really nice, safe and clean job.

I did opt for a LR Baggs M80 sound hole pickup. Works really well and the end pin that came with it looks good too!

[Monsum]

There is always IK Multimedia iRig Acoustic Stage as an alternative

[Rumblefish]

There is a company called Tapastring that makes an end pin jack that requires no drilling or permanent modifications. You can mount a sound hole pickup like the DiMarzio Angel or the LRBaggs Lyric without the cord hanging from your sound hole and it’s stereo ready if you want to add a second source like a clip on mic.

[takatsukimike]

Originally Posted by jstroop

I have a new guitar (well, new to me) that I absolutely love. It’s my all-around go-to instrument now. I can see the day when I might want/need to plug it in, but I don’t want to drill holes in it! My online research has turned up two possible options - the soundhole pickup or a clip on soundhole microphone. Any advice on those choices, or other possibilities, would be welcome.

Thanks
Joe

Hi Joe,

I second the opinion of those who say it's worth it to get the end-pin jack installed. It's barely noticable and just involves using a special reaming tool to widen the hole.

Where my view differs is that a sound hole pick-up is not to my tastes. I would go for either the K&K pure western mini, with an external preamp, ideally LR Baggs Para DI, or something like an LR Baggs I-beam.

[rokdog49]

Originally Posted by takatsukimike

Hi Joe,

I second the opinion of those who say it's worth it to get the end-pin jack installed. It's barely noticable and just involves using a special reaming tool to widen the hole.

Where my view differs is that a sound hole pick-up is not to my tastes. I would go for either the K&K pure western mini, with an external preamp, ideally LR Baggs Para DI, or something like an LR Baggs I-beam.

The Baggs I-Beam is a great pickup no matter what you decide to do. It's the most natural sounding pickup I have and a have a few different ones.
Good luck

[jstroop]

Originally Posted by JakeStone

I recently bought a 23 yr old Gibson..
It didn't have a pickup or the proper end pin hole for a pickup..

But like you.. I wanted to use the guitar plugged in and I gig occasionally with it.. So I went ahead and had my Luthier drill out my end pin... $25 bucks and 15 minutes time. My guy has a special drill bit that does a really nice, safe and clean job.

I did opt for a LR Baggs M80 sound hole pickup. Works really well and the end pin that came with it looks good too!

Thanks, Jake, for the good info. That Gibby is a beaut!

[jstroop]

Originally Posted by Monsum

There is always IK Multimedia iRig Acoustic Stage as an alternative

Thanks, I will check this out.

[jstroop]

Originally Posted by rokdog49

The Baggs I-Beam is a great pickup no matter what you decide to do. It's the most natural sounding pickup I have and a have a few different ones.
Good luck

Thanks for the recommendation, Jamie & Takatsu-san. I have a lot of research to do.

[jstroop]

Originally Posted by Rumblefish

There is a company called Tapastring that makes an end pin jack that requires no drilling or permanent modifications. You can mount a sound hole pickup like the DiMarzio Angel or the LRBaggs Lyric without the cord hanging from your sound hole and it’s stereo ready if you want to add a second source like a clip on mic.

Thanks, I will investigate.