K&K mini

[rvf263]

Where's the best place to buy a K&K pickup system for a GS mini?

[Carmel Cedar]

Shoreline. Hands down. Ask John for the AGF discount. Enjoy!

[clintj]

I'll second Shoreline Music.

[JStotes]

Another vote for Shoreline. Great folks.

[ljguitar]

Hi RvF…

First of all, Hello and Welcome to the Forum! Glad you joined…

The two main routes you have are:

• Buy a K&K & install it yourself (or find a tech/luthier to install it)
• Find someone to install who includes the K&K in the price of their installation

Our local guitar tech sells a K&K Pure Mini and installs it for $130 total. That's pretty hard to beat unless you buy one and install it yourself.

[Carmel Cedar]

Larry, that is a good price. I brought in my K&K to a tech who charged $60 for the work. Even Shoreline can't sell it cheap enough to bear that labor charge and beat your shop. Unless need other work as well and can get a break on the pickup install. Good tip!

[rvf263]

I'll check Shoreline out, thanks.

Both of those prices installed would be really hard to beat.

The only reputable place by me that I know and trust is Elderly's (2 hours away).

They charge $84 + pickup.

I'll have to check around some more.

[Stringfellow]

You can also have the tech just drill the endpin hole and install the K&K yourself - there's really not much to it so long as you follow the jig instructions and don't mess up the glue.

[Goat Mick]

I've installed 1 K&K and 2 JJB pickups myself and they all went smoothly and easily. The FretTech website has the best install instructions and Rob was nice enough to include a bunch of pics.

[rvf263]

Do I need a preamp with the mini?

[Goat Mick]

Originally Posted by rvf263

Do I need a preamp with the mini?

The short answer is yes. However if you're always playing into your amp and it has a good EQ you may not or if you're always playing into your own PA and can control your sound you may not. If you ever have to leave the control of your sound in someone else's hands you definitely do. I use a K&K Pure XLR preamp with mine and really like it. It also serves as a direct box anytime I need to plug into a house sound system.

[rvf263]

Elmicko,
Thanks, I appreciate the explanation.

[Long Jon]

These are even cheaper and allegedly every bit as good. Also, note GS mini jack option. (They now do an on-board volume control option too).

http://jjb-electronics.com/prestige-330.html

I have already bought one and one day I WILL get around to fitting it

[rvf263]

That GS mini jack looks awesome.

.

[McShepherd]

JJB has done onboard controls in the past, but the old ones required side or face mounting, about the same as the recognizable ES-style knobs, but Jesse dropped those some time back.

The new controls are soundhole-mounted, so no drilling involved, but it disallows the ability to combine with a soundhole mag.