Schatten HFN Pickup Youtube Review!!

AeroUSA · #1 02-24-2019, 08:47 PM

This thing is amazing!!!

Gordon Currie · #2 02-24-2019, 09:06 PM

Sounds like a typical Schatten HFN - the most mic-like transducer I've heard so far.

I just had one installed this afternoon by Wayne Johnson of Irvin Guitars. Did a quick sound check and instantly sounded *right*.

GuitarLuva · #3 02-24-2019, 09:34 PM

You're quite welcome. One other thing I would like to add is I found the louder I turn up the Anthem the muddier it gets but the Schatten do not miss a beat.

The Kid! · #4 02-25-2019, 12:07 AM

Great video! Glad you dig the pickup.

raduray · #5 02-25-2019, 12:19 AM

Am I imagining things or does the pickup seem to lose some bass compared to the microphone?

AeroUSA · #6 02-25-2019, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raduray

Am I imagining things or does the pickup seem lose some bass compared to the microphone?

It does but the microphone is a large diaphragm. Also it’s easier to add bass that remove it.

Tomorrow I will make a comparison with a small diaphragm microphone.

raduray · #7 02-25-2019, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AeroUSA

It does but the microphone is a large diaphragm. Also it’s easier to add bass that remove it.

Tomorrow I will make a comparison with a small diaphragm microphone.

I read on another thread that someone shifted the pickup a bit toward the low E to regain lost bass.

Anyway, yours is a very good review. I'm looking for a pickup for a new guitar and this seems to be the one. Thank you.

AeroUSA · #8 02-25-2019, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raduray

I read on another thread that someone shifted the pickup a bit toward the low E to regain lost bass.

Anyway, yours is a very good review. I'm looking for a pickup for a new guitar and this seems to be the one. Thank you.

The guitar doesn’t have much bass anyway. It’s a brighter guitar and I like that.

This pickup is hard to fault. I love it.

guitaniac · #9 02-25-2019, 05:57 AM

Thanks for the demo, Aaron. Its good to hear a direct recording and learn that you've gigged with it without a feedback problem.

In past years I recall that feedback vulnerability was a reported issue, so it appears that the change in base material and/or other design changes have made improvements in that area.

varmonter · #10 02-25-2019, 06:27 AM

Where are these attached? If i have a kk glued
in my guitar would i have to remove it?

TNO · #11 02-25-2019, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raduray

I read on another thread that someone shifted the pickup a bit toward the low E to regain lost bass.

That didn't work for me. I found joy by using a tiny ball of putty on the middle foot of the pickup so that it was less coupled than the outer feet (where I used the tape). This eliminated what Schatten described as a potential phase issue and the low E got louder and fuller and the high E also got fatter and less glassy. My K&K-equipped guitar sounds like mud compared to the HFN. I don't see how anything could sound much better without introducing problems with feedback.

Peter Z · #12 02-25-2019, 08:40 AM

Great, Aaron! Thank you!
Now I have to buy one too! :-)

Can anybody tell me if the HFN works with a Fishman Prefix plus preamp that I have in one of my guitars? Or with a LR Baggs Elemt preamp that I have in another?

Wistah · #13 02-25-2019, 08:42 AM

Awesome. I ordered mine yesterday, can't wait to try it!

Petty1818 · #14 02-25-2019, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raduray

Am I imagining things or does the pickup seem lose some bass compared to the microphone?

To be honest, I find this with most pickups going direct. The Schatten doesn't sound any different than the other pickups that Aaron has reviewed (in terms of bass). As Aaron mentioned, the microphone is always going to sound a bit more boomy.

Just some points though. Aaron, you mentioned in your video that you have seen the pickup go for as little as $110.00. Here in Canada, I can get it for $104.99 and that's in Canadian dollars. I would avoid ordering direct from Schatten has their prices are typically $20-30 more. They told me that they don't try to compete with dealers.

Also, if output is an issue, there is always the active version. I personally find that with my passive HFN, a preamp is always needed. Mixer preamps are okay but I have plugged straight in and found the tone to be thin. Once I eq with an external mixer, the tone is fat and warm. One thing I do want to try in the near future is attaching the pickup using the super thin Trance Amulet tape.

LiveMusic · #15 02-25-2019, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petty1818

...One thing I do want to try in the near future is attaching the pickup using the super thin Trance Amulet tape.

You're saying it's superior to what Schatten provides? Is Trance tape available?

Tape that these companies use... is this stuff supposed to hold forever or what?