X2 from Double Pickups

[llew]

Does anyone use this sound hole dual source pickup and if so your thoughts on it please. Many thanks!

[threevok]

Just received one late yesterday. I plan to try it in my Yamaha LL16 and/or Gibson SJ in conjunction with a Boss AD-10. I figured that with the two inputs on the AD-10, I can blend the UST with the X2 and minimize the horror of a wireless dropout. I'll add more when I get to a real keyboard.

OK, I'm back. Here's a fairly recent thread that covers some territory regarding wireless pickups. Soundhole pickup + wireless transmitter?

I first tried the X0 wired version for $18. Not good in my Jim Dandy parlor; the plain strings were too hot, but impressive in the LL16 blended with the UST. So, I ordered the X2 wireless plus a DeArmond Tone Boss. I have some wood boring tools on order because I'm going to put something in the Jim Dandy. I have a variety of strings to test with the JD, the XO and the Tone Boss; monel, pure nickel, nickel wound electric, and XL Chromes.

[threevok]

Stuck the X2 in my LL16 with EJ11 strings and played around with it through these configurations:
All with the X2 base and treble in the middle
1 Boss AD-10 to Boss Katana 100
2 AD-10 to IEMs
3 Plus A/B in combination with the factory UST
4 Directly to Katana
5 Directly to cheap Monoprice acoustic amp guitar input
6 Samson MD1 passive DI to acoustic amp microphone (no tone or reverb controls)

I could not dial in a significantly better sound with the AD-10 than just the X2 with the mic blended at about 75%. My house is only 2000 sq ft, but with the Katana in the basement and the pickup upstairs, I couldn't find a place where the wireless dropped out. Rattling the floor with the Katana cranked was fun. It sounded great to me, like an acoustic guitar, in option 6, which is as bland as it could be.

Even less interesting:
If the K2 is reliable and doesn't fall apart, I'd say it's a keeper. If it holds up through a few recharges I may even get a spare. Blending the UST doesn't make the sound better, nor did tweaking the AD-10. If the AD-10 didn't vastly improve my other guitars I'd sell it. If I use the LL16 as my main church guitar I can streamline my gear with just the Peterson StrobeStomp HD on battery to the passive DI, then to the mixer. If I can match the X2 signal output and the passive Yamaha UST, when the X2 betrays me I can just plug in really quickly. It's a full band, so I doubt anyone would notice if I dropped out for a few seconds, or minutes, or the whole set.

[llew]

I got mine X2 (not the wireless option?) installed in an Eastman E20OM-MR-TC and I was very pleasantly pleased at it's lifelike sound reproduction. Had to tweak the EQ a bit and ended up using about the same amount of mic as you. I'll play it at church tonight thru a passive DI for the sole purpose of using a balanced XLR into my monitor and again (XLR) to the stage box. But plugged directly into a Loudbox Mini with a 1/4" cable sounded good.