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View Poll Results: Which pickup do you recommend? Passive or active? Choose 1 PU & Active or Passive | |||
Schatten HFN | 11 | 44.00% | |
JJB (please specify which diameter in the text reply) | 1 | 4.00% | |
K&K pure mini- Ignore the rumors about boominess | 5 | 20.00% | |
Other pickup (specify which, & in reply reasons for your choice over the others) | 7 | 28.00% | |
Passive version (of your pickup selection) | 9 | 36.00% | |
Active version (of your pickup selection | 1 | 4.00% | |
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 25. You may not vote on this poll |
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#1
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Narrowing down pickup choices
I've got a 1972 D35 that when I've gigged I've been using a magnetic soundhole pickup. Aside from being ugly it has an external wire and a typical good, but magnetic pickup sound. I've hemmed and hawed and want to finally make a decision on which pickup/system to install. I defintely don't want a pickup in the soundhole or anything that will be obtrusive. A thumbwheel volume/tone control in the soundhole is acceptable.
K&K is extremely popular, but I'm told that it can be a bit boomy and this D35 has a ton of low end. The alternative to that is the JJB, which is a similar design but purportedly "tighter" sounding. The last is the Schatten HFN. Within these choices is whether or not to go passive or active internally. I already own a LR Baggs GigPro preamp, which is just your basic pocket sized preamp with two band EQ. So what do you say? Which of these pickups? is there another that I'm missing that I'll kick myself if I don't buy? Internally passive or active?
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Assuming is not knowing. Knowing is NOT the same as understanding. There is a difference between compassion and wisdom, however compassion cannot supplant wisdom, and wisdom can not occur without understanding. facts don't care about your feelings and FEELINGS ALONE MAKE FOR TERRIBLE, often irreversible DECISIONS Last edited by vindibona1; 07-20-2019 at 11:50 AM. |
#2
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I've used the JJB (15mm) before and while they work okay the extra $ for the K&K is my choice. It has more natural passive output but like all passive pickups will work much better with a good preamp/DI. I used the Schatten HFN passive once and it was almost opposite of the K&K in that it was very much high end oriented where the K&K is more bottom end but the K&K is controllable. Just got to dial back the bass response to maybe 10:00 or 11:00 on your acoustic amp, PA, or preamp if it has EQ.
All that being said...the Schatten might work well with your D-35 because they are very bass dominant. The Schatten has about 1/2 to 2/3 of the normal output of the K&K IME so you'll need to use a preamp possibly with boost to compensate for that lesser output. Any of the three will work. It's a shame there's not a way to try one or the other first?
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Jim Dogs Welcome......People Tolerated! |
#3
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Assuming is not knowing. Knowing is NOT the same as understanding. There is a difference between compassion and wisdom, however compassion cannot supplant wisdom, and wisdom can not occur without understanding. facts don't care about your feelings and FEELINGS ALONE MAKE FOR TERRIBLE, often irreversible DECISIONS |
#4
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I voted other.
My pickup of choice is the Dazzo. It’s passive unless younpair it with a Sunnaudio Tone Driver. The Dazzo is a SBT. It is glued on by epoxy and soon will have a rape option. Dazzos can be chosen to balance your guitars voice so the result is a balanced sound out of the speaker. No EQ needed to fix your sound before you have to adjust for taste. It is piezo based but it is surprisingly mic like. I like the fact that it amplifies the body taps as well. Call Teddy and he will personally guide you through installation and pickup choice.
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Vancebo Husband of One, Father of Two Worship Leader, Music Teacher Oregon Duck Fan Guitars by: Collings, Bourgeois, Taylor Pickups by: Dazzo Preamps by: Sunnaudio Amps by: Bose (S1) Grateful |
#5
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I have a Fishman Matrix Infinity in one of my guitars, it never fails to sound good. I have a K&K in another guitar, it takes mid range eq'ing to sound good. It's a love hate thing for me. When it sounds good it sounds real good.
Lately I've had an itch for a Fishman Eclipse Matrix Blend system. I will most likely get one very soon, the itch is reaching the point of needing a good scratch. It will replace the K&K pup.
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The Blond The Brunette The Red Head The Old Lady Goldilocks Flipper "Sometimes I play a song I never heard before" Thelonious Monk |
#6
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I voted Schatten passive since we have 3 in the family, and probably more in the future.
My favorite by a small margin is the Dazzo. It just seems to have a little more of everything good I hear in the HFN. Higher priced and somewhat more involved installation-wise.
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-Gordon 1978 Larrivee L-26 cutaway 1988 Larrivee L-28 cutaway 2006 Larrivee L03-R 2009 Larrivee LV03-R 2016 Irvin SJ cutaway 2020 Irvin SJ cutaway (build thread) K+K, Dazzo, Schatten/ToneDexter Notable Journey website Facebook page Where the spirit does not work with the hand, there is no art. - Leonardo Da Vinci |
#7
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I've been a K&K fan for a long time. I recently tried the new Schatten HFN (ABS plastic adhered with tape) pickups and I am a fan. They really need a preamp and can't really be used direct in a pinch like K&K. But, the quality of the highs and mids is better to my ears. That said, HFN can produce too many highs without the proper preamp to roll them off. I am using passive K&K in two guitars with a ToneDexter and other preamps. And, I have the Schatten HFN VT active system in the D-28 Modern Deluxe. I am considering switching the K&K in the 12 string to the HFN VT Active. I also really like Dazzo pickups. They are epoxied in and have the ability to fine tune the bass response via selection.
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"Lift your head and smile at trouble. You'll find happiness someday." |
#8
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I voted "Other" because I've found the Trance Amulet M-VT to be a well-balanced, consistently reliable tonal installation in several installs. This pickup/preamp system works well with a ToneDexter or LR Baggs Session Acoustic DI.
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Martin HD-28 Sunburst/Trance M-VT Phantom Martin D-18/UltraTonic Adamas I 2087GT-8 Ovation Custom Legend LX Guild F-212XL STD Huss & Dalton TD-R 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 |
#9
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I voted other. Without knowing the guitar, playing style, sound system, venue/volume levels required, and how often the guitar will be played all have some say in the matter. Also, how invasive of an install is allowable on the guitar.
So for those reasons, I went a semi-permanent route that is versatile. Seymour Duncan magmic. Fingerstyle players are covered, heavy strummers (like me) can add some compression and blend in as much mic as the PA/amp will take before feedback and get a good sound. Percussive playing is covered. Non-invasive install, aside from battery box/bag. My 2c. I love the one on my Eastman E1OM. As long as I'm running a bit of compression and blend in at least 30% of the mic is get a terrific sound. (Should've read first post first, oops; regardless, the mag mic sounds pretty good for me)
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As my username suggests, huge fan of Yamaha products. Own many acoustic-electric models from 2009-present and a couple electric. Lots of PA too. |
#10
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One question about the Schatten VT active... Where does the battery go? What kind of batteries does it use?
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Assuming is not knowing. Knowing is NOT the same as understanding. There is a difference between compassion and wisdom, however compassion cannot supplant wisdom, and wisdom can not occur without understanding. facts don't care about your feelings and FEELINGS ALONE MAKE FOR TERRIBLE, often irreversible DECISIONS |
#11
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Martin HD-28 Sunburst/Trance M-VT Phantom Martin D-18/UltraTonic Adamas I 2087GT-8 Ovation Custom Legend LX Guild F-212XL STD Huss & Dalton TD-R 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 |
#12
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I recently picked up a guitar with an LR Baggs lyric. Have not had a chance to use it in the wild yet, but at home it sounds amazing.
Until now I have been a K&K dual source fan for years. I have both the external 2 channel pre and in one guitar I have the on aboard 2 channel pre amp. Having the option to blend a bit of mic into the mini adds a nice bit or air into the sound.
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David Webber Round-Body Furch D32-LM MJ Franks Lagacy OM Rainsong H-WS1000N2T Stonebridge OM33-SR DB Stonebridge D22-SRA Tacoma Papoose Voyage Air VAD-2 1980 Fender Strat A few Partscaster Strats MIC 60s Classic Vib Strat |
#13
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https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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jf45ir Free DIY Acoustic Guitar IR Generator .wav file, 30 seconds, pickup left, mic right, open position strumming best...send to direct email below I'll send you 100/0, 75/25, 50/50 & 0/100 IR/Bypass IRs IR Demo, read the description too: https://youtu.be/SELEE4yugjE My duo's website and my email... [email protected] Jon Fields |
#14
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The Trance Amulet system sounds wonderful, until you see the price of $319 to get two pickups a preamp and a volume/tone control. If this guitar were gigged every week I would consider such an expense. I was thinking around $100... but $150 for the Schatten VST or an upgraded version of the K&K might be ok... I dunno. It's all a gamble, no?
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Assuming is not knowing. Knowing is NOT the same as understanding. There is a difference between compassion and wisdom, however compassion cannot supplant wisdom, and wisdom can not occur without understanding. facts don't care about your feelings and FEELINGS ALONE MAKE FOR TERRIBLE, often irreversible DECISIONS |
#15
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Narrowing down pickup choices
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I don’t think the Schatten is a gamble. It’s $150 and installs with tape. Again, until recently, I wasn’t a fan of this pickup. But, once he changed to ABS plastic and started using tape for the install, I liked the sound difference. And, it seems to fit your needs. Trance may be a bit cleaner sounding, but that value might be lost if you’re not gigging this guitar very often.
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"Lift your head and smile at trouble. You'll find happiness someday." |