Sound hole PU or K&K PWM

[Lou777]

I am curious, what are your thoughts on whiich is better, more convenient, more natural sounding?

Thanks

[lizzard]

It depends on your application.

The PWM is very natural sounding but is entirely unfit for use in a loud ensemble setting. I consider it a toy compared to the ES or a Sunrise. Unless you like feedback that is. But it you are recording or playing quietly amped, the PWM sounds very nice and natural.

If you need to play at high SPLs look into the Sunrise and S1 pre box, or an ES retofit.

All imnsho.

Lizzard

[tochiro]

Sound hole pickups do not sound natural to me. They make an acoustic guitar sound more like an electric guitar with a very clean sound. But sound hole pickups have a good sound on their own though. You have to like it.

I recently bought a K&K Trinity system that I could test with my HD28 Martin for a few minutes before my Bose L1 PA system failed (the ToneMatch module actually). So I barely had the time to test it and hear how it sounds like. But the little I heard was great! And I will publish a review here in a few days when my PA system is working again.

[DMZ]

I had a Sunrise.
I sold a Sunrise.
It's heavy and my top vibration was dampened.
Before I ever plugged in.

I play a K&K.
I play loudly in loud band enviroments.
I learned how to set a preamp with notch and phase.
K&K is more natural sounding to me than a magnetic.
I don't feedback.
I used to.
Then, I learned stuff.
I still don't have all the answers.

[Doug Young]

Originally Posted by Lou777

I am curious, what are your thoughts on whiich is better, more convenient, more natural sounding?

Thanks

The combination of the 2 is really nice...

[Lou777]

Thanks

lizzard for your nsho , tochiro, I will look for that review, and DMZ

It looks like I will go with the K&K.

[Lou777]

Originally Posted by Doug Young

The combination of the 2 is really nice...

You got that in there while I was thanking the others, Thanks

[royd]

there is no best and IMHO, there isn't even a "most accurate." Every amplification system tor an acoustic guitar is a series of compromises between price, complexity, accuracy, and feedback resistance. Plus you add the psycho-acoustic difference that happens when you try to make an intimate acoustic instrument like a guitar loud enough to hear in a large venue... the experience cannot be the same. Plus, even the best of external microphones each add their own flavor to the sound and the sound changes depending on miking techniques.

The bottom line is that only you can decide which system works best for you in your setting. And be aware that no matter what you use or how expensive the system, your guitar in a large venue at X decibels will never and cannot ever sound/feel exactly the way it does in a living room with a couple of friends.

For me, a magnetic (Sunrise) and a SBT (McIntyre) gives the best approximation of what I want in amplifying my Lowden. I don't attempt to get my Lowden only louder, I aim at my Lowden only bigger. But that is my goal. Yours may be very different. And in a different situation, my goal would be different and the pickup system I would use might be different as well.

[TBman]

I use a LR Baggs M1. Its a soundhole pickup I can use it in any of my guitars and any future ones I may get. It has a good natural sound. The amp I use is a Fender Acoustasonic 30 DSP

[lizzard]

Originally Posted by royd

there is no best and IMHO, there isn't even a "most accurate." Every amplification system tor an acoustic guitar is a series of compromises between price, complexity, accuracy, and feedback resistance. Plus you add the psycho-acoustic difference that happens when you try to make an intimate acoustic instrument like a guitar loud enough to hear in a large venue... the experience cannot be the same. Plus, even the best of external microphones each add their own flavor to the sound and the sound changes depending on miking techniques.

The bottom line is that only you can decide which system works best for you in your setting. And be aware that no matter what you use or how expensive the system, your guitar in a large venue at X decibels will never and cannot ever sound/feel exactly the way it does in a living room with a couple of friends.

For me, a magnetic (Sunrise) and a SBT (McIntyre) gives the best approximation of what I want in amplifying my Lowden. I don't attempt to get my Lowden only louder, I aim at my Lowden only bigger. But that is my goal. Yours may be very different. And in a different situation, my goal would be different and the pickup system I would use might be different as well.

Must be the wine, this is a great perspective...

[royd]

Originally Posted by lizzard

Must be the wine, this is a great perspective...

yeah... enough Santa Barbara Syrah or Pinot Noir and everything is the best

[DMZ]

Yeah, but the Santa Barbara Syrah is entirely unfit for use in a loud ensemble setting. I consider it a toy compared to the Pinot Noir.

[VintageToneGuy]

Originally Posted by TBman

I use a LR Baggs M1. Its a soundhole pickup I can use it in any of my guitars and any future ones I may get. It has a good natural sound. The amp I use is a Fender Acoustasonic 30 DSP

I've had alot of acoustic electric guitars over the years including some pretty nice ones. I currently have a Alvarez MD60 that I put a LR Baggs M1a in and it sounds as good as any other I've ever owned! I play through a Ultrasound AG30.

[royd]

Originally Posted by DMZ

Yeah, but the Santa Barbara Syrah is entirely unfit for use in a loud ensemble setting. I consider it a toy compared to the Pinot Noir.

Actually, the syrah usually has a higher alcohol content... which makes you get really loud. It is true that the Pinot snobs feel it is the most elegant of wines

I like both

[alohachris]

Aloha,

Back from surfing da Mokes!

Eh, I think whoever designed the ES really had too much wine and buds. Hope it wasn't Bob.

The K&K may look like a toy but the ES sounds and breaks like a cheap toy.

alohachris