Yamaha FG-730: Wanting to Add a Pickup

[Charmed Life Picks]

For you Yamaha FG-730 model owners out there, I wonder what pickups you've added to your guitar.

I am particularly interested in installing a basic K&K mini pure setup. Is this a fairly simple installation, and the does the manufacturer provide ample instructions?

I am new to installing pickups, but I have a good mechanical aptitude, a lot of time and patience, and now, an inexpensive guitar to practice on.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

[Ramesses]

When I read the title of the thread my first thought before clicking was K&K. No reason to spend as much for the pickup as the guitar.

[Qplay]

I put a Kand K mini in my FG720.I had about a year in guitar same as you some mechanical aptitude.The glue didn't hold right first time around on one sensor had to glue again and it worked good.As with most things new give yourself some time follow the instructions wasn't to bad.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by Ramesses

When I read the title of the thread my first thought before clicking was K&K. No reason to spend as much for the pickup as the guitar.

Ram, thanks. Maybe I named the wrong model. I'm talking about just the basic setup (like the link below) that sells for $99, not the full-blown system.

http://www.amazon.com/Pure-Mini-Acou...rds=K%26K+mini

[Ramesses]

Thats the pickup I was thinking. I've never used one before tho. It just seems to be what everyone recommends. I do remember another company that gets decent reviews that makes a K&K style pickup for around $60. Maybe somebody can help with that one.

[bdjansen]

I've installed a couple k and k pickups. The directions are clear and easy to follow. It takes a while but you can do it.

I don't like the sound of them them myself though.

[Sijos1]

Jjb prestige 330. Much cheaper than k&k

[Moonshadow]

I have a Yamaha FG580 circa 1976 and looking for pickup suggestions to get a really rich sound. The guitar is solid spruce and rosewood sides and back. Never had a pickup but interested in getting a good one as I aim to keep the guitar.

K&K mini or something better? Maybe or LR Baggs Anthem? Any other suggestions?

[joeguam]

I have one, installed a K&K pure mini and it sounds amazing with the right EQ to tame the low mids around 500-800Hz.

Use a step bit to drill the endpin hole, it's much cleaner. I use the loctite gel from Home Depot, much easier to control and no mess.

I have pure minis in at least 8 instruments, got them all from John at Shoreline Music (AGF sponsor). Be sure to use their "agfpickups" promo code for the discount.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by Sijos1

Jjb prestige 330. Much cheaper than k&k

Yes, I've heard about those too and have had they're very good for almost half the price of the K&K. I imagine I'll eventually try both of them in different guitars somewhere down the road.

Thanks!

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by joeguam

I have one, installed a K&K pure mini and it sounds amazing with the right EQ to tame the low mids around 500-800Hz.

Use a step bit to drill the endpin hole, it's much cleaner. I use the loctite gel from Home Depot, much easier to control and no mess.

I have pure minis in at least 8 instruments, got them all from John at Shoreline Music (AGF sponsor). Be sure to use their "agfpickups" promo code for the discount.

JoeGuam, very cool, thanks so much for the info and tips. Appreciate it very much.

BTW, in any of those eight installs, have you installed the full K&K system, the one with the additional mike inside the body of the guitar? I know some people who swear by it. Just curious....

I assume you would agree, then, that the K&Ks are not terribly difficult to install. I'm new to this stuff, although I have a long history of working on cars and the required patience to stop if something goes wrong.

Thanks!
CL

[Oldguy64]

If you already have the mechanical aptitude...
Between the instructions, and the YouTube vids you should be able to do it.

I'm waffling on doing the same thing with my old Alvarez 5013.

[Charmed Life Picks]

Originally Posted by Oldguy64

If you already have the mechanical aptitude...
Between the instructions, and the YouTube vids you should be able to do it.

I'm waffling on doing the same thing with my old Alvarez 5013.

I bought the Yammie FG-730 listed below in my signature so I could "practice" installing a pickup as well as upgrading to a bone saddle, etc., without worrying about ruining a more expensive guitar.

[Fire&Rain]

Originally Posted by charmedlife417

For you Yamaha FG-730 model owners out there, I wonder what pickups you've added to your guitar.

I am particularly interested in installing a basic K&K mini pure setup. Is this a fairly simple installation, and the does the manufacturer provide ample instructions?

I am new to installing pickups, but I have a good mechanical aptitude, a lot of time and patience, and now, an inexpensive guitar to practice on.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Lots of love here for the K&K mini. It is an elegant and straight-forward passive design. No batteries and easily EQ'd at the mixer or amp. Often the most daunting step for the first-timer is drilling/reaming the endpin for the jack. A step bit, Forstner bit or reamer will all do the job. Take your time and you will also enjoy the personal satisfaction of learning to work on your guitar.

[roylor4]

Originally Posted by Sijos1

Jjb prestige 330. Much cheaper than k&k

I second this ^^^^^^^. The JJB's do a great job. You will likely want/need a pre-amp too. I use this: Behringer V-tone and it does a very good job as well.

For under 100 bucks you can have pickup, preamp and cables in & out.

The installation isn't super easy but not super hard either. If you are handy and take your time it should be easy.

I don't know how they compare to the K&K but mine sound much better than the typical barn-door stuff.