J200 pickup suggestions

jacf · #1 09-26-2021, 07:26 AM

Just got myself my first Gibson Jumbo (22008) and it sounds fab unplugged but still has the LR Baggs Element in it, and I'm not really liking what I'm hearing. I tend towards soundhole pickups in my other guitars and have liked Fishman Blackstack, Dimarzio Black Angel and the LR Baggs M80 (in passive mode). I've also recently tried a DeArmond Tone Boss, and I seem to get something I like from all of these in smaller body guitars.

However, I'm just wondering if J200 or J150 players have suggestions for what works best for them. I use a couple of different decent preamps, so passive is fine (or even preferred), but I sometimes play in a full band with bass drums and other guitarists, so feedback resistance is a real priority too.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

JACF

Spenceroo · #2 09-26-2021, 08:53 AM

I'm fighting the same issues. I had a K&K installed in my rosewood J-200 (1992 Ren Ferguson) a number of years ago, but it's hard to eq it without losing all the qualities I like about the sound. I tried a M80 passive in the sound hole, but it picked up and amplified every little thing I did with my hands, pick clicks included, and was just too noisy for me. I also tried the Dimarzio Black Angel, but it just didn't sound very good either. I'm considering the James May Ultratonic upgrade kit for the K&K, but I'm not sure how it would work with a J-200. I should probably just call James and talk to him about it. Hopefully others with J-200's will chime in with some ideas.

rb1591 · #3 09-26-2021, 11:54 AM

I don't own a J-200 but I do use the James May Ultratonic in my Larrivee. Everything good to be said about controlling the low freq mud at the source. Cleans up all frequencies, however does not have the mid "cut" that is often desirable in live situations. I also have a mint Baggs VoicePrint in the forum "for sale" postings - another solution for your tone issue.

jacf · #4 09-26-2021, 01:05 PM

The James May Ultratonic is interesting but not sure of availability in the UK.

jacf · #5 09-26-2021, 01:06 PM

Good to know someone else is also searching.

James May · #6 09-26-2021, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacf

The James May Ultratonic is interesting but not sure of availability in the UK.

I do have a distributor/dealer in the UK. Details on my website.

jacf · #7 09-27-2021, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James May

I do have a distributor/dealer in the UK. Details on my website.

Thanks, James. Do you or anyone else know how they fare with J200s? Any experience of them in jumbos?

James May · #8 09-27-2021, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacf

Thanks, James. Do you or anyone else know how they fare with J200s? Any experience of them in jumbos?

It turns out that the Ultra Tonic is quite agnostic about what type of guitar you put it in. Everything from ukes to parlor guitars to dreads to massive 12 string models, nylon string of all sorts. 7 string models.

It's designed to deal with excessive resonance at the source, whatever it is, and still give a natural, woody tone. That's one of it's best features. It just works.

EZYPIKINS · #9 10-05-2021, 06:35 AM

I have a J-185 with factory installed Aura Pro that I really like.

My Dad has a J-200 with the Anthem. I never cared for it.

He is now looking for something else too.

jacf · #10 10-05-2021, 06:46 AM

I’m still considering the UltraTonic but in the meantime I’ve installed a Dimarzio Black Angel I had lying around. I run it through a Grace Bix preamp and initial thoughts are that it sounds pretty good. I also have a Fishman Blackstack that I could swap out of another guitar and an M80 too, so I might try these first before splashing the cash on an UltraTonic. I’ll post the results later.

rmp · #11 10-05-2021, 09:12 AM

I use a Fishman Infinity Matrix with a Tonedexter. to my ears, and others as well, it sounds great

my SJ200 came with an full anthem but it started to rattle and make all kinds of spurious noise (loose control wheels in the preamp, very annoying) I removed it

Spenceroo · #12 10-05-2021, 12:13 PM

jacf,
I tried a Black Angel in my J-200 and the K&K that's in there sounded much better, albeit at low volume before feedback. The BA sounded bright with no body. I also had to remove all the strings to mount it, because the soundhole is 3 3/4", and couldn't manage it with the strings on.

jacf · #13 10-05-2021, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spenceroo

jacf,
I tried a Black Angel in my J-200 and the K&K that's in there sounded much better, albeit at low volume before feedback. The BA sounded bright with no body. I also had to remove all the strings to mount it, because the soundhole is 3 3/4", and couldn't manage it with the strings on.

Interesting. I just plugged it in and compared it to a few other guitars (see in signature), all with soundhole pickups, and it sounded just grand. I did spend some time adjusting the pole pieces. I had raised the low end pole pieces a bit higher because I thought it might lack bass, but then had to screw them back down as it felt too bassy. It's actually a J150, but it has the same body as a J200, just less bling, so I don't think that should make a huge difference. I'd bought it more for band work than solo acoustic, so having a tighter bass end was partly what I was looking for. Unplugged, or plugged in, it's passing all my expectations.

I have used K&Ks in guitars but in a loud band and using floor monitors I did have some feedback issues. But even when that wasn't an issue, I'm one of these people that just didn't love the K&K sound. That's why I was interested in the UltraTonic, but they're pretty expensive here in the UK and I had the Dimarzio just sitting around. I'm surprised how well the Black Angel is working for me. Tweaking these pole pieces and a nice preamp has certainly made a difference.

James May · #14 10-05-2021, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacf

Interesting. I just plugged it in and compared it to a few other guitars (see in signature), all with soundhole pickups, and it sounded just grand. I did spend some time adjusting the pole pieces. I had raised the low end pole pieces a bit higher because I thought it might lack bass, but then had to screw them back down as it felt too bassy. It's actually a J150, but it has the same body as a J200, just less bling, so I don't think that should make a huge difference. I'd bought it more for band work than solo acoustic, so having a tighter bass end was partly what I was looking for. Unplugged, or plugged in, it's passing all my expectations.

I have used K&Ks in guitars but in a loud band and using floor monitors I did have some feedback issues. But even when that wasn't an issue, I'm one of these people that just didn't love the K&K sound. That's why I was interested in the UltraTonic, but they're pretty expensive here in the UK and I had the Dimarzio just sitting around. I'm surprised how well the Black Angel is working for me. Tweaking these pole pieces and a nice preamp has certainly made a difference.

I know this is not what you are doing, but FYI I used to use both the Black Angel AND an Ultra Tonic in my Gibson Advanced Jumbo. I used the Black Angel in a separate signal path (off RING) to feed my electric guitar signal chain, and the Ultra Tonic through a ToneDexter for my acoustic sound. I found that the Black Angel worked quite well for an electric sound. And didn't pick up much hum or buzz. I later swapped it out for a noise cancelling P90 and am even happier with the electric sound. That's what I continue to use now.

jacf · #15 10-07-2021, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James May

I know this is not what you are doing, but FYI I used to use both the Black Angel AND an Ultra Tonic in my Gibson Advanced Jumbo. I used the Black Angel in a separate signal path (off RING) to feed my electric guitar signal chain, and the Ultra Tonic through a ToneDexter for my acoustic sound. I found that the Black Angel worked quite well for an electric sound. And didn't pick up much hum or buzz. I later swapped it out for a noise cancelling P90 and am even happier with the electric sound. That's what I continue to use now.

I can see the sense in that. Playing an acoustic in a rock band is a different thing to playing in a quieter acoustic setting. I think it's still difficult to get something that can cover both settings. There's an argument that a soundhole pickup or P90 can even sound like a better 'fit' in that setting. With a loud drummer on stage, feedback control will always be a battle. I'm more likely to fit an Ultra Tonic in my favourite guitar for acoustic shows where a mic on the guitar isn't available or practical, and keep a soundhole pickup in the band gigging acoustic. An Ultra Tonic is in my sights and I'll look forward to trying it in different settings - including full band - but it will have to wait until budget allows. These studio bills don't pay themselves.