Replace ES2 system (a new wrinkle)

[rcase1957]

Hi

I sent my 2002 814ce in 20016 to have my fishman system replaced with the news ES2. I have never been happy with it or the sound. This with a return to trip to Taylor, a trip to an authorized tech, and a myriad of phone calls to CS.

I want to replace it with a K&K system. I want to know if the pickup housing on the ES2 will cause a problem with K&K sensors. I have an after market plug for the end piece.

Thanks in advance - rc1957

[SpruceTop]

Originally Posted by rcase1957

Hi

I sent my 2002 814ce in 20016 to have my fishman system replaced with the news ES2. I have never been happy with it or the sound. This with a return to trip to Taylor, a trip to an authorized tech, and a myriad of phone calls to CS.

I want to replace it with a K&K system. I want to know if the pickup housing on the ES2 will cause a problem with K&K sensors. I have an after market plug for the end piece.

Thanks in advance - rc1957

First loosen the sensor screws and you'll be able to pull out the pickup housing from inside the guitar. You can then superglue your K&K disks on the bridge-plate under the bridge-saddle.

[rcase1957]

Originally Posted by SpruceTop

First loosen the sensor screws and you'll be able to pull out the pickup housing from inside the guitar. You can then superglue your K&K disks on the bridge-plate under the bridge-saddle.

I know the three pronged piece will drop out but what goes into will as come out as well or I just leave it there.

RC

[AeroUSA]

I’m curious. What is it that you don’t like about the ES2? Have you used a K&K before?

[varmonter]

i think there are lovers and haters of the es2.
i am surprised taylor still puts them in.
back in the late 90 s i had a 514ce with a
fishman barn door prefix system . had a built in mic
and a ust that you could blend. A great system .. wish they went back
to something like that. K&k are good but really
need outboard eq /preamp to eek out their goodness.
good luck with your retrofit.

[rcase1957]

Originally Posted by AeroUSA

I’m curious. What is it that you don’t like about the ES2? Have you used a K&K before?

Hi

I have a K&K in my Larrivee OM40 and love it. Full rich sound. My ES2 just has never sounded right (to me) and I am tired of dinking with it, thus the post . Some folks just love them the ES2 evidently I'm not one of them.

RC

[rcase1957]

I have one in my Larrivee and love it. Yes i do have a preamp from K&K. It really helps.

[SpruceTop]

Originally Posted by rcase1957

I know the three pronged piece will drop out but what goes into will as come out as well or I just leave it there.

RC

Please rephrase your question as I'm not sure what you mean but let me take a crack at it. If you leave the ES2 sensor-housing in place, the K&K disks will not straddle the line of the bridge-saddle as intended in the K&K installation instructions. The sensor-housing will likely skew the K&K disks slightly forward, toward the sound-hole, of the bisection line cast by the bridge-saddle on the bridgeplate. This may not cause any degradation in amplified tone--and may even result in a warmer tone than the K&K recommended method. Suggestion: Instead of destroying your guitar, buy a ToneDexter and use it with your ES2 system.

[varmonter]

Or buy a new guitar....we are very free with
your money here at agf...
But you could sell the taylor and get another
without the E in the model number. i wish they
made an 818c... With an adi top ...dang ! a banjo killer
for sure.

[rcase1957]

SpruceTop

Thanks for the suggestion. I will into it.