Preamp for K&K and Taylor ES1.3

[xtremekustomz]

Looking for something to clean my sound up a little more. I use a Schertler Jam 400 and everything sounds great now but the k&k seems to be a little muddy. I was looking at an LR Baggs Session DI or Venue DI. Is there anything else that would work for me in this situation?

[lt20dbl]

For the past three years, I have been using a Fishman pro eq II. It boosts the signal on my K&K very well and helps make it sound more natural. I have tried the Baggs Gigpro and never could seem to get it right. I originally used the older Fishman model G and that sounded great as well. After trying the Baggs after the model G died after 20 years, I went back to Fishman. People recommend the K&K preamp but I have never tried it. I have used K&Ks in several of my guitars and am very happy with the way they sound in comparison to the undersaddle pickups. Likewise, I have been happy with McIntyre Bridgeplate pickups.

[Tim McKnight]

Look at Red Eye pre-amps which are designed / impedance matched for K&K's.

Moved from General

[earri]

I use the session DI with my K&k but it doesn't quite match up (impedance). It sounds good (with a short cord) but not great. Therefore, I also match the impedance 1st by passing through a Boss CS-3, and the sound (short or long cord) I am able to achieve is spectacular! The Session DI really allows you to get the best out of your K&K equipped guitar. Previously, I tried the K&K XLR, which gave a hot signal, but tone I didn't really care for. I just couldn't dial in the tone I knew from unplugged play that my guitar has. I have heard great things about the match between K&K and the Redeye pre-amp, but haven't had the opportunity to test it myself.

[Gypsyblue]

Originally Posted by Tim McKnight

Look at Red Eye pre-amps which are designed / impedance matched for K&K's.

Absolutely.

The RedEye has flat frequency response but there's something about it that makes my guitars with K&K's sound livelier and gain a nice BOUNCE to the amplified feel of the guitar.

Not all preamps deliver that.

In my experience, only a couple do.

For me, simpler, with fewer controls on the pedal itself, sounds better...if you have the right preamp.

For me the RedEye is the right preamp.

[Br1ck]

+1 for the RedEye. They make SBTs sound great. Heck, I even run my Lyric through it.

[xtremekustomz]

I know the one with the k&k needs it. If I get the red eye will the taylor with the es1.3 benefit too or will the impedence mismatch do nothing to help? I use a trs cable with the es. I had a k&k in it too but removed it because I was going go sell it. I may put another back in if the 324 sounds really good with the red eye. Which red eye? Just the basic one?

[Br1ck]

If you ever feel you are going to use two instruments at a gig, the Twin is the way to go, otherwise the regular RedEye is fine.