McPherson Sable Pickup

[Skeeteroo]

Originally Posted by jonfields45

I've been using a Tech21 Acoustic Fly Rig since last November to gig (RainSong CH-PA w/MiSi Trio preamp and Baggs Element UST). I am using the switchable compression for solo boost and to give me the extra sustain to make single note lead lines work more like an electric guitar. It is very small which makes hitting the right footswitch on the fly a bit of a challenge and I disabled the boost function by surrounding its footswitch with stacked washers held in place by poster tape. Here's a picture:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1gY...AfnPpI4CpIL7Yv

Thanks! I like your idea of riding the compressor on the acoustic like a gain stage. I’d looked at that unit but haven’t tried it. I’m currently using a few other boxes before a Teegarden Magic DI as a direct to console solution, but appreciate the advice and will look at that again. I’m still exploring using one of my old tube amps in some settings also (USA Fender Blues Deluxe, Mesa .22, old Ampegs, Peavey Classic 20, etc.) since I’m not married to the idea of trying to preserve purely acoustic tone.

[Matt McGriff]

Originally Posted by juanjohnmusic

Hey Matt,
So it is true... I do have the Anthem SL systems in both the Camrielle, and the Sable. I have performed as well with the standard element and I love them both! 😀 Here is why.
The reason I chose the Anthem SL for the Sable is for the dimensions and largness it adds with the mic when performing solo. I have a 13 gauge phosphorus bronze Elixer string, I use a Dawg pick, and I run through an L.R Baggs Venue D.I. I find that on any stage I have played, large or small that sounds amazing! Upon the initial install I worked a bit with the blend knob for the anthem SL. There is definitely a sweet spot when diling in the blend, and once you find it it will sound great. I do not have any effects, compressor, or anything of that nature. Just the guitar and the pre amp. The Sable is built with a bridge plate under the top that is put there for players to install a mic if they desire.

Now as a soloist the Anthem SL as well as the standard pick up sounds fantastic to me! Side note... The standard pick up I find works quite a bit better in a band situation. It cuts through a bit more. The Sable and Touring are super active... Long sustains and beautiful overtones that come from these guitars naturally. So as you utilize the standard pickup the settings are very important. Especially the tone knob on the sound hole. I perform with the standard pickup at all the NAMM Shows with Mcpherson Guitars. Start with just the guitar... Nothing else in the line. Turning down the volume on the guitar is a must. As well as the tone. Start flat, but bring down the tone a bit or up... to your preference. Dial in that tone first. As far as the volume goes you don't need much to get that guitar to sing as it has a strong pre amp built in. I have found wonderful voices and overtones with the Sable while performing at the NAMM shows with the standard Element pickup. I also learned that pick choices, strings, and dynamics on these guitars are super important to the sound. So depending on your style and taste experiment a bit and find what suits you. This guitar taught me a lot about that, and I feel that I've become a better player for digging deep into the tonal intricacies of these guitars. For me the Phosphor bronze works great solo. But the 80/20 work wonderfully in a band situation.
The Sable is an amazingly strong instrument and has a large full sound naturally. So I would recommend starting with the guitar itself and bypassing effects / compression. A basic pre amp with no pre set tones or compressors would work great! But find that voice first. You won't need much passed the guitar. I hope this helps!

Thanks Juan. It's great to have feedback on this setup from someone who depends on it to make a living! I'm in kind of a tough place right now as we have just installed a new board in our sanctuary and gone to an iPad based/wireless IEM monitoring setup. We are not getting a good monitor signal yet (it is grossly overcompressed) so I can't really tell what my guitar sounds like, which is disappointing. But we are working through it as our (volunteer) sound guys figure out the nuances of our mixer.

[Todd123]

Originally Posted by juanjohnmusic

Hello Everyone!
Great to read everyone's posts about McPherson Guitars and more specifically the carbon fiber series. I am a signed artist with McPherson Guitars and tremendously enjoy touring all over the country and the world with my McPhersons. I would be happy to connect with with anyone that might have any questions on either the wood or carbon series instruments... pickups, setups, frets, and any other craziness that players go through on any tour situation.
www.juanjohnmusic.com
I LOVE playing guitar!! 🤣 And would love to offer up any experience that might help. I currently tour as a solo entertainer with the Sable, Touring, Camrielle, and now recently acquired wooden McPherson 12 string. I have put these guitars through the ringer and continue to do so. Feel free to ask anything regarding these instruments... especially Carbon fiber related. I rely heavily on the Sable and Touring Models. I have used them both in studio and live.
I hope you all have a great day!
Juan John

Hey Juan,
First of all, I love your playing!
I play a 4.5 which I have added a mic to and it sounds...well I hear from players all the time how good my guitar sounds.
I was wondering about the option of adding a mic to my sable? Do you know anyone who did this? Could it be done?
-Todd

[Todd123]

Originally Posted by Carbonius

My ears don't like any 100% UST setup. They work, but it's not as acoustic sounding. I'd go with the Anthem. Very noninvasive as you already have the UST part installed. I would get the bigger version for better control. Very nice live as you COULD run 100% UST if you're having some severe feedback issues. The tone would suffer, but you could at least finish the show.

You could also go more complicate and add a K&K. At that point you would have to run a 2 channel setup to get the most out of it. The K&K has completely different eq needs verses a UST, so separate eqs as well. You would also need a 2nd output jack. Many MANY players run dual or triple source systems with the K&K being the common part. The K&K has the exact opposite problem you're having... HUGE bass (easy to dial it back).

I'm often shocked how many people still run a full quack setup live. I see big performers on big stages with horrible tone... but the screaming crowd doesn't care. So it all depends on venue and personal preference in the end. I can't tolerate it at all, I just change the channel or switch the song as soon as I hear those UST tones.

I should add that I have super sensitive hearing, so the tones are quite grating to me. I didn't mind 100% UST when I was 20. However even in my mid 30's (before my hearing went wonky) I could not tolerate 100% UST anymore.

+1 on your comments. UST grate on my ears and I sometimes look around thinking am I the only one who is so bothered by another player's tone? The answer is yes, no one else seems to care. This has driven me to search for great tone for my own guitars when plugged in. I ended up using K&K stereo setups in my guitars with outboard stereo preamps to blend the tone. I always hear from other players how great my guitars sounds. All the time. I'm about to set up a carbon fiber with the same setup so we will see how it translates...