Emerald K & K upgrade query

[ceciltguitar]

Greetings fellow carbon guitar enthusiasts.

I am going to order an X5 Emerald for my wife. She will plug it directly into a Fishman SoloAmp.

How much difference in sound quality would it make to "upgrade" (or is it just a change?) to the K & K mini? Is it truly a significant difference in quality? Or just a difference in sound and a matter of opinion as to which is better, B band or K & K?

Alistair built a wonderful X10 Artisan nylon string guitar for me about 7 years ago, and it sounds great with the B band pickup.

Thank you for your opinions!

Best regards,
Tom

[Doubleneck]

I would not change the B Band, it's a good sounding UTS. Hear the K&K is a little more difficult to install on carbon given the surface is not as smooth as sanded wood? If you want to improve the B Band use effects like Aura.

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

On such a small travel guitar I think the K&K is the way to go, why worry about a battery? I would ask Alistar to install it for you.

[tommyld]

I'd also go with the K&K on a travel guitar because it doesn't have a battery.

But while I do think the K&K sounds a bit better than undersaddle, I don't think it sounds so much better that I'd pull the B Band if it was already installed!

Originally Posted by Doubleneck

Hear the K&K is a little more difficult to install on carbon given the surface is not as smooth as sanded wood?

I can see the potential for that. Personally, I haven't had any trouble (installation or sonics) with the K&K on my X7.
My X20 had a couple bumps under the bridge from the molding process...to prepare it for a K&K install, I used a sanding block which quite effortlessly smoothed up the area.

[Whaleblue]

FWIW I'm specifying the K&K on my X-20 for two main reasons.

No battery.

No barn-door cutout on that beautiful body!

I'm with Ted, Tom, and Ian; K&K. I liked the B Band in several guitars, but ultimately got to dislike the hassle with batteries. Also, if you're using an amp you don't need the eq settings at the guitar. The K&K is light, doesn't require a big hole in the guitar, and does a great job in transferring sound.

[ceciltguitar]

Wow! Thanks for the responses!

Aside from the onboard-battery aspect.......

What about sound quality? Does anyone have any experience comparing 2 otherwise identical (or even similar) Emerald guitars comparing the amplified sound quality of B band to K & K?

Thanks again for the great feedback!

Best regards,
Tom

[ceciltguitar]

FWIW, I got a reply from Alistair:

Hi Tom
I actually prefer the B-Band in the X5. It gives it a really big full sound with great on board controls and tuner.
Glad you are still enjoying the nylon string.
Alistair

[Doubleneck]

Originally Posted by ceciltguitar

FWIW, I got a reply from Alistair:

Hi Tom
I actually prefer the B-Band in the X5. It gives it a really big full sound with great on board controls and tuner.
Glad you are still enjoying the nylon string.
Alistair

What does that guy know!?! Lol

[Ted @ LA Guitar Sales]

Originally Posted by Doubleneck

What does that guy know!?! Lol

He knows that installing a K&K in that little guitar through the sound hole is no cake walk.

Good thinking Ted--that had not occurred to me, but you are absolutely right. Unless I had some really small leprechaun helpers I'd ever be able to install a K&K in an X5.

[Uncle Pauhana]

I don't know what it would take to get me to put an ugly plastic box in the side of a guitar ever again. It's a really big deal for me now that I've broken the habit.

[Fixedgear60]

Uncle... I would have to agree. I just ordered a new x5 with k&k as a sister guitar to my amicus. I have K&K in all my ukes and guitars and never felt the need for a pre-amp in the guitar. If you really need one a preamp I am sure you can plug an external preamp into the guitar from the K&ks.

[StillStephen]

+1 - another K&K fan here. Even prefer them in Drednaughts.