Blackbird Savoy - factory pickup or no?

JohnDenverGirl · #1 01-29-2017, 08:39 PM

My friend is ordering a savoy but is trying to decide to go with factorypickup or no.

he doesn't play out currently and only at home.

He is concerned the undersaddle will negatively effect unplugged sound and 1 extra thing to go outdated.

However he is concerned with resale value, if he doesn't like it when he gets it, going without factory pickup may negatively affect resale. Or down the road may decide to plug in.

What do you think? Factory pickup or no?

jonfields45 · #2 01-29-2017, 09:40 PM

The pickups offered by Blackbird are all easy installs for a competent tech and they are not giving them away (meaning it won't cost you any more to get it done later). I say no.

Earl49 · #3 01-29-2017, 10:29 PM

I opted for no pickup on my Lucky 13 when I ordered last June. I don't regret not having a pickup (i dont perform anymore) and pickups can always be added later. A pickup generally won't add much resale value, but might make a sale go a little faster - if the buyer wants one. It is something to eventually fail or become obsolete.

Fixedgear60 · #4 01-30-2017, 07:01 AM

On this Blackbird it appears relatively easy to put in a pickup latter given the center sound hole. Not the case on the rider, super OM and there BBT. I assume EKOA reacts the same as wood or carbon and there s already a pilot hole with the end strap button. My choice would be a K&K passive pickup. The MISI sound great but I just can't bring myself to carry around another charger... :-) Wish there was a phone or usb charger for it... :-)

Earl49 · #5 01-30-2017, 08:36 AM

FG60, there is a way to charge the MiSi pickup with just a 9V battery, instead of the wall wart charger. I believe the pickup instructions show how.

jonfields45 · #6 01-30-2017, 09:49 AM

I made these and keep them in the gigbag; one is for a 9v battery and the other is for a standard negative tip 9v stompbox power supply. The stand where I keep my MiSi equipped H-DR1100N2 has the charger plugged-in nearby.

#7 07-07-2021, 12:06 PM

Jon;

Very nice, thank you for the illustration.

Fixedgear60 · #8 07-07-2021, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earl49

FG60, there is a way to charge the MiSi pickup with just a 9V battery, instead of the wall wart charger. I believe the pickup instructions show how.

I had a K&K mini installed by Joe and the team back in the day when I ordered mine. Joe said that because of the center hole construction the sound was much more balanced and easier to dial in than the prior carbon fiber models like the rider and Super OM. I seem to remember a similar issue with the cargo because of the placement of the sound hole.

RP · #9 07-08-2021, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Earl49

I opted for no pickup on my Lucky 13 when I ordered last June. I don't regret not having a pickup (i dont perform anymore) and pickups can always be added later. A pickup generally won't add much resale value, but might make a sale go a little faster - if the buyer wants one. It is something to eventually fail or become obsolete.

I'm with Earl. I always opt for no pickup....