|
|
#1
02-22-2006, 05:57 PM
|
|||
|
|||
Is it worth it?
Hi I was looking into buying an older 914ce with the fishman pickup and wondering whether or not it would be worth it or advisable to get the guitar retrofitted with the es and how long would that take? Thanks!
__________________
'05 Taylor T5 (Black) '05 Taylor 714ce '03 Taylor 414rce '01 Taylor W65ce '99 Sigma DM 18 Sold: '04 Taylor 314ce '03 Ovation Tangent 
|
|
#2
02-22-2006, 06:14 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Is it even possible? Doesn't the Fishman have the trap door electronics in an upper bout cut-out, or not (my Taylor has a post-purchase PU in it-no cut outs). Also, the ES has those 3, little discrete knobs--not a box.
Given all the flak about the ES, I'm not sure even if it WAS possible, and wouldn't look any different that I'd do it. 
__________________
"It takes all kinds to make a world...including the kinds who think only their kind belong in it." (unknown) "Next To the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise." (Martin Luther) 1992 Taylor 855 2000 Deering Sierra 2009 Recording King RD-16SN ~ "utility" 2009 Martin HD-28
|
|
#3
02-22-2006, 06:18 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
There is a retrofit that fits into the trap door, from what I've read.
__________________
Guitars 2004 McIlroy A20c 2004 Taylor Big Baby Gone 1999 Larrivee D-03 1970s Yamaha FG
|
|
#4
02-22-2006, 06:21 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
The ES retrofit costs $500 plus shipping (it can only be done at the factory), so it's a financial obstacle. Personally, I'd either keep the Fishman or replace it with one of the many aftermarket pickups available. I think Baggs has a system that replaces the Fishman barn door, and other options may be available.
__________________
Chris We all do better when we all do better.
|
|
#5
02-22-2006, 06:42 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
__________________
'08 Goodall KCJC (Koa/Englemann) '09 Fujii MD (Camatillo RW/German) '11 Martin J custom(EIR/Sitka w/PA1 appts.) '14 Collings SJ(Wenge/German)
|
|
#6
02-22-2006, 07:13 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Quote:
The Baggs Onboard systems are direct drop-in retrofits for the Fishman barn door systems. My 2002 514ce has an Element Active Onboard in place of the Fishman Blender. I like it so much better. It drops right into the hole left from the barn door, and even uses the same scew holes. There's an iMix Onboard and an iBeam onboard that will fit there as well. I'm considering switching to the iMix onboard just to have a dual source setup, though my Element is a fantastic setup and much preferrable to the Fishman. I considered the ES rertofit but at $500 as well as already having an ES guitar with my 414rce, I decided that the aftermarket Baggs system is a better way to go. Why pay 2x the price and 4-6 weeks without your guitar for only a marginal improvement? Also, if the 914ce you are looking at is a pre NT neck then the retro will be different as well. There won't be any sensors in the neck, they'll be at the soundhole right at the point where the neck and rosette meet. Look at the Taylor site for info on their retrofit for pre NT necks.
__________________
I have a photographic memory...but I'm out of film. Nelson 2002 514ce 2003 414ce Ltd 2014 150e 2010 Fender Strat 2017 Les Paul Custom
|
|
#7
02-23-2006, 12:19 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
B-Band also makes a retrofit for the Fishman systems.
http://www.b-band.com/guitar-systems/a10.php  -dan
__________________
'05 Larrivée OM-03 (Holly) '06 Larrivée L-09K 12th Fret Limited Edition #4 (Shannon) My Boss is a Jewish carpenter <ixoye><
|
|
#8
02-23-2006, 03:22 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
sweet pic dan! always love the lr baggs products
__________________
2oo6 R Taylor Style 1 Koa/Adi 2o1o Taylor GS Mini2o13 Taylor Custom GS 12-String reagsbydesign (ree-g'ss-b'i-d'sine) n.1. expect the unexpected.
|
|
#9
02-23-2006, 11:31 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Is it worth it? To me, no, it's not. The Fishman Blender doesn't sound "bad," in fact it was quite the norm for a great many guitars for a good while. Yes, there are "better" sounding pickups available today, but I will not be paying $500 for one anytime soon.
cotten
|
|
#12
02-23-2006, 05:48 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
If the Fishman is in good shape, why not keep it and save the money?
|
|
#13
02-23-2006, 07:12 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
Or... you can keep the fishman and get the Aura to revamp it.
-dan
__________________
'05 Larrivée OM-03 (Holly) '06 Larrivée L-09K 12th Fret Limited Edition #4 (Shannon) My Boss is a Jewish carpenter <ixoye><
|
|
#14
02-23-2006, 07:16 PM
|
|||
|
|||
|
definetely check out the LR Baggs stuff, it fits perfectly where the Fishman is, look at the onboard stuff for the Element or the ibeam. http://www.lrbaggs.com
|
|
#15
02-24-2006, 03:27 AM
|
|||
|
|||
|
I replaced the Fishman Blender in my 712ce with the ES retrofit and I do think it was worth it. The guitar sounds a lot better with the ES and the controls are located in the "barn door." I would actually prefer to have them where they are on models that come factory-equipped with the ES but you have to do something with that big hole, I suppose.
I have no idea what the Baggs systems sound like but I have no complaints about the ES. I consider it worth every cent I spent on it.
__________________
Regards, Peter ><DARWIN> ___L____L___ 2008 Collings OM-2HA 2002 Taylor 712ce 1970 Martin D-18 2008 Silver Creek D-170 2005 Washburn WD-32SW 2006 Gibson '61 Reissue SG 2002 Fender '52 Reissue Telecaster 2006 Fender Deluxe Player's Stratocaster 1972 Gibson SG Pro 1985 Squier Telecaster 2006 Epiphone AlleyKat "Life without music would be a mistake." --Nietzsche
|
