MARTIN! Acoustic to Acoustic Electric

[The Real Jake]

Talking to Martin fans, in particular.

I have two acoustics and want to install electronics in one of them.

I'm a 15 series guy. I bought a Martin D-15 in 2001, still have it and love it.

I recently bought a 000 15 (it's newer, not sure of the year yet) and it's that 000 that I'm thinking of turning into an acoustic electric. I just can't bring myself to alter my old dreadnought, though I'm open to any opinions as to why I should.

But, as stated, I'm thinking of adding electronics to the 000. But which ones? Should I go with a Fisherman system that requires a 9 volt battery or a simpler K&K type that doesn't require a 9 volt battery?

What are the the advantages and disadvantages of each electronic system?

If you had a dread and a triple-O, which would you "electrify?"

I should add, I don't want to inhibit, limit, or hurt the pure acoustic aspect and sound of either model, my hopes is that the altered guitar could still perform as an unplugged acoustic when needed,

[ChrisE]

There are tons of great pickup options. With most of them the only real modification is making the endpin hole larger, which everyone says is easy to do.

You definitely won't have to cut a hole in your guitar (barn door). Most models don't require that these days.

Either way when you're plugged in you're mainly hearing the pickup, so I don't think a pickup will sound better in one vs the other.

[noledog]

Baggs M80 has worked for me in my D18...I leave it in 99% of the time because I'm a working musician, but they are easy to get in & out without removing or loosening strings. Plug n play!

[rmsstrider]

I love the K&k pure mini in my 000-18. Simple, natural sounding. Sounds good straight to an amp or maybe better with an external Redeye or K&K preamp

[muscmp]

welcome to the AGF!

do you gig with both or just one of them? whichever you gig with is the one you may want to electrify. what amp do you use on your gig?

play music!

[6L6]

I have K&K Pure Mini pups in all of my acoustics. Love 'em!

[mpbounds]

If I were to put any system in I wanted I would put in an LR Baggs anthem. The K&K is good, but I've heard the JJB prestige 330 is just as good for half the price of the K&K. Just invest in a good preamp/DI to boost the K&K or JJB as they are Passive.


Seagull S6 Original
Fender CD-140 Mahogany

[The Real Jake]

muscmp,

Thanks for the welcome,
To answer your questions, I'm not gigging yet. I'm just now getting back into this after a musical hiatus. I have a simple Line 6 Spider IV 30 amp.

Getting a lot of comments about K&Ks and similar Passive electronics. So if I go that route, I guess i'll have to get a good preamp. Any recommendations there?

[duluthdan]

Measure the bridge plate on your 000 - may be too small for some systems, even the K&K.

[SFCRetired]

I bought a 000M to install a K&K but when I received it I found it already had a Fishman Matrix, so I put a K&K in my DM. Then I found a used K&K preamp to go with it. You don't need the preamp but it does help to have one.

I prefer the K&K in my DM over the Fishman Matrix. But they are both good.

[kydave]

Originally Posted by The Real Jake

Talking to Martin fans, in particular.
...
'm thinking of adding electronics to the 000. But which ones?
1. Should I go with a Fisherman system that requires a 9 volt battery or a
2. simpler K&K type that doesn't require a 9 volt battery?

What are the the advantages and disadvantages of each electronic system?

3. If you had a dread and a triple-O, which would you "electrify?"

I should add, I don't want to inhibit, limit, or hurt the pure acoustic aspect and sound of either model, my hopes is that the altered guitar could still perform as an unplugged acoustic when needed,

1. Friends don't let friends use UST pickups.

2. Simpler & better AND friends don't let friends use internal 9 volt batteries.

Anything under your saddle can and does affect the tone when you're not plugged in and playing purely acoustically.

And that aside, the K&K has a much better sound than a UST.

3. Both.

[Dave L]

Originally Posted by kydave

1. Friends don't let friends use UST pickups.

2. Simpler & better AND friends don't let friends use internal 9 volt batteries.

Anything under your saddle can and does affect the tone when you're not plugged in and playing purely acoustically.

And that aside, the K&K has a much better sound than a UST.

3. Both.

I guess it depends on how you are using it. UST pickups cut through a band better and are easier to control feedback and noise if you have a drummer on stage, monitors etc.. Do you like to slap the top of your guitar ala John Mayer? UST might be best for that type of player.

The K&K might have a better sound if you are playing alone. I hate the idea of having to super glue a pickup though. I also, when playing live, like to have volume/tone controls on my guitar. The Martin Retro series has the best controls for live use. Big and easy to get to but not ugly like the old school electronic panel cut into a guitar.

An tiny metal shim under your saddle won't change the tone much, if at all.

[Boneyard75]

I'm always going against the grain on this one....The BEST sounding guitar I own has a UST installed & I am convinced that no one could ever tell that there is one installed....It is a coaxial braided type used in the LR Baggs systems....
I DO NOT like the K&K....I have pulled it out of every and any guitar that I have ever owned that had one previously installed.....
I have had very good luck with dual source systems....a mic & a UST, a magnetic & a UST, or a soundboard transducer & a UST.....Between the two & a good outboard preamp, one can get very usable sounds....
I recommend research & trial & error.....
At any rate, Good Luck on your search for the ultimate live acoustic guitar pickup system....
Boneyard

[The Real Jake]

From :Boneyard

"I DO NOT like the K&K..."

Boneyard,

Why not? What problems has it caused you?

Great screen name, by the way. You play some gritty delta blues?

[Boneyard75]

There are certain wild frequencies that I have experienced in the K&K that are almost impossible to dial out.....Especially in a Martin! And I hate super gluing anything to the bridgeplate,,,,,That should have been altered a long time ago in the installation plan of this pickup....
I am passionate about these, I know....I hope I don't come on too strong....
So many here love these things.....As one of my kids said long ago, "I can't like it!"
Oh, and on the screen name, I've always had an odd affinity to the term.....whether driving by an actual "boneyard" or drawing from it in dominos......
A very opinionated, Boneyard