My Rare Earth Blend is sounding very plinky!

[Penrith Pete]

Hello all

I am really struggling to get a decent plugged-in sound at present. I play a Taylor 110 through a Rare Earth Blend.

I am getting a very hot B string and very little bass through, despite shimming the bass side to balance the tone. The unplugged guitar is much more even toned than that.

I generally play at small venues and festivals I am getting a very thin, plinky sort of a sound through many systems. I have replaced batteries etc and I am quite sure the pickup is working as it should - just not working for me....

When I play solo I need quite a fat, warm bassy sound for my music. I am thinking of looking at USTs instead as the ones I hear from other performers seem to have much more oomph!

I don't mind about replicating the sound of the guitar. I just want a good robust workable tone with a good low end.

Any UST recommendations or thoughts on the RE Blend would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much in advance!
Pete

[Nick84]

What strings are you using Pete? I find my RE sounds really balanced across the strings with Retros. May be worth trying if you haven’t already.

[Penrith Pete]

Thanks for that. I have just been using D'addario EJ26s or EJ16s. Might try those. Thanks again.

[varmonter]

You really have no adjustment other than shimming
or taping the reb . A mag pup like the baggs m80
or the sunrise is a much better choice as you
can adjust each pole under each string. Im assuming
your 110 is non electric. no taylor es2 system.
Different guitars are balanced differently. So if the reb
sounds good in one it may not in another. A pup with adjustable
pole peices allows you to eq the guitars balance to the pickup.
I removed the b string pole on mine completely, And turned down the g and e st.
it sounds really good..

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...undhole-pickup

[MrErikJ]

I haven't tried my RE Blend yet (getting installed currently) but for a mag, it's voiced to not have the imbalances of a typical mag but it will react differently in every guitar. String type and material can def make a difference but I am curious what type of outboard gear you're using and how much mic you're using

[dcopper]

I have the Rare Earth without the mic. What i found is that placement is critical with that pickup. Try moving it slightly towards the treble side and then try moving it slightly toward the bass side to relieve the hot “B” string. You may even want to try a slight angle in the soundhole. That may be difficult depending on whether the soundhole is standard or slightly larger. What I understand is that there are 3 sensors in the pickup, designed to each cover 2 strings. I keep mine as a fail safe if my other guitarist has a pickup failure. Mine is an older model and the design may or may not be the same. Hope this helps.

I have an M80 and K&K in one guitar and a Sunrise and K&K in the other. No problem whatsoever with placement of the mag pickups. I have heard other people use the REB with good results.

[Penrith Pete]

Sorry I have been a while in coming back but I just wanted to say thank you for all the advice given here, It is greatly appreciated.
Pete

[curbucci]

Throw some GHS White Bronze on that guitar with a mag pickup.

[MrErikJ]

Just to follow-up, I received my gigging guitar back with the new RE Blend in it and I didn't have any issues with plinkyness, when testing it in the store. Some feedback, for sure, but the mag had a rather warm sound that was brightened by blending my mic in and I found that, with the mic's bass cut engaged, a 50/50 blend sounded rather nice.

A good SBT is the only thing I'd add to it, for the woody midrange and to enhance the acoustic texture, but it's definitely not required.

[Joe Barbieri]

The Rare Earth was designed and voiced to work best with Phosphor Bronze strings. While many folks like and choose other types, just wanted to get that out there.

-Joe B

[Penrith Pete]

Thanks for all your suggestions on this one, folks. Greatly appreciated!