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  #1  
Old 02-26-2016, 03:32 PM
luigib luigib is offline
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Default This looks like a K&K Pure Mini but almost $90 cheaper. What's the difference?

This piezo pickup I found on Amazon has the same basic setup except the piezo discs are larger in diameter. One reviewer goes as far as saying it sounds identical. Could anyone tell me what other major differences there are?
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  #2  
Old 02-26-2016, 03:44 PM
kurth83 kurth83 is offline
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Coming from the electronic drum world, where do-it-yourselfers abound, it is well known there that the piezos used as instrument pickups cost around $1.00 each (if you are using a standard size which are typically small round coin-sized things).

If that is indeed a K&K clone, and is using the exact same piezos, then it could indeed sound about the same.

The quality of the rest of it, including the wiring, and most especially the durability of the jack I would tend to question. I would not put a cheap jack in my guitar because I know they wear out fairly quickly from my experience as a long time electronics hobbyist.

Edit: Also note that K&K piezos are covered in moulded plastic to protect the wiring to the piezeos from stress, note the $12 knockoff has no such protection, you can see the exposed wires.
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Last edited by kurth83; 02-26-2016 at 03:56 PM.
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Old 02-26-2016, 03:53 PM
SpruceTop SpruceTop is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by luigib View Post
This piezo pickup I found on Amazon has the same basic setup except the piezo discs are larger in diameter. One reviewer goes as far as saying it sounds identical. Could anyone tell me what other major differences there are?
This system shows how cheaply these disk-based SBT systems can be made using off-the-shelf piezo transducers bought from a supply house. His price is $11.80 for a system. In relation to K& K systems, I'd be willing to bet that a K&K system uses matched-output transducers and a Switchcraft End-pin/Jack along with better shielding and cosmetics. Frankly, if I was going to put this type of system in a $3000 guitar, and given that these installations are made with superglue, I wouldn't mind spending the extra $90 for a K&K system for its better quality and company support.
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Last edited by SpruceTop; 02-26-2016 at 03:59 PM.
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Old 02-26-2016, 03:58 PM
jonfields45 jonfields45 is offline
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Hard to know if it is exactly the same (minus the epoxy encapsulation) as a K&K or JJB, but I would at least spend a little more for JJB for a decent guitar. However, if I was putting a pickup in a beginner's $100 plywood guitar, this seems like a great option.
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Old 02-27-2016, 03:05 PM
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ljguitar ljguitar is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by luigib View Post
This piezo pickup I found on Amazon has the same basic setup except the piezo discs are larger in diameter. One reviewer goes as far as saying it sounds identical. Could anyone tell me what other major differences there are?
Hi luigib
  • Mono jack (not stereo for adding second source).
  • Not encapsulated in Epoxy
  • Not the same dimension @ 6mm (K&K Pure mini is 12.5mm JJB 15mm or 20mm)
  • No support (Hong Kong based company)

All the positive reviews are either classical guitar instals - or ukulele installed. The only negative one is from an acoustic guitar user.

If you decide to bite the bullet and install a set, please include & post some recordings.

When I play out live, my guitar represents me, so I don't scrimp on my pickup systems, preamps, amps or interfaces for my guitars.




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Old 02-28-2016, 03:43 AM
chitz chitz is offline
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I ordered a couple. Might build a porchboard/stompbox with 'em.

Last edited by chitz; 02-28-2016 at 06:24 AM.
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Old 02-29-2016, 03:54 PM
luigib luigib is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chitz View Post
I ordered a couple. Might build a porchboard/stompbox with 'em.
Let us know how it turns out!
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Old 02-29-2016, 03:56 PM
luigib luigib is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ljguitar View Post

All the positive reviews are either classical guitar instals - or ukulele installed. The only negative one is from an acoustic guitar user.
Good point. I was mainly looking into it for a project/beater guitar. If I end up buying it I will definitely post my findings.
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Old 03-04-2016, 05:02 AM
chitz chitz is offline
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Let us know how it turns out!
They arrived a few days ago. Took them out of the pkg yesterday to give them a closer exam. They are large, abt 30mm.

They are also useless. I had also ordered a 1/2 gallon of maple syrup from Amazon. So they shipped the piezos and the syrup together without any protection for the piezos Bent them up pretty bad.
Amazon has a poor shipping department, we have many items arrive damaged.

So I'm returning them and re-ordering. No biggie.
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Old 03-04-2016, 06:19 AM
se7ent7 se7ent7 is offline
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Would really like to know how these sound from an AGF member, preferably with K&K PWM experience..

Thinking of getting a set for my Tanglewood Ukulele, which built in UST is shockkingly bad...
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Old 03-04-2016, 06:43 PM
chitz chitz is offline
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Originally Posted by se7ent7 View Post
Would really like to know how these sound from an AGF member, preferably with K&K PWM experience..

Thinking of getting a set for my Tanglewood Ukulele, which built in UST is shockkingly bad...
I don't think I'd ever install them in a real instrument. If you want piezos on a budget for a uke, check out the offerings from JJB electronics.
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Old 03-04-2016, 08:16 PM
SpruceTop SpruceTop is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chitz View Post
They arrived a few days ago. Took them out of the pkg yesterday to give them a closer exam. They are large, abt 30mm.

They are also useless. I had also ordered a 1/2 gallon of maple syrup from Amazon. So they shipped the piezos and the syrup together without any protection for the piezos Bent them up pretty bad.
Amazon has a poor shipping department, we have many items arrive damaged.

So I'm returning them and re-ordering. No biggie.
Most importantly, how's the maple syrup?
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Taylor 717e
Taylor 618e
Taylor 614ce
Larrivee D-50M/HiFi
Larrivee D-40R Blue Grass Special/HiFi
Larrivee D-40R Sunburst
Larrivee C-03R TE/Trance M-VT Phantom
RainSong BI-DR1000N2
Emerald X20
Yamaha FGX5
Republic Duolian/Schatten NR-2
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  #13  
Old 03-05-2016, 07:11 AM
chitz chitz is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SpruceTop View Post
Most importantly, how's the maple syrup?
100% organic grade B and totally awesome!
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  #14  
Old 03-05-2016, 07:39 AM
Kittoon Kittoon is offline
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- Sounds like a "Sticky" situation!!! ...
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Old 03-08-2016, 04:35 PM
chitz chitz is offline
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Well the replacements arrived today in much better shape than the original order. Decent kit for $10. here's a pic...



All I need now is free time to build something!
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