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Old 02-07-2019, 09:17 PM
vindibona1 vindibona1 is offline
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Default Pickup similar to K&K- but different not popular brand?

A while back a few folks posted about a pickup system that is similar to K&K but isn't a household name and isn't available in US retail stores (as far as I can tell). Can someone help me figure out which brand. As I recall, it had three or four sensors that get glued on the underneath side of the bridge.

Anyone have any idea what they might be? TIA
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Old 02-07-2019, 09:20 PM
jjrpilot jjrpilot is offline
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Originally Posted by vindibona1 View Post
A while back a few folks posted about a pickup system that is similar to K&K but isn't a household name and isn't available in US retail stores (as far as I can tell). Can someone help me figure out which brand. As I recall, it had three or four sensors that get glued on the underneath side of the bridge.

Anyone have any idea what they might be? TIA
I bet you’re thinking of the JJB pickup. Passive like the KK Pure Mini ...looks just like the KK. 3 little sensors that are glued to the bottom of the bridge.
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Old 02-07-2019, 09:32 PM
jseth jseth is offline
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Either JJB, Trance Audio Amulet or Dazzo... tose are the names that spring to mind immediately.
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Old 02-07-2019, 09:39 PM
Beakybird Beakybird is offline
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What's the advantage of the other brand? Cheaper? Better?
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Old 02-07-2019, 09:43 PM
sabatini sabatini is offline
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What's the advantage of the other brand? Cheaper? Better?
JJB is about half the price of the K&K. Some people have installed them and could discern no difference in quality. Your milage may vary.
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Old 02-07-2019, 09:59 PM
Rudy4 Rudy4 is offline
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Originally Posted by sabatini View Post
JJB is about half the price of the K&K. Some people have installed them and could discern no difference in quality. Your milage may vary.
The JJBs used to ship with a really cheap import jack. I don't know if they still do or not.
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Old 02-07-2019, 10:39 PM
stormin1155 stormin1155 is offline
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I've installed both K&K and JJB in customer's guitars. I can't tell the difference, so I always recommend JJB. Jesse, the owner is a great guy and has made up special application pickups for me.
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Old 02-07-2019, 10:45 PM
Chipotle Chipotle is offline
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JME Ultra Tonic?
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Old 02-07-2019, 11:21 PM
kcnbys kcnbys is offline
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The JJB Prestige 330 from JJB Electronics is the pickup to which you're referring. I use both it, and the K&K, and cannot tell a qualitative difference. Some believe the K&K has a stronger output level. Both are fantastic, but as has been mentioned, the JJB costs nearly half the retail price of the K&K. The small version of the JJB 330 (there are two sizes) is the most similar to the K&K, but the piezo discs are slightly bigger. They both, however install the same way, and the same method of installation can be used.
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Old 02-07-2019, 11:27 PM
AeroUSA AeroUSA is online now
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Or the Ultra Tonic. A much better K&K imo!
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Old 02-08-2019, 08:06 AM
musicman1951 musicman1951 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rudy4 View Post
The JJBs used to ship with a really cheap import jack. I don't know if they still do or not.
I don't know. To save about the price of a good pick? Doesn't sound like a great idea. Maybe in a guitar that only cost a few hundred.

But that's just me. I don't have a bunch of guitars and $50 doesn't change my lifestyle any.
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Old 02-08-2019, 08:14 AM
Monsoon1 Monsoon1 is offline
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James May? So this is a hemi pickup and you play your guitar in the bed, right?
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Old 02-08-2019, 08:14 AM
rokdog49 rokdog49 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by musicman1951 View Post
I don't know. To save about the price of a good pick? Doesn't sound like a great idea. Maybe in a guitar that only cost a few hundred.

But that's just me. I don't have a bunch of guitars and $50 doesn't change my lifestyle any.
50 bucks for a good pick?
Apparently we have different views on picks.
Some folks aren't as fortunate and 50 bucks is 50 bucks.

The JJB jack is just fine, no issues with mine.
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Old 02-08-2019, 10:00 AM
uriah1 uriah1 is offline
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I think a lot of mfg, at least ones I have tried, still don't get that high e with enough projection yet.
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Old 02-08-2019, 10:04 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by uriah1 View Post
I think a lot of mfg, at least ones I have tried, still don't get that high e with enough projection yet.
Hi uriah

I'd tend to agree. I'm thinking the Bridge Plate transducers tend to be a bit mellow in the upper treble range, whereas under saddle pickups tend to be too pronounced in that range.

This is why many serious players end up experimenting with dual source rigs (with a pickup and mic).

That said, when acting as a sound tech, I prefer the Soundboard Transducers to the Undersaddle every time…even when lending them preamps to improve adjustability.

The tone is so much more pleasing to the ears.


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