Torn Between Two Pickups

[calvanesebob]

Torn between to pickups... Feeling like a fool
Loving both of you... Is breaking all the rules
Torn between to pickups... Feeling like a fool
Loving you both... is breaking all the rules

hahaha... just had to throw that in there.

I am torn between the Schatten HFN and the LR Baggs M80 pickups, and have been going back and forth for close to a week now. They both sound great but quite different.

HFN sounds very acoustic but seems to lack (just a little) some of the overtones and sustain (mainly on the higher frets). It also starts getting feedback sooner than the M80.

M80 also sounds acoustic, and even though it has slightly magnetic sound, it is extremely pleasing to the ears. It does not lose the overtones or sustain even on the higher frets. Also it has to be clamped in the sound hole (not that big a deal though). I can get it to feedback but have to turn my 30M up louder than I do to get the HFN to feedback.

I am running them both (one at a time) through my LR Baggs venue DI (set flat for comparison with correct phasing). I have also tried the M80 in active and passive mode, and the only difference is more volume in active mode.

I am starting to lean more towards the M80 as it seems to ring true a little more than the HFN does (to my ears).

Anyone else torn between two pickups?

[fedexnman]

I say keep both pickups and get a Tonedexter and/or LR Baggs Voiceprint to play around with next . Give those a run on both pickups and see what it gets you . Remember the pickup is only one part of the equation , the signal processing is the next .

[PANDAPANDELO]

It seems you've already decided for the M80. I'd say: just go for it. I also have an M80. Great pickup. Jazzy tones with a pick, and great lush sound with fingers.

[Gordon Currie]

Originally Posted by fedexnman

I say keep both pickups and get a Tonedexter and/or LR Baggs Voiceprint to play around with next .

Tonedexter will not work with magnetic pickups.

[Cuki79]

Buy a Schatten artist II preamp and keep both with a blend pot.

[euraquilo]

I think if I had to choose between the HFN and the M80, I'd lean to the Dazzo.

[stevecuss]

The good news is you're torn between two great pickups. Assuming you can leave with the haunting knowledge that the grass may be greener on the other side, it is hard to see how you can go wrong with either.

Ok with the weight of the M80? It is a great pickup and bullet proof for loud volumes for sure.

Ok with the low output of the Schatten? I am, but it can be a challenge without a quality external preamp.

Got money for both? Grab the Schatten preamp which, I believe, allows you to solder in a second source. Get the best of both worlds, or an external blender.

Enjoy!

[tbirdman]

Personally I would go with the Schatten HFN just because it's not a sound hole pickup, plus from what I read it's an easy install. I just saw the soundhole pickups interfering with my fingerpicking. I went with Dazzo, but HFN was on my shortlist. You don't read much negative about the HFN or the Dazzos. The KK mini seem to be the go to at the luthiers I have spoken with, but seems like you need a lot of EQ.


I think you need to decide between what type of pickup you want and then go from there. Good luck on your decision.

[calvanesebob]

Ok... Now there are 3 pickups in the mix. I ordered a K&K pure mini to try again. I am only going to do the tape installation at first, until I see what it sounds like with my EV 30M. I don't think I gave it a fair shot when I had one.

[SpruceTop]

Dazzo for passive installation.